TO ENCOURAGE STATE AGENCIES TO AWARD A PORTION OF STATE CONTRACTS TO ARKANSAS BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FOR LESS THAN FIVE YEARS.

HB 1376 would have required Arkansas state agencies to award at least 5% of their contracts to businesses operating in Arkansas for less than five years with their principal office in the state. This bill aimed to support newer Arkansas businesses by creating a mandatory procurement target for state contracts. The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, and referred to committee, but was withdrawn by its author on February 11, 2025, and did not become law.