On Wednesday, the House passed SB617 which will allow but does not require retailers to accept debit cards for the purchase of lottery tickets. Under this bill, credit cards would still be prohibited to purchase tickets.
The House also passed SB26 which establishes a scholarship to incentivize teachers in high need areas. Currently, there is no funding for the program but this legislation puts the mechanism in place should funding become available at a future date. The scholarship would be $5,000 a year for junior and senior years in college.
And the House passed SB773 which allows ROTC cadets with a Unites States Armed Forces services contract to receive in-state tuition at Arkansas colleges and universities.
The House will reconvene on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.