Arkansas Bills

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1791: TO CLARIFY THAT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND THE UNITED NATIONS DO NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OR POWER IN THIS STATE AND DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE OR IMPLEMENT ACTIONS IN THIS STATE.

House Bill 1791 aimed to clarify that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) do not hold jurisdiction or power within the state of Arkansas. It sought to prevent the state and its political subdivisions, including counties and school districts, from enforcing or implementing any requirements or mandates issued by these international organizations. The bill specifically prohibited using such mandates as a basis for actions like imposing requirements for masks, vaccinations, or medical testing that conflict with Arkansas law. Additionally, it aimed to prevent the use of WHO or UN mandates to gather public or private information about Arkansas citizens or residents.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1542: TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT; AND TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMIT EACH STUDENT WHO APPLIES FOR ADMISSION AND INTENDS TO COVER PRIVATE SCHOOL COSTS WITH STATE FUNDING.

HB 1542 would require private schools in Arkansas that receive any state funding to administer the same annual statewide student assessments as public schools. These private schools would be responsible for the costs associated with these assessments and must ensure all enrolled students participate. Additionally, the bill mandates that these private schools admit students who intend to cover their tuition and attendance costs using state funding. The bill extends existing assessment security and reporting requirements to these private schools.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1422: TO CREATE THE ONLY CITIZENS VOTE ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DRIVER'S LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS OF CERTAIN NONCITIZENS; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, SECTION 13.

House Bill 1422, titled the "Only Citizens Vote Act," aimed to modify voter identification requirements in Arkansas. The bill proposed to exclude certain driver's licenses and photo identification cards issued to non-citizens from being accepted as valid forms of voter identification. It mandated training for election officials on how to recognize and refuse these specific non-citizen documents for voting purposes. Additionally, the bill required the Department of Finance and Administration to provide monthly reports to the Secretary of State, listing individuals holding these particular non-citizen driver's licenses or identification cards.

Topics ✗ Immigration

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1540: TO AMEND THE INCOME TAX CREDIT AND THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION RELATED TO MAINTAINING, SUPPORTING, AND CARING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.

HB 1540 was a legislative bill intended to amend existing income tax credits and deductions for taxpayers who maintain, support, and care for an individual with a disability. While the bill aimed to modify these specific tax provisions, the provided text only contains an amendment adding a cosponsor, not the detailed changes to the credit or deduction themselves. The bill ultimately died in the House Committee.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1566: TO REQUIRE ADOPTION OF A STATEWIDE PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM CORE CURRICULUM TO INCREASE CONSISTENCY IN PRACTICAL NURSING EDUCATION.

HB 1566 requires all practical nursing programs in Arkansas to adopt a statewide core curriculum by the 2029-2030 academic year, affecting institutions of higher education and future practical nursing students. This 44-credit-hour curriculum aims to increase consistency in practical nursing education across the state. It will be developed by the Nurse Administrators of Nursing Education Programs, as an advisory group to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The bill allows programs flexibility in determining the breakdown of instructional hours and includes options for certified nurse aides and medication assistive persons to receive credit for prior learning.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1335: TO ESTABLISH THE EVERY ARKANSAN RETIREMENT PLAN OPPORTUNITY ACT.

HB 1335, titled "The Every Arkansan Retirement Plan Opportunity Act," aims to establish a state-run retirement savings program for Arkansans. The bill's text only states its purpose without detailing specific provisions, mechanisms, or who would be directly affected. It died in the House Committee during the 2025 legislative session without advancing further. As filed, it appears to be a procedural bill naming an act, lacking concrete policy details in the provided context.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1795: TO CREATE THE FERTILITY CLINIC LICENSURE ACT.

House Bill 1795, titled the "Fertility Clinic Licensure Act," would create a new licensing requirement for medical facilities and healthcare professionals in Arkansas that collect or preserve human embryos for fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). These facilities would need to obtain a separate annual license and pay a $1,000 fee. The bill also mandates that fertility clinics report specific non-personally identifiable data to the Department of Health, with a $50,000 fine for non-compliance. The Department of Health would then compile this information into annual public reports available on its website and to legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1066: TO INCREASE THE STANDARD DEDUCTION.

House Bill 1066 aims to increase the standard deduction available to taxpayers. This legislative change would directly affect individuals and potentially impact their taxable income. By raising the standard deduction, the bill proposes to reduce the portion of income subject to state taxes for those who choose not to itemize deductions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1969: TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE ACCESS; TO AMEND THE ASSESSMENT FEES ON HOSPITALS; AND TO CREATE THE HOSPITAL DIRECTED PAYMENT ASSESSMENT.

HB 1969 aimed to improve healthcare access in Arkansas by modifying how hospitals are assessed and reimbursed for Medicaid services. The bill proposed creating a "Graduate Medical Education Expansion Program" to fund eligible hospitals for new medical residency and fellowship positions, intending to increase the number of doctors in training. It also sought to establish a "Hospital Directed Payment Assessment" system, designed to maximize Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals, support their financial stability (especially in rural areas), and enhance patient care. This system would involve specific payments directed through managed care entities and updated definitions related to hospital cost reporting and Medicaid payment limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1970: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PREPAYMENT OF SALES TAX; AND TO INCREASE THE THRESHOLD FOR RETAILERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO PREPAY SALES TAX.

House Bill 1970 aims to amend Arkansas law concerning the prepayment of sales tax. It directly affects retailers registered to collect gross receipts tax within the state. The bill increases the average monthly net sales threshold for retailers required to prepay sales tax from $200,000 to $500,000. This change means that only retailers with average net sales exceeding $500,000 per month will be obligated to make electronic prepayment of sales tax, using one of the existing payment options.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1284: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A PERSON'S DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR FAILURE TO PAY A COURT-ORDERED FINE; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A RESTRICTED DRIVER'S PERMIT.

HB 1284 modifies the process for suspending or revoking an individual's driver's license or vehicle registration in Arkansas due to unpaid court-ordered fines. It prevents courts from requesting such suspensions unless the person first fails to appear at a scheduled hearing specifically addressing their nonpayment. The bill also clarifies that courts can issue restricted driving permits, allowing individuals with suspended licenses to drive for specific necessary purposes like work, medical appointments, or court appearances. If charges related to nonpayment or failure to appear are dismissed, the driver's license or registration must be reinstated without a fee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1623: TO EXEMPT H-2A VISA PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE A VALID INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE OR PERMIT FROM THE SKILLS PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE EXAMINATION.

HB 1623 proposes to exempt certain H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program participants from the skills portion of the driver's license examination in Arkansas. This bill directly affects foreign nationals working in the state under the H-2A visa program. Under the bill's provisions, these individuals would not be required to take the driving test if they possess a valid International Driving Permit and present it when taking the written portion of the driver's license examination.

Bill results