TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ELIGIBILITY OF A SURVIVING SPOUSE FOR SURVIVOR ANNUITY BENEFITS UNDER THE ARKANSAS TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

HB 1156 changes Arkansas teacher retirement rules to allow surviving spouses to qualify for annuity benefits if married to the teacher for at least one year before the teacher's death, instead of the previous two-year requirement. This directly affects teachers enrolled in the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and their surviving spouses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, to align with the state's fiscal year and streamline retirement system administration. It was enacted as Act 224 on February 27, 2025.