2025 Bill Tracker
Welcome to Opportunity Arkansas’s bill tracker, where we closely monitor key pieces of legislation.
This tracker will be updated on a regular basis throughout legislative session to reflect new bills being filed and changes to the status of existing bills.
All bills are scored on a letter grading system by Opportunity Arkansas staff according to the following criteria:
A = The bill uses an ideal policy approach that will effectively move the state in the right direction. This is a gold-standard policy solution that will simplify government, address generational challenges, and create long-term, positive impacts for Arkansans.Â
BÂ = The bill moves Arkansas in the right direction and has strong potential but could benefit from specific improvements to broaden its impact or ensure it is implemented successfully.Â
C = While the bill is might contain some beneficial concepts, its approach is not ideal. It may have structural flaws or unintended consequences that limit its effectiveness. The bill could make government more complex or fail to directly address the issue in the most effective way.Â
D = The bill takes Arkansas in the wrong direction. The policy is likely to create more problems than it solves. Its approach may increase complexity in government and cause significant negative impacts that outweigh any potential benefits.Â
F = The bill fundamentally conflicts with the goals of simplifying government and solving generational problems. Its approach makes these problems worse, moving Arkansas in the wrong direction.Â
N/A = Not applicable—this applies to incomplete legislation and bills that have not yet been fully drafted, lacking sufficient detail for evaluation.Â
We are generally tracking and scoring bills that fall within our six major policy areas, as outlined on our Roadmap to Opportunity 2025.
If we are missing bills of importance that you think we should weigh in on, or if you have questions about the score of a particular bill, please drop us a note on our Contact page.
95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2025)
| Bill No. | Description | Latest Activity | Lead Sponsor | Status | Rating | Analysis | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB204 | Exempts gains by a taxpayer resulting from an eminent domain acquisition or threat of condemnation | 02/06/2025 | Sen. Penzo | Referred to Senate Revenue & Tax | A | More Info | This bill would exempt from gross income gains realized by a taxpayer through the acquisition of a property by eminent domain or threat of condemnation. Arkansas taxpayers shouldn't be forced to pay taxes on the gains associated with the forcible sale of property through eminent domain. | |
| SB207 | Requires a canvasser to disclose to potential ballot petition signers that petition fraud is a crime | 02/06/2025 | Sen. Hammer | Referred to Senate State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill would require canvassers to disclose to potential signers of ballot petitions that petition fraud is a Class A misdemeanor. This would reduce fraud and improve the integrity of the ballot initiative process. | |
| SB208 | Requires a canvasser who witnesses petitions to view a signer's photo ID | 02/06/2025 | Sen. Hammer | Referred to Senate State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill would require canvassers witnessing signatures on petitions to view and verify the photo ID of individuals signing the petition. This would reduce fraud and improve the integrity of the initiative process. | |
| SB209 | Disqualifies ballot petition signatures collected by canvassers that break the law | 02/06/2025 | Sen. Hammer | Referred to Senate State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill would invalidate signatures collected by a canvasser for a petition if that canvasser is found, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have violated canvassing laws. This would improve the integrity of the initiative process and ensure that canvassers are following the law. | |
| SB210 | Requires ballot petition signers to read ballot petitioners in the presence of canvassers | 02/06/2025 | Sen. Hammer | Referred to Senate State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill would require signers of ballot petitions to actually read the petitions before signing them in the presence of canvassers. This improves the integrity of the initiative process and increase transparency regarding the potential impacts of proposed initiatives. | |
| SB211 | Requires ballot petition canvassers to submit an affadavit before signatures can be counted | 02/06/2025 | Sen. Hammer | Referred to Senate State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill would require ballot petition canvassers to submit an affidavit to the Secretary of State's office indicating they followed canvassing laws before signatures can be counted. This would improve the integrity of the initiative process to ensure that groups are following the law. | |
