Arkansas Bills

died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 143: TO AUTHORIZE THE DIVISION OF ARKANSAS STATE POLICE TO COORDINATE WITH LOCAL SHERIFFS AND THE DIVISION OF COMMUNITY CORRECTION IN CRIME REDUCTION AND PREVENTION ACTIVITIES.

Senate Bill 143 would authorize the Division of Arkansas State Police to coordinate with local sheriffs and the Division of Community Correction on activities aimed at reducing and preventing crime. An amendment to the bill places specific restrictions on officers involved in these efforts. These officers would be prohibited from stopping or detaining individuals without reasonable cause for arrest, conducting warrantless searches, or executing "no-knock warrants."

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 518: TO PROHIBIT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM ENACTING REGULATIONS IN A FLOOD-PRONE AREA THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM IN CERTAIN INSTANCES.

Senate Bill 518 (SB 518) sought to limit the regulatory authority of local governments in Arkansas concerning flood-prone areas. The bill would have prohibited cities, towns, and counties from enacting land use regulations that are more restrictive than the specific guidelines of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for special flood hazard areas. Local governments could only adopt more restrictive measures if they provided compensation for any resulting decrease in the property's value. This bill directly affected local government's ability to set flood-related building and zoning codes.

died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 47: TO AMEND THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE; TO DEFINE "CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY" UNDER THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE; TO MODIFY THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE DEFINITIONS; AND TO MODIFY THE ARKANSAS BANKING CODE OF 1997.

Senate Bill 47 proposes changes to Arkansas's financial statutes by amending both the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and the Arkansas Banking Code of 1997. The bill introduces a definition for "Central Bank Digital Currency" (CBDC) within the UCC and modifies other UCC definitions related to "money" and "deposit account." A key provision clarifies that under the Arkansas Banking Code, "deposit" and "deposit account" will explicitly not include central bank digital currency or investment property. This legislation aims to update the legal framework for classifying certain digital assets and traditional bank accounts for financial institutions in Arkansas.

in committee · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SR 74: TO RECOGNIZE THE COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM, FEATURING FOUR (4) PLAYERS FROM ARKANSAS, AS THE 2025 NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

Senate Resolution 74 formally recognizes the College of the Ozarks women's basketball team as the 2025 National Christian College Athletic Association Division I National Champions. The resolution specifically acknowledges the four players from Arkansas on the championship team for their athletic and academic achievements.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1534: TO INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT.

House Bill 1534 proposes to increase the existing homestead property tax credit. This bill directly affects homeowners by reducing the amount of property taxes they owe on their primary residence. The key mechanism is an adjustment to the credit amount, providing a larger tax reduction for eligible households.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 623: CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF FEMALE INMATES AND DETAINEES IN CORRECTIONAL OR DETENTION FACILITIES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE TREATMENT OF AN INMATE OR DETAINEE WHO IS PREGNANT OR HAS RECENTLY DELIVERED A CHILD.

Senate Bill 623 concerns the treatment of female inmates and detainees in correctional or detention facilities. The bill specifically addresses the care of individuals who are pregnant or have recently delivered a child. An amendment to the bill details a provision requiring a female medical provider or a female staff member to be present during medical procedures for these female inmates or detainees.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SR 66: TO RECOGNIZE THE ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY ROBOTICS CLUB FOR WINNING THE TOURNAMENT CHAMPION AND INNOVATE AWARDS AT THE 2025 TEXAS STATE VEX U TOURNAMENT.

Senate Resolution 66 recognizes the Arkansas Tech University Robotics Club for winning the Tournament Champion and Innovate Awards at the 2025 Texas State VEX U Tournament. This resolution acknowledges their achievements and qualifications for the VEX U World Championship.

died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 376: TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC MEETINGS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967.

Senate Bill 376 amends the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, focusing on requirements for public meetings of state and local governing bodies. The bill clarifies that all formal or informal meetings of more than two members of entities like municipal councils, county quorum courts, school boards, and state commissions must be public. It also adds a new provision concerning discussions held outside of public meetings. If two members of a governing body discuss a matter, they are prohibited from disclosing another member's opinion or position on that matter to other members of the governing body.

died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 11: TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS DATA CENTERS ACT OF 2023; AND TO AMEND THE UNIFORM MONEY SERVICES ACT.

Senate Bill 11 amends the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 and the Uniform Money Services Act. The bill repeals a previous exemption that prevented individuals engaged in home digital asset mining or operating a digital asset mining business from being considered "money transmitters." It now explicitly includes these activities within the definition of "money transmission," bringing digital asset miners under the purview of the Uniform Money Services Act. Consequently, existing digital asset miners must apply for licensure under this act by September 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Technology

died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 396: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION TO ISSUE TO CERTAIN NONRESIDENTS A HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE FOR THE COST OF A RESIDENT LICENSE.

Senate Bill 396 would have amended Arkansas law regarding hunting and fishing licenses. It proposed authorizing the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission to issue hunting, fishing, or combination licenses to certain non-residents at the same cost as an Arkansas resident license. To qualify for this resident rate, a non-resident would have needed to graduate from a public, private, or home school in Arkansas and be actively pursuing a higher education degree in another state.

died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 506: TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO REPEAL THE EXEMPTION CONCERNING ELECTRONIC DATA INFORMATION MAINTAINED BY A DISASTER RECOVERY SYSTEM.

SB 506 proposed to amend the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 1967. The bill aimed to repeal a specific exemption that allowed government entities to withhold electronic data maintained by a disaster recovery system from public access. If enacted, this change would have made such electronic data subject to public records requests, directly affecting how government agencies manage and disclose their backup electronic information. This would have increased the types of government information accessible to the public under the FOIA.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1624: TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF COUNTY LAW LIBRARY BOARDS.

House Bill 1624 proposed changes to the membership of county law library boards in Arkansas. It aimed to add one circuit court judge and one district court judge to these boards, to be appointed by the county court for two-year terms. These judicial members would serve alongside the existing board members, who are practicing attorneys appointed from local bar association nominations. The bill also clarified the board's powers regarding library operation, fund expenditure, and property management.

Bill results