HB 1638 updates Arkansas state law to include the United States Space Force in all references to the armed forces and uniformed services. It corrects outdated language by replacing "branch" with "regular" in multiple sections and removing obsolete phrases like "United States Marine Corps, United States Space Force" to standardize military service listings. This technical update ensures state legal documents align with the current U.S. military structure, which established the Space Force as a separate service in 2019. The bill does not create new policies or affect military operations - it only modernizes existing statutory language.
HB 1759 extends the deadline for Arkansas taxpayers to assess tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) acquired between January 1 and May 31 from 30 to 60 days after acquisition. This change directly affects individuals and businesses purchasing such property during that period, giving them more time to file tax assessments without incurring penalties. The bill amends Arkansas tax law to remove the 10% penalty for late assessment if property is assessed by May 31, with adjustments for weekends or holidays. It applies specifically to property acquired during the first five months of the year, not to all property taxes. The bill became law as Act 551 on April 10, 2025.
SB 227 amends the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, specifically updating provisions related to public meetings. The bill's text provided does not specify the exact nature of these amendments or the concrete policy changes it would implement. It was passed by the legislature on April 7, 2025, and became Act 505 on April 10, 2025. The context lacks details on the specific changes to FOIA or who would be directly affected, so a substantive summary of the policy mechanisms cannot be provided from the given information.
HB 1669, now Act 509, creates the "Keep Kids First Act" to protect adoption and foster care providers who refuse services based on sincerely held religious beliefs. The law prevents discrimination against these providers (such as agencies or workers) when they decline to place children due to religious objections. It specifically adds legal safeguards ensuring providers cannot face penalties or lose licensing for such actions. This law directly affects adoption/foster care providers and the children/parents seeking services, making religiously based refusals legally protected. The bill passed the Arkansas legislature and was signed into law on April 10, 2025.
HB 1798 established the Green Envelope Program and became Act 531 on April 10, 2025. This procedural bill formally created the program's name and framework but does not detail specific policies, implementation methods, or direct beneficiaries. It was passed by both legislative chambers and signed into law without additional substantive provisions outlined in the bill text. The program's operational details are not described in the provided legislative record.
HB 1152 allocates $3.06 million for staffing and operations of Arkansas' Department of Education Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, including specific positions for 32 regular staff and up to 5 temporary employees. It also appropriates $215.34 million for school facility grants to public school districts, covering programs like academic facilities partnerships and catastrophic repairs. The bill directly affects the state education department and public school districts receiving facility funding. This is a funding measure (not a policy change), setting budget limits for the division’s operations and school support programs.
HB 1090 appropriates $25.6 million for the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) within the Department of Commerce for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funding covers salaries for 55 full-time employees, operational expenses, data processing, and specific programs including $15 million for federal housing initiatives and $2.3 million for emergency shelter services targeting homelessness. It directly affects ADFA staff and agencies administering state and federal housing/grant programs, with no new policy changes - only funding for existing operations. The bill was enacted as Act 537 on April 10, 2025.
HB 1785 amends Arkansas law governing county depository boards by clarifying membership requirements when the county treasurer and collector roles are combined. It specifies that if these positions are merged, the quorum court must select a third board member from other elected county constitutional officers. This change directly affects counties that have combined these two offices, ensuring the board maintains representation from multiple elected officials. The bill passed in April 2025 and became Act 525.
HB 1097 appropriates $11.7 million for the Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC) to cover salaries, operations, and expenses for its Utilities and Tax Divisions during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It specifies staffing levels, including 91 regular employees and up to six temporary workers, across roles like utility auditors, legal staff, and financial analysts. The funding supports the PSC's core functions, such as regulating utilities, processing rate cases, and handling tax-related oversight. This budget measure directly affects PSC employees and the agencies it regulates, with no policy changes beyond funding allocation.
This bill updates Arkansas' seed certification rules to clarify penalties for false claims and streamline certification processes. It specifies fines ($25-$500 per offense) for falsely advertising certified seed, misusing labels, or making false statements to the State Plant Board. Growers and sellers must follow strict quality standards to obtain certification, with fees covering inspection costs and promoting certified seed. Certified seed must display proper labels, and fees collected for promotion are distributed to seed industry associations. The law directly affects Arkansas seed producers, sellers, and the State Plant Board's certification program.
SB 132 (Act 535) is a procedural budget amendment that updates how state funds are designated for paying approved claims. It replaces the reference to the "Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account" with a specific "cash fund deposited in the State Treasury as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer." This change affects state agencies processing claims by clarifying the fund source for payments, without creating new policies or altering eligibility. The bill was passed quickly with an emergency clause and became law on April 10, 2025.
Senate Bill 320 amends multiple Arkansas statutes to update references to the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989, specifically citing sections §9-27-301 et seq. and §9-35-101 et seq. The bill clarifies how the juvenile code applies to cases involving underage alcohol possession, custody transfers, and juvenile delinquency proceedings. It ensures consistent legal references across statutes without changing substantive law. This affects juvenile courts, law enforcement, and child welfare agencies when handling cases under the juvenile code.
