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Arkansas Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 8,915 Active 18 In committee 7,296 Passed 567 Signed 5,255 Failed 2,679

Bill results

died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 532: TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.

Senate Bill 532 proposes to amend the definition of "specialty hospital" within the Arkansas Medicaid program. This change directly affects which hospitals are categorized as specialty hospitals for the purpose of an assessment fee. Currently, the definition includes acute care general hospitals primarily serving children and exempt from Medicare's prospective payment system. The bill would expand this definition to also include hospitals primarily or exclusively focused on treating patients with cardiac, orthopedic, or spinal conditions.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Medicaid assessment fee eligibility to more hospitals, increasing program revenue for state budget management95% confidence
Bart Hester (R) Brandon Achor (R)
passed · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 229: TO CREATE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

Senate Bill 229 proposes to establish a new Department of Financial Services within the existing Department of Commerce. This new department would consolidate the operations of the State Bank Department and the State Securities Department. The bill designates the current Bank Commissioner to serve as the Director of the newly formed Department of Financial Services. This aims to reorganize and combine state oversight of banking and securities activities.
Brandon Achor (R) Justin Boyd (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 338: TO PROVIDE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR STUDENT FARMERS; AND TO PROVIDE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO BE USED IN RELATION TO A PROJECT FOR A YOUTH FARMING PROGRAM.

SB 338 aims to provide sales and use tax exemptions for student farmers in Arkansas. It defines a "student farmer" as an individual under 23 enrolled in a youth farming program, such as FFA or 4-H. The bill exempts sales tax on various items purchased by student farmers for their projects, including feed, livestock, seeds, fertilizer, medical supplies for animals, and farm equipment. It also exempts taxes on the lease of personal property and accommodations for student farmers or program leaders attending livestock shows or competitions. To claim these exemptions, student farmers must apply for an exemption certificate from the Department of Finance and Administration.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides sales tax exemptions for youth farming program items (feed, equipment, etc.), reducing tax burden on student farmers under 23, aligning with tax relief for educational initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts sales tax on farm supplies for youth farming programs (FFA/4-H), reducing costs for educational activities and supporting student agricultural learning programs.85% confidence
Bart Schulz (R) Ricky Hill (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 630: TO REQUIRE ONLY A COURT TO FIX PUNISHMENT IF A DEFENDANT IS CHARGED WITH A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR; AND TO REQUIRE ONLY A JUDGE TO SENTENCE A DEFENDANT FOR A CHARGE THAT RESULTS IN A CONVICTION.

Senate Bill 630 would change who is responsible for determining punishment in felony and misdemeanor cases in Arkansas. This bill specifies that if a defendant is found guilty by a jury, the court (a judge), rather than the jury, would fix the punishment. It also clarifies that after a guilty plea, the court would be solely responsible for imposing the sentence. These changes would affect individuals charged with non-capital felony or misdemeanor offenses and the state's sentencing procedures.
Breanne Davis (R)
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 151: TO AMEND LAW CONCERNING RETIREMENT BENEFITS; AND TO PROHIBIT COLLECTION OF BENEFITS BY MEMBERS, RETIRANTS, OR BENEFICIARIES OF RETIREMENT SYSTEMS WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF CERTAIN OFFENSES.

Senate Bill 151 proposes to amend state law regarding retirement benefits for members, retirants, and beneficiaries of public retirement systems. The bill aims to prohibit individuals from collecting these benefits if they have been convicted of certain offenses. An amendment to the bill further specifies that benefits can also be denied if a person is found civilly liable for the unlawful killing of a member or retirant. It also clarifies definitions related to "vested members" and the vesting of rights within a retirement system.
Mark Johnson (R) Wade Andrews (R) · 2 co-sponsors
died · Arkansas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 354: AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORRECTION DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION

SB 354 was a bill to appropriate up to $750,000,000 from the Development and Enhancement Fund to the Arkansas Department of Corrections - Division of Correction. These funds were intended for capital improvement projects, specifically for costs associated with prison construction. The bill included disbursement controls, allowing the department to accept grants and donations to supplement state funds for these projects. It also specified that the agency's existing maintenance and general operations funds could not be used for these construction purposes.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $750M from Development Fund for prison construction capital projects, directly increasing state budget allocation for corrections infrastructure.95% confidence
Jonathan Dismang (R) Lane Jean (R)
died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1042: TO CREATE THE DIRECT DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2025; TO REPEAL THE ENSURING ACCESS FOR ALL ARKANSANS AND VOTER PROTECTION ACT OF 2023; AND TO AMEND THE PROCEDURE FOR THE FILING OF A BALLOT INITIATIVE PETITION AND REFERENDUM PETITION.