| HB1424 | Mandates coverage for severe obesity treatments | 02/06/2025 | Rep. L. Johnson | Referred to House Insurance & Commerce | D | More Info | This bill would have the effect of expanding Medicaid coverage to include severe obesity treatments. This bill expands the state's bloated Medicaid program, requiring taxpayers to pay more for a program that already consumes over a quarter of the state's budget. | |
| SB213 | Creates the Arkansas "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies" Act | 02/10/2025 | Sen. Irvin | Referred to Senate Public Health | D | More Info | This bill would codify presumptive eligibility for pregnant women in Arkansas. This practice allows medical providers to "presume" individuals are eligible for Medicaid without requiring up-front verification of eligibility criteria, allowing ineligible enrollees on the program and shifting the costs onto taxpayers. The bill would also increase Medicaid reimbursements and covered services. While reimbursement increases might be needed in some cases, this proposal would impose higher costs on taxpayers without spending cuts in other areas, in a program that now costs taxpayers nearly $9 billion annually. | |
| HB1427 | Creates the Arkansas "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies" Act | 02/06/2025 | Rep. Pilkington | Referred to House Public Health | D | More Info | This bill would codify presumptive eligibility for pregnant women in Arkansas. This practice allows medical providers to "presume" individuals are eligible for Medicaid without requiring up-front verification of eligibility criteria, allowing ineligible enrollees on the program and shifting the costs onto taxpayers. The bill would also increase Medicaid reimbursements and covered services. While reimbursement increases might be needed in some cases, this proposal would impose higher costs on taxpayers without spending cuts in other areas, in a program that now costs taxpayers nearly $9 billion annually. | |
| HB1388 | Exempts the service of furnishing accommodations for a tourist camp or court from the sales tax | 02/04/2025 | Rep. Vaught | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for the service of furnishing a tourist court or camp. This type of industry-targeted exemption benefits specific groups and divert revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| SB167 | Amends the dates to request transfers between public schools and districts | 02/03/2025 | Sen. Clark | Referred to Senate Education | A | More Info | This bill would extend the length of time by which parents and students have to submit requests to transfer between public schools and districts. This expands education freedom by providing families more flexibility. | |
| SB141 | Eliminates funding to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement | 01/29/2025 | Sen. B. King | Referred to Senate State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill stops taxpayer funding of ACHI, a data aggregator which is not a state agency. This bill protects taxpayers and ensures that tax dollars are prioritized for purposes that directly benefit Arkansans. | |
| HJR1009 | Creates the "Arkansas Victims' Bill of Rights" | 02/03/2025 | Rep. K. Brown | Referred to House State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill advances an amendment to the state constitution known as the "Arkansas Victims' Bill of Rights." It grants victims the right to participate in legal proceedings and have their safety considered in release decisions. This amendment strengthens constitutional protections for victims, ensuring they have a voice and access to justice. | |
| HB1333 | Mandates coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consulting services | 02/03/2025 | Rep. Hudson | Referred to House Insurance & Commerce | D | More Info | This bill would have the effect of expanding Medicaid coverage to include breastfeeding and lactation consulting services at Arkansas taxpayers' expense. | |
| HB1332 | Requires Medicaid to cover GLP-1 weight loss prescriptions | 01/30/2025 | Rep. Pilkington | Referred to House Public Health | D | More Info | This bill would require the Arkansas Medicaid program to cover GLP-1 prescriptions used to aid in weight management. This would require taxpayers to fund yet another expansion of the Medicaid program that already consumes over a quarter of the state's budget. | |
| HB1319 | Provides a sales tax exemption for disabled veterans, their spouses, and their surviving spouses. | 01/30/2025 | Rep. Crawford | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a substantial sales tax exemption for disabled veterans, spouses of disabled veterans, and surviving spouses of disabled veterans in perpetuity. Administering this exemption would add more complexity to the state's sales tax system and create a new requirement for businesses who collect sales taxes. A better approach would be to pursue broad-based tax reductions that benefit veterans and all Arkansans without increasing state bureaucracy. | |
