The House Rules committee advanced resolutions outlining new rules and changes to procedure due to COVID-19. HR1005 requires members, staff, and the public to wear a mask when accessing House properties, including the House Chamber. Limited exceptions such as when a member is recognized to speak are included in the resolution. HR1005 also outlines options [...]
House members elected to serve in the 93rd General Assembly took the oath of office in the House Chamber this afternoon. Upon swearing-in, members then voted to name Rep. Matthew J. Shepherd of El Dorado as the Speaker of the Arkansas House. This will be his second full term to serve as Speaker. Speaker Shepherd [...]
While we are facing difficult and uncertain times, Arkansans should know that essential services in state government will continue. This week during the 2020 Fiscal Session, the Arkansas General Assembly passed a balanced budget for the next fiscal year prioritizing funding for education, health care, and public safety. The 2021 Fiscal Year begins July 1. [...]
The Natural Resources Division of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management will hold a meeting to present details and answer questions regarding the $10 Million in available grant funding released by Governor Hutchinson for levee construction and maintenance projects within the declared national disaster area resulting from the floods [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]