Arkansas Congressional Bills

in committee · Arkansas · House Jun 23, 2023

HR 3425: Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2023

HR 3425 creates federal grants to community colleges and college consortia with agriculture programs, helping them expand workforce training, education, and research in farming and related fields. The bill prioritizes colleges partnering with local farms for hands-on student training and allows grant funds to cover equipment, faculty development, and apprenticeships. It authorizes $20 million annually from 2024-2029 for these programs and requires a 3-year evaluation report to Congress. The law directly affects community colleges offering agriculture-focused education, aiming to strengthen their capacity to serve students and the agricultural industry.

Topics ✓ Education

Trent Kelly (R) · 33 co-sponsors

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Jun 22, 2023

SJRES 36: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs of the Department of Labor relating to "Rescission of Implementing Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause's Religious Exemption Rule".

This joint resolution (SJRES 36) seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule (88 Fed. Reg. 12842, March 1, 2023) that would have removed religious exemption provisions from the Equal Opportunity Clause requirements for federal contractors. If approved, it would prevent the rule from taking effect, meaning federal contractors would continue to be required to comply with the Equal Opportunity Clause without the religious exemption previously allowed. The bill directly affects federal contractors subject to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs' (OFCCP) regulations. It is a procedural disapproval measure under Title 5, U.S. Code, not a new policy change.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

James Lankford (R) · 25 co-sponsors

vetoed · Arkansas · Senate Jun 22, 2023

SJRES 11: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards".

SJRES 11 is a joint resolution seeking to cancel an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that set new emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses. The rule, published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2023, would have required manufacturers to meet specific pollution control measures for new vehicles. This resolution uses a congressional disapproval process under the Congressional Review Act to nullify the EPA rule, meaning it would have no legal effect if enacted. If passed, the EPA's emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles would be voided, removing requirements for manufacturers to comply with those specific pollution controls.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Transportation

Deb Fischer (R) · 37 co-sponsors

failed · Arkansas · House Jun 22, 2023

HJRES 44: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".

HJRES 44 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a 2021 rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The rule classified firearms with stabilizing braces as "short-barreled rifles," which would have required additional licensing and regulation. This resolution uses a specific legal process (under Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the ATF rule, meaning the rule would no longer be in effect. It directly affects firearm owners, manufacturers, and dealers who would have been subject to the rule’s requirements.

Andrew S. Clyde (R) · 188 co-sponsors

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Jun 22, 2023

SRES 281: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of June 18 through June 24, 2023, as "National Firefighter Safety Week" in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of National Firefighter Safety Week to raise awareness of the fire risks associated with improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries.

SRES 281 is a Senate resolution designating June 18-24, 2023, as "National Firefighter Safety Week" to raise awareness about fire risks from improper lithium-ion battery disposal. It encourages firefighter training on handling battery incidents, public education about safe battery storage and disposal, and community outreach programs. The resolution also supports existing federal grant programs that fund firefighter safety initiatives related to lithium-ion battery hazards.

in committee · Arkansas · House Jun 22, 2023

HRES 546: Celebrating the historic anniversary of the June 24, 2022, decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

HRES 546 is a symbolic House resolution commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's June 24, 2022, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. The resolution expresses support for the Court's ruling that the Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion and celebrates the decision's impact on returning abortion policy authority to state legislatures. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or policies. The resolution focuses solely on marking the anniversary and affirming the position that unborn life should be protected.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Jun 22, 2023

S 2210: Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act

S 2210, the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act, requires the President to submit a detailed report to Congress before terminating, waiving, or significantly altering U.S. sanctions on Iran. Congress then has 30 days (or 60 days during summer months) to review the proposal through committee hearings and decide whether to approve or disapprove it via joint resolution. During this review period, the President cannot implement the sanction change without Congressional approval. The bill directly affects the executive branch's ability to modify Iran sanctions policy and gives Congress formal oversight authority over major foreign policy shifts related to Iran.

Bill Hagerty (R) · 40 co-sponsors

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Jun 22, 2023

S 2118: Real Emergencies Act

S 2118, the "Real Emergencies Act," prohibits the President from declaring national emergencies, major disasters, or public health emergencies based on climate change. It specifically blocks the use of climate change as a justification under three key laws: the National Emergencies Act, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, and the Public Health Service Act. The bill does not affect past emergency declarations but restricts future declarations where climate change is cited as the primary reason. This directly impacts the executive branch's authority to invoke emergency powers for climate-related events.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Arkansas · House Jun 22, 2023

HR 4293: American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023

This bill renames the U.S. Food for Peace program after Peter O'Brien and makes key changes to how agricultural aid is delivered. It prohibits using cash, food vouchers, or foreign-sourced food for aid (section 2d), requires that at least 50% of annual funds be used for procuring U.S. agricultural commodities (section 2b(5)), and mandates annual reports to Congress on fund usage (section 2b(6)). These changes directly affect U.S. farmers supplying aid and international recipients of food assistance. The bill focuses on strengthening domestic agricultural exports within the Food for Peace program while adding transparency requirements.

Tracey Mann (R) · 39 co-sponsors

vetoed · Arkansas · House Jun 21, 2023

HJRES 45: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans".

HJRES 45 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific Department of Education rule about federal student loans. It seeks to block the rule implementing "One-Time Federal Student Loan Debt Relief" (including modifications to Perkins, FFEL, and Direct Loan programs) by invoking the Congressional Review Act. If passed, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing the Department of Education from using it to modify or waive student loan obligations. The bill directly affects borrowers who might have qualified for debt relief under the targeted rule.

Topics ✗ Education

Bob Good (R) · 94 co-sponsors

in committee · Arkansas · House Jun 21, 2023

HRES 488: Calling on the Biden administration to immediately provide Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine.

HRES 488 is a non-binding resolution calling on the Biden administration to transfer Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine. It requests immediate provision of these long-range missiles - capable of striking targets up to 200 miles away - to help Ukraine counter Russian forces by targeting logistics hubs and command centers deeper in occupied territory. The resolution notes Ukraine already operates compatible launch systems and cites that allies like the UK and France have provided similar long-range weapons without triggering significant Russian escalation. It emphasizes that delaying this transfer could prolong the war and that the U.S. possesses sufficient existing stockpiles to fulfill the request while maintaining military readiness. The resolution does not mandate action but urges the administration to act.

in committee · Arkansas · Senate Jun 21, 2023

S 2091: Kate's Law

S 2091, titled "Kate's Law," amends U.S. immigration law to increase penalties for individuals reentering the United States after being removed, deported, or excluded. It directly affects immigrants who reenter without authorization, particularly those with prior criminal convictions or multiple removals. Key provisions include raising maximum imprisonment to 10 years for reentry after prior drug crimes, crimes against persons, or multiple removals, and establishing a mandatory 5-year minimum sentence for reentry after an aggravated felony conviction or two prior reentry offenses. The bill also updates agency references from "Attorney General" to "Secretary of Homeland Security."

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Arkansas Congressional Bills

Bill results