Arkansas Bills

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1932: TO AMEND LAWS CONCERNING THE CORPORATE FRANCHISE TAX; TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CORPORATE FRANCHISE TAX ACT OF 1979; AND TO REQUIRE AN ANNUAL REPORT FOR CORPORATIONS.

HB 1932 proposed to amend Arkansas laws related to the corporate franchise tax and repeal the Arkansas Corporate Franchise Tax Act of 1979. The bill would have required most corporations and limited liability companies, both domestic and foreign, to file an annual report with the Secretary of State. This report would detail the corporation's condition, status, and other information like officers and stock. While some information in the annual report would be confidential, basic corporate details such as the name, address, and principal officers would be publicly available.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1446: TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WORKFORCE CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

HB 1446 proposes changes to the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program. Amendment No. 3 to the bill specifically introduces a financial cap for the program. This amendment limits the total amount of scholarship awards to ten million dollars ($10,000,000). The bill directly affects individuals who might apply for these workforce development scholarships by establishing a maximum funding level for the program.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Labor & Employment

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1423: TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM RECEIVING COMPENSATION FOR THE PREPARATION, PRESENTATION, OR PROSECUTION OF A CLAIM WITH REGARD TO A VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY FEDERAL LAW.

HB 1423, also known as the "Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (GUARD) VA Benefits Act," prohibits individuals and entities from receiving compensation for helping veterans with their benefits claims. Specifically, it disallows payment for preparing, presenting, or advising on veterans' benefits matters, unless such compensation is explicitly authorized by federal law (Title 38 U.S.C. § 5904 and 38 C.F.R. § 14.629). The bill also prohibits receiving compensation for referring individuals to these services. Any person receiving authorized compensation must adhere to the same ethical standards as attorneys under Arkansas's Rules of Professional Conduct. Violations of this act are deemed a deceptive trade practice and a Class A misdemeanor.

Topics ✓ Veterans

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1216: TO CREATE THE FREE MARKET ZONES ACT; AND TO EXEMPT A BUSINESS LOCATED IN AN OPPORTUNITY ZONE FROM THE INCOME TAX, THE CORPORATE FRANCHISE TAX, AND THE ELECTIVE PASS-THROUGH ENTITY TAX.

House Bill 1216, known as the Free Market Zones Act, aimed to provide specific tax exemptions for businesses. The bill proposed to exempt businesses that locate in an opportunity zone on or after the act's effective date from certain state taxes. These businesses would be relieved from paying the state income tax, corporate franchise tax, and the elective pass-through entity tax.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1237: TO PROHIBIT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM SOLICITING INJURED INDIVIDUALS; AND TO SET PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE PROHIBITION OF SOLICITATION OF INJURED INDIVIDUALS.

House Bill 1237 sought to prohibit medical professionals from directly soliciting individuals who have recently been injured in an accident or other event, for the purpose of offering treatment. This restriction would apply to various forms of direct contact, including in-person, telephonic, and electronic messages. However, it would not apply if the medical professional has a prior relationship with the individual or if the solicitation occurs more than 30 days after the injury-causing event. Violations would be classified as a Class D felony, invalidate any resulting healthcare service agreements, and entitle affected patients to a full refund and attorney's fees.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1366: TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR QUALIFIED STORM SHELTERS.

HB 1366 sought to create an income tax credit for Arkansas taxpayers who install qualified storm shelters at their primary residence. The bill defined "qualified storm shelters" as those capable of withstanding an EF5 tornado and meeting FEMA criteria, installed on or near the taxpayer's single-family home. Taxpayers could claim a credit equal to the lesser of 50% of the cost or $3,000, which would be capped at a total of $2,000,000 statewide per calendar year and issued on a first-come, first-served basis. To receive the credit, taxpayers would file an informational report with the Division of Emergency Management.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1791: TO CLARIFY THAT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND THE UNITED NATIONS DO NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OR POWER IN THIS STATE AND DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE OR IMPLEMENT ACTIONS IN THIS STATE.

House Bill 1791 aimed to clarify that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) do not hold jurisdiction or power within the state of Arkansas. It sought to prevent the state and its political subdivisions, including counties and school districts, from enforcing or implementing any requirements or mandates issued by these international organizations. The bill specifically prohibited using such mandates as a basis for actions like imposing requirements for masks, vaccinations, or medical testing that conflict with Arkansas law. Additionally, it aimed to prevent the use of WHO or UN mandates to gather public or private information about Arkansas citizens or residents.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1542: TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT; AND TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMIT EACH STUDENT WHO APPLIES FOR ADMISSION AND INTENDS TO COVER PRIVATE SCHOOL COSTS WITH STATE FUNDING.

HB 1542 would require private schools in Arkansas that receive any state funding to administer the same annual statewide student assessments as public schools. These private schools would be responsible for the costs associated with these assessments and must ensure all enrolled students participate. Additionally, the bill mandates that these private schools admit students who intend to cover their tuition and attendance costs using state funding. The bill extends existing assessment security and reporting requirements to these private schools.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1422: TO CREATE THE ONLY CITIZENS VOTE ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DRIVER'S LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS OF CERTAIN NONCITIZENS; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, SECTION 13.

House Bill 1422, titled the "Only Citizens Vote Act," aimed to modify voter identification requirements in Arkansas. The bill proposed to exclude certain driver's licenses and photo identification cards issued to non-citizens from being accepted as valid forms of voter identification. It mandated training for election officials on how to recognize and refuse these specific non-citizen documents for voting purposes. Additionally, the bill required the Department of Finance and Administration to provide monthly reports to the Secretary of State, listing individuals holding these particular non-citizen driver's licenses or identification cards.

Topics ✗ Immigration

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1540: TO AMEND THE INCOME TAX CREDIT AND THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION RELATED TO MAINTAINING, SUPPORTING, AND CARING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.

HB 1540 was a legislative bill intended to amend existing income tax credits and deductions for taxpayers who maintain, support, and care for an individual with a disability. While the bill aimed to modify these specific tax provisions, the provided text only contains an amendment adding a cosponsor, not the detailed changes to the credit or deduction themselves. The bill ultimately died in the House Committee.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1566: TO REQUIRE ADOPTION OF A STATEWIDE PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM CORE CURRICULUM TO INCREASE CONSISTENCY IN PRACTICAL NURSING EDUCATION.

HB 1566 requires all practical nursing programs in Arkansas to adopt a statewide core curriculum by the 2029-2030 academic year, affecting institutions of higher education and future practical nursing students. This 44-credit-hour curriculum aims to increase consistency in practical nursing education across the state. It will be developed by the Nurse Administrators of Nursing Education Programs, as an advisory group to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The bill allows programs flexibility in determining the breakdown of instructional hours and includes options for certified nurse aides and medication assistive persons to receive credit for prior learning.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1335: TO ESTABLISH THE EVERY ARKANSAN RETIREMENT PLAN OPPORTUNITY ACT.

HB 1335, titled "The Every Arkansan Retirement Plan Opportunity Act," aims to establish a state-run retirement savings program for Arkansans. The bill's text only states its purpose without detailing specific provisions, mechanisms, or who would be directly affected. It died in the House Committee during the 2025 legislative session without advancing further. As filed, it appears to be a procedural bill naming an act, lacking concrete policy details in the provided context.

Bill results