SB 562 amends the law concerning the Office of Internal Audit in Arkansas. It repeals the existing requirement for the Office of Internal Audit to conduct an annual project review and efficiency study of the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). This study previously involved reviewing ARDOT's processes, procurement, projects, and expenditures. Consequently, the bill also eliminates the requirement for the study's results to be reported annually to the Legislative Council.
SB 402, now Act 725, prohibits public school districts and educational service cooperatives from requiring or taking certain actions related to employee organizations and professional associations. The specific actions that are prohibited are not detailed in the provided bill text, which is an amendment. This amendment primarily expanded the scope of the bill to include educational service cooperatives in addition to public school districts.
Senate Bill 572, known as the Public School Access and Transparency Act, requires public access to learning materials used and maintained by public schools. The bill specifies that custodians for public schools are responsible for these materials. It also establishes guidelines for individuals accessing copyrighted learning materials, stipulating that such materials can only be used for public inspection and any copies must adhere to fair use provisions under federal copyright laws.
Senate Bill 408, now Act 696, provides an income tax exemption for certain payments received by taxpayers in Arkansas. It specifically exempts payments made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Market Facilitation Program, as it existed on January 1, 2020. The bill also exempts payments from USDA programs authorized by the American Relief Act of 2025. This change means that these specific federal agricultural support payments will not be subject to state income tax for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 420 expands eligibility for state water development programs and amends the Water Authority Act. It also modifies the uses of the Construction Assistance Revolving Loan Fund. Specifically, the bill allows investor-owned water or wastewater utilities to be eligible for these programs and funds, in addition to existing governmental authorities. This change broadens the types of entities that can access state support for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
SB 496 amends Arkansas law concerning permits for transporting special cargo, primarily affecting farm machinery equipment dealers, haulers, and repair persons. It clarifies that a special permit is not required for these individuals when delivering new or used farm equipment to a farm or transporting it for repairs. The bill also allows the Arkansas Department of Transportation to issue a one-year special permit for vehicles hauling farm machinery up to 12 feet wide, for a fee not exceeding $500 per vehicle. Haulers obtaining these permits are responsible for safe routing, and the department may require a bond to cover potential highway damage or extrication costs.
This bill authorizes the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission to impose civil penalties for specific harmful actions committed against equines, such as horses, donkeys, and mules. It also allows for the use of a body condition score as evidence when assessing whether an equine has been subjected to cruelty to animals. This provides a standardized method for evaluating an equine's physical state in cruelty investigations.
Senate Bill 515 (Act 647) requires that existing Arkansas history course content guidelines include a dedicated unit. This unit will focus on Arkansas veterans and their families. The bill directly affects public education by modifying the curriculum for Arkansas history courses, ensuring students learn about the contributions and experiences of veterans and their families within the state's history.
Senate Bill 618 amends the Arkansas Student Due Process and Protection Act, directly affecting students at institutions of higher education in Arkansas. The bill requires these institutions to inform students involved in investigations or disciplinary proceedings of their right to seek attorney representation. Additionally, it changes the timeframe for students or student organizations to file an appeal from 25 days to 7 days after receiving a final disciplinary decision.
Senate Bill 539 updates and clarifies laws concerning the Division of Community Correction and the Division of Correction, including references to community correction centers. The bill modifies administrative sanctions for parolees and individuals on post-release supervision. It defines intermediate sanctions such as increased substance abuse screening or treatment, and increased monitoring. For parolees, incarceration as an intermediate sanction is limited to a maximum of seven days in a county jail or 120 days in a state facility, with overall limits on frequency and duration. Similar restrictions apply to those on post-release supervision, capping intermediate incarceration at seven days in a county/regional jail or 90 days in a state facility.
SB 470 establishes new requirements for adults overseeing statewide student assessments for students in virtual school settings. For students in kindergarten through eighth grade taking these assessments virtually, an approved adult, such as a parent or guardian, must be physically present with the student for the entire duration of the test. For students in grades nine through twelve taking virtual assessments, an approved adult must attest prior to the assessment that both they and the student will adhere to all testing security protocols. This bill affects public schools operating primarily as virtual schools and their students taking statewide assessments.
SB 478, known as the Arkansas Diesel Engine Freedom Act of 2025, aims to prevent state enforcement of federal regulations concerning certain diesel engines. The bill declares federal mandates requiring the use of diesel exhaust fluid for engines operating solely within Arkansas as null and void. It prohibits state agencies, political subdivisions, and their employees from enforcing such federal regulations on these "exempt engines," which are defined as diesel engines used exclusively within the state and not requiring diesel exhaust fluid. The act also establishes penalties for state entities that violate these provisions, including civil fines and suspension of enforcement authority.
