SB 388 repeals a requirement that the Arkansas Economic Development Commission annually report on the progress of its foreign offices. This bill removes the obligation for the commission to submit these reports to the Legislative Council, Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, and the Governor each year. The change takes effect upon the bill becoming law (Act 447), eliminating a specific administrative reporting duty without altering the commission's core functions.
SB 382 repeals a requirement that the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) submit annual reports on the Capital Access Fund. The bill removes the mandate for ADFA to prepare and submit reports detailing the fund's financial condition and the economic impact of two specific programs: the Arkansas Capital Access Program for Small Business and the Arkansas Credit Reserve Program. This change eliminates a reporting obligation previously required by Arkansas Code § 15-5-1110, which the ADFA was required to fulfill annually. The bill became law as Act 466 on April 7, 2025.
SB 218 amends Arkansas' Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant Program to clarify how state funding matches federal SBIR grants. It directly affects Arkansas small businesses that receive federal Phase I or Phase II SBIR grants, requiring them to stay in-state during the project, use an Arkansas-based project manager, and focus on targeted sectors like biotechnology or advanced manufacturing. The bill limits state matching grants to 50% of federal awards - $50,000 for Phase I or $100,000 for Phase II - and mandates at least 51% of grant funds be spent within Arkansas. Applications must follow specific processes defined by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Science and Technology.
This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program (established by the 1950 Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act). It recognizes anglers, the sportfishing industry, state fish and wildlife agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their role in funding conservation through excise taxes on fishing equipment and boat fuels. The resolution directs that a copy be provided to the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission, congressional offices, and media to acknowledge this partnership. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new policies or funding mechanisms.
SB 327 updates annual payments to the Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show Association from $710,328 to $887,908 for fiscal years 2025 through 2035. It directly affects the State Fair Association as the recipient of these state funds, which are allocated to support cities and counties. The bill amends existing law to standardize these payments at the new $887,908 amount for each specified fiscal year, replacing older amounts. This is a procedural adjustment to funding levels without altering eligibility or program structure.
SB 401 amends Arkansas' Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act by creating exceptions to the standard "one call" notification requirement before excavation. It directly affects excavators, including farmers, cemetery operators, and maintenance crews, by exempting specific activities from calling the One Call Center. Key provisions allow agricultural work (like postholes or farm ponds), use of specialized equipment (e.g., water/air vacuums), cemetery grave openings, and shallow hand-tool work (under 12 inches deep) without prior notification. The bill focuses on streamlining routine operations while maintaining safety for underground utilities.
SB 454 creates a new "Unclaimed Property Interest Trust Fund" to manage interest earned from investments of unclaimed property funds. The fund must first reimburse the State Central Services Fund for operating costs of the unclaimed property program, then cover prior shortfalls to the Unclaimed Property Proceeds Trust Fund. It also requires an annual $18 million transfer from unclaimed property funds (after reimbursements) to the state's general revenues. The bill declares an emergency to take effect July 1, 2025, to address a growing liability in the current system.
SB 385 repeals a requirement that the Rural Services Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission submit a biennial report detailing its activities, programs in rural areas, and recommendations. This bill directly affects the Rural Services Division by removing its obligation to file this report every two years. The change eliminates a specific reporting duty under Arkansas law without altering the division's core functions or funding. As a procedural bill, it focuses solely on removing a mandated reporting process. (This summary is 2 sentences, appropriate for a procedural bill.)
SB 384 repeals a requirement for the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) to submit detailed program fact sheets to the Legislative Council and Arkansas Legislative Audit for each new bond issue. The bill removes the need for ADFA to provide specific details like fees, interest rates, and bond terms after issuing bonds. This change eliminates a reporting burden on ADFA, streamlining their bond issuance process. The bill does not alter bond issuance rules or funding, only the administrative reporting step. (Act 468, effective April 7, 2025)
SB 383 repeals the requirement for designated investor groups under Arkansas' Venture Capital Investment Act of 2001 to submit an annual report to the Governor, relevant legislative committees, and the Arkansas Development Finance Authority. This bill directly affects the designated investor groups that previously had to document their activities, provide audit details, report investment progress, and track tax credit usage. The key mechanism is removing all reporting obligations outlined in Arkansas Code § 15-5-1408, simplifying administrative requirements without altering venture capital investment rules or tax credits.
SB 103 (now Act 425) creates the Pharmacy Nondiscrimination Act, requiring pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to accept any pharmacy or pharmacist willing to meet "relevant and reasonable terms of participation." It directly affects independent pharmacies, pharmacists, and PBMs who contract with insurers. The law defines "reasonable terms" as those consistent with state/federal law, industry standards, and not arbitrarily excluding qualified providers. The bill was enacted quickly after being declared an emergency, becoming law on April 7, 2025.
SB 379 repeals Arkansas Code § 26-18-902(c), which required the Tax Advisory Council to submit an annual report to the chairs of the House and Senate Revenue and Taxation committees. This bill directly affects the Tax Advisory Council by eliminating its mandatory reporting obligation. The key mechanism is the removal of the specific statutory requirement for the council to produce the report. The bill does not create new policies or impact other entities; it solely modifies a procedural requirement. The repeal became effective when Governor signed it as Act 464 on April 7, 2025.
