House Bill 1528 proposes to amend Arkansas law regarding student report cards. This bill would require public school districts to include a statement about a student's current reading grade level on their report card. This change directly affects public school students and their parents by providing additional information on academic progress. The goal is to ensure that families receive clear communication regarding a student's reading proficiency.
This bill amends the process for evaluating the necessity and effectiveness of various state boards, commissions, and advisory councils. It mandates the abolishment of any board or commission that has no prescribed powers or duties and has not held a meeting with a quorum in two years. For other inactive boards, the Joint Performance Review Committee is required to reevaluate their purpose and effectiveness if they fail to meet regularly or with a quorum for four consecutive times within a two-year period. The committee will then report its findings and draft legislation, which could include abolishing, merging, or modifying the board, and submit it to the Governor.
House Bill 1330 proposed to amend the Arkansas Code regarding certain committees of the General Assembly. Specifically, it aimed to modify state law pertaining to the Joint Committee on Energy and the Joint Interim Committee on Energy. The bill's purpose was to update the statutes governing these legislative bodies, though the provided text does not detail the specific changes or provisions it would have introduced.
HB 1040, titled "The Water In Line Act of 2025" (which appears inconsistent with its actual content), aimed to amend penalties for misdemeanor offenses related to voting. The bill sought to change legal penalties for voting-related misdemeanors but did not specify the exact nature of these changes in the provided text. It was introduced in the 95th General Assembly (2025), underwent committee review, and ultimately died in committee on May 5, 2025, without becoming law. The bill’s confusing title likely contains an error, as its substance focused solely on voting offense penalties.
House Bill 1971 proposed to amend the process by which the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) provides vendor information to city and county governments. Upon request, the DFA would furnish an electronic report listing vendors within the requesting jurisdiction who hold state sales tax permits, including each vendor's name and their North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. To receive this report, city or county governments would need to submit an electronic request by August 1, register for an account with the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point, and may be charged a fee to cover the DFA's costs. The bill specified that the information provided to local governments must remain confidential and cannot be disclosed.
House Bill 1481, known as the Anti-ATF Commandeering Act, aims to restrict state and local public employees and elected officials in Arkansas. It prohibits them from providing material aid or support for enforcing federal firearms laws, including attempting to enforce such laws or referring federal firearms violations to the U.S. Government. Public employees found to have referred federal firearms violations would face termination of employment. The bill clarifies that it does not prevent the enforcement of state firearms laws or the use of federal information for enforcing state laws.
HB 1667 sought to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 in Arkansas, specifically concerning public meetings. The bill proposed to change the definition of a "public meeting" to include gatherings of two members, rather than more than two members, of any state or local government body. This change would affect various entities, including state agencies, commissions, municipalities, counties, and publicly funded organizations. The intent was to expand the scope of meetings subject to public transparency requirements under state law.
HB 1501 aimed to align Arkansas state income tax laws regarding depreciation and the expensing of property with federal income tax provisions. The bill specifically adopted various sections of the U.S. Code (Title 26 U.S.C. §§ 167, 168, and 179) related to how businesses deduct the cost of assets. This change would have increased the amount allowed for immediately expensing certain depreciable business assets on state income tax returns to match federal limits. It directly affected Arkansas businesses and individuals who purchase depreciable property and claim these deductions.
HB 1535 aimed to establish an enhanced sentence for individuals convicted of rape when the victim is twelve years of age or younger. The bill would also have permitted the Department of Corrections to administer Medroxyprogesterone Acetate treatment, a form of chemical castration. This bill directly affected persons convicted of these crimes and granted new authority to the Department of Corrections regarding treatment options.
HB 1910 proposes to allow a deduction for certain qualified business expenses under the Arkansas Income Tax Act of 1929. The bill specifically adopts Title 26 U.S.C. § 199A(a)-(h) of the federal tax code, which pertains to the deduction for qualified business income, for use in computing Arkansas income tax liability. This change would directly affect businesses and individuals with qualified business income in Arkansas, potentially reducing their state tax obligations. If passed, the provisions would be effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
House Resolution 1053 is a commemorative resolution that formally recognizes and honors Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The bill acknowledges their contributions to their communities, the state of Arkansas, the nation, and the world. Upon adoption, copies of the resolution are to be provided to the leaders of both organizations.
House Bill 1722 sought to regulate hemp-derived products in Arkansas, affecting manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. It would have assigned the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board the responsibility for overseeing these products, including permitting, fees, and enforcement. The bill clarified the legal status of hemp-derived products with no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC, while explicitly listing various other delta-THC compounds and synthetic derivatives as controlled substances. It also aimed to establish a three-tiered system for product distribution and create a dedicated revenue fund for regulatory expenses.
