More than 140 bills have been signed into law during this session. There are hundreds of bills still to be heard in committee and we expect many more to be filed in the weeks ahead. As we head into our 6th week of the session, we’d like to update you on the legislature’s progress. On [...]
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 [...]
The House Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced SB211 this morning. 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. The House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee advanced legislation making changes to the Safe Haven Act. SB168 adds 24 hour manned [...]
In a vote of 96-0, the House passed HB1302, An Act to Create the Red Tape Reduction Collective Rulemaking Act of 2019. This bill creates a process by which similar agencies could submit rules and regulations collectively to expedite process. It would help ensure that agencies needing to respond to new legislation for occupational licensing [...]
This week, the House voted to raise teacher salaries, increase a tax credit, and increase fines for distracted driving in school zones. HB1145, titled the Teacher Salary Enhancement Act, would raise the minimum teacher salary by $4,000 over the next 4 years. The House voted 91-0 in favor the legislation. The bill now heads to [...]
With a vote of 91-0, the House passed a bill titled the Teacher Salary Enhancement Act. HB1145 brings the minimum starting teacher salary from $31,400 to $36,000 over the next 4 years. The bill includes the entire salary schedule. We’ve posted it on our website www.arkansashouse.org. Currently, there are 168 schools in the state paying [...]
In a vote of 95-0, the full House voted in favor of HB1296. This prohibits an occupational licensing board from revoking a license specifically for a defaulted or delinquent student loan. The House Insurance and Commerce Committee advanced SB113. This would transfer the responsibilities and duties of the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace to the Arkansas [...]
The House Education Committee advanced several bills including HB1145, the Teacher Salary Enhancement Act. This bill raises the minimum teacher salary by $4,000 over the next 4 years. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced HB1321. This bill increases the Homestead Property Tax Credit from $350 to $375 a year. The House Public Health, Welfare [...]
More than 600 bills have been filed and several bills are now making their way to the Governor’s desk as we enter the 4th week of the 2019 Regular Session. In a vote of 70-18, with one member voting present, the House passed SB17. This reduces the fees for a concealed carry permit. This Senate [...]
House members are now preparing for the fourth week of the 2019 Regular Session. We are expecting to review and possibly vote on big issues such as tax cuts and teacher salaries. The Governor’s tax cut proposal has now been filed. This bill will start in the Senate. SB211 would cut the state’s top individual [...]