HB 1570 would require coroners and law enforcement officers to collect and secure narcotic drugs found on a deceased person to prevent misuse. The bill mandates that collected drugs must be destroyed within 30 days - either through a court order or by sending them to the Arkansas Department of Health for disposal. It excludes prescription drugs already in the care of hospitals or hospice providers, which are handled under existing healthcare disposal rules.
This is a ceremonial House Resolution (HR 1030), not a substantive bill. It formally honors "Broadway" Joe Booker, a Little Rock radio program director and community leader, for his decades of contributions to Arkansas. The resolution recognizes his broadcasting career, leadership at KIPR Power 92.3, and community work - including organizing events that raised over $140,000 for The Watershed nonprofit and supporting youth sports and mentorship programs. The resolution has no policy provisions; it simply expresses the Arkansas House's appreciation and will provide Booker with a copy upon adoption.
HR 1041 is a ceremonial House Resolution honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for its historical role in the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession and its 2013 centennial commemoration march. The resolution recognizes the sorority’s founding in 1913, its advocacy for women’s advancement, and its participation in pivotal suffrage events that contributed to the Nineteenth Amendment. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it has no policy impact and merely expresses legislative recognition. The Arkansas House formally adopted it on March 3, 2025, with a copy to be provided to the sorority’s leadership.
House Memorial Resolution HMR 1005 honors Lawrence Ervin Bearden, a Smackover, Arkansas resident who died on February 3, 2025, at age 86. It recognizes his 28-year military service (retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel), 40+ years in Arkansas' oil industry, 12 years on the Smackover School District Board, and leadership roles with Southern Arkansas University (including 4 terms on its Foundation Board). The resolution, adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on March 3, 2025, will be presented to his family as a tribute to his lifelong dedication to education, community service, and Arkansas.
HR 1058 is a House Resolution recognizing the Hmong community in Arkansas for their cultural contributions and community involvement. It acknowledges the community's population across counties like northwest Arkansas (2,500 members), Sebastian (1,000), and others, as well as their preservation of traditions through events like the Hmong New Year. The resolution also notes their historical role supporting U.S. forces during the Laotian Civil War (Secret War), including aiding American pilots and participating in key operations. This symbolic resolution does not create new legal requirements but formally honors their ongoing cultural and societal impact in Arkansas.
HR 1051 is a symbolic resolution recognizing "Eating Disorder Action Week" to raise public awareness, promote education, and encourage early intervention and treatment for eating disorders. It specifically cites Arkansas hospital data from 2021 (516 inpatient admissions and 140 ER visits for eating disorders) as context for the recognition. The bill does not create new programs, allocate funding, or impose legal requirements - it serves solely as a formal acknowledgment by the Arkansas legislature. This procedural resolution was passed unanimously in the House on February 27, 2025, with an amendment adding the state-specific statistics.
This resolution honors the Horatio School District Future Farmers of America (FFA) team and their advisor, Nicki Litchford, for winning the 2025 national championship in livestock judging at the National Western Stock Show. It recognizes the team's students (Layla Tallant, Konnor Bailey, Jake Sawyer, Olivia Frady) and Litchford's 13-year tenure as advisor, including her role in developing students' leadership and agricultural skills. The resolution expresses the Arkansas House of Representatives' appreciation for their consistent national success and Litchford's dedication to students. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact - it solely serves to publicly recognize their achievements.
This is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Peyton Bolling of Rogers, Arkansas, as Miss America's Teen 2025. It honors her historic achievement as the first Arkansas contestant to win the national title, her academic accomplishments (4.2 GPA, AP Scholar), and her civic initiatives like "Civics in Motion." The resolution has no policy provisions - it simply expresses the Arkansas House's recognition and will present her with a copy upon adoption. As a procedural resolution, it does not affect any laws or directly impact constituents.
HB 1378 modifies Arkansas' State Board of Finance by changing its membership structure, reducing the required quorum for meetings, and eliminating a specific administrative role. The bill adds two new membership positions requiring expertise in commercial banking and securities (with specific licensure and experience requirements) and adjusts the board's composition to include the Insurance Commissioner as a voting member only for health benefit plan votes. It lowers the quorum needed for meetings from seven to six members and repeals the requirement for the board to employ a Chief Compliance Officer. These changes directly affect how the board operates, its decision-making process, and its administrative structure. The bill focuses on procedural and organizational adjustments to the board's governance framework.
SB 165 amends Arkansas' procurement law to clarify the process for contractors responding to requests for revised proposals after initial discussions. It requires state agencies to give qualified contractors a chance to revise their proposals if clarification of requirements necessitates material changes, allowing them to submit a "best and final offer." Contractors can choose to lower pricing, add benefits, or keep their original proposal unchanged when responding to such requests. This change directly affects businesses bidding on state contracts under competitive sealed proposal rules, ensuring clearer procedures for final proposal submissions.
HB 1475 authorizes roadway construction and maintenance vehicles to use green flashing or rotating lights for safety awareness, updating Arkansas' vehicle lighting laws. It specifically allows these vehicles to display amber, white, or green lights (including combinations) while working, clarifying that such lights do not classify the vehicle as an emergency vehicle. The bill also amends rules to permit green lights on emergency vehicles (previously restricted to red/blue) and defines "roadway construction or maintenance vehicle" for clarity. Enacted as Act 209 on February 27, 2025, this law directly affects construction crews, maintenance workers, and public safety agencies operating vehicles on Arkansas roadways.
Arkansas' SB 136 (now Act 201) creates a "Right to Try" pathway for patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses who have exhausted all FDA-approved treatments. It allows access to personalized investigational treatments (like genetically tailored gene therapies or vaccines) based on a patient's unique genomic profile, provided a physician documents eligibility and obtains written informed consent covering risks, costs, and alternatives. The bill specifies that manufacturers may provide treatments without charge or require payment for actual production costs, but heirs are not liable for unpaid costs if the patient dies. Insurance companies may cover these treatments but are not required to, and the law does not expand mandatory coverage for such treatments.
