Arkansas Bills

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1513: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOTTERY-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS.

Based on the provided text, House Bill 1513 (HB 1513) aimed to amend the existing laws governing lottery-funded scholarships in Arkansas. The bill's stated purpose was to modify the legal framework around these scholarships. However, the provided text does not specify the particular changes, mechanisms, or provisions it intended to introduce, nor does it detail which specific aspects of the scholarship program would be altered or who would be directly affected beyond the general scope of scholarship recipients. Therefore, a comprehensive summary of its concrete policy changes is not possible with the information given.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1912: TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "ASSESSED VALUE" FOR PURPOSES OF THE ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY; AND TO ESTABLISH A METHOD OR PROCEDURE FOR THE VALUATION OF PROPERTY FOR TAXATION PURPOSES UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § 5.

HB 1912 aimed to change how real property is assessed for taxation in Arkansas. The bill proposed to reduce the "assessed value" of real property from 20% to 15% of its appraised value. This change would have affected how county assessors determine the assessed value of real property, especially after a transfer of title. If enacted, these provisions would have applied to assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, impacting property owners.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1905: TO CREATE THE BUYER BEWARE ACT; AND TO REQUIRE A REAL ESTATE LICENSEE REPRESENTING A SELLER TO DIRECT THE SELLER TO THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ASSESSOR FOR THE CURRENT ASSESSED VALUE OF A RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE PROPERTY.

HB 1905, known as the "Buyer Beware Act," aimed to modify disclosure requirements for real estate licensees involved in residential property sales. The bill would have prohibited a licensee representing a seller from disclosing the taxable value of residential property in a listing. Instead, the listing would be required to direct potential buyers to the county assessor for the current assessed value. Additionally, licensees would have to provide written disclosure to potential buyers, explaining that existing property tax assessment limitations do not transfer to new owners.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1459: CONCERNING RECURRING REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

House Bill 1459 addresses recurring reports submitted by Arkansas state agencies to the General Assembly. It mandates that state agencies file reports, whether required by statute or requested by the legislature, only three times. After the third submission, agencies would stop sending these reports unless the receiving legislative body or officer specifically requests their continuation. Agencies are also required to inform the recipient that reporting will cease after the third filing. This bill aims to modify the automatic flow of recurring reports to the General Assembly.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1028: TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE LAW CONCERNING OBSCENITY AND THE PROCESS FOR CHALLENGING MATERIALS INCLUDED IN A LIBRARY; AND TO REQUIRE A LIBRARY TO HAVE A POLICY PROHIBITING BOOK BANNING IN ORDER TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDING.

HB 1028 proposes changes to existing laws concerning obscenity and the process for challenging materials available in libraries. The bill aims to modify the procedures by which individuals can challenge library content. A key provision requires libraries to implement a policy prohibiting "book banning" to be eligible for state funding. This means libraries would need to demonstrate such a policy to receive financial support from the state.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1888: TO AMEND THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES LAW; AND TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT RECORDS FOR INDIVIDUALS.

HB 1888 proposes to amend the Division of Workforce Services law to provide individuals with access to their employment records. It requires the Division of Workforce Services to make an individual's wage and employment record available, without charge, upon a written request. The bill also mandates that, upon request, these records be provided via electronic transmission, either directly or through a qualified third-party vendor, for purposes related to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Any revenue generated from a third-party vendor would support eligible workforce programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1753: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO OPT-OUT OF THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 1993; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, § 5.

House Bill 1753 aims to change voter registration procedures in Arkansas. It declares the state's intention to opt-out of the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The bill amends the Arkansas Constitution to require state agencies, such as the Office of Driver Services and public assistance offices, to provide voter registration applications and assistance *only at the request of the applicant*, rather than automatically. It also modifies the information included on mail voter registration application forms.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1698: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS FOR AN EMPLOYEE'S MEMBERSHIP IN A HEALTHCARE SHARING MINISTRY OR OTHER MEDICAL COST-SHARING PROGRAM.

House Bill 1698 aims to amend state income tax law concerning employer contributions for an employee's membership in a healthcare sharing ministry or other medical cost-sharing program. The bill clarifies that these employer contributions are treated as an exclusion from an employee's taxable income, meaning employees do not pay state income tax on these specific employer-provided benefits. It also defines a "medical cost-sharing program" as a healthcare funding arrangement where members contribute money to help cover each other's medical expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1025: TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025.

HB 1025, titled "The Teacher Fair Dismissal Act of 2025," proposes new rules for school districts when dismissing teachers. It would require districts to follow specific due process steps before terminating a teacher, including written notice, a hearing, and documented reasons for dismissal. The bill directly affects public school teachers and school districts in the state. However, the bill died in committee on May 5, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1934: TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FORWARD ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE ACT; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FORWARD ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP.

HB 1934 proposed to create the Arkansas Forward Engagement Committee working group. This temporary group, composed of various state agency secretaries and legislative members, would be tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of state government spending and regulations. Its purpose would be to identify inefficiencies, opportunities to optimize resources, and regulations that are unnecessary or burdensome. The working group would also accept public submissions on waste and inefficiencies, incorporating them into a final report of findings and recommendations to legislative leadership by July 1, 2026. The group was scheduled to be abolished by January 1, 2027, with a potential extension by the Governor.

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 2005: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING RAILROADS; TO CREATE A LIMITATION ON THE LENGTH OF A TRAIN OPERATING IN THIS STATE; TO CREATE A RELATED PENALTY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

House Bill 2005 (HB 2005) proposed to amend Arkansas law by establishing a maximum length for trains operating within the state. The bill would have prohibited railroad corporations and individuals from running trains longer than 8,500 feet on main or branch lines. Violations would have incurred civil penalties ranging from $500 to $1,000 for each foot exceeding the limit, per day. Additionally, gross negligence or a pattern of violations causing harm could have resulted in a one-time penalty up to $250,000, with collected funds deposited into the Arkansas Department of Transportation Fund.

Topics ✗ Transportation

died · Arkansas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1567: TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "MOTOR VEHICLE RACING FACILITY" RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE RACING FACILITY PERMITS IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS.

House Bill 1567 aimed to update the definition of "motor vehicle racing facility" as it applies to permit requirements in specific rural areas of Arkansas. The bill would have expanded the existing definition to include facilities used for competitive racing by trucks modified for racing. Additionally, it clarified that facilities hosting racing for all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles modified for racing would also fall under this updated definition. This change would have affected how these types of racing facilities are categorized for permitting purposes.

Bill results