House Bill 1500 proposed to repeal Arkansas's "throwback rule" for income tax apportionment, impacting how multistate businesses calculate their taxable income in the state. Currently, if a business ships tangible goods from Arkansas to another state where it is not subject to income tax, those sales are "thrown back" and treated as Arkansas sales for tax purposes. The bill aimed to gradually phase out this rule by progressively reducing the percentage of such sales considered within Arkansas, starting in 2025. By tax year 2030, these sales would be entirely sourced outside Arkansas, meaning they would not be subject to Arkansas income tax. The stated intent was to enhance economic competitiveness and encourage investment and job creation by multistate enterprises.
House Bill 1948 modifies the conditions under which a person can be charged with negligent homicide in Arkansas, impacting individuals operating vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. It expands the definition of negligent homicide to include causing a death while fatigued, or while operating a vehicle with any amount of specified controlled substances (fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, or cocaine) present in their system. Additionally, the bill repeals the ability for prosecuting attorneys or defendants to subpoena individuals involved in calibrating or operating chemical analysis instruments for bodily substances in certain cases.
House Bill 1059 proposes to offer a free lifetime hunting and fishing license to certain commercial truck drivers who are residents of Arkansas. This benefit would also include optional lifetime trout and duck stamps. To qualify, a commercial truck driver must provide information to law enforcement that results in the rescue of a human trafficking victim or the conviction of an individual for human trafficking. The Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission would be responsible for issuing these licenses and would be reimbursed for their cost.
House Joint Resolution 1001 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how electoral districts are drawn in the state. If adopted, it would establish a new Citizens' Redistricting Commission. This commission would be responsible for drawing district boundaries, thereby affecting how citizens are represented in government. The bill also seeks to repeal the existing Board of Apportionment, which currently performs this function.
HB 1159 proposed creating the "Retail Convenience Store Security Act" in Arkansas. This bill would have required retail convenience stores to implement specific security measures between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., starting January 1, 2026. Key provisions included mandating a minimum of two employees, installing security camera systems and drop safes, maintaining lighted parking lots, and conducting transactions through a pass-through window while the premises are locked. The goal was to increase safety for employees and customers by deterring crime at these establishments.
House Bill 1577 is an appropriation bill designed to provide grants for perpetual care cemeteries during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. These grants would be administered by the Department of Commerce's State Insurance Department. The provided information does not detail the specific criteria for these grants or the total amount appropriated.
Based on the provided title, House Bill 1011 aimed to create the "Restore Roe Act." Its stated purpose was to restore a woman's access to abortion services. The provided information does not include the full text of the bill, so the specific mechanisms or provisions by which it intended to achieve this goal are not detailed here.
House Bill 1936 proposed changes to how municipal elections are conducted in Arkansas. For cities with a mayor-council form of government, the bill would have required county party committees to conduct party primaries for municipal offices. This would only be bypassed if the city council passed a resolution for nonpartisan elections by August 31st of the year before the election, with such a resolution lasting two years. Additionally, the bill clarified that elections for directors in city manager forms of government and for mayors and directors in city administrator forms of government are nonpartisan. It also specified election methods (ward or at-large) and residency requirements for these officials.
HB 1435 aimed to modify state income tax laws concerning child care. The bill sought to amend the existing income tax credit available to employers who provide child care services. Additionally, it proposed to establish a new income tax credit specifically for licensed child care providers. These provisions were intended to adjust financial incentives for both businesses supporting child care and the providers themselves.
House Bill 1885, as amended, establishes new requirements for law enforcement agencies when an officer's use of physical force results in a death. It mandates that the involved officer be immediately placed on paid administrative leave. During this time, the agency must provide at least 90 days of mandatory mental health counseling or therapy from a licensed professional at no cost to the officer. The officer can only return to active duty after the prosecuting attorney confirms no criminal charges will be filed and the mental health professional recommends their return. These requirements are waived if the officer is charged with a criminal offense related to the incident.
HB 1565 would amend Arkansas law regarding county property assessors' duties. The bill requires county assessors who maintain online databases for property records to allow property owners to opt out of having their information posted there. To opt out, a property owner must submit a written request to the county assessor. This directly affects property owners in Arkansas who desire to remove their information from public online databases and county assessors who manage these records.
House Bill 1032, titled "TO BAN CONVERSION THERAPY," aimed to prohibit the practice of conversion therapy. This would have directly affected individuals who might seek or be subjected to such practices, as well as those who provide them. The provided text, an amendment to the bill, primarily adds Representative Springer as a sponsor, and does not detail the specific mechanisms or provisions of the proposed ban. The bill ultimately died in the House Committee in May 2025.
