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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 516 In committee 498 Passed 579 Signed 5,256 Failed 2,557

Bill results

signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1414: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICES; AND TO UPDATE THE SCHEDULE OF EQUIPMENT RATES USED IN CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICES.

HB 1414 updates the schedule of equipment rates used by fire departments when submitting claims for reimbursement. It directly affects fire departments and state agencies processing these claims by adjusting the standardized rates for equipment costs. The bill modifies administrative procedures for claim submissions but does not change eligibility for services or coverage. As a procedural update to existing billing rates, it became law as Act 417 on March 25, 2025.
Kim Hammer (R) Wade Andrews (R) · 1 co-sponsor
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1505: TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO OFFER AND PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR LICENSED COUNSELING FOR A PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A TRAUMATIC EVENT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

HB 1505 requires public employers in Arkansas to provide coverage for licensed counseling services to public safety employees (such as police, firefighters, and emergency responders) who experience a traumatic event while on duty. This bill directly affects public safety workers by mandating employer-provided mental health support following traumatic incidents. It renews a requirement that expired under previous law (Acts 2023, No. 537) and declares an emergency to ensure immediate implementation upon the governor’s approval. The law aims to support public safety employees’ mental health, which the legislature states is essential for maintaining public safety and emergency response effectiveness.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates public employers to provide licensed counseling coverage for public safety employees' mental health post-trauma, directly expanding mental health services access under healthcare policies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health coverage for public safety workers after traumatic incidents, strengthening workplace safety and worker well-being support.95% confidence
Carlton Wing (R) Clarke Tucker (D) · 6 co-sponsors
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1275: TO PROHIBIT PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR TREATMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

HB 1275 prohibits health insurance companies from requiring prior approval for mental health crisis care. It directly affects patients experiencing mental health emergencies and healthcare providers treating them in crisis settings. The law removes the need for insurance pre-approvals when services are provided at crisis stabilization units or in emergency department settings. This means patients can access immediate care without delays caused by insurance authorization processes. The bill became law as Act 389 on March 25, 2025.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves insurance prior authorization barriers for mental health crisis care, enabling immediate patient access without delays. Directly improves healthcare access and protects patient rights in mental health services.95% confidence
Blake Johnson (R) Fran Cavenaugh (R)
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1497: TO ADD THE DEPARTMENT OF THE MILITARY TO THE LIST OF CLAIMANT AGENCIES FOR PURPOSES OF THE SETOFF AGAINST STATE TAX REFUNDS; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "DEBT" FOR PURPOSES OF THE SETOFF AGAINST STATE TAX REFUNDS.

HB 1497 adds the Arkansas Department of the Military to the list of state agencies authorized to withhold tax refunds from taxpayers who owe them money. It also updates the legal definition of "debt" to include specific fines related to certain state laws. This change directly affects taxpayers with outstanding debts to the Department of the Military, allowing the agency to offset those debts against state tax refunds. The bill modifies existing provisions without creating new taxes or programs.
Stetson Painter (R) Steve Crowell (R) · 1 co-sponsor
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1313: TO EXPAND HEALTH BENEFIT COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN FIREFIGHTER RETIREES OF MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES.

HB 1313 expands health benefit coverage in Arkansas to include certain retired firefighters who meet specific service requirements (e.g., 28 years of service or age 55+ with 20 years) and are not enrolled in Medicare. It requires municipalities and counties to offer health plans to eligible firefighter retirees during a 60-day enrollment window after retirement, without additional fees or surcharges. Dependents of retired firefighters would retain coverage after the retiree’s death, mirroring existing provisions for police officer retirees. The bill directly affects qualifying retired firefighters and their families in municipal and county fire departments across Arkansas.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands health coverage for eligible retired firefighters without fees, directly advancing access to health benefits for a specific group as described in the summary.95% confidence
Cameron Cooper (R) Mark Johnson (R)
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1246: AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT RICH MOUNTAIN APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

HB 1246 appropriates funds for the University of Arkansas Community College at Rich Mountain to cover personnel salaries and operating expenses for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It specifically allocates budget authority for 120 designated staff positions across administrative, IT, academic, and support roles, including salaries up to $208,138 for the chancellor. The bill directly affects the college’s operational budget and staff compensation, with no new policy provisions - only funding for existing operations as enacted into law (Act 409).
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for college operations, directly increasing public education spending without tax changes. Specific to one institution but aligns with funding essential public services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for community college staff salaries and operations, directly supporting institutional funding without restrictions.90% confidence
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1322: TO AMEND THE LAWS UNDER THE ARKANSAS LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE RETIREMENT SYSTEM CONCERNING LINE-OF-DUTY DEATH FROM OCCUPATIONAL CANCER; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

