HB 1663 sought to change alimony laws in Arkansas related to domestic abuse. The bill would have prohibited a court from awarding alimony to a person if they were found to have committed an act of domestic abuse or were convicted of specific domestic battering or assault offenses against the individual who would pay the alimony. For those already receiving alimony, it would have allowed a court to terminate the award if the recipient was subsequently found to have committed such an act or convicted of such an offense against the payor. These findings or convictions would be considered a significant change in circumstances for existing alimony awards.
House Bill 1173 sought to amend the definitions of "beer" and introduce a new category of "malt beverage" within alcoholic beverage laws. The bill would have clarified that beer and other malt beverages with up to five percent alcohol by weight are distinct and generally excepted from the act's specific provisions. It established "malt beverage" as a liquor brewed from grain with an alcoholic content between five percent and twenty-one percent by weight. This new classification would have included beers and other malt beverages containing up to fourteen percent alcohol by weight, potentially altering how these products are regulated.
House Bill 1239 proposed to amend the Public School Funding Act of 2003 in Arkansas. It aimed to establish a new, separate funding category specifically for special education, distinct from the general state foundation funding. Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, public schools would receive $3,862 for each student who qualifies for special education and related services under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The state board would be responsible for creating rules governing the distribution of these funds to schools.
House Bill 1020 aims to repeal the existing Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program. It proposes to establish a new funding category specifically for students who receive special education and related services, affecting how these students' educational needs are supported. Additionally, the bill seeks to create the Community Schools Act Fund, which would provide funding for community school initiatives.
HB 1193 aimed to require insurance companies to include a lienholder's name on payments made under an insurance policy. This would primarily affect policyholders whose insured property, such as a motor vehicle, has an outstanding lien. However, the bill included exceptions, stating that the requirement would not apply to lienholders without a physical location in the state. For in-state lienholders, it would not apply if the motor vehicle damage claim was less than $2,500 or if the payment was made directly to a repair facility.
HB 1203 aimed to eliminate a specific fee for businesses in Arkansas applying for a new sales tax permit. The bill would have prohibited the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration from charging a $50 nonrefundable fee that was previously required to issue a new gross receipts tax permit. While removing this application fee, the bill maintained the existing requirement for out-of-state businesses to provide a cash deposit or bond to cover their annual sales tax.
House Bill 1899 proposes changes to the Arkansas Veterans' Child Welfare Service. It specifies that the Director of this service will be appointed by the Governor, following a written recommendation from the American Legion - Department of Arkansas Foundation, Inc. The Director will serve at the Governor's discretion and report to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This service provides temporary welfare and rehabilitation assistance to minor children of deceased or medically incapacitated Arkansas veterans.
House Bill 1738 proposes a sales and use tax exemption for disabled veterans and authorized members of their households in Arkansas. To qualify, a disabled veteran must be certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and submit a letter to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). This exemption applies to sales of tangible personal property, digital products, and services, with an annual maximum limit of $25,000 per disabled veteran. The DFA would issue exemption cards and establish rules for the program.
House Bill 1553 proposes to repeal the current prohibition on the sale and distribution of novelty lighters in Arkansas. The existing law bans lighters that feature entertaining audio or visual elements, or resemble items appealing to children, such as cartoon characters, toys, or food. If enacted, this bill would remove the statewide ban, allowing retailers and distributors to sell or give away these types of lighters. This change would directly affect businesses that sell lighters and consumers interested in purchasing novelty lighters.
HB 1342 aimed to amend the existing laws governing the administration of the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System. However, the provided bill text only states this general purpose and does not include specific details about the proposed changes or mechanisms. Therefore, it is not possible to describe the concrete policy changes or who would be directly affected beyond those involved with the retirement system.
House Bill 1626, as amended, aimed to prohibit the sale of certain disposable vapor products. The bill's central provision was to ban the sale of disposable vapor products that originate from a "prohibited foreign party," a term defined by referencing an existing legal statute (§ 18-11-802). This measure would have directly impacted retailers selling vapor products and consumers who purchase them. The bill did not pass and died in committee.
House Bill 1723 amends the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act to establish a new grant program for school-based health centers. This program, administered by the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, will allocate $500,000 annually from existing tobacco settlement funds. The grants are specifically intended to fund school-based health centers exclusively in "minority-majority school districts," defined as districts where racial or ethnic minorities constitute the majority population. The bill directs the commission to establish rules and distribution methods similar to existing state school-based health center grant programs.
