HB 1064 would have expanded absentee voting eligibility in Arkansas to include all voters aged 65 or older on election day, adding them as a qualifying category under existing absentee voting rules. Key provisions include allowing seniors to submit a single absentee application valid for one calendar year (instead of per election) and requiring county clerks to automatically mail ballots 25 days before each election during that year. The bill specifically updated application forms and voter statements to include "over sixty-five years of age" as a valid reason for absentee voting. This legislation was filed in December 2024 but withdrawn by its author in March 2025, meaning it did not become law.
This bill is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Wednesday, March 12, 2025, as "Scouting Day" at the Arkansas State Capitol. It formally designates this date to honor Scouting organizations in Arkansas, including programs like Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing. The resolution acknowledges Scouting's history, values, and contributions through the Natural State Council and its statewide partnerships. It does not create new laws or affect policies - only serves as a symbolic gesture for Scouting groups to engage with state government.
HMR 1006 is a House Memorial Resolution honoring Stacy Bates, a Fort Smith, Arkansas artist and educator who taught for 17 years in Fort Smith Public Schools before her death in February 2025. The resolution commemorates her contributions to art education, her murals, children's book illustrations, and her impact on students, as described in testimonials from colleagues. It directs the House to formally remember her legacy and provide a copy of the resolution to her family. This is a non-binding tribute with no policy changes or direct effects on constituents.
HCR 1007 is a concurrent resolution urging Congress to reevaluate Medicare reimbursement rates for Arkansas healthcare providers. It specifically requests that Congress adjust the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule locality structure to create separate reimbursement categories for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers (CBSA 22220) and Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway (CBSA 30780) metropolitan areas, which currently share a single locality code (Locality 13) despite higher operational costs. The resolution argues that current reimbursement rates fail to reflect actual practice costs in these urban areas, disproportionately impacting providers and limiting patient access to care. Arkansas lawmakers note the state ranks third-worst nationally for Medicare locality reimbursement, urging Congress to correct this to ensure fair compensation aligned with regional economic realities. (Note: This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, intended to encourage federal action.)
HB 1400 (now Act 259) exempts disabled veterans from certain penalties when redeeming tax-delinquent property. Specifically, it removes late fees and interest charges that typically apply when owners pay overdue property taxes to reclaim a parcel. This change directly affects disabled veterans who own property with unpaid taxes, making it easier for them to regain ownership without extra costs. The law amends existing redemption procedures to explicitly exclude disabled veterans from penalty calculations. The bill was enacted on March 12, 2025, after passing both chambers of the legislature.
HB 1556 amends Arkansas law to formally establish March 1 as Arkansas Music Appreciation Day, correcting a previous inconsistent reference in the statute. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation before March 1, highlighting Arkansas musicians' contributions and encouraging public observance. It directly affects the state's annual recognition of musicians, which includes Capitol Building performances. The change does not alter the day's purpose or create new requirements - only clarifies the date for the existing observance. This procedural update was enacted as Act 260 on March 12, 2025.
SB 209 disqualifies signatures collected by canvassers for Arkansas initiative or referendum petitions if the Secretary of State finds evidence of violations like perjury, forgery, or fraud during signature collection. It directly affects petitioners and voters seeking to place measures on the ballot by ensuring only legally obtained signatures count. The bill requires the Secretary of State to exclude such signatures based on a preponderance of evidence, strengthening verification of petition integrity. The General Assembly declared an emergency, stating this is critical to protect the 2026 election process and maintain public confidence in the initiative system.
SB 259 transfers the authority to appoint the Director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission from its current appointing body to the Governor. The bill requires the Governor's appointment to be confirmed by the Arkansas Senate before taking effect. This change directly affects the Governor, the Senate, and the Waterways Commission by altering the appointment process. The bill became law as Act 293 on March 12, 2025.
HB 1279 amends Arkansas' 1969 Egg Marketing Act to allow grocery stores and other retailers to repackage eggs (e.g., repackaging bulk cartons into smaller portions) if they meet specific criteria. This directly affects egg retailers by changing packaging rules that previously restricted such activity. The key provision permits repackaging under defined conditions, streamlining operations for retailers without requiring new egg production. The bill became law as Act 285 on March 12, 2025, after passing through the legislative process.
HB 1182 updates Arkansas law by replacing the term "Medication Assistive Person" with "Certified Medication Assistant" throughout existing regulations. It establishes specific certification requirements, including 115 hours of training, passing an exam, and maintaining active status on the state's nurse aide registry. Certified Medication Assistants may only administer certain nonprescription and prescription drugs (like oral, topical, or insulin injections) under a licensed nurse's supervision at designated facilities, and cannot handle controlled substances, IV medications, or perform patient assessments. This bill directly affects individuals working in nursing facilities who administer medications, standardizing their title and clarifying their scope of practice.
SB 297 requires Arkansas municipalities that elect city council members by ward (instead of at-large) to file an ordinance describing their election method with the county clerk by specific deadlines. Cities of the first class must file by January 1, 2026, while other cities must file by August 31 of the year before the election. If a municipality fails to file the required ordinance by the deadline, its council members will be elected at large (without wards) instead of by ward. This bill standardizes the filing process and ensures consistency in municipal election procedures across Arkansas.
This bill (HB 1466) amends definitions within Arkansas' Fair Mortgage Lending Act but does not describe substantive policy changes in the provided text. The bill text only revises terms like "affiliate," "branch office," "covered institution servicer," and "exempt person" for clarity in regulatory contexts. It does not specify new requirements, restrictions, or financial impacts on lenders or borrowers. Since the context lacks the actual legislative provisions or policy changes (only definitions are provided), a full summary of the bill's effects cannot be generated.
