SB 424 requires municipal improvement district boards in Arkansas to allow public comment before decisions at meetings and hold quarterly meetings. Property owners within these districts must receive meeting notices 10-30 days in advance, including agendas, for all meetings. The law applies to all improvement districts in incorporated cities and towns statewide. It aims to increase transparency by mandating regular public communication and notice. This bill became Act 422 on March 31, 2025.
SB 279 amends Arkansas' wage enforcement laws to strengthen the Division of Labor's ability to recover unpaid wages for workers. It clarifies investigation timelines (allowing reviews of wages from the past two years, extendable if investigations are hindered), tolls the statute of limitations during complaints, and sets a one-year deadline for legal action after a final decision. The bill directly affects Arkansas workers owed wages, the Division of Labor (which enforces it), and employers who may face enforcement actions. Key provisions include allowing employees to join administrative proceedings if violations delayed investigations and requiring the Division to fully investigate all wage complaints. These changes aim to make wage enforcement more efficient and accessible for workers.
SB 409 prohibits financial services providers from refusing to do business with or terminating relationships with agricultural producers solely based on their status as such. It defines "agricultural producer" to include those growing crops, raising animals, or producing livestock/dairy products. The bill requires Arkansas' Treasurer to publish a list of financial providers found to discriminate against agricultural producers, after giving them 45 days' notice and a 30-day window to prove they are not discriminating. This list will be posted online, with the process involving an ESG Oversight Committee and requiring agricultural producers to consent to sharing financial data if they report discrimination.
SB 413 requires school board directors in Arkansas to take and submit proof of an oath within 10 days of their election or appointment. The bill mandates that directors provide a certified copy of their signed oath, including the administrator's signature and date, to the county clerk by the deadline specified in the notification. Failure to comply results in disqualification from serving and a holdover period until the oath is properly submitted. This procedural change directly affects all newly elected or appointed school board members across Arkansas school districts.
SB 345 (now Act 421) simplifies permitting for hotels, restaurants, and large-event venues by removing a tax requirement that previously applied to private club operations. The bill streamlines the process for these businesses to obtain necessary permits, reducing administrative hurdles and associated costs. It directly affects hospitality and event businesses that must navigate permitting systems for private club services. The key change eliminates a specific tax obligation, aiming to boost tourism and economic development through more efficient operations.
SB 299, now Act 403, requires a staff member to witness when an administrator assists a resident of a long-term care facility with absentee voting. This applies directly to residents in nursing homes or similar facilities who need help voting by mail. The law mandates that a facility staff member observe the assistance process to ensure proper handling of the absentee ballot. The bill was enacted on March 31, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.
HB 1508 is a technical recodification bill that makes minor corrections to Arkansas' public finance code (Title 19). It corrects typographical errors in the code, such as changing "aw" to "law" on page 40, "mayo" to "may" on page 139, and updating a section reference from "19-11-1301" to "19-69-101." The bill does not create new policies or affect any specific groups; it solely organizes and clarifies existing finance-related statutes. It was enacted as Act 419 on March 25, 2025, after passing with minor amendments.
HB 1386 amends Arkansas property tax laws to change how real estate is valued for assessment. It replaces "square footage" with "assessed value" in calculations, prevents higher property values from counting disaster repairs using superior materials, and limits consideration of out-of-state commercial properties when comparable local options exist. These changes directly affect all Arkansas property owners and local assessors by altering how tax bills are calculated. The bill focuses on refining valuation methods under the state constitution, ensuring assessments reflect fair market value more accurately. It became law as Act 410 on March 25, 2025.
HB 1721 bans greyhound racing and wagers on greyhound racing (including simulcasts) in Arkansas. It prohibits casino licensees and franchise holders from conducting or accepting bets on greyhound racing under Arkansas law. The bill amends multiple code sections to remove greyhound racing from permitted activities, updating references in gaming, electronic games, and lottery laws to reflect this ban. The prohibition takes effect January 1, 2028, directly impacting entities currently authorized to operate greyhound racing or related wagering.
HB 1652, now Act 393, changes rules for self-service storage facilities by making unsigned rental agreements legally enforceable and establishing a clear process for ending such agreements. It directly affects storage facility operators and renters who may have entered into verbal or incomplete written contracts. Key provisions require facilities to honor unsigned agreements (preventing disputes over missing signatures) and provide a standardized procedure for both parties to terminate agreements without lengthy legal steps. The law applies to all self-service storage facilities in the state and became effective after passing both legislative chambers and the Governor's office.
HB 1147 allocates $3.1 million annually for Arkansas State Capitol security and $9.1 million for HVAC upgrades to the Secretary of State's office for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It also transfers $3.1 million from a reserve fund to cover Capitol security costs for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill directs these funds to be paid from state treasury reserves as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer. The appropriations take effect July 1, 2026, though security funding becomes effective immediately upon passage.
HB 1488 (now Act 391) amends Arkansas' standard life insurance nonforfeiture law to require insurers to pay interest on delayed cash surrender payments for certain policies. It directly affects policyholders who request to withdraw the cash value of their life insurance policies but receive payments later than required. The key provision mandates that insurers pay interest on any deferred cash surrender value during the delay period, ensuring policyholders aren't financially disadvantaged by late payments. This change applies specifically to policies covered under the amended nonforfeiture law, with no broader scope specified in the bill text.
