SB 304 allows voters who have moved to a new county to vote in an upcoming election if they update their registration with the new county clerk's office by 4 days before the polls close. It directly affects Arkansans who change counties shortly before an election but haven't completed registration changes in time for the current voting cycle. The bill amends voting rules to permit voting in the new county's precinct if the updated registration is received by the county clerk no later than the fourth day before election day. Voters who miss this 4-day deadline will not be eligible to vote in that specific election.
HB 1603 changes how court payments from criminal defendants are allocated in Arkansas circuit courts. It requires that installment payments first cover court costs, then restitution, and finally fines, as specified in the law. This directly affects defendants paying court fees in installments, ensuring costs and restitution are prioritized before fines. The bill also allows existing local payment methods adopted before 2017 to remain in effect until repealed by local governments. The law became Act 365 on March 20, 2025.
HB 1629 (now Act 368) allows retiring prosecuting attorneys and deputies authorized to carry a firearm during their service to receive their assigned service firearm upon retirement. The bill amends Arkansas Code § 16-21-147(b) to add a provision enabling this award as recognition of service. It directly affects state prosecuting attorneys and deputies who carried firearms in their official duties. The policy change is now law, effective March 20, 2025.
HB 1593 combines reporting requirements for Arkansas' correctional agencies. It mandates that the Board of Corrections, Division of Correction, and Division of Community Correction submit a single biennial report to the Governor and General Assembly, including statistics on inmate discipline, facility use, and racial breakdowns for community corrections. The bill also requires quarterly reports on vacant parole and probation officer positions. These changes consolidate previous reporting duties into one streamlined process. The bill was enacted as Act 358 on March 20, 2025.
HB 1253, now Act 384, adopts the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact for Arkansas. This law allows licensed emergency medical services (EMS) personnel - such as EMTs and paramedics - from other states that have joined the compact to practice in Arkansas without obtaining a separate Arkansas license. The key mechanism simplifies licensure by recognizing valid out-of-state credentials, reducing administrative barriers for EMS workers crossing state lines. This directly affects Arkansas-based EMS providers and out-of-state professionals seeking to work in the state, streamlining their ability to serve communities.
SB 328 amends Arkansas law to raise the age threshold for "child" in computer crimes from 17 to 18 years old. It changes the legal standard for prosecuting individuals who distribute or view sexually explicit material involving minors, requiring defendants to genuinely believe the depicted person was 18 or older to claim an affirmative defense. The bill also clarifies that courts must determine a depicted person's age using specific methods, such as personal inspection, examination of the material, or expert testimony, to prove the person was under 18. This law directly affects prosecutors, defendants, and courts handling cases involving online sexual exploitation of minors. The bill became law as Act 361 on March 20, 2025.
This House Resolution formally recognizes the De Queen High School Lady Leopards basketball team as the Class 4A state champions for winning the 2025 championship. It commemorates their victory over Pulaski Academy (62-54), their 35-1 season record, and their status as the first team to win the title since 2003. The resolution has no policy or financial impact - it is purely symbolic recognition, with no new laws or requirements created. The House will present a copy to Head Coach Bret Burgess upon adoption.
HB 1240 would have expanded Arkansas' State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program to cover certain volunteer firefighters. Specifically, it defined "volunteer firefighter" as someone earning under $5,000 annually from their fire department and added them to the program's eligibility list. Volunteer firefighters would have been responsible for paying premiums, either through monthly bank drafts or with partial/full payment assistance from their fire department. The bill aimed to provide health and life insurance coverage to this group, who previously weren't included under the program. (Note: The bill was withdrawn by its author on March 19, 2025.)
HB 1212 would amend Arkansas law to allow justices of the peace to also serve as city police officers or school resource officers under specific conditions. The bill adds an exception to existing rules that generally prohibit county officials from holding multiple civil offices, permitting justices of the peace to work in these law enforcement roles outside their local district. This change would directly affect current or future justices of the peace who hold or seek such police positions. The provision applies only to roles described in a separate section of state law (§ 6-10-128) and does not apply to new appointments. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn by its author in March 2025.
HR 1076 is a ceremonial House Resolution recognizing Judge Stacey Zimmerman's retirement after 34 years of service as a juvenile judge in Madison and Washington Counties, Arkansas. It formally honors her career, including her legal education, private practice, and roles as a judge and community volunteer. The resolution, adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on March 19, 2025, includes no new laws or policy changes - it is a non-binding gesture of appreciation. The House will present a copy of the resolution to Judge Zimmerman personally. This bill directly affects no individuals through legal obligations, as it solely expresses legislative recognition.
This is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) honoring sculptor Kevin Kresse for creating the bronze statue of Johnny Cash now displayed in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection. It directly recognizes Kresse, a Little Rock native and Arkansas artist, for his work on the statue representing Arkansas in the Capitol. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Arkansas House of Representatives' appreciation through a formal resolution and a copy presented to Kresse. The statue, already installed, is one of two Arkansas representations in the Capitol's collection.
This bill is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives to formally commend Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., on its 118th anniversary. It recognizes the fraternity's history as the first intercollegiate Black Greek-letter organization, founded in 1906, and its community service across Arkansas and globally. The resolution specifically honors its leadership, academic focus, and contributions to civil rights and community programs. It does not create new laws or affect funding, but serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation.