| HB1303 | Creates income tax credits and sales tax exemptions related to aviation fuel | 01/29/2025 | Rep. Jean | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create income tax credits related to sustainable aviation fuel, and create a new sales tax exemption on utilities used to produce this fuel. This industry-specific set of credits and exemptions would divert revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| HB1292 | Amends the residency requirements for adoption of a child | 02/04/2025 | Rep. Bentley | Referred to House Children & Youth | A | More Info | This bill allows the director of the Division of Child and Family Services to waive the residency requirement for adoption in certain circumstances. This is a common-sense change that would help move more kids out of the foster care system and into a permanent home. | |
| HB1290 | Mandates coverage for mental health wellness exams | 01/29/2025 | Rep. L. Johnson | Referred to House Insurance & Commerce | D | More Info | This bill mandates coverage for mental health wellness exams and would expand services covered by Arkansas Medicaid. It would require taxpayers to foot the bill to expand a bloated Medicaid program that already consumes a quarter of the state's budget and has failed to deliver improved outcomes. | |
| HJR1008 | A constitutional amendment to enable property tax relief | 01/28/2025 | Rep. S. Meeks | Referred to House State Agencies | A | More Info | This proposed constitutional amendment would authorize the Legislature to directly reduce property taxes by law rather than requiring a constitutional amendment to do so. It would also modify various provisions that could otherwise keep property taxes elevated. This amendment would enable the legislature to enact broad-based property tax relief. | |
| HB1270 | Creates a legal framework for pediatric extended care centers in Arkansas | 01/27/2025 | Rep. Pilkington | Referred to House Public Health | C | More Info | This bill creates a legal framework for pediatric extended care centers to operate in Arkansas. However, it also expands Medicaid coverage to encompass these services, adding additional strain to the bloated Medicaid system and imposing new costs on taxpayers. | |
| HB1255 | Amends Medicaid coverage provisions relating to continuous glucose monitors | 01/27/2025 | Rep. Wooldridge | Referred to House Public Health | D | More Info | This bill expands Medicaid coverage to include continuous glucose monitors, and sets the reimbursement rate to match the Medicare reimbursement rate. It would require taxpayers to spend even more on a bloated welfare program that already consumes over $9 billion tax dollars annually. | |
| HB1252 | Creates a legal framework for doula services in Arkansas | 01/27/2025 | Rep. L. Johnson | Referred to House Public Health | C | More Info | This bill creates a legal framework for doulas to offer certain health care services in Arkansas. However, it also expands the state's Medicaid program to cover doula services, further expanding a bloated Medicaid program and imposing new costs on taxpayers. | |
| HB1250 | Creates a sales tax holiday for disaster prepardness supplies | 01/27/2025 | Rep. Duffield | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | C | More Info | This bill creates a sales tax holiday for disaster preparedness supplies. Sales tax holidays provide limited tax relief and make it more difficult to support broad-based tax reductions for all taxpayers. | |
| HB1241 | Expands Medicaid reimbursements to cover high-cost dental care | 01/27/2025 | Rep. Mayberry | Referred to House Public Health | D | More Info | This bill creates a new framework for Medicaid to cover high-cost dental and anesthesia costs at a very high reimbursement rate. This bill will expand an already-bloated state Medicaid program that has failed to deliver better outcomes for participants. It will impose more costs on taxpayers and jeopardize the fiscal sustainability of the program. | |
| HB1223 | Allows appointed judges to use their title on election ballots | 01/27/2025 | Rep. Ray | Passed House State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill standardizes the use of titles by current officials by ensuring that appointed judges are allowed to use their title when appearing on a ballot for election. This provides voters with more information to make informed decisions at the ballot box. | |
| HB1222 | Requires that ballot initiatives are reviewed for conflicts with federal law | 01/27/2025 | Rep. Ray | Passed House State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill improves the ballot initiative process by requiring the Attorney General to review proposals for potential conflicts with the US Constitution and federal law. It also prevents the submission of multiple conflicting initiatives to streamline the certification process and ensure that voters are considering qualified proposals. | |
