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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB217 | Requires DHS to submit a waiver to prohibit food stamps from being used to buy candy and soft drinks | 02/11/2025 | Sen. Penzo | Referred to Senate Public Health | A | More Info | This bill would require the Department of Human Services to submit a waiver to ban the purchases of candy and soft drinks using food stamps. This would strengthen the safety net by ensuring that the food stamp program is promoting nutritional choices. | |
| SB568 | Exempts certain lithium-related investments from the gross receipts tax | 03/27/2025 | Sen. Crowell | Filed | D | More Info | This bill would exempt certain lithium-related investments from the gross receipts tax. These types of tax exemptions benefit select groups and make it more difficult to decrease the tax burden across-the-board for all. | |
| SB569 | Requires ballot measure titles to be readable, clear, concise, and not to exceed 500 words. | 03/27/2025 | Sen. M. Johnson | Filed | A | More Info | This bill would require ballot measure titles to be readable, clear, concise, and not to exceed 500 words. This would simplify otherwise complex ballot measures for Arkansas voters when deciding how to vote on amendments to the Arkansas Constitution. | |
| HB1832 | Grants the Court of Appeals original jurisdiction for Constitutional challenges | 03/18/2025 | Rep. M. Shepherd | Referred to House Judiciary | A | More Info | This bill would grant the Arkansas Court of Appeals original jurisdiction for Constitutional challenges. This would improve upon the current process where Pulaski County District Courts have ruled erroneously time after time, leading to eventual overturns by the Court of Appeals. It would enhance efficiency and further safeguard the Arkansas Constitution. | |
| SB482 | Repeals the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act | 03/17/2025 | Sen. Hammer | Referred to Senate Education | D | More Info | This bill makes numerous changes to the Public School Choice Act. While there are some provisions which would extend transfer application deadlines and require more transparency, the bill would also limit education freedom by making it more difficult for students to transfer. The bill would give school districts more discretion to deny student transfers for numerous reasons, including capacity constraints or when a student had disciplinary issues at their previous school. | |
| SB559 | Modifies provisions relating to military child transfers | 03/24/2025 | Sen. English | Filed | A | More Info | This bill would allow school boards to file a waiver of existing restrictions to ease tranfers between school districts for children of military personnel. | |
| SB560 | Increases unemployment insurance tax rates and makes other changes to workforce law | 03/24/2025 | Sen. English | Filed | D | More Info | In order to fund additional workforce services, this bill would increase unemployment insurance rates across the board and impose a 0.2% administrative penalty. A better way to stimulate Arkansas's workforce would be to reduce income taxes and allow hardworking Arkansans to keep more of what they earn. | |
| HB1881 | Creates sales tax exemptions for menstrual discharge collection devices | 03/20/2025 | Rep. Ennett | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This would create a sales tax exemption for menstrual discharge collection devices. These sales tax exemptions benefit select groups and make it more difficult to decrease the tax burden across-the-board for all. | |
| HB1874 | Applies excess professional development funding to implement the LEARNS Act | 03/20/2025 | Rep. McKenzie | Referred to House Education | A | More Info | This bill would apply professional development funding in excess of the statutory requirement to be used to implement the LEARNS Act, helping to advance education freedom in Arkansas. | |
| SB527 | Makes various changes to the AR HOMES program | 03/19/2025 | Sen. Irvin | Referred to Senate Insurance & Commerce | F | More Info | This bill would make several changes to the AR HOMES program–the clever name for Arkansas’s Obamacare Medicaid expansion for able-bodied adults- including adding a provision relating to a so-called "work requirement". Specifically, the bill would allegedly require AR HOMES enrollees to comply with a federal Medicaid work requirement if implemented. While, in theory, such a work requirement would be excellent, there are several challenges with the bill as-is. First, it gives the political impression that this bill is "creating" a work requirement, which it is not. Second, it includes several exemptions from a potential future federal work requirement which may conflict with federal exemptions at a later date. Third, it doesn't technically make a work requirement a condition of eligibility, essentially rendering it meaningless. And fourth, it does not explicitly state any penalties for noncompliance. A meaningful work requirement is a much-needed addition to Arkansas's Medicaid program; unfortunately, this legislation creates a false political impression of a work requirement and contains several concerning provisions. | |
| HB1828 | Creates a sales tax exemption for Inspiration Pointer Center for the Arts | 03/18/2025 | Rep. Breaux | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for Inspiration Point Center for the Arts. This type of targeted exemption benefits specific groups, diverting revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| HB1836 | Requires public entities to post videos of meetings | 03/18/2025 | Rep. Lundstrum | Filed | A | More Info | This bill would require public entities to post videos of all meetings online, no later than 24 hours after the date of the meeting. This expands transparency in government and allows the public to hold public officials accountable. | |
