House Bill 1026, also known as the Arkansas Promise Act, aimed to establish a new state income tax credit. This credit would have been available to individuals who pay tuition for an eligible student attending a public institution of higher education within Arkansas. The bill's mechanism was designed to allow taxpayers to reduce their state income tax liability based on the tuition paid for these students.
House Bill 1578 establishes the Arkansas Hemp Beverage Act, creating a regulatory framework for hemp-based beverages within the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. It requires manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of these beverages to obtain permits and integrate into the existing three-tier system for alcoholic beverages. The bill sets product standards, including a maximum delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol content of 0.3% on a dry-weight basis, mandatory independent lab testing, and specific labeling requirements. Sales of hemp-based beverages are restricted to individuals 21 years of age or older, and the ABC Division is authorized to enforce these provisions through inspections and penalties.
House Bill 1144 aimed to require schools participating in the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program to comply with specific reporting standards. It mandated that these participating schools would be subject to the same statutory and Department of Education reporting requirements that public schools in Arkansas must follow. This bill sought to standardize the reporting obligations across both types of schools.
House Bill 1651 is an appropriation act that allocates $9,500,000 to the Department of Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. These funds are designated for R.I.S.E. Arkansas grants and aid. The money will be disbursed from the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Public School Fund Account to local school districts and special programs focusing on math and science curriculum.
HB 1881 proposes to expand the list of items exempt from sales and use tax during Arkansas's annual sales tax holiday. It adds "menstrual discharge collection devices," including products like tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and period underwear, to this exemption. This means consumers would not pay sales tax on these specific items when purchased during the sales tax holiday. The bill defines these devices and clarifies they do not include general grooming and hygiene products.
House Bill 1024 proposes to amend existing laws related to public employees. Its primary objective is to repeal the current law that prohibits public employees from engaging in collective bargaining. If enacted, this bill would remove the legal restriction, allowing public employees to form unions and negotiate their terms of employment collectively.
House Bill 1500 proposed to repeal Arkansas's "throwback rule" for income tax apportionment, impacting how multistate businesses calculate their taxable income in the state. Currently, if a business ships tangible goods from Arkansas to another state where it is not subject to income tax, those sales are "thrown back" and treated as Arkansas sales for tax purposes. The bill aimed to gradually phase out this rule by progressively reducing the percentage of such sales considered within Arkansas, starting in 2025. By tax year 2030, these sales would be entirely sourced outside Arkansas, meaning they would not be subject to Arkansas income tax. The stated intent was to enhance economic competitiveness and encourage investment and job creation by multistate enterprises.
House Bill 1948 modifies the conditions under which a person can be charged with negligent homicide in Arkansas, impacting individuals operating vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. It expands the definition of negligent homicide to include causing a death while fatigued, or while operating a vehicle with any amount of specified controlled substances (fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, or cocaine) present in their system. Additionally, the bill repeals the ability for prosecuting attorneys or defendants to subpoena individuals involved in calibrating or operating chemical analysis instruments for bodily substances in certain cases.
House Bill 1059 proposes to offer a free lifetime hunting and fishing license to certain commercial truck drivers who are residents of Arkansas. This benefit would also include optional lifetime trout and duck stamps. To qualify, a commercial truck driver must provide information to law enforcement that results in the rescue of a human trafficking victim or the conviction of an individual for human trafficking. The Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission would be responsible for issuing these licenses and would be reimbursed for their cost.
House Joint Resolution 1001 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how electoral districts are drawn in the state. If adopted, it would establish a new Citizens' Redistricting Commission. This commission would be responsible for drawing district boundaries, thereby affecting how citizens are represented in government. The bill also seeks to repeal the existing Board of Apportionment, which currently performs this function.
HB 1159 proposed creating the "Retail Convenience Store Security Act" in Arkansas. This bill would have required retail convenience stores to implement specific security measures between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., starting January 1, 2026. Key provisions included mandating a minimum of two employees, installing security camera systems and drop safes, maintaining lighted parking lots, and conducting transactions through a pass-through window while the premises are locked. The goal was to increase safety for employees and customers by deterring crime at these establishments.
House Bill 1577 is an appropriation bill designed to provide grants for perpetual care cemeteries during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. These grants would be administered by the Department of Commerce's State Insurance Department. The provided information does not detail the specific criteria for these grants or the total amount appropriated.
