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Arkansas Bills

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

State Legislature US Congress
All 8,915 Active 18 In committee 7,296 Passed 567 Signed 5,255 Failed 2,679
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 289: TO CUT THE STATEWIDE SALES TAX RATE BY ONE-EIGHTH PERCENT TO REDUCE THE SURPLUS FUNDS COLLECTED FROM ARKANSAS TAXPAYERS.

Senate Bill 289 proposed to reduce the statewide sales tax rate in Arkansas by three-eighths percent (0.375%). This measure aimed to lessen the amount of surplus funds collected from Arkansas taxpayers. If enacted, the bill would have directly affected consumers by lowering the sales tax they pay on goods and services. The bill died in the Senate Committee.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces sales tax rate to provide tax relief to consumers and lower surplus collections, aligning with tax relief indicators for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence
Jim Dotson (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 157: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BENEFITS UNDER THE STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.

Based on the provided text, SB 157 aimed to amend the law regarding benefits under the Arkansas Public Employees' State Public Employee Retirement Systems. The specific details of how it would alter these benefits are not available in the provided amendment, which only makes a minor change to the bill's wording and a single word from "shall" to "may" in an unspecified provision. The bill ultimately died in the House Committee.
Mark Perry (D) Jim Dotson (R) · 1 co-sponsor
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 168: TO ESTABLISH A STATE EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS.

Senate Bill 168 aimed to establish a state examination for the licensure of massage therapists, to be offered by the Department of Health. This examination would serve as an additional, optional pathway for unlicensed graduates of approved massage therapy schools or students in apprenticeship programs in the state, rather than replacing national examinations. The bill specified that the state examination would not be computer adaptive. It also allowed the Department to require massage therapy instructors to submit examination questions derived from textbooks they currently use for instruction.
Terry Rice (R) Karilyn Brown (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 395: TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL INTEREST; AND AMENDING A PORTION OF ARKANSAS LAW RESULTING FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1988.

SB 395 aimed to modify Arkansas law concerning statements of financial interest filed by public servants and candidates. The bill would have updated requirements for disclosing sources of gross income and investments, including specific thresholds for reporting amounts over $1,000 and $12,500, and defining what constitutes an "investment or holding." It also sought to create a new Class A misdemeanor offense for anyone who purposely uses information from these financial statements to commit a crime against the filer, their family, or their business. Additionally, the bill clarified that these changes would not restrict the Arkansas Ethics Commission's investigative powers.
Jimmy Hickey (R) Lane Jean (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 145: TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS RESULTING FROM LITIGATION INVOLVING THE USE OF FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT FUND OR ITS SUCCESSOR FUND OR FUND ACCOUNTS.

SB 145 amends Arkansas law concerning the allocation of funds obtained from certain lawsuits. Currently, the Attorney General typically distributes settlement funds, but this bill creates an exception for litigation involving the General Improvement Fund or its successor accounts. Under this bill, funds from such lawsuits would be deposited into the State Treasury. These funds would then be specifically directed to the Division of Arkansas State Police for crime reduction and prevention programs, and to assist the Division of Community Correction with probation, parole, and post-release supervision services.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects lawsuit settlement funds to State Police crime programs, explicitly funding public safety initiatives under fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates lawsuit settlement funds to Arkansas State Police for crime reduction/prevention programs, directly funding criminal justice initiatives per support indicators.95% confidence
Bryan King (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 635: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND TO AUTHORIZE BOTTLE LOCKERS IN CERTAIN RESTAURANTS.

Senate Bill 635 proposes to amend laws concerning alcoholic beverages by authorizing "bottle lockers" in certain restaurants. It defines a bottle locker as a storage system, such as an individual cabinet, within a restaurant where the restaurant stores alcoholic beverages purchased by a guest for later consumption, for which the guest pays a storage fee. This bill would allow restaurants located in a wet territory that hold an on-premises consumption permit to offer guests the option of using these bottle lockers.
Clint Penzo (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 225: TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A CATEGORY FOR BENEFICIARIES WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE.

SB 225 aimed to require the Arkansas Medicaid Program to create a new category of coverage specifically for beneficiaries diagnosed with sickle cell disease. This new category would have provided dedicated treatment for individuals with this condition. The bill also mandated that the Department of Human Services apply for any necessary federal waivers or Medicaid state plan amendments to implement this change. Its purpose was to establish a distinct pathway within Medicaid for sickle cell disease patients in Arkansas.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates dedicated Medicaid coverage for sickle cell disease, expanding access to specialized treatment and requiring implementation via federal waivers.95% confidence
Jay Richardson (D) Jamie Scott (D)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 360: AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM GRANTS APPROPRIATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

Senate Bill 360 appropriates $1.7 million to the Department of Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This funding is designated for a grant program supporting comprehensive out-of-school time programs for school-aged children in Arkansas. The grants will fund programs offering evidence-based academic enhancement activities, which must include at least two of five areas such as STEM or career exposure. Eligible applicants are qualified non-profit organizations that have operated for over five years, maintain fiscal accountability, and demonstrate a sustainability model. These programs must also operate for a minimum of 12 hours weekly during the school year and adhere to rigorous safety standards.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.7M for education grants, directly funding public service programs under budget appropriations per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.7M for out-of-school academic grants including STEM/career exposure, directly funding educational enhancement programs for K-12 students.95% confidence
Jim Petty (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SJR 9: A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PERMITTING THE STATE OF ARKANSAS TO BE SUED AS A DEFENDANT IN STATE COURT TO ENFORCE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW.

SJR 9 proposes a constitutional amendment in Arkansas to change Article 5, Section 20 of the state's constitution. If approved by voters, this amendment would permit the State of Arkansas to be sued as a defendant in state court. This change would allow individuals to bring lawsuits against the state to enforce constitutional rights or as otherwise provided by law.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows lawsuits against state to enforce constitutional rights, protecting civil rights which is a key aspect of criminal justice reform.80% confidence
Bryan King (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 423: TO EXEMPT FROM THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, AND GRANTS FROM NONPROFIT VOLUNTEER SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

SB 423 aimed to exempt certain education scholarships, awards, and grants from the individual income tax in Arkansas. This bill would have directly affected Arkansas residents who receive financial assistance from nonprofit volunteer service organizations for educational purposes. Specifically, the exemption would apply to funds used to pay for higher education attendance, educational or vocational training, or student loan repayment. If passed, this change would have been effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts education scholarships from income tax, providing tax relief for recipients. Aligns with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts education scholarships from income tax, increasing financial access for students using nonprofit grants for higher education and vocational training.95% confidence
Denise Ennett (D) Jamie Scott (D) · 1 co-sponsor
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 536: TO ABOLISH AND TRANSFER THE ARKANSAS STATE LIBRARY AND THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

Senate Bill 536 proposes to abolish the Arkansas State Library and the State Library Board. All authority, functions, records, contracts, personnel, and unexpended funds of both entities would be transferred to the Department of Education. Existing orders, rules, and standards previously set by the Library and Board will remain in effect until the Department of Education amends or repeals them. The bill also amends and repeals specific sections of the Arkansas Code related to the establishment and functions of these library entities.
Wayne Long (R) Dan Sullivan (R)
Showing 157 to 168 of 2,679 bills
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