Sign Up
Home › Arkansas › Bills
Bills

Arkansas Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 8,915 Active 515 In committee 498 Passed 579 Signed 5,256 Failed 2,558

Bill results

signed · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1758: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSERS; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PRACTICE OF DISPENSING HEARING INSTRUMENTS".

HB 1758 amends existing law related to hearing instrument dispensers in Arkansas. The bill specifically modifies the definition of the "practice of dispensing hearing instruments." This updated definition includes conducting and interpreting hearing tests, making recommendations, ordering and selecting suitable instruments, creating earmolds, and providing counseling on the selling, renting, leasing, pricing, delivery, and warranty of hearing instruments. This change clarifies the scope of services provided by licensed hearing instrument dispensers.
Zack Gramlich (R) Ricky Hill (R)
signed · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1424: TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR SEVERE OBESITY TREATMENTS.

HB 1424, now Act 628, mandates insurance coverage for severe obesity treatments, directly affecting insurance providers and individuals seeking such care. It requires coverage for specific bariatric surgeries, including revision surgeries for complications, along with preoperative and postoperative care like exercise and counseling. To qualify for coverage, a healthcare provider must issue a written order attesting to medical necessity based on established standards. Additionally, the covered person must affirm participation in a weight loss program and completion of necessary medical and mental health evaluations and education.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for bariatric surgeries and related care, expanding patient access to severe obesity treatments per medical necessity standards.95% confidence
Lee Johnson (R) Blake Johnson (R)
signed · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1666: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SELF-FUNDED CYBER RESPONSE PROGRAM.

HB 1666, now Act 656, is titled "TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SELF-FUNDED CYBER RESPONSE PROGRAM." Based on this title, the bill modifies existing laws related to the program designed to handle cyber incidents within Arkansas. The provided text only details an amendment to add a cosponsor, not the specific changes or mechanisms introduced by the bill itself. Therefore, the exact policy changes affecting the cyber response program are not available in this context.
Kim Hammer (R) Stephen Meeks (R)
signed · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1320: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS AND HEALTHCARE INSURERS.

HB 1320 regulates how healthcare insurers cover services provided by Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs), which offer immediate mental health or substance use crisis care. The bill expands the definition of "healthcare provider" to include CSUs under existing state laws. It generally prohibits health benefit plans from imposing utilization limitations or requiring prior authorization for CSU services, unless these align with Medicaid practices or are specifically authorized by the Insurance Commissioner. The Department of Human Services also cannot limit CSU access through utilization rules without the Insurance Commissioner's joint adoption. These changes affect healthcare insurers, CSUs, and individuals seeking crisis stabilization services.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from imposing prior authorization or utilization limits on CSU mental health services, expanding access to crisis care per Medicaid standards.92% confidence
Jeremy Wooldridge (R) Clarke Tucker (D) · 1 co-sponsor
signed · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1851: TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR FOOD, FOOD INGREDIENTS, AND PREPARED FOOD SOLD IN A PUBLIC, COMMON, HIGH SCHOOL, OR COLLEGE CAFETERIA OR DINING FACILITY.

HB 1851 updates and clarifies the sales tax exemption for food, food ingredients, and prepared food sold in public, common, high school, or college cafeterias and dining facilities. The bill specifies that this exemption applies to facilities operated primarily for teachers and pupils, and not for profit. A key provision ensures that a cafeteria or dining facility will still qualify for this sales tax exemption even if it contracts with a for-profit third party for its services or management. This aims to align the exemption with current school food service practices.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies sales tax exemption for school cafeterias, preserving tax relief for public educational facilities and preventing loss of exemption when using third-party vendors.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides sales tax exemption for school cafeteria food, reducing operational costs and supporting school funding without restricting access or programs.85% confidence
Steve Crowell (R) Lane Jean (R)
signed · Arkansas · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1839: TO AMEND THE PROCEDURES FOR THE DECLARATION OF LEGAL DEATH OF A MISSING PERSON.

House Bill 1839 amends the procedures in Arkansas for legally declaring a missing person dead. It allows an interested party to petition the probate court for this declaration, particularly if a person has been missing for over five years or due to the nature of their absence. Petitioners must provide a detailed affidavit describing the circumstances of absence and search efforts, and give specific notice to close relatives and those with significant financial interests. The bill establishes a court hearing to evaluate evidence, setting a rebuttable presumption of death if a person has been missing for five or more years, or requiring clear and convincing evidence if missing for less time.
Carol Dalby (R) Alan Clark (R)
died · Arkansas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1033: TO CREATE THE "ARKANSAS RED FLAG LAW"; AND TO CREATE AN EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER AND WARRANT.