| HB1221 | Updates provisions related to ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments | 01/27/2025 | Rep. Ray | Passed House State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill updates the requirements for placing initiatives and constitutional amendments on the ballot in Arkansas by placing reasonable time limits on the certification of initiatives. This improves the integrity of the process and ensures that voters are not forced to consider years-old initiatives. | |
| HB1019 | Creates an income tax credit for employers that provide childcare assistance | 01/16/2025 | Rep. Garner | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new income tax credit for employers that provide childcare services for employees. These credits only benefit select businesses that operate licensed facilities and make it more difficult to reduce income taxes across-the-board for all Arkansans. | |
| SB90 | Requires school boards to allow for public comment at each meeting | 01/27/2025 | Sen. J. English | Referred to Senate Education | A | More Info | This bill requires school boards to allow for public comment at each meeting of the board. School boards make decisions that impact parents and taxpayers, and they deserve a voice in the process. | |
| SB89 | Requires school boards to post meeting information online | 01/22/2025 | Sen. J. English | Referred to Senate Education | A | More Info | This bill improves transparency by requiring school boards to post meeting agendas and contact information for board members online. School boards should be accountable to voters, and this bill makes boards more transparent and accessible to the citizens that they represent. | |
| HB1199 | Repeals a prohibition on school district transfers | 01/22/2025 | Rep. Barker | Referred to Senate Education | A | More Info | This bill repeals language that prevented school boards from authorizing student transfers between districts in certain instances. This removes a barrier to transfers for students and would further expand education freedom in Arkansas. | |
| HB1216 | Expands tax relief for businesses located in opportunity zones | 01/23/2025 | Rep. Long | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | A | More Info | This bill would exempt businesses in opportunity zones from having to pay the state income tax, franchise tax, and elective pass-through entity tax. Opportunity Zones are federally-designated areas designed to foster economic growth and development. While these provisions would ideally be more broad, opportunity zones make Arkansas more competitive and create an opportunity for expanded tax and regulatory reduction in the state. | |
| HB1203 | Protects Arkansas taxpayers from a tax to collect taxes | 01/22/2025 | Rep. Underwood | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | A | More Info | This bill would eliminate the sales tax registration tax. This is an unnecessary tax that currently charges business owners a tax for the privilege of collecting sales taxes for the state. Eliminating this tax would make Arkansas a better place to do business. | |
| SB82 | Expands the used vehicle sales tax | 01/21/2025 | Sen. Payton | Referred to Senate Revenue & Tax | B | More Info | This bill would expand the exemption on used car sales taxes from $4,000 to include vehicles up to $10,000, expand sales tax relief for motorboats, and make other tax relief-related changes to new and used modes of transportation. While broad-based rate decreases are the ideal way to reduce taxes instead of exemptions, this one is broadly applicable to a wide range of residents and would reduce the cost of getting to work for many Arkansans. | |
| HB1017 | Changes maternity leave cost sharing | 01/23/2025 | Rep. Collins | Referred to House Education | F | More Info | This bill would remove the requirement that local school districts share in the costs to provide maternity leave, shifting the entire cost burden to state taxpayers. This threatens the viability of maternity leave for school employees and undermines a key component of the LEARNS Act. | |
| SB77 | Requires Medicaid to reimburse for physical therapy in clinic based settings | 01/16/2025 | Sen. M. Johnson | Referred to Senate Insurance & Commerce | C | More Info | This bill requires Medicaid to reimburse for physical therapy in clinic-based settings, which seems well intentioned: currently individuals may only receive Medicaid reimbursements for physical therapy in hospital-based settings, which are often inconvenient and likely more expensive. However, this legislation expands Medicaid reimbursements to yet another setting of care, expanding the scope of the program yet again—a program that already consumes one-third of Arkansas's budget—which could jeopardize the safety net and lead to higher costs for taxpayers. | |
