On Wednesday, the House passed HB1682, the Good Neighbor Act. This bill addresses food insecurity by expanding liability protections for food bank donors, including grocers, wholesalers, hotels, motels, restaurants, caterers, farmers, nonprofit distributors, schools, churches, religious organizations, and hospitals. It also protects food banks distributing donated food to communities. The House also passed HB1275 which [...]
On Monday, the House passed several bills related to elections and referendums. SB188 requires the Secretary of State to post all approved ballot titles and the full text of proposed measures on their website. SB209 stipulates that the Secretary of State will not count signatures collected by a canvasser if it's determined that the canvasser [...]
This week, the House voted 96-0 in favor of a bill to increase the Homestead Property Tax Credit. HB1534 increases the credit from $500 to $600 effective January 1, 2025. This is the second time in 2 years the General Assembly has increased this tax credit. In June of 2024, the General Assembly increased the [...]
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed several pieces of legislation. HB1610 was approved, amending the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act and the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act to clarify that doctors who act in good faith to save the life of a pregnant woman will not be prosecuted. Another bill, HB1503, was passed, which [...]
On Wednesday, the House passed HB1365 which removes racial and gender quotas and membership qualifications for certain boards, committees, councils, and commissions. The House also passed HB1596 which defines a mobile work zone and allows law enforcement to double fines for traffic violations within such zones. The House passed HB1581. This bill adds the offenses [...]
On Tuesday, the House passed several bills. HB1489, which proposes adding nitrogen gas as an approved method of execution, was approved. HB1169 was also passed; this bill aims to clarify the criteria for involuntary commitment to include individuals whose mental condition results from a medical issue. HB1370, which requires school districts to make up the [...]
On Monday, the House passed a bill to increase the Homestead Property Tax Credit. HB1534 increases the credit from $500 to $600 effective January 1, 2025. SB181, which was also passed, changes the qualifications for the State Librarian and regional library system directors, allowing work experience to replace the requirement of a master’s degree in [...]
During the 7th week of the 2025 Regular Session, the House approved HCR1006, extending the session until April 16, with adjournment Sine Die on May 5. The House passed three bills this week focusing on initiatives and referendum petitions. SB207 requires canvassers to inform potential petitioners that petition fraud is a class A misdemeanor. SB208 [...]
On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee advanced HB1489, a bill that proposes adding nitrogen gas as an approved method of execution. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced HB1534. This bill would increase the homestead property tax credit from $500 to $600. The House passed HB1523, establishing the Arkansas Purple Alert System for missing adults [...]
On Wednesday, the House passed HB1403, which expands the AR HOME Program to allow non-hospital entities to serve as community bridge organizations. HB1454, which allows third-party services to conduct criminal history record checks for employee service providers, also passed the House. The House also passed HB1465, which addresses dirtbike use on private property. The bill [...]