House Bill 1042 proposes to create the "Direct Democracy Act of 2025" in Arkansas. This bill would repeal the "Ensuring Access for All Arkansans and Voter Protection Act of 2023." Additionally, it would amend the current procedures for filing ballot initiative petitions and referendum petitions, affecting how citizens can propose or challenge laws through direct vote.
Andrew Collins (D) · 5 co-sponsors
died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1790: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

HB 1790 proposed changes to how local governments regulate short-term rentals (like Airbnb properties). The bill aimed to amend existing laws governing these rentals but was amended (Amendment No. 1) before failing to pass. It did not become law, as it died on the House Calendar after failing on third reading on April 8, 2025. The bill directly affected local governments and property owners operating short-term rentals within their jurisdictions. No concrete policy changes were enacted through this legislation.
Brit McKenzie (R) Josh Bryant (R)
died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1792: TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE UNPAID LEAVE ON VETERANS DAY TO VETERAN EMPLOYEES.

House Bill 1792 would require private employers in Arkansas to grant unpaid leave on Veterans Day to their veteran employees. To receive this leave, veteran employees would need to provide one month's written notice and proof of their veteran status. Employers could only deny the request if the absence would adversely impact public health and safety or cause significant economic or operational disruption, as determined by the Department of Labor and Licensing. The bill defines a "veteran" as a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces or certain Arkansas Reserve/National Guard members called to active duty.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill grants veteran employees unpaid leave on Veterans Day, protecting their right to observe the day without job loss, aligning with workers' rights protections.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates unpaid leave on Veterans Day for veterans, directly recognizing service and supporting veteran employment recognition.95% confidence
Breanne Davis (R) Joy Springer (D) · 1 co-sponsor
died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1037: AN ACT TO CREATE THE PREREGISTRATION TO VOTE ACT; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, § 19.

HB 1037, known as the "Preregistration to Vote Act," allows individuals in Arkansas to preregister to vote when they are seventeen years old. This means that while they can complete the registration process at age 17, they will not be eligible to cast a ballot until they reach the legal voting age of eighteen. The bill amends provisions of Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51, to implement this change. This act aims to increase voter registration and turnout by enabling earlier engagement in the electoral process.
Andrew Collins (D) Clarke Tucker (D) · 3 co-sponsors
died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1621: TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO EXEMPT PERSONAL INFORMATION OF ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, JUDICIAL OFFICIALS, ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS, ELECTED MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS, AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY.

House Bill 1621 proposes to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1967. It would exempt certain personal information, specifically permanent residence addresses, of elected constitutional officers, judicial officials, elected county officials, elected municipal officials, and their immediate family members from being considered public records. The bill also defines "elected municipal official" and "immediate family member" for the purposes of these exemptions. This means that these specific private details of the mentioned officials and their relatives would no longer be subject to public information requests.
Jeff Wardlaw (R)
died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1494: TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS GUIDANCE OUT OF THE DARKNESS ACT; AND TO REQUIRE STATE AGENCIES TO PUBLISH FEDERAL GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS ONLINE.

House Bill 1494, known as the "Arkansas Guidance Out of the Darkness Act," requires Arkansas state agencies to publish specific federal guidance documents on their publicly accessible websites. This applies to documents that influence state laws, the administration of federal funds, or provide recommendations for federal compliance. Agencies must post the full document, the date it was received, and a summary of its potential impact within 30 days. The bill aims to increase transparency regarding how federal guidance affects state policies, with the Auditor of State tasked with reviewing agency compliance annually.
R.J. Hawk (R) Ricky Hill (R)
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