| HB1144 | Requires EFA participating schools to comply with the identical reporting rules as public schools | 01/15/2025 | Rep. Wooten | Referred to House Education | F | More Info | This bill would require EFA-participating private schools to meet the same exact reporting requirements as public schools. This bears a resemblance to the failed Education Rights Amendment of 2024, which would have forced identical standards for EFA schools and public schools. If enacted, this bill would end education freedom in Arkansas. | |
| HB1136 | Prohibits sealing of criminal records for individuals subject to an active arrest warrant | 01/15/2025 | Rep. Achor | Referred to House Judiciary | A | More Info | This bill prevents courts from sealing criminal records for individuals with active arrest warrants. Allowing such practices undermines public safety and accountability. This common-sense reform prioritizes justice and public safety. | |
| SB62 | Eliminates the ARHOMES program and transfers enrollees to conventional Medicaid expansion | 01/15/2025 | Sen. King | Referred to Senate Insurance & Commerce | A | More Info | This bill would end the "private option" coverage model for Obamacare expansion which provides expensive "private insurance" plans to able-bodied adult enrollees at no cost and move those enrollees to conventional Medicaid coverage. Because the private option is significantly more expensive, this would produce substantial cost savings in the state's Medicaid program and free up resources for the truly needy. | |
| SB59 | Provides for universal school breakfasts | 01/15/2025 | Sen. Dismang | Passed Senate Education | F | More Info | This bill would provide for "free," universal school breakfasts for all Arkansas students—even those from high-income families. (Lower income students already qualify for free federal meals programs.) As a result, this would use taxpayer dollars to expand a program beyond its intended scope and increase government dependency. | |
| SB49 | Expands the used vehicle sales tax exemption | 01/13/2025 | Sen. Boyd | Referred to Senate Revenue & Tax | B | More Info | This bill would expand the exemption on used car sales taxes from $4,000 to include vehicles up to $10,000, expand sales tax relief for motorboats, and make other tax relief-related changes to new and used modes of transportation. While broad-based rate decreases are the ideal way to reduce taxes instead of exemptions, this one is broadly applicable to a wide range of residents and would reduce the cost of getting to work for many Arkansans. | |
| HB1074 | Limits use of Property Tax Relief Trust Fund | 01/13/2025 | Rep. Ray | Referred to Senate Revenue & Tax | B | More Info | This bill would prevent funds being spent from the Property Tax Relief Trust Fund for purposes other than property tax relief, unless approved with a 3/4 majority of the General Assembly. It would prevent misuse of these funds and ensure they are available to support tax relief. | |
| HJR1005 | Creates Taxpayer Bill of Rights | 01/13/2025 | Rep. Long | Referred to House State Agencies | B | More Info | This proposed constitutional amendment creates a state spending cap, requires a 3/4 vote for tax increases, and requires the state to refund excess revenues to taxpayers. This legislation is very well intentioned and has some good provisions, but it does also contain some restrictions on the use of state surpluses towards permanent tax cuts, and instead requires the funds be used for temporary tax reductions. | |
| HB1066 | Expands Arkansas's standard deduction | 01/13/2025 | Rep. Ray | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | B | More Info | This bill would increase Arkansas's standard deduction for state income taxes from $2,200 to $4,400, helping to advance state income tax relief and reduce the income tax burden on Arkansans. | |
| HB1065 | Creates the Inflation Reduction Act of 2025 | 01/13/2025 | Rep. Ray | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | B | More Info | This bill would provide tax relief to Arkansans by adjusting the cost of living adjustment for standard deductions. This is currently limited to 3%, although inflation has grown higher in recent years. It would help blunt the impact of the state's work-punishing income tax. | |
| HB1061 | Requires Medicaid reimbursements for glucose monitors for individuals with diabetes | 01/13/2025 | Rep. Pilkington | Referred to House Public Health | D | More Info | This bill expands Medicaid benefits by requiring coverage for blood glucose monitors. It would require taxpayers to spend even more on a welfare program that already consumes over $9 billion tax dollars annually. | |
| HB1054 | Requires Medicaid reimbursements for blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum women | 12/16/2024 | Rep. Pilkington | Referred to House Public Health | D | More Info | This bill expands Medicaid benefits by requiring coverage for blood pressure monitors for pregrant women. It would require taxpayers to spend even more on a welfare program that already consumes over $9 billion tax dollars annually. | |
