Arkansas Bills

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1042: TO CREATE THE DIRECT DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2025; TO REPEAL THE ENSURING ACCESS FOR ALL ARKANSANS AND VOTER PROTECTION ACT OF 2023; AND TO AMEND THE PROCEDURE FOR THE FILING OF A BALLOT INITIATIVE PETITION AND REFERENDUM PETITION.

House Bill 1042 proposes to create the "Direct Democracy Act of 2025" in Arkansas. This bill would repeal the "Ensuring Access for All Arkansans and Voter Protection Act of 2023." Additionally, it would amend the current procedures for filing ballot initiative petitions and referendum petitions, affecting how citizens can propose or challenge laws through direct vote.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1790: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

HB 1790 proposed changes to how local governments regulate short-term rentals (like Airbnb properties). The bill aimed to amend existing laws governing these rentals but was amended (Amendment No. 1) before failing to pass. It did not become law, as it died on the House Calendar after failing on third reading on April 8, 2025. The bill directly affected local governments and property owners operating short-term rentals within their jurisdictions. No concrete policy changes were enacted through this legislation.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1792: TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE UNPAID LEAVE ON VETERANS DAY TO VETERAN EMPLOYEES.

House Bill 1792 would require private employers in Arkansas to grant unpaid leave on Veterans Day to their veteran employees. To receive this leave, veteran employees would need to provide one month's written notice and proof of their veteran status. Employers could only deny the request if the absence would adversely impact public health and safety or cause significant economic or operational disruption, as determined by the Department of Labor and Licensing. The bill defines a "veteran" as a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces or certain Arkansas Reserve/National Guard members called to active duty.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1037: AN ACT TO CREATE THE PREREGISTRATION TO VOTE ACT; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, § 19.

HB 1037, known as the "Preregistration to Vote Act," allows individuals in Arkansas to preregister to vote when they are seventeen years old. This means that while they can complete the registration process at age 17, they will not be eligible to cast a ballot until they reach the legal voting age of eighteen. The bill amends provisions of Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51, to implement this change. This act aims to increase voter registration and turnout by enabling earlier engagement in the electoral process.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1621: TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO EXEMPT PERSONAL INFORMATION OF ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, JUDICIAL OFFICIALS, ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS, ELECTED MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS, AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY.

House Bill 1621 proposes to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1967. It would exempt certain personal information, specifically permanent residence addresses, of elected constitutional officers, judicial officials, elected county officials, elected municipal officials, and their immediate family members from being considered public records. The bill also defines "elected municipal official" and "immediate family member" for the purposes of these exemptions. This means that these specific private details of the mentioned officials and their relatives would no longer be subject to public information requests.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1494: TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS GUIDANCE OUT OF THE DARKNESS ACT; AND TO REQUIRE STATE AGENCIES TO PUBLISH FEDERAL GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS ONLINE.

House Bill 1494, known as the "Arkansas Guidance Out of the Darkness Act," requires Arkansas state agencies to publish specific federal guidance documents on their publicly accessible websites. This applies to documents that influence state laws, the administration of federal funds, or provide recommendations for federal compliance. Agencies must post the full document, the date it was received, and a summary of its potential impact within 30 days. The bill aims to increase transparency regarding how federal guidance affects state policies, with the Auditor of State tasked with reviewing agency compliance annually.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HJR 1002: AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION TO REPEAL THE EXCEPTION TO THE PROHIBITION OF SLAVERY AND INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE.

HJR 1002 proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution. This amendment aims to repeal the existing exception that currently permits slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime. If adopted, it would remove this specific allowance from the state's constitution, ensuring a complete prohibition of slavery and involuntary servitude for all individuals in Arkansas.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HJR 1007: A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO CREATE A PROCEDURE FOR THE RECALL OF CERTAIN ELECTED OFFICIALS.

HJR 1007 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a process for recalling elected officials in Arkansas. This amendment would allow qualified electors to petition for the recall of a wide range of officials, including the Governor, state legislators, judges, and various county and local officeholders. To initiate a recall, a notice of intent must be filed, followed by a recall petition. The petition requires signatures from at least 25% of the votes cast for Governor in the last election within the relevant jurisdiction, with specific county distribution requirements for statewide recalls. The Secretary of State or Attorney General would then determine the petition's sufficiency.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1035: TO CREATE THE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 2025; TO ALLOW ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION; TO AMEND ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51; AND TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

HB 1035, titled the "Online Voter Registration Act of 2025," sought to establish a system allowing individuals to register to vote online. This bill aimed to amend Amendment 51 of the Arkansas Constitution to permit online voter registration. It also proposed changes to the duties of the Secretary of State to incorporate and manage this new registration method. If passed, this would have provided Arkansas voters with an additional, online option for voter registration.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1787: TO PROVIDE AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN RETIREMENT BENEFITS RECEIVED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.

House Bill 1787 aimed to provide an income tax exemption for certain retirement benefits received by retired law enforcement officers and firefighters in Arkansas. It would have amended state law to specifically exempt these benefits from state income tax. The bill defined who qualifies as a "firefighter" or "law enforcement officer" for this exemption and clarified how it would interact with other existing retirement benefit exemptions, allowing a combined exemption up to $6,000. If enacted, these changes would have applied to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1009: TO ALLOW PREGNANCY TO BE A QUALIFYING EVENT FOR ENROLLMENT IN CERTAIN HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS.

House Bill 1009 proposed to allow pregnancy to be considered a qualifying event for enrollment in certain health benefit plans. This change would have enabled individuals who become pregnant to enroll in health insurance outside of the standard annual open enrollment period. The bill aimed to provide a special enrollment opportunity for those affected by a new pregnancy.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1862: TO AMEND THE INCOME TAX CREDIT AND THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION RELATED TO MAINTAINING, SUPPORTING, AND CARING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.

House Bill 1862 amends Arkansas's income tax laws related to caring for individuals with disabilities. The bill repeals the $500 income tax deduction previously available for taxpayers caring for a totally and permanently disabled child in their home. Simultaneously, it increases the state income tax credit for taxpayers maintaining, supporting, and caring for an individual with a developmental disability from $500 to $750. The bill also updates the definition of "developmental disability" for the credit and expands the types of licensed medical professionals who can provide certification for the disability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results