The month of May is designated as Military Appreciation Month. Not only do we pause on Memorial Day to remember the sacrifice and service of those who gave all, but the month also holds Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 10 and Armed Forces day on May 18. We have more than 3,000 active military [...]
Many of the bills passed in the recent session could have a direct impact on your daily commute. The Public Transportation Committee heard testimony on proposals from how fast you can drive to requirements to get your license. Below are just some of the bills that have been signed into law impacting Arkansas drivers: Act [...]
LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Rural Fire Program, managed by the Arkansas Agriculture Department’s Forestry Commission (AFC), received $237,000 from the United States Forest Service to purchase and distribute 79 Wildfire Suppression Kits to statewide volunteer fire departments in 2019. Kits feature equipment and gear necessary for the safe suppression of wildfires and will be [...]
When we pass legislation to grow our economy, it does not stop at tax incentives and workforce training. In Arkansas, we know our economy can also grow by bringing in people from out of state to appreciate our natural resources, our talents, and our history. The hospitality industry is the second largest industry in the [...]
More than 900 bills have been signed into law this session. This General Assembly has reduced taxes, addressed infrastructure needs, increased funding to education, and transformed state government. One of the last bills we passed was the amendment to the Revenue Stabilization Act. This outlines the $5.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2020. It includes [...]
The vast majority of work for the 2019 Regular Session is now complete. We will meet one final time later this month to address any unfinished business and official adjourn. On Wednesday, the House passed SB490. This bill expands the eligibility requirements for the Succeed Scholarship Program. This bill will allow students who have been [...]
On Tuesday, the House passed HB1876, the bill to amend the Revenue Stabilization Law. The bill outlines the $5.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2020. It includes a 2.2% increase in spending from the current fiscal year. The increases include additional funding for education, Medicaid, correctional officers, parole officers, and state troopers. The House also [...]
The Joint Budget Committee advanced HB1876, the bill to amend the Revenue Stabilization Law. The bill outlines the $5.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2020. It includes a 2.2% increase in spending from the current fiscal year. The increases are for education, Medicaid, more correctional officers and more state troopers. We have posted the proposal [...]
The state budget is guided by the Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA) which is typically one of the last items passed every session. Members will be reviewing RSA in the Joint Budget Committee Monday morning. We have posted details of the proposed budget on our website. We expect to vote on the budget next week and [...]
In a vote of 68-20 with 2 members voting present, the House passed HJR1008. This is a proposed constitutional amendment for the November 2020 ballot. This amendment would change how future constitutional amendments make it on the ballot. For those proposed by the General Assembly, it would increase the vote requirement to a 3/5 majority. [...]