This bill authorizes a representative to introduce legislation that would update Arkansas's Revenue Stabilization Law to create new funds and allow transfers between existing accounts. The proposed changes aim to adjust how state financial reserves are managed and moved without requiring new spending approvals. An emergency clause is included to ensure these fiscal adjustments take effect on July 1, 2026, to prevent service disruptions at the start of the next fiscal year. The measure has been passed by the House and referred to the Joint Budget Committee for further review.
This bill authorizes a representative to introduce legislation that amends Arkansas's Revenue Stabilization Law to create new funds and allow transfers between existing accounts. The proposed law would enable the state to establish financial reserves and move money between different fund accounts to manage its budget. It includes an emergency clause stating that these changes must take effect on July 1, 2026, to prevent a disruption in essential government services at the start of the fiscal year. Currently, the bill has been referred to the Joint Budget Committee for further review.
HB 1002, now Act 1, provides funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the Arkansas Judicial Branch, the House of Representatives, and the Arkansas Senate. The bill allocates $830,000 to the Auditor of State for judge-related expenses, including travel reimbursements for district judges and operating costs for special and trial judges. Additionally, it sets aside $368,000 for House Representatives and $200,000 for Senators to cover interim expenses. The legislation also allows members of the General Assembly to receive per diem and mileage reimbursement for attending the biennial Institute of Legislative Procedure.
This Arkansas House Resolution authorizes the House of Representatives and the Senate to take recesses lasting four consecutive days or longer during the 2026 fiscal session. The measure allows the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to declare these breaks without needing separate approval for each instance. By establishing this rule, the resolution provides a clear mechanism for legislative bodies to pause their sessions for extended periods when necessary.
This bill from the Arkansas House of Representatives schedules a joint session of the state legislature to take place on April 8, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. The primary purpose of the session is to allow legislators to hear a speech delivered by Governor Sarah Sanders. The resolution requires both the House and Senate to convene in the House Chamber to witness the address, which is a formal procedural step rather than a policy change.
House Bill 1265 is an appropriation act that allocates funding for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This bill directly affects UALR by establishing the maximum number of employees allowed for various administrative and operational positions. It also sets the maximum annual salary rates for these specific roles, providing budgetary limits for the institution's personnel expenses.
HB 1961 would allow medical providers in Arkansas to temporarily withhold a patient's medical records for up to 30 days from the patient or their authorized representative. This is permitted if the provider reasonably believes immediate disclosure could negatively affect the patient's health or safety due to misinterpretation, requires time to review the information to prepare a treatment plan, and schedules a timely discussion with the patient. The temporary withholding must be for the minimum necessary period and ceases once the discussion occurs or the risk is no longer present. After this period, all applicable federal and state information-blocking laws apply, and the records must be released promptly.
House Bill 1889 amends regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation facilities. It allows parents, whether they hold a medical marijuana card or not, to bring their child who is a qualified patient into a facility to purchase usable marijuana. The bill also authorizes dispensaries to offer new services: home delivery of usable marijuana to qualified patients or caregivers via a delivery vehicle, and drive-through window pick-up for pre-ordered items. Both delivery and drive-through options require visual confirmation of the patient's identification card and adherence to specific packaging and security measures.
HB 1403 sought to amend the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me Act of 2021. The bill would have allowed nonhospital entities to serve as "community bridge organizations," expanding beyond the current requirement for these organizations to be hospital-based. These organizations aim to promote the health of mothers and infants and address health-related social needs, especially for Arkansans in rural areas. Nonhospital entities would have needed to meet specific conditions and criteria established by the Department of Human Services to administer these services.
Senate Bill 318 proposes to create a new income tax exemption in Arkansas. This exemption would apply to individuals who are at least 65 years old. To qualify, an individual's annual gross income must not exceed $25,000 for the tax year. If enacted, this change would take effect for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
Senate Bill 436 proposed to amend the Public School Choice Act of 2015, affecting students who transfer between public schools or districts. The bill aimed to modify the rules regarding these students' participation in extracurricular activities. While current law prohibits denying extracurricular participation solely based on a transfer, this bill would have allowed a receiving public school or district to prohibit a student who transfers for two consecutive years from participating in extracurricular activities for a period of 365 days.
SJR 5 proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to repeal the office of Lieutenant Governor. If passed by the Arkansas General Assembly, this amendment would be submitted to the state's electors for approval or rejection at the next general election. If a majority of voters adopt the amendment, the position of Lieutenant Governor would be eliminated from the Arkansas Constitution, thereby changing the structure of the state government.
