News

Daily Update – Feb 14

In a vote of 82-14 with 2 members voting present, the House passed SB211. This bill cuts the top tax rate from 6.9 to 6.6 percent on Jan. 1, 2020. It decreases to 5.9 percent in 2021.

In a vote of 93-0, the House passed SB151 which establishes a fund to assist the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in its ongoing efforts to gain a National Cancer Institute designation.

With a vote of 72-20, the House passed SB149 which would prohibit abortion in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned by Supreme Court or if a constitutional amendment is adopted giving authority to the states to regulate abortion.

The House also passed SB168 which adds 24 hour manned fire stations to the locations where a parent can relinquish an infant. This bill also allows for the use of a Safe Haven Baby Box at Safe Haven locations if it includes a dual alarm system to notify authorities.

And the House passed HB1014 which requires that bleeding control training be taught as part of high school health courses.

The House Education Committee advanced SB199 which states a school counselor shall spend at least ninety percent (90%) of his or her working time providing direct and indirect services to students.

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced SB196. This bill provides tax incentives to businesses that invest in “Opportunity Zones” which are designated to be in economic distress. There are 85 opportunity zones in Arkansas.

The House Judiciary Committee passed SB152. It reforms juvenile justice system by utilizing the validated risk assessment tool. It also creates plans for diversion options to maximize benefits for juvenile offenders.

The House Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee advanced HB1440. This bill directs the Arkansas Department of Health to establish the Maternal Mortality Review Committee to review maternal deaths and to develop strategies for prevention.

2019-02-18T22:35:36+00:00 Feb 14th, 2019|Summaries|