HB 1137 separates the offices of sheriff and tax collector in Searcy County, Arkansas, effective January 1, 2027. Starting with the 2026 general election, Searcy County voters will elect both a sheriff and a tax collector separately, with each taking office on January 1, 2027. The bill requires each officer to post a bond and receive compensation set by the Searcy County Quorum Court within state-prescribed limits. This change directly affects Searcy County residents through their local elections and county governance structure.
HB 1080 repeals two requirements affecting bills related to health benefit plans for state entities. It removes the need for a cost analysis report when bills impose new or increased costs on health benefit plans (including pharmacy benefits) for state agencies, schools, or other public entities. It also eliminates the 15-day deadline for introducing such bills during regular legislative sessions. This change simplifies the legislative process for health benefit plan-related bills by removing administrative hurdles. The bill directly affects state agencies, public schools, and other entities that manage health benefit programs.
HCR 1002 is a non-binding resolution passed by the Arkansas General Assembly urging the U.S. Congress to permanently extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). It does not change tax law but requests Congress extend the TCJA's provisions, including individual income tax cuts and the 21% corporate tax rate, which are set to expire at the end of 2025. The resolution cites economic claims from the TCJA era (like lower unemployment and income growth) as justification but makes no policy changes itself. Arkansas lawmakers are formally advocating for Congress to make these tax cuts permanent through legislative action.
HB 1113 appropriates $42 million for debt service on Arkansas' College Savings and Higher Education General Obligation Bonds, and $43 million for debt service on State Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement General Obligation Bonds, for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds, payable from specific state bond funds, cover principal and interest payments to bondholders for existing education and environmental infrastructure projects. This bill directly affects the Office of the Treasurer of State, which manages these payments, and ensures timely debt service on bonds issued to support higher education and environmental programs. The legislation does not create new programs but provides funding for existing bond obligations.
HB 1108 appropriates $1.1 billion for city tax refunds and $990 million for county tax refunds from the Local Sales and Use Tax Trust Fund. It directs the Office of the Treasurer of State to refund local sales and use taxes collected by cities and counties for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (ending June 30, 2026). The funds are intended to reimburse local governments for taxes they collected but are required to refund under Arkansas law. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, and applies specifically to cities and counties in Arkansas.
HB 1111 allocates $300,000 from the Arkansas Citizens First Responder Safety Enhancement Fund to support the Arkansas Ambulance Association for emergency medical services and $300,000 to the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police for local law enforcement operations during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds cover personal services, operating expenses, and other costs under existing state law (Arkansas Code 19-6-802). This bill directly affects these two state associations by providing dedicated funding for their ongoing services. It does not create new programs but ensures existing funding mechanisms are applied for essential first responder support.
HB 1110 allocates $25,000 to cities and $25,000 to counties from the Animal Rescue and Shelter Trust Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This funding supports government-run animal rescue shelters by covering costs like staff salaries, facility maintenance, and operational expenses. The money must be used in compliance with state budget laws and procurement rules. The bill, signed into law as Act 6 on January 27, 2025, provides direct financial support to local governments managing animal shelters.
HB 1109 appropriates $1.75 billion from the Uniform Tax Rate Trust Fund to the Office of the Treasurer of State for redistribution to Arkansas counties. This funding supports compliance with Amendment 74 to the Arkansas Constitution, which requires property tax revenue sharing with counties. The bill directs the Treasurer's Office to distribute these funds to counties for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (ending June 30, 2026). It does not create new policy but ensures timely disbursement of existing property tax revenues to local governments.
HB 1001 is a routine appropriations bill that funds the operational expenses of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. It directly affects the House itself by providing budget authority for its staff, facilities, and administrative functions during that period. The bill includes a minor typographical correction (changing "ASSMEBLY" to "ASSEMBLY" in the title) but contains no substantive policy changes. As a procedural funding measure, it does not impact citizens or other state agencies. This bill was enacted as Act 3 on January 27, 2025.
SB 1 provides $675,000 for Senate operations and maintenance, $650,000 for employee salaries, and $75,000 for employer matching funds, totaling $1.375 million, to cover the Arkansas Senate's costs during the 2025 fiscal year. This routine funding bill ensures the Senate has resources for daily activities like staff salaries and office expenses but does not create new policy or affect the public. It was passed by the legislature and became law on January 27, 2025, without requiring gubernatorial action.
HCR 1003 is a procedural resolution scheduling a joint session of Arkansas' House and Senate for Tuesday, January 14, 2025. It directs both chambers to meet at 10:30 a.m. in the House Chamber to declare election results, administer oaths to elected constitutional officers, and hear Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' address. This resolution solely sets the timing for a required legislative session following elections and does not alter any laws or policies. It directly affects the Arkansas General Assembly and state officials participating in the session. The resolution was approved by both chambers and signed by the Governor on January 16, 2025.
HCR 1001 is a procedural resolution scheduling a joint session of the Arkansas General Assembly. It directs the House and Senate to meet on January 14, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the House Chamber to declare election results, administer oaths to elected constitutional officers, and hear Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' address. This resolution was approved by the governor on January 16, 2025, and is now enacted. As a scheduling measure, it does not create new laws or affect specific groups.
