HB 1377 requires Arkansas' Economic Development Commission to annually report on funding supporting new businesses or businesses established within the past five years. The report must detail the percentage and total dollar amount of economic development funds (including community development block grants) used for these purposes. This data must be submitted yearly starting in 2027 to the Governor and the House/Senate Commerce Committees. The bill does not change funding levels but mandates transparency about existing support for small businesses and startups operating in Arkansas.
HB 1373 would require Arkansas' Department of Commerce to encourage at least 5% of workforce development funding - allocated through state boards - to support new businesses (starting in Arkansas) or businesses operating less than five years. This policy change would directly affect small businesses and startups seeking workforce training resources. The bill, which was introduced in 2025 but withdrawn by its author on February 11, 2025, does not create new funding but redirects existing resources. It was intended to take effect January 1, 2027, if passed.
HB 1372 requires Arkansas' Economic Development Commission to direct at least 5% of its economic development funding - such as community development block grants - toward supporting new businesses or businesses established within the past five years. It specifically targets startups and businesses based in Arkansas, directing funds to programs that assist new business owners or services aiding businesses under five years old. The bill mandates this allocation for all eligible economic development programs, effective January 1, 2027. This policy change directly shifts funding priorities to support newer businesses through existing state economic development mechanisms.
HB 1376 would have required Arkansas state agencies to award at least 5% of their contracts to businesses operating in Arkansas for less than five years with their principal office in the state. This bill aimed to support newer Arkansas businesses by creating a mandatory procurement target for state contracts. The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, and referred to committee, but was withdrawn by its author on February 11, 2025, and did not become law.
HB 1374 requires Arkansas' Economic Development Commission to submit an annual report by January 1 each year. The report must detail state contracts awarded to newly established businesses (operating less than five years), including total numbers, dollar amounts, and demographic/ geographic breakdowns. It also mandates recommendations to improve access to state contracts for these businesses, particularly in underrepresented groups or regions. The report is submitted to the Governor and the House/Senate Commerce Committees.
HB 1179 would require schools and childcare facilities to implement mental health survey programs for children from birth to 19 years old. The bill mandates these institutions to conduct regular, standardized surveys to gather information about children's mental health experiences and needs. This program directly affects all public and private schools and childcare centers serving children in this age range, requiring them to administer the surveys without implying clinical screening. The legislation clarifies it focuses on data collection through surveys, not medical assessments, following an amendment that replaced all "screening" references with "survey" throughout the bill.
HB 1375 requires Arkansas' Department of Commerce to annually report how workforce development funds support new businesses or businesses established within the past five years. The report must include both the percentage and total dollar amount of these funds, specifically for individuals starting businesses or services targeting young businesses with Arkansas headquarters. The first report is due January 1, 2027, and will be submitted to the Governor and the House/Senate Commerce committees. This bill creates a transparency measure for existing funding allocation, without changing funding levels or eligibility.
HB 1219, a proposed Arkansas bill, would require all law enforcement agencies and public entities employing officers (including school resource officers, university police, and state capitol police) to provide body-worn cameras to every officer by December 31, 2026. It mandates that officers wear cameras during all public interactions, undergo training on their use, and that agencies establish recording policies. The bill also requires state agencies to create implementing rules by August 1, 2026. This legislation was introduced in January 2025 but was withdrawn by its author on February 6, 2025, and never advanced.
HB 1351 aimed to regulate vision benefit managers and amend Arkansas' Vision Care Plan Act and Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act. It would have prohibited insurers from reducing vision benefits solely due to other insurance coverage, defined key terms like "covered materials" and "vision benefit manager," and set rules for provider agreements. The bill specifically targeted how vision care providers (like optometrists) and insurers handle payments for services and materials such as glasses, contacts, and eye exams. However, the bill was withdrawn by its authors on February 4, 2025, and never became law.
HB 1289 would allow the Arkansas Waterways Commission to create its own law enforcement officers to protect the Commission's property and personnel. These officers must be certified law enforcement professionals and would have the authority to make arrests for violations occurring on Commission property, while working alongside local police. The bill also permits these officers to carry weapons for duty-related purposes. This change would directly affect the Commission's security operations at its facilities, giving it more direct control over property protection.
HB 1280 prohibits Arkansas state agencies from using public funds to purchase promotional items manufactured in China. The bill amends existing law to explicitly ban such purchases, directly affecting all state agencies that buy branded merchandise (like pens, calendars, or giveaways) for promotional purposes. Key provisions include adding a new section (25-1-1204) to the Arkansas Code that states: "A state agency shall not spend public funds to purchase promotional items made in the People's Republic of China." This policy change applies immediately to all state agency spending on promotional items, with no exceptions specified in the bill text.
HB 1168 would grant criminal immunity to healthcare professionals in Arkansas for negligent acts or omissions while lawfully providing healthcare services. It defines "healthcare professionals" broadly to include licensed individuals and employees at facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and mental health centers. The bill specifies this immunity applies only to criminal liability - leaving civil claims and existing legal protections unchanged. It directly affects healthcare providers by shielding them from criminal prosecution for negligence in patient care, without altering civil liability.
