Arkansas Bills

signed · Arkansas · House Feb 18, 2025

HB 1199: TO REPEAL THE STATUTE CONCERNING THE PROHIBITION AGAINST A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS GRANTING A LEGAL TRANSFER UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

HB 1199, now Act 118, removes a legal barrier that previously prevented Arkansas school district boards from approving student transfers under specific conditions. The bill repeals a statute prohibiting school boards from granting such transfers, meaning boards can now allow transfers when they meet defined criteria without violating state law. This directly affects school district boards (who gain authority to approve transfers) and students/families seeking to transfer between districts. The key change is simply the removal of the existing prohibition, allowing districts to manage student transfers more flexibly under their own policies.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SB 89: TO AMEND THE INFORMATION THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE ELECTRONICALLY WITH RESPECT TO ITS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

SB 89 requires Arkansas school districts to post agendas for all school board meetings - including regular, special, and emergency sessions - online at least two hours before the meeting begins. It also mandates that districts provide the names and email addresses of all board members through their electronic platforms. This bill directly affects school districts by updating their public posting requirements and enhances transparency for residents seeking meeting information. The changes apply to all school board meetings, ensuring timely access to agendas and board member contact details for the public.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SB 78: TO REQUIRE THAT THE DRIVER’S INSTRUCTION MANUAL AND THE DRIVER’S LICENSE EXAMINATION INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SAFE OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IN A HIGHWAY WORK ZONE.

SB 78 requires Arkansas driver's instruction manuals and license exams to include specific safety information about highway work zones. The bill mandates that the written test include questions on "the safe operation of a motor vehicle in a highway work zone" (Arkansas Code § 27-16-706) and updates the manual to cover hazards, penalties for violations, statistics on dangers, worker testimonials, and a Q&A section (Arkansas Code § 27-18-108). This directly affects new drivers learning to drive by incorporating work zone safety into standard licensing requirements. The policy change focuses on educating drivers about the specific risks and rules of navigating construction zones before they receive their license.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SB 102: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSERS FOR LOCAL OPTION ELECTIONS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COMPENSATION OF PAID CANVASSERS FOR LOCAL OPTION ELECTIONS.

SB 102 updates Arkansas election rules for local option petitions by requiring sponsors to verify the criminal history of paid canvassers before they collect signatures. It mandates that sponsors obtain background checks, provide canvassers' full details to county clerks, and confirm no disqualifying offenses exist. The bill also prohibits paying canvassers based on the number of signatures collected and requires canvassers to be U.S. citizens and Arkansas residents. Violations, such as submitting false verification or paying for signatures, carry penalties including Class A misdemeanors or Class D felonies. These changes aim to increase transparency and reduce fraud in petition-driven elections.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SB 3: TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT BY THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND OTHER PUBLIC ENTITIES.

SB 3 prohibits discrimination or preferential treatment by the State of Arkansas and public entities like schools, hospitals, and government agencies. It directly affects state agencies and public bodies by requiring them to treat all individuals equally under the law. The key provision establishes legal remedies: if a court finds a violation, it can order injunctive relief (stopping the discriminatory practice) and award court costs and attorney fees to the affected party. This law became effective as Act 116 after passing the Arkansas legislature in February 2025.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SB 14: TO ALLOW FOR THE DIRECT PAYMENT OR DELIVERY OF PROPERTY TO AN APPARENT OWNER UNDER THE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY ACT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

SB 14 allows Arkansas' Unclaimed Property Administrator to directly pay or deliver property valued under $5,000 to someone named as the apparent owner in official reports, without requiring them to file a formal claim. This applies to individuals (not other states) who are reasonably identified as the rightful owner of the property. The bill streamlines the process for small-value unclaimed property by removing the claim requirement when ownership is clear and the amount is under $5,000. It directly affects Arkansans with unclaimed assets like old bank accounts or forgotten checks under this threshold. The law became effective on February 18, 2025, as Act 114.

signed · Arkansas · House Feb 18, 2025

HB 1074: TO AMEND THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TRUST FUND; AND TO REQUIRE A HIGHER VOTE THRESHOLD FOR USING MONEYS IN THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TRUST FUND FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

HB 1074 modifies Arkansas' Property Tax Relief Trust Fund by requiring a 3/4 vote in both the House and Senate to use fund money for anything other than property tax relief. The bill specifically amends the fund's usage rules to prevent diversion of funds without supermajority legislative approval. This directly affects state legislators who would need to secure a 3/4 vote in each chamber to redirect funds from their intended purpose. The policy change ensures that property tax relief funding remains protected unless explicitly approved by a higher threshold of lawmakers. The bill was enacted as Act 121 on February 18, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SB 146: TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "RECREATIONAL PURPOSE" AS USED IN RELATION TO THE LIABILITY OF A PROPERTY OWNER WHO MAKES LAND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.

SB 146 amends Arkansas law to expand the definition of "recreational purpose" for property owner liability. It explicitly adds activities like skateboarding, hoverboarding, rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and viewing historical sites to the list of uses covered under existing liability protections. This change directly affects property owners who allow public access for recreation, clarifying which activities qualify for limited liability when accidents occur. The bill does not create new rules but updates the definition to include modern recreational activities previously not specifically listed.

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 17, 2025

SB 24: AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR

SB 24 allocates $75,004 for a new "Biologist I" position (Q294U) within the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This funding directly creates one additional staff position focused on biological work for the Commission. The bill adjusts budget codes to specifically identify this new position and its allocated funding. It affects the Commission's staffing and budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 17, 2025

SB 30: AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - ARKANSAS TOBACCO SETTLEMENT COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

SB 30 appropriates $357,456 from the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Fund for the Department of Health's Tobacco Settlement Commission during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funding covers one administrative analyst position ($43,881), operational expenses ($42,575), travel/conferences ($3,000), and $250,000 for professional fees to monitor and evaluate tobacco settlement program expenditures. This bill directly affects the Department of Health's Tobacco Settlement Commission by providing resources to oversee how settlement funds are spent, without creating new policies or altering existing program rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 17, 2025

SB 112: AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - BEEBE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

SB 112 authorizes $208,138 for the Chancellor position and sets maximum salary rates for approximately 100 specific staff roles at Arkansas State University-Beebe for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It directly affects university employees in administrative, IT, academic, and support positions by establishing their legally capped annual salaries. The bill provides funding for existing personnel needs, not new programs or policy changes, and was enacted as Act 67 after passing the legislature. This is a routine budget appropriation, not a substantive policy measure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · Arkansas · Senate Feb 17, 2025

SB 126: AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

SB 126 appropriates funding for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, directly affecting the university's operational budget. It establishes maximum salary rates for specific positions, including the Chancellor ($291,247), IT staff (e.g., Network Engineers at $200,973), deans ($173,915), and administrative roles. The bill sets precise annual salary limits for 37 distinct positions across UAPB's leadership, academic, and support departments. As a procedural budget bill, it does not create new policies but allocates existing funds for staffing costs. The bill was enacted as Act 71 on February 17, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Bill results