Arkansas Bills

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 540: TO LIMIT THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS ON A DRIVER'S LICENSE OF A PERSON WHO HAS SUFFERED A SEIZURE.

SB 540 limits the suspension, revocation, or imposition of restrictions on a driver's license for individuals who have suffered a seizure. This bill directly affects drivers who have experienced a seizure by placing boundaries on the actions that can be taken against their driving privileges. The legislation aims to provide specific protections regarding license status for this group. SB 540 has passed both legislative chambers and is now Act 702.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 553: TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING LAW; TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF A MUNICIPAL TREASURER; AND TO REQUIRE TRAINING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL CHARGED WITH DUTIES UNDER THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING LAW.

Senate Bill 553 amends the Arkansas Municipal Accounting Law, primarily affecting municipal treasurers and other individuals handling financial duties. It mandates that all municipal treasurers complete eight hours of training provided by the Arkansas Municipal League and Arkansas Legislative Audit, with new treasurers completing it within 180 days of taking office. The bill also allows municipalities to assign specific accounting duties, excluding fund collection, to another trained employee or a private qualified entity if the treasurer doesn't comply or requests it, and updates procedures for addressing non-compliance.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 624: TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT; TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT OF 2015; AND TO ALLOW A STUDENT TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL WITHIN HIS OR HER RESIDENT DISTRICT.

Senate Bill 624, now Act 732, expands public school choice options for students in Arkansas. It allows students to transfer to a different public school within their own resident school district, in addition to transferring to a school in a nonresident district. Parents or guardians can request a transfer if they believe it is in the student's best interest, or if the resident school or district meets specific performance criteria. The bill also clarifies that schools can claim a lack of capacity if 95% or more of a grade level's seats are filled, and requires receiving schools to accept credits from transferring students.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 594: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION TO SUPPLY A PUBLIC SERVICE OR TO EXTEND A PUBLIC SERVICE.

Senate Bill 594 amends Arkansas law regarding when public service providers need a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for new construction or service extensions. The bill clarifies existing exemptions, specifying that a CPCN is not required for certain activities. This includes replacing or expanding existing equipment with similar facilities in the same location, or upgrading facilities to increase capacity without widening an existing right-of-way. It also exempts the extension of public service within an area already lawfully served or when necessary in the ordinary course of business. Additionally, it confirms exemptions for major utility facilities under a separate act and certain equipment owned by exempt wholesale generators.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 492: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RELOCATION OF UTILITY FACILITIES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ACQUISITION, CONDEMNATION, AND DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY BY THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION.

Senate Bill 492, now Act 699, amends the laws concerning the relocation of utility facilities and the acquisition of real property by the State Highway Commission. The bill clarifies that "utility" includes cable and broadband services, but excludes interstate railways. It establishes civil penalties of $500 per business day for non-municipal utility systems that fail to comply with relocation requirements or agreements after receiving notice. However, penalties are not assessed if a utility meets the final relocation completion date, or if delays are caused by extraordinary events, improper excavation, or good-faith efforts to acquire right-of-way.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 522: TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THE TUITION AND FEES PAID BY STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE ONLINE PROGRAMS.

Senate Bill 522 amends existing laws concerning the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA). Specifically, it modifies regulations related to the tuition and fees paid by students who are enrolled in ASMSA's online programs. The bill directly affects ASMSA and its online students by changing the legal framework governing their financial obligations. The provided text indicates the law is amended, but does not detail the specific changes to the tuition and fee structure.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 352: TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

Senate Bill 352 prohibits antisemitism in public elementary and secondary schools. It also extends this prohibition to state-supported institutions of higher education. The bill establishes a standard for conduct within these educational environments, directly affecting students, faculty, and staff. This legislation aims to prevent and address antisemitic acts or expressions within these institutions.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 610: TO AMEND THE GENERATING ARKANSAS JOBS ACT OF 2025; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

Senate Bill 610 amends the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025. It extends the timeframe for the Arkansas Public Service Commission to review annual update filings and issue its orders. The bill changes the review period from 60 days to 90 days. This affects the Commission and the entities that are required to submit these annual update filings. The bill also includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon becoming law.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 302: TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF GIFT CARD FRAUD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

Senate Bill 302 creates a new criminal offense called "gift card fraud." This bill makes it illegal to use gift card information or obtain it from a cardholder or issuer with the intent to deprive the owner of property. It directly affects individuals who engage in these fraudulent activities and aims to protect owners of gift cards from such fraud. The bill also includes an emergency declaration, meaning it would take effect immediately upon becoming law.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 560: TO DECREASE THE BASE CONTRIBUTION RATE; TO INCREASE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSESSMENT RATE; TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE SKILLED WORKFORCE IN THIS STATE; AND TO AMEND THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES TRAINING TRUST FUND.

SB 560 adjusts funding mechanisms for workforce services in the state. It decreases the base contribution rate for employers while increasing the administrative assessment rate. These changes are intended to increase funding for the skilled workforce and involve amendments to the Division of Workforce Services Training Trust Fund. The bill directly affects businesses that contribute to these funds and individuals who benefit from skilled workforce training programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 314: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SEXUAL SOLICITATION; AND TO AMEND THE PENALTIES FOR THE OFFENSE OF SEXUAL SOLICITATION.

Senate Bill 314 amends the law regarding sexual solicitation, directly affecting individuals convicted of this offense. The bill reclassifies the penalties for sexual solicitation. A first offense is now designated as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying maximum sentences of 90 days imprisonment and/or a $2,000 fine. For a second or subsequent offense, the bill reclassifies sexual solicitation as a Class

Hope Duke (R) Missy Irvin (R) · 16 co-sponsors

signed · Arkansas · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 303: TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY AT THE RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

SB 303 allows public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools to permit private school students to participate in interscholastic activities. This means a private school student could potentially join sports teams or clubs at the public school they would typically be assigned to, or an open-enrollment public charter school within their district. The bill grants the resident public school or charter school the option to allow this participation under specific conditions. This creates a pathway for private school students to engage in activities offered by their local public schools.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results