HB 1322 expands death benefits for police and firefighters who die from specific occupational cancers while on duty. It amends Arkansas retirement law to include leukemia, lymphoma, mesothelioma, and other cancers linked to firefighting or police work - particularly those diagnosed during active service and tied to workplace carcinogen exposure. Surviving spouses now qualify for adjusted annuities based on 25 years of service (or their standard benefit), whichever is greater, for deaths occurring after November 2019. The bill declares an emergency to ensure timely implementation by July 1, 2025, without requiring retroactive payments for past cases.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands death benefits for first responders with occupational cancer, strengthening workplace safety and survivor benefits for on-duty injuries.90% confidence
Nicole Clowney (D) Clarke Tucker (D)
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1552: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CERTAIN INCHOATE OFFENSES RELATED TO FENTANYL; AND TO ESTABLISH THE CLASSIFICATION FOR A CRIMINAL ATTEMPT, SOLICITATION, OR CONSPIRACY FOR CERTAIN FENTANYL RELATED OFFENSES.

HB 1552 establishes new criminal classifications for attempts, solicitations, or conspiracies involving fentanyl-related offenses. It directly affects individuals who plan, attempt, or conspire to commit fentanyl-related crimes by creating specific sentencing tiers for these actions. The bill modifies existing law to define these inchoate offenses (like planning or attempting) as distinct criminal categories, separating them from completed fentanyl crimes. This law, now Act 420, became effective March 25, 2025, and applies to all such offenses under Arkansas law.
Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new sentencing tiers for fentanyl-related attempts/conspiracies, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for inchoate offenses, directly opposing reform efforts.90% confidence
Jimmy Gazaway (R) Ben Gilmore (R)
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1647: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS; TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

HB 1647 amends Arkansas state code to rename the "Division of Information Systems" to the "Division of Information Systems Office of State Technology" in multiple statutes. The bill updates references to this division across 16 different Arkansas Code sections, including those governing public schools, emergency management, voter systems, and state technology oversight. It does not change the division's functions or create new policies - only its official name and how it's referenced in state law. The bill was enacted as Act 412 on March 25, 2025, after passing both chambers.
Stephen Meeks (R) Josh Bryant (R)
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1129: TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "HOMESTEAD" FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED VETERANS, SURVIVING SPOUSES, AND MINOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN.

HB 1129 amends the definition of "homestead" to increase the maximum acreage eligible for a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and minor dependent children from 80 to 160 acres. This change directly affects qualifying veterans and their families by expanding the land size they can own while still receiving the tax exemption. The key provision modifies the acreage threshold in existing law, allowing more property to qualify under the exemption program. The bill was enacted as Act 407 on March 25, 2025, making this change effective immediately.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemption for veterans, providing tax relief by increasing eligible acreage from 80 to 160 acres, aligning with tax relief indicators for qualifying groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax exemption acreage for veterans from 80 to 160 acres, increasing eligibility for benefits.95% confidence
Zack Gramlich (R) Jim Petty (R) · 1 co-sponsor
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1293: TO INCREASE THE PAYMENT OF A CLAIM TO DESIGNATED BENEFICIARIES OR SURVIVORS OF CERTAIN PUBLIC EMPLOYEES KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

HB 1293 increases death benefit payments to designated beneficiaries or survivors of public employees who die while performing their duties. The bill specifically expands coverage to include state highway employees, adding them to the list of eligible workers previously covered (such as police, firefighters, and coroners). This amendment, enacted as Act 414 on March 25, 2025, directly affects families of these public safety workers by raising the financial support they receive. The change modifies existing state law to provide higher compensation for qualifying deaths in the line of duty.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands death benefit coverage to highway employees' survivors, directly increasing financial support for public safety workers' families, aligning with worker benefit protections.95% confidence
Kim Hammer (R) Wade Andrews (R)
signed · Arkansas · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1276: CONCERNING SPOUSAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR SPOUSES OF CERTAIN MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES.

This bill extends spousal retirement benefits to spouses of specific city officials upon their death. It applies to city attorneys in first/second-class cities, deputy city clerks in first-class cities, mayors in second-class cities, and treasurers in first-class cities. Eligible spouses married to the official for at least 10 years can receive half the deceased's retirement benefit (either what they were receiving or what they would have received if they died in office), at the city's discretion. Benefits terminate upon the spouse's remarriage. The policy change directly affects these municipal employee roles and their surviving spouses.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends municipal retirement benefits requiring city budget allocations, increasing government spending on employee benefits per bill's provisions.90% confidence
Stetson Painter (R) Scott Flippo (R)
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