SB 357 amends Arkansas' leave policy to allow public employees with military service to count that time toward their annual leave accrual. It specifically applies to state employees who were honorably discharged, served in the Arkansas National Guard or military reserves before state employment, or currently serve in those units. To qualify, employees must provide documentation like military service records (e.g., NGB Form 23A or DA Form 5016), and military service credit is calculated based on documented points divided by 365 days. The bill excludes credit for active-duty service performed while concurrently employed by the state. This policy change directly affects eligible public employees by increasing their annual leave entitlement based on prior military service.
SB 359 increases funding for Arkansas' existing after-school programs by raising the appropriation from $1.7 million to $3.9 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill directly affects the Arkansas Department of Education's Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, which administers grants for out-of-school time programs. These programs typically provide academic support, enrichment, and safe supervision for students outside regular school hours, primarily benefiting K-12 schools and community organizations operating such services. The key provision is the budget adjustment, expanding available resources for these established programs without creating new requirements or eligibility rules.
SB 545 amends Arkansas law to give public universities greater authority over their property, finances, and revenue streams. It allows university boards to purchase existing buildings, reconstruct facilities, and acquire new infrastructure (Section 1), permits them to issue bonds using non-tax revenues from operations (Section 2), and expands their power to set fees for athletic events, facilities, and other campus services (Section 3). The bill directly affects all 6 Arkansas public universities (University of Arkansas, Arkansas State, UCA, Henderson State, Arkansas Tech, Southern Arkansas) and their governing boards. These changes streamline how institutions manage assets and fund operations without altering tuition or state funding.
SB 351 removes three specific sections (5, 12, and 14) from Arkansas' ethics and campaign finance laws, which were originally part of Initiated Act 1 of 1990 and Initiated Act 1 of 1996. The bill renumbers the remaining sections to maintain legal document structure. This is a procedural amendment that does not change existing ethics or campaign finance rules. The bill became law as Act 592 on April 14, 2025.
HB 1522, now Act 620, allows newly incorporated municipalities in Arkansas to receive funds from the Municipal Aid Fund, Turnback Funds, and County Sales and Use Tax Revenues. The bill requires that the population of these municipalities - which determines the amount of funds they receive - be calculated by the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Office using the most recent federal decennial census. This change ensures funding allocations are based on up-to-date census data rather than prior methods. The bill was enacted into law on April 14, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.
SB 153 amends Arkansas law to require cities to pay retirement benefits for certain city officials from their general funds. It directly affects city attorneys, clerks, treasurers, mayors, deputy clerks, and other officials in cities of all classes. The bill standardizes the payment mechanism by specifying that retirement benefits must be paid monthly from a city's general fund, with minor exceptions for some roles requiring city council approval. This change clarifies funding sources for existing retirement programs without creating new benefits or altering eligibility.
HB 1594 creates a Farmer Sales Tax Identification Card that allows eligible farmers to claim sales tax exemptions when purchasing goods for farming. To qualify, farmers must prove they operate a commercial farm (via tax documents or a business plan) and meet resource requirements. Sellers who accept the card in good faith are protected from sales tax liability for those purchases. The card expires after 8 years and requires a $20 fee for new applications or $10 for renewals, with fees funding administration.
This bill (SB 88, now Act 610) is an appropriations measure that increases funding for Arkansas' Division of Higher Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It raises the total appropriation from $68.55 million to $71.55 million by adding $3 million, including $5.5 million specifically for the new "Arkansas Heroes Scholarship" program. The bill directly affects public universities and colleges in Arkansas by increasing available funding for scholarships and grants. Key changes include replacing a $1.4 million allocation with $4.4 million for general scholarships and adding the new Heroes Scholarship line item. The bill modifies existing budget allocations without changing eligibility rules or creating new programs beyond the named scholarship.
SB 361 creates a legal framework for Arkansas counties and municipalities to establish Industrial Development Authorities (IDAs). These IDAs are public entities designed to secure new industry, foster economic development, and attract business investments within local communities. The bill outlines how local governments can form IDAs through ordinances or orders, establish governing boards (with membership based on population), and operate as separate corporate entities. It directly affects local governments and businesses seeking economic development opportunities by providing a standardized process for creating these authorities. The law does not make specific economic decisions but enables local entities to pursue development projects using tools like bond financing.
SB 348 increases the annual spending limit for diagnostic laboratory services under Arkansas Medicaid. It raises the standard cap from $500 to $1,800 per year for beneficiaries with chronic pain or pain management, while keeping the cap at $500 for other diagnostic lab services (excluding radiology, which remains at $500). The bill declares an emergency, citing that current low caps contribute to inadequate monitoring of medication use, potentially worsening opioid misuse and increasing emergency room visits. The changes aim to improve patient care by allowing more comprehensive testing for Medicaid patients managing chronic pain.
SB 510 allows Arkansas municipalities, counties, the state, and federally recognized tribal nations to enter agreements enabling law enforcement from all these entities to enforce laws on tribal lands within Arkansas. It directly affects tribal nations with federally recognized land in the state and their local, county, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The key provision creates a legal framework for cross-deputization, meaning officers from one jurisdiction can temporarily exercise authority under agreements to enforce tribal, state, and local laws on tribal lands. This bill establishes a formal process for collaboration but does not change existing jurisdictional boundaries or require specific tribes to participate.
SB 421 authorizes the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue up to $500 million in state bonds for water, waste disposal, pollution control, drainage, irrigation, flood control, and wetlands projects. It directly affects local entities like counties, water districts, and municipalities by enabling them to access funding for infrastructure development. Key provisions include a $165 million cap for irrigation projects and a requirement for voter approval via the 2026 general election. The bonds can be issued in series without legislative approval, with annual limits of $60 million for irrigation projects during odd-numbered years.
