HB 1489 Arkansas House · 2025 Regular Session

TO AMEND THE METHOD OF EXECUTION TO INCLUDE NITROGEN GAS.

This bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Feb 14, 2025 Signed Mar 18, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Act 302 → HB 1489 · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text changed from referencing 'Act 302 of the Regular Session' to 'House Bill 1489' for the 95th General Assembly Regular Session of 2025. This indicates a renumbering or re-filing of the legislation rather than substantive policy changes.

TECHNICAL

The bill citation was updated from Act 302 to House Bill 1489, reflecting a change in bill number or session designation without altering the underlying policy content.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 18, 2025

Signed into law

Notification that HB1489 is now Act 302

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned from the Senate as passed.

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned to the House as passed.

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read the third time and passed.

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned by the Committee Do Pass

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Introduced

Filed

lower

2 primary · 64 co-sponsors