| HB1053 | Requires Medicaid reimbursements for remote ultrasounds and fetal nonstress tests | 01/13/2025 | Rep. Pilkington | Referred to House Public Health | D | More Info | This bill expands Medicaid benefits by requiring coverage for certain medical procedures. It would require taxpayers to spend even more on a welfare program that already consumes over $9 billion tax dollars annually. | |
| HB1047 | Creates Medicaid presumptive eligibility for pregnant women | 01/13/2025 | Rep. Pilkington | Referred to House Public Health | D | More Info | This bill would weaken the state's Medicaid program by allowing individuals to receive benefits before their eligibility is verified, opening the door to fraud. This creates an opportunity for abuse and directs resources away from the truly needy. | |
| HB1025 | Creates the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act | 01/16/2025 | Rep. Collins | Referred to House Education | D | More Info | This bill would resintate the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act, which was repealed by the LEARNS Act. It creates more red tape and makes it more difficult for schools to hold teachers accountable. | |
| HB1022 | Repeals performance-based incentive awards for Arkansas schools | 01/16/2025 | Rep. Collins | Referred to House Education | D | More Info | This bill would repeal performance-based incentive awards for Arkansas schools, limiting rewards to schools that only demonstrated growth. This would make schools less accountable by removing incentives from the state's education program. | |
| HB1020 | Repeals Education Freedom Accounts | 01/16/2025 | Rep. Collins | Referred to House Education | F | More Info | This bill would repeal Education Freedom Accounts, kicking thousands of Arkansas students out of the program and depriving them of educational opportunities. | |
| HB1016 | Creates sales tax exemptions for menstrual products, diapers, and breastfeeding-related items | 12/16/2024 | Rep. Collins | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This would create another sales tax exemption for certain hygeine products. These exemptions benefit select groups and make it more difficult to decrease the tax burden across-the-board for all. | |
| HB1012 | Expands Medicaid family planning eligibility | 12/16/2024 | Rep. Collins | Referred to House Public Health | D | More Info | This bill expands Medicaid to provide family planning benefits to people who wold not otherwise quality for Medicaid. This adds more strain to a growing welfare program and expands benefits to people the program was not intended to serve. | |
| HB1009 | Authorizes Medicaid presumptive eligibility for pregnant women and expands the definition of qualifying events for health insurance | 01/16/2025 | Rep. Collins | Referred to House Insurance & Commerce | D | More Info | This bill would weaken the state's Medicaid program by allowing individuals to receive benefits before their application is accepted. This creates an opportunity for abuse and directs resources away from the most needy. | |
| HB1008 | Expands postpartum Medicaid to one year | 01/23/2025 | Rep. Collins | Referred to House Public Health | F | More Info | This bill would expand postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year, requiring taxpayers to foot the bill for an expanded welfare program that already consumes a quarter of the state's budget. | |
| HB1004 | Expands postpartum Medicaid to one year | 01/13/2025 | Rep. Pilkington | Referred to House Public Health | F | More Info | This bill would expand postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year, requiring taxpayers to foot the bill for an expanded welfare program that already consumes a quarter of the state's budget. | |
| HB1081 | Eliminates additional funding for professional learning communities | 01/13/2025 | Rep. McKenzie | Referred to House Education | A | More Info | This bill would eliminate a spending mandate for the development and administration of professional learning communities, which includes the notorious contract with "Solution Tree" that came under intense scrutiny from Arkansas lawmakers. It reduces government spending by eliminating the mandate, freeing up tax dollars to be used for priorities that directly impact educational outcomes and support other state priorities. | |
| HJR1006 | Bans taxpayer-funded lobbying | 01/13/2025 | Rep. McKenzie | Referred to House State Agencies | A | More Info | This proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit government entities in Arkansas from entering into contracts with lobbyists or using taxpayer dollars to fund organizations that lobby against the interests of taxpayers. This would save tax dollars and ensure that taxpayers are not footing the bill for public employees to lobby legislators. |
This tracker is updated twice per week, typically on Wednesdays and Friday afternoons.Â
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