House Bill 1539 proposes to amend the Public School Funding Act of 2003 in Arkansas. The bill aims to increase per-student foundation funding for public schools, as well as specific funding for alternative learning environment students and English learners for the 2025-2027 school years. A key provision is the creation of a new, dedicated categorical funding stream for special education, ensuring these funds are specifically allocated and spent on special education services. This change intends to address the underfunding of special education by allocating funds based on the number of students with special needs.
HB 1907 sought to update how businesses and individuals calculate the income tax deduction for depreciation and the expensing of property in Arkansas. The bill proposed adopting the federal income tax law concerning depreciation (26 U.S.C. §§ 167 and 168) as it was in effect on January 1, 2025. This change would have applied to property purchased in tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, for the purpose of computing Arkansas income tax liability.
HB 1065, titled "TO CREATE THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2025," died in the House Committee on Revenue & Taxation on May 5, 2025, without becoming law. The provided bill text contains no substantive policy language or specific mechanisms; it only includes a list of supporting legislators and procedural details. No concrete policy changes, affected groups, or key provisions are described in the available text. As a bill that stalled in committee with no enacted provisions, it did not implement any inflation-related measures. The title appears to be a placeholder, as no actual inflation reduction policy was outlined in the submitted bill.
House Bill 1036 proposed changes to voter registration laws in Arkansas. The bill aimed to allow individuals to register to vote during the early voting period and also on Election Day itself. This would have directly affected potential voters by providing additional opportunities to register closer to an election. Additionally, the bill sought to amend specific provisions within Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51, which governs election procedures.
House Bill 1849 would allow municipalities, counties, and the state of Arkansas to enter into agreements with federally-recognized tribal nations. These agreements would enable the cross deputization of law enforcement officers. This means municipal, county, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies could be authorized to enforce tribal, state, and local laws. This authority would apply on federally-recognized tribal land within Arkansas and in surrounding areas.
House Bill 1999 would require the Secretary of the Department of Education to provide information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to certain students. Specifically, students who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have a negative or zero student aid index would receive written and electronic details. This information would cover their potential eligibility for SNAP, the application process, and how to contact the Department of Human Services. The Department of Education would consult with the Department of Human Services to create these communications.
Based on the title, HB 1023 aimed to modify the State Teacher Education Program. It sought to change the eligibility requirements for loan forgiveness and adjust the loan repayment amounts within that program. The provided text is an amendment adding sponsors, and the specific details of these proposed changes are not available in this context.
HB 1198 proposes to restrict the height of wind power devices in Arkansas to help conserve waterfowl populations. The bill prohibits wind farms, windmills, and wind turbines from exceeding 150 feet in height. This restriction applies to new projects located in specific 100-square-mile areas where at least eleven bird bands have been collected over the previous ten years. Wind power devices already under construction or in operation before January 1, 2025, would be exempt from this height limit.
HB 1349 aimed to amend benefits under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, directly affecting Arkansas public school teachers who participate in this retirement program. The bill's text states its purpose as amending the law concerning these benefits but does not specify the exact changes to provisions, eligibility, or benefit amounts in the provided context. No detailed mechanisms or key provisions are described in the available bill text or summary. As filed, it sought policy changes to retirement benefits but died in committee without further action. Without specific amendment details in the context, the precise nature of the proposed changes cannot be summarized.
House Bill 1328 proposed to extend the maximum participation period for active Arkansas State Police Officers in two specific retirement savings programs. It aimed to increase the duration of participation in both the Arkansas State Police Officers Deferred Option Plan (Tier One) and the Arkansas State Police Officers' Tier Two Deferred Retirement Option Plan. If enacted, officers in these plans would have been able to participate for a maximum of ten years, up from the current seven years.
HB 1725 would amend Arkansas law concerning the office and compensation of sheriffs. It would require individuals newly elected or appointed as sheriff to file documentation with the county clerk within ten days, stating whether they meet specific law enforcement training or eligibility requirements. If a new sheriff does not have these qualifications, the county's quorum court would be mandated to set their annual salary at the minimum provided by law. Sheriffs who later gain the required training could submit new documentation for the quorum court to consider for compensation adjustments.
House Bill 1136 aimed to amend Arkansas's Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013. The bill proposed that individuals applying to seal their criminal records would need to state under oath if they have an active arrest warrant. Furthermore, it would have prohibited courts from granting a record sealing petition if the person seeking to seal their record is subject to an active warrant of arrest. This bill would have directly affected individuals attempting to seal their criminal records and the courts processing these petitions.
