News

Daily Update – Feb 12

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 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.

The Public Health Committee also advanced 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 committee also advanced SB151 which established a fund to assist the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in its ongoing efforts to gain a National Cancer Institute designation.

The House Judiciary Committee advanced SB109 which adds correctional officers into the law enforcement officer classification regarding battery offenses against officers.

The committee also advanced SB14 which adds a $10 to fee for those convicted of driving or boating while intoxicated. That money will benefit program assistance for those recovering from alcohol abuse.

And the Judiciary Committee advanced HR1013, a resolution seeking to clarify gun rights and gun laws with regard to open-carry of firearms.

The House Education Committee advanced HB1014 which requires that bleeding control training be taught as part of high school health courses.
The committee also advanced SB135 which creates a tiered funding structure for secondary vocational centers.

Committees will convene at 10am on Wednesday. The House will convene at 1:30pm.

2019-02-18T22:34:43+00:00 Feb 12th, 2019|Summaries|