Arkansas Congressional Bills

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 4235: American Security Robotics Act of 2026

The American Security Robotics Act of 2026 prohibits federal agencies from buying or using unmanned ground vehicles made by foreign entities linked to certain nations. It defines these vehicles as mechanical devices that move on the ground and operate without direct human control, including autonomous robots and remote surveillance systems. The ban takes effect one year after the law is passed and applies to both direct purchases and contracts for these services. Exceptions allow use for national security missions, research, or if the system is modified to remove foreign data connections and cybersecurity risks.

Topics ✗ Technology

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 4233: Save Struggling Hospitals Act

This bill, known as the Save Struggling Hospitals Act, modifies Medicare reimbursement rules to provide additional financial support to hospitals in low-wage areas. It directly affects hospitals whose geographic area wage index falls below the 25th percentile, increasing their reimbursement rates by half the difference between their current index and the 25th percentile threshold. The adjustment applies to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2019, and is designed to be budget neutral, meaning the total amount paid out remains unchanged while redistributing funds from higher-wage to lower-wage areas. The law also includes safeguards to prevent hospitals in the 75th percentile or higher from losing funding and ensures no hospital's reimbursement drops below 95 percent of the previous year's rate.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 4249: FARM Stability Act

The FARM Stability Act proposes changes to wage requirements for H-2A temporary agricultural workers in the United States. It would require the Secretary of Labor to establish a two-tiered wage system based on skill levels, with higher pay for workers who have formal training or significant experience compared to entry-level workers. The bill also mandates that wages account for housing costs by calculating an hourly adjustment factor based on average fair market rent for four-bedroom units, limited to 30 percent of the base wage rate. These provisions would directly affect employers hiring H-2A workers and the workers themselves by modifying how minimum wages are determined and adjusted annually.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Arkansas · House Mar 26, 2026

HR 3447: Chip Security Act

HR 3447, the Chip Security Act, requires manufacturers to equip specific advanced integrated circuits (classified under export control numbers like 3A090) with security mechanisms before exporting them. These mechanisms must verify location and prevent unauthorized access, diversion, or tampering. The law mandates this for covered chips within 180 days of enactment, with a follow-up assessment within one year to develop additional security requirements. It directly affects U.S. chip exporters and importers of these high-tech products, aiming to strengthen export control compliance and national security.

Topics ✓ Technology

Bill Huizenga (R) · 42 co-sponsors

in committee · Arkansas · House Mar 26, 2026

HR 1004: Love Lives On Act of 2025

Love Lives On Act of 2025 This bill extends entitlement for various benefit programs and services for surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces or veterans. The bill provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse must not bar the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation or special pension benefits to such spouse. Additionally, the Department of Defense may not terminate the payment of an annuity for a surviving spouse under the Survivor Benefit Plan solely because the surviving spouse remarries. The bill also expands the definition of a dependent under TRICARE to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Richard Hudson (R) · 182 co-sponsors

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 4206: Know Your American Customer Act

This bill requires banks and credit unions to verify the citizenship or lawful immigration status of individuals opening or maintaining accounts in the United States. Financial institutions must accept specific documents such as passports, driver's licenses, or birth certificates to confirm a customer's identity and legal presence. The law includes provisions for temporary residents, allowing them to maintain accounts for a limited period after their authorized stay expires while restricting certain transactions. It also establishes penalties for individuals who open accounts without lawful status and provides safe harbors for financial institutions that make good-faith efforts to comply with verification requirements.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 4202: Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026

The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026 increases Medicare reimbursement rates for psychologists by raising payment percentages from 75 percent to 85 percent of the standard fee schedule. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and psychologists who provide mental health services under the Medicare program. The higher payment rates apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027, aiming to improve access to mental health care by increasing provider compensation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Arkansas · House Mar 24, 2026

HRES 1132: Expressing support for the designation of March 24, 2026, as "National Agriculture Day" and celebrating the importance of agriculture as one of the most impactful industries in the United States.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 24, 2026, as National Agriculture Day to honor the agricultural industry. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize agriculture's economic importance in the United States. The measure is a non-binding expression of appreciation rather than a legislative action with enforceable provisions.

Mark Alford (R) · 24 co-sponsors

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 4165: Educational Visa Transparency Act of 2026

The Educational Visa Transparency Act of 2026 requires U.S. colleges and universities receiving federal funding to submit detailed lists of international students, faculty, and staff to a federal tracking system. Institutions must report this information within 60 days of the law's enactment and again before each academic term's class registration deadline. The submitted data, organized by visa type, will be accessible to federal agencies including the Department of Education, Homeland Security, Justice, and State. This change aims to improve data collection on non-citizen academic personnel at federally funded institutions.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 4176: STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act

The STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act expands the scope of Medicaid fraud investigations by directing state Medicaid fraud control units to examine not just providers but also individuals who apply for or receive benefits. This change requires states to investigate and prosecute fraudulent activities involving both healthcare providers and beneficiaries seeking or receiving Medicaid coverage. The bill amends existing federal law to explicitly include individuals in the definition of entities subject to fraud control unit oversight. These provisions take effect 180 days after the law is enacted, giving states time to adjust their investigation procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Mar 20, 2026

S 4158: A bill to temporarily suspend the clean electricity production credit to support the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

This bill proposes to pause the clean electricity production tax credit for two years, from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The change would affect electricity generators who currently receive tax benefits for producing clean energy during this period. Money that would have gone to the Treasury from these suspended credits would instead be transferred to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve's funding account. The legislation aims to redirect federal tax revenue to support petroleum stockpiles while temporarily reducing incentives for clean electricity production.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Technology

in committee · Arkansas · House Mar 20, 2026

HR 7571: GusNIP Expansion Act of 2026

This bill expands the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) by modifying funding rules and adding new program features. It allows 100% federal funding for projects in persistent poverty areas (defined by 30-year poverty rates), requires 90% of funds to be spent on redeemed incentives at retailers, and creates cooperative agreements to scale statewide programs through partnerships with SNAP agencies or nonprofits. It also establishes new produce prescription grants ($100,000-$400,000 for pilots, $1-2.5 million for expansion) with specific criteria for clinical research and patient cohorts. The bill directly affects low-income SNAP participants in designated poverty areas, retailers accepting incentives, and community health centers participating in produce prescription programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Arkansas Congressional Bills

Bill results