HB 1019, titled the Affordable Childcare Act of 2025, proposes changes to state income tax credits related to employer-provided childcare. The bill establishes a new income tax credit for businesses that help their employees with childcare costs. It also replaces the existing income tax credit previously available to employers who operate their own childcare facilities. These provisions aim to incentivize employers to support their employees' childcare needs.
House Bill 1431 amends the Domestic Abuse Act of 1991 in Arkansas. It expands the definition of "domestic abuse" to include patterns of behavior described as "course of control" or "disturbing the peace." The bill also defines "disturbing the peace" as a pattern of behavior that unreasonably destroys the mental or emotional calm of a family or household
House Bill 1718 aimed to establish standards for surgical smoke evacuation in healthcare facilities licensed in Arkansas. The bill would have required any such facility using energy-generating devices to employ a smoke evacuation system during surgical procedures likely to produce surgical smoke. It defined key terms like "energy-generating device," "smoke evacuation system," and "surgical smoke" to clarify its scope. The State Board of Health and the Department of Health would have been authorized to enforce these new standards.
HJR 1015 was a proposed constitutional amendment in Arkansas that aimed to change how judicial candidates appear on the ballot. If approved, it would have required candidates for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Judge, and District Judge to declare their political party affiliation or independent status. This declared affiliation or independent status would then be printed on the ballot for voters to see. The stated purpose of the amendment was to ensure transparency regarding judicial candidates' affiliations. This amendment would have taken effect on January 1, 2027, if passed.
HB 1676 proposes to amend Arkansas law concerning garnishment against the state. This bill would allow judgment creditors to legally seize (garnish) Arkansas state income tax refunds to satisfy debts owed to them by court order. Currently, these state income tax refunds are explicitly exempt from garnishment by judgment creditors. The bill clarifies that this change would not affect the state's existing ability to offset refunds for debts owed to state programs.
House Bill 1027, titled the "Brighter Start Act of 2025," aimed to provide financial support for college savings. The bill would have required the Treasurer of State to make a one-time contribution to all existing and future Arkansas Brighter Future Fund Plan Accounts. This mechanism was intended to provide a direct financial boost to individuals saving for future education expenses through these state-sponsored accounts.
Based on the provided text, House Bill 1513 (HB 1513) aimed to amend the existing laws governing lottery-funded scholarships in Arkansas. The bill's stated purpose was to modify the legal framework around these scholarships. However, the provided text does not specify the particular changes, mechanisms, or provisions it intended to introduce, nor does it detail which specific aspects of the scholarship program would be altered or who would be directly affected beyond the general scope of scholarship recipients. Therefore, a comprehensive summary of its concrete policy changes is not possible with the information given.
HB 1912 aimed to change how real property is assessed for taxation in Arkansas. The bill proposed to reduce the "assessed value" of real property from 20% to 15% of its appraised value. This change would have affected how county assessors determine the assessed value of real property, especially after a transfer of title. If enacted, these provisions would have applied to assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, impacting property owners.
HB 1905, known as the "Buyer Beware Act," aimed to modify disclosure requirements for real estate licensees involved in residential property sales. The bill would have prohibited a licensee representing a seller from disclosing the taxable value of residential property in a listing. Instead, the listing would be required to direct potential buyers to the county assessor for the current assessed value. Additionally, licensees would have to provide written disclosure to potential buyers, explaining that existing property tax assessment limitations do not transfer to new owners.
House Bill 1459 addresses recurring reports submitted by Arkansas state agencies to the General Assembly. It mandates that state agencies file reports, whether required by statute or requested by the legislature, only three times. After the third submission, agencies would stop sending these reports unless the receiving legislative body or officer specifically requests their continuation. Agencies are also required to inform the recipient that reporting will cease after the third filing. This bill aims to modify the automatic flow of recurring reports to the General Assembly.
HB 1028 proposes changes to existing laws concerning obscenity and the process for challenging materials available in libraries. The bill aims to modify the procedures by which individuals can challenge library content. A key provision requires libraries to implement a policy prohibiting "book banning" to be eligible for state funding. This means libraries would need to demonstrate such a policy to receive financial support from the state.
HB 1888 proposes to amend the Division of Workforce Services law to provide individuals with access to their employment records. It requires the Division of Workforce Services to make an individual's wage and employment record available, without charge, upon a written request. The bill also mandates that, upon request, these records be provided via electronic transmission, either directly or through a qualified third-party vendor, for purposes related to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Any revenue generated from a third-party vendor would support eligible workforce programs.