HB 1033 proposed Arkansas' "Red Flag Law" by creating a legal process for courts to issue Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs). If enacted, this would allow family members, law enforcement, or prosecutors to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose an immediate risk of harming themselves or others. The bill directly affected people facing such court orders and required law enforcement to enforce the temporary firearm removal. However, the bill was withdrawn by its author on April 15, 2025, and recommended for study in the legislative interim, meaning it never became law.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 1033 creates ERPOs to prevent gun violence through court-ordered firearm removal, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing harm and enhancing public safety without expanding criminalization.95% confidence
Tippi McCullough (D) · 3 co-sponsors
died · Arkansas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1962: TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM SERVING OR SELLING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS DURING THE NORMAL SCHOOL DAY.

HB 1962 would ban Arkansas schools from serving or selling ultra-processed foods during regular school hours. It defines "ultra-processed food" as items containing specific additives like yellow dyes 5 and 6, red dyes 3 and 40, or titanium dioxide. The ban applies to all public schools, charter schools, and private schools in Arkansas, but does not restrict food brought by parents or guardians. Schools would need to comply with this rule for foods produced after January 1, 2028. The bill aims to promote healthier school meals by focusing on nutrient-dense options.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits unhealthy school food to promote student health, aligning with educational well-being initiatives by improving school environment and student focus during learning hours.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans ultra-processed foods with additives linked to health issues in schools, aligning with public health initiatives to improve student nutrition and prevent diet-related illnesses.85% confidence
Breanne Davis (R) DeAnn Vaught (R) · 2 co-sponsors
passed · Arkansas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1829: TO AMEND THE DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT OF 1991; TO PROVIDE FOR REMOTE TESTIMONY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES IN A HEARING UNDER THE DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT OF 1991; AND TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM.

HB 1829 amends the Domestic Abuse Act of 1991 to allow remote testimony (via video or phone) during hearings for individuals involved in domestic abuse cases. This change directly affects survivors and witnesses who may face safety risks or logistical barriers attending in-person hearings. The bill also adds oversight requirements for a domestic violence intervention program to ensure accountability. The legislation focuses on improving access to justice while maintaining procedural safeguards for domestic abuse proceedings.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows remote testimony for domestic abuse survivors, improving access to justice and adding program oversight - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence
Carol Dalby (R) Alan Clark (R) · 1 co-sponsor
died · Arkansas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1747: TO CREATE THE BABIES AT SCHOOL ACT; AND TO ALLOW SCHOOLS TO PERMIT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PARENTS TO BRING THEIR INFANTS SIX MONTHS OR YOUNGER TO WORK.

HB 1747, the "Babies at School Act," would allow school employees in Arkansas to bring infants under six months old to work. It directly affects school staff who are parents or guardians of infants, defining "infant" as biological, adopted, step, or foster children under six months. Schools would need to establish policies covering workspace safety, employee performance standards, and appropriate environments for infants during school hours. The bill does not apply to children aged six months or older. Note: This bill was withdrawn by its author on April 15, 2025, and is not law.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables school staff to work with infants under six months, supporting teacher retention and workplace flexibility, directly aligning with educator support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables school employees to bring infants under 6 months to work, supporting work-life balance as a worker benefit.85% confidence
DeAnn Vaught (R)
died · Arkansas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1998: TO CREATE THE JAMES MCFERRON MENTAL HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND RESILIENCY ACT; AND TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO SERVICES AND TRAINING TO FIRST RESPONDERS.

HB 1998 creates the James McFerron Mental Health, Wellness, and Resiliency Act to improve mental health support for Arkansas first responders, including police, firefighters, EMTs, and correctional staff. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to develop statewide training programs for peer-to-peer mental health support and provide resources on wellness, resiliency, and stress management. It mandates establishing a state-wide peer support network with certified members and ensures access to these services regardless of location. The Department must also submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislative Council detailing its implementation efforts.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly improves mental health support for correctional staff (part of criminal justice system), enhancing workforce wellness and operational effectiveness within corrections.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates statewide mental health training and peer support network for first responders, directly expanding mental health services and access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates mental health training and peer support for first responders, directly enhancing workplace wellness and safety - key Labor & Employment protections.90% confidence
Tyler Dees (R) Randy Torres (R)
died · Arkansas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1968: TO REQUIRE THE COLLECTION OF SALES TAX AT THE POINT OF SALE FOR THE SALE OF A NEW OR USED MOTOR VEHICLE, TRAILER, OR SEMITRAILER BY A DEALER; AND TO AMEND LAW AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 19 OF 1958.

HB 1968 requires auto dealers to collect sales tax at the point of sale when selling new or used motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers. This means customers would pay the tax during the purchase transaction instead of through a different process. The bill also amends a 1958 law related to sales tax collection for vehicle sales. It directly affects dealers (who must collect the tax) and buyers (who pay the tax at the time of purchase).
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires dealers to collect sales tax at point of sale, closing collection loopholes to ensure state revenue - supports fiscal management and tax compliance.95% confidence
Mark Perry (D) Mark Johnson (R) · 4 co-sponsors
Showing 1,345 to 1,356 of 8,915 bills
Previous 1 … 112 113 114 … 743 Next