On Thursday, the House passed HB1833. This bill amends the Revenue Stabilization Act. It categorizes $6.2 billion in state spending for the next fiscal year. The biggest increases in funding are directed to the public school fund and the Division of Correction. The budget also includes $31.7 million for Educational Freedom Accounts. The House also [...]
On Wednesday, the House passed SB549. This bill will reduce the state’s top income tax rate from 4.9% to 4.7%. It also reduces the corporate income tax rate from 5.3% to 5.1%. The reductions will be retroactive to January 1, 2023. The House also passed the following bills: SB396-This bill creates the Social Media Safety [...]
On Tuesday, the House adopted HJR1006. This resolution is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lottery proceeds to provide scholarships and grants to Arkansans enrolled in vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. The House also passed the following bills: HB1688-This bill amends public school funding. It increases per-pupil funding from the current amount of $7,413 [...]
On Monday, the House passed HB1345. This bill increases the income tax deduction for a teacher’s classroom expenses from $500 a year to $750 a year. The House also passed the following bills: HB1720-This bill states that a digital currency tracker shall not be used in this state to track an individual's purchases or location [...]
When the House reconvenes on Monday, members will likely be entering the last week of the 2023 Regular Session. Currently, the General Assembly is expected to adjourn on April 7. Before members adjourn, they will be addressing education funding, tax cuts, and amending the Revenue Stabilization Act which prioritizes spending for the next fiscal year. [...]
House members completed the 12th week of the 2023 Regular Session on Thursday. Next week, the House is expected to address criminal justice reform, tax cuts, and the Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA). The RSA prioritizes general revenue spending for the next fiscal year. On Thursday, the House passed the following bills: SB377-This bill creates a [...]
More than 360 bills have been signed into law and many more are making their way to the Governor’s desk as we approach what could be the final week of the 2023 Regular Session. On Wednesday, the House passed HB1011. This bill requires the Arkansas Medicaid Program to reimburse for depression screenings for pregnant women. [...]
On Tuesday, the House passed SB248. This bill creates the Arkansas Challenge Plus Scholarship Program. The bill states that a student is eligible to receive an Arkansas Challenge Plus Scholarship if the student receives the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and demonstrates financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The [...]
On Monday, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee began hearing testimony for proposed constitutional amendments. The committee did not take any action on the proposals today but plans to do so when it meets again on Wednesday. The full House passed the following bills on Monday: HB1468. This bill prohibits requiring employees of [...]
When House members return from the spring break recess, they will begin the process reviewing proposed constitutional amendments. Those hearings will take place in the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. Every member who has filed a proposed constitutional amendment will have the opportunity to present his or her proposal during the committee meetings. [...]