HB 1959, now Act 986, simplifies the process for reviving outstanding judgments. It abolishes the use of a writ of scire facias, replacing it with a new mechanism that allows judgments to be revived by notice. This change directly affects individuals and entities involved in the legal process of renewing old judgments. Additionally, the bill amends the laws concerning the fees that clerks of the circuit courts are allowed to charge.
Senate Bill 565 updates Arkansas's procurement laws to streamline processes for state agencies and contractors. It allows various procurement certifications to be combined into a single written document. The bill also establishes a monetary threshold for when state contracts must include a representation regarding prohibited contingent fees. Additionally, it changes the deadline for state agencies to report on purchases made under cooperative purchasing agreements, shifting it from July 1 to October 1.
Senate Bill 400, titled "TO AMEND THE FAIR-FUNDING PROGRAM," modifies the structure of the state's fair-funding program by reassigning specific counties to different fair districts. The bill removes Independence County from one assignment and explicitly places Lee County, Monroe County, and Phillips County into the Tri-County Fair. These changes directly affect the designated counties and the fair organizations by clarifying their participation within the state's fair-funding framework. The bill also includes a minor typographical correction.
HB 2003 amends Arkansas's Revenue Stabilization Law, which dictates how the state's general revenues are distributed. Starting July 1, 2025, the bill directs the Treasurer of State to transfer available general revenues monthly to various state funds and accounts. It establishes specific maximum allocation amounts for these funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and subsequent years. This impacts funding for numerous state services and entities, including public schools, human services, state government operations, and institutions of higher education.
Senate Bill 640 reconstitutes the State Library Board. It terminates the terms of all current board members on the bill's effective date. The Governor will then appoint seven new members to the board. These new members will draw lots to determine staggered initial terms ranging from one to seven years, with all subsequent appointments serving seven-year terms. The Governor is also required to call the first meeting of the newly appointed board within 30 days.
Senate Bill 290 prohibits state agencies from instituting new moratoria, or temporary bans, on issuing permits within watersheds and other bodies of water. This means that future permit applications for activities in these areas cannot be broadly paused. The bill clarifies that it does not affect any moratoria that were already established by rule before its effective date. It also directs the Department of Agriculture to temporarily use existing rules for liquid animal waste management systems until the department adopts its own final regulations.
HB 1878 requires county boards of election commissioners to establish an early voting polling site in certain cities within their jurisdiction. Specifically, it mandates an early voting location in any city with a population exceeding 15,000, according to the most recent federal census. This requirement applies only if the county clerk is not already conducting early voting in that city, aiming to ensure access for residents in these population centers. The bill also allows county boards the option to open additional early voting sites beyond the county clerk's office.
This bill, now Act 975, amends the jurisdiction of Arkansas courts by granting the Arkansas Court of Appeals exclusive original jurisdiction over "facial constitutional challenges." This means that cases in which a party seeks to have a state law, code provision, or administrative rule declared unconstitutional in all its applications will now originate in the Court of Appeals. Previously, such challenges typically began in the circuit courts. This change affects how certain constitutional challenges are heard and by which court, and it will take effect on November 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 217 requires the Arkansas Department of Human Services to request a federal waiver. This waiver would seek to exclude candy and soft drinks from the list of food items eligible for purchase under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If the waiver is granted, it would change what SNAP beneficiaries in Arkansas are able to buy with their benefits. The bill mandates the department to pursue this specific modification to the program's eligible food list.
House Bill 1995 separates the combined offices of sheriff and tax collector in Perry County, Arkansas, into two distinct positions. Starting January 1, 2027, Perry County voters will elect a separate sheriff and a separate tax collector during the 2026 general election. Each officer will be responsible for their specific duties, post a bond, and receive compensation and allowances as determined by the Perry County Quorum Court.
HB 1841, now Act 1021, creates the Arkansas Revenue Investment in Vital EMS Systems (ARRIVES) Act. This act establishes the Arkansas Revenue Investment in Vital EMS Systems (ARRIVES) Fund, specifically designed to support emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. The fund will disburse assessed moneys to these agencies, aiming to provide financial investment for their operations.
Senate Bill 450 (SB 450) requires the Arkansas Department of Education to incorporate a discussion of human fetal growth and development into its academic standards. This provision will be implemented during the regular academic standards revision cycle, affecting the curriculum taught to public school students. The bill specifies that this discussion must include a high-quality, computer-generated rendering or animation. This visual aid will depict the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development during each week of pregnancy until birth.
