Arkansas Bills

signed · Arkansas · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1874: AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING THAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT AWARDED TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.

House Bill 1874 modifies how specific professional development funding is used for public school teachers in Arkansas. It reallocates funding that exceeds the standard maximum amount awarded to individual schools, which is an additional $16.5 million. This excess funding, previously designated for general professional learning communities, will now be used by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to implement the LEARNS Act. The Division can distribute these funds through grants to eligible entities. This change directs a portion of professional development resources towards statewide educational initiatives outlined in the LEARNS Act.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Arkansas · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1869: TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND TO ORGANIZE MATERNAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

House Bill 1869 establishes the Maternal Outcomes Management System within the Department of Health. This new system is intended to organize maternal health resources. The bill directly affects the Department of Health by creating this management system, aiming to improve the coordination and oversight of services related to maternal health.

signed · Arkansas · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1847: TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS RACING COMMISSION TO MAINTAIN A STATEWIDE SELF-EXCLUSION LIST.

House Bill 1847 authorizes the Arkansas Racing Commission to establish and maintain a statewide self-exclusion list. This list allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from casinos across the state. The bill specifies that funds forfeited by self-excluded individuals, as well as other persons excluded by the commission or casino licensees, will be used to cover certain costs. The act is set to become effective on July 1, 2026.

signed · Arkansas · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1826: TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR DELIVERY OF A NEWBORN IN A LICENSED BIRTHING CENTER.

House Bill 1826 mandates that health benefit plans provide coverage for the delivery of a newborn in a licensed birthing center. The bill directly affects individuals with these health plans and the insurance entities that offer them. An amendment to the bill clarifies that this coverage requirement applies to health benefit plans for public school employees and those offered by specific trusts providing various benefits, including accident and health. Essentially, it ensures that more types of health benefit plans will include coverage for births occurring in licensed birthing centers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Arkansas · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1786: TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY FOR A TUITION BENEFIT TO SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN OF THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD ATTENDING CERTAIN PRIVATE TWO-YEAR AND FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

HB 1786 establishes eligibility for a tuition benefit for soldiers and airmen serving in the Arkansas National Guard. This benefit allows these service members to attend specific private two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The bill aims to expand educational opportunities for Arkansas National Guard members by providing financial assistance for their higher education at these institutions.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

signed · Arkansas · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1844: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF FLEEING BY MEANS OF A VEHICLE OR CONVEYANCE; AND TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR A PERSON WHO JUMPS FROM A MOVING VEHICLE OR CONVEYANCE WHILE FLEEING.

House Bill 1844 (HB 1844) amends existing state law concerning the offense of fleeing by means of a vehicle or conveyance. The bill specifically increases the penalty for individuals who jump from a moving vehicle or conveyance while they are fleeing. This change directly affects those charged with this particular offense.

died · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1678: TO AMEND THE ABORTION-INDUCING DRUGS SAFETY ACT TO INCREASE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND CLARIFY THE CIVIL PENALTIES.

House Bill 1678 aims to amend the Abortion-Inducing Drugs Safety Act by increasing criminal penalties and clarifying civil penalties. An amendment to the bill expands who can pursue civil action for violations to include any state resident who receives a shipment of abortion-inducing drugs for illegal purposes. It also specifies that civil damages will not be awarded if the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct. Additionally, the amendment establishes that a violation is considered a deceptive and unconscionable act, and allows courts to award attorney's fees to defendants if a plaintiff's suit is found to be frivolous and brought in bad faith.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1996: TO AMEND THE CHILD LABOR LAWS ENACTED BY INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1914; TO ESTABLISH AN EDUCATIONAL ALTERNATIVE TO CIVIL PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS; AND TO CREATE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS RELATED TO CHILD LABOR.

HB 1996 amends child labor laws, primarily affecting employers, parents, and guardians of children under sixteen who are employed. The bill establishes an educational alternative to civil penalties for first-time child labor violations, allowing those found in violation to complete an educational module developed by the Department of Labor and Licensing. Additionally, it requires the Department of Labor and Licensing and the Department of Education to create and distribute a youth-friendly poster detailing state and federal child labor laws. All public, charter, and private schools must display this poster to inform students, parents, and employers about legal requirements for child employment.

died · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1533: TO CREATE THE DECENTRALIZED UNINCORPORATED NONPROFIT ASSOCIATION ACT.

HB 1533, titled "TO CREATE THE DECENTRALIZED UNINCORPORATED NONPROFIT ASSOCIATION ACT," aimed to establish a new legal framework for decentralized, unincorporated nonprofit associations. The specific details regarding its provisions and how it would affect these organizations are not available in the provided text. The bill was ultimately withdrawn by its author.

died · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1492: TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILE PANIC ALERT SYSTEM.

HB 1492 requires each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school to implement a mobile panic alert system by the 2026-2027 school year. This system is designed to connect various emergency services technologies for real-time coordination among first responders and must integrate with local 9-1-1 infrastructure. Schools will also be required to establish a schedule for testing the system's functionality and coverage. This mandate aims to improve emergency communication within schools, with an exception for statewide virtual charter schools.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HR 1115: TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT OF COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES IN THIS STATE AND TO COMMEND THEIR DEDICATION TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ARKANSANS.

House Resolution 1115 is a commemorative resolution that recognizes and commends the outstanding contributions of community action agencies in Arkansas. It acknowledges their dedication to improving the lives of Arkansans by providing critical services like housing and energy assistance, education programs, and health initiatives. The resolution expresses gratitude for their ongoing efforts to eliminate poverty and create opportunities for success across the state.

died · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1911: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROPERTY TAX; AND TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT PERSONAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION BE LISTED OR REPORTED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER.

House Bill 1911 aims to amend Arkansas's property tax assessment laws, primarily affecting property owners. The bill would repeal the current requirement for property owners to actively list or report their personal property for tax assessment purposes. It also eliminates the 50-cent penalty for delinquent property assessments and removes the oath required from individuals when preparing a property list. This shifts some of the responsibility for personal property listing from the owner to the county assessor's office.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results