| HB1804 | Exempts certain vegetation line management services from the gross receipts tax | 03/17/2025 | Rep. Ray | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new gross receipts tax exemption for certain vegetation line management services. This type of targeted exemption benefits specific groups, diverting revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| HB1802 | Creates the Talent Recruitment Grant Program | 03/19/2025 | Rep. Warren | Passed House Committee | D | More Info | This bill would create the Talent Recruitment Grant Program, allowing municipalities and nonprofits to receive up to $500,000 per qualifying out-of-state individual recruited to work in Arkansas. These types of grants enable the use of a slush fund giveaway to non-residents with Arkansans' footing the bill. This grant program would also ignore the hundreds of thousands of able-bodied adults in Arkansas’s major welfare programs who are not required to work—and most of whom are in fact not working—which would be a far better talent pool to pursue through a robust work requirement since they already reside in Arkansas. | |
| SB462 | Creates Certificates of Employability for certain individuals leaving prison | 03/17/2025 | Sen. Scott | Referred to Senate Judiciary | A | More Info | This bill would require the Department of Corrections to issue certificates of employability to individuals currently or formerly incarcerated who completed certain educational programs or exams while incarcerated and met other criteria. This could help individuals find employment following incarceration and avoid falling into the cycle of crime and welfare dependency. | |
| HB1761 | Makes various adverse changes to the Education Freedom Accounts program | 03/12/2025 | Rep. Garner | Referred to House Education | F | More Info | This bill would remove first-time kindergarteners as categorically eligible for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), limit future EFA enrollment to only include individuals earning below certain income thresholds, and substantially reduce the value of EFAs. This would severely roll back education freedom in Arkansas, take away opportunities from children benefiting from the program, and trap more kids in failing schools. | |
| HB1751 | Requires job-ready cash welfare applicants to search for work during the application process | 03/12/2025 | Rep. Underwood | Referred to House Public Health | A | More Info | This bill would require job-ready cash welfare applicants to search for work during the application process, joining 16 other states' who have already adopted this provision and helping prevent Arkansans from falling into the trap of government dependency. | |
| HB1750 | Repeals the franchise tax | 03/17/2025 | Rep. Cavenaugh | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | A | More Info | This bill would repeal Arkansas's franchise tax, an unnecessary tax charged on Arkansas businesses that most states have already repealed. | |
| HB1738 | Provides a sales tax exemption for disabled veterans | 03/11/2025 | Rep. Crawford | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a sales tax exemption for disabled veterans. Instead of creating a new exemption that requires new taxpayer dollars to administer, a better approach would be to pursue broad-based tax reductions that benefit veterans and all Arkansans without increasing state bureaucracy. | |
| SB419 | Creates a sales tax exemption for certain sales to a marijuana cultivation facility | 03/10/2025 | Sen. Leding | Referred to Senate Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a sales tax exemption for certain products sold to a marijuana cultivation facility. This type of targeted exemption benefits specific groups, diverting revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| HB1724 | Standardizes school board terms and elections | 03/10/2025 | Rep. McKenzie | Referred to House Education | A | More Info | This bill would establish a universal four-year term for school board directors, in contrast for term lengths ranging from 3 to 5 years under current law. It also requires school board elections to occur on the date of preferential primary elections. These provisions would both standardize and simplify term length, and boost school board election participation by aligning election dates with existing preferential primary elections. | |
| HB1713 | Requires ballot titles to be at or under a certain reading level | 03/10/2025 | Rep. Rose | Referred to House State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill would prevent the Attorney General from certifying ballot titles that are above an eighth-grade reading level. This would help prevent Arkansans from being subject to language that is unnecessarily confusing or misleading. | |
| HB1714 | Amends the definition of paid canvassers for ballot petitions | 03/10/2025 | Rep. Rose | Referred to House State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill would update the definition of paid canvassers for ballot petitions to include individuals who receive stipends, bonuses, certain reimbursements, awards, etc, in addition to regular compensation. This would more accurately define paid canvassers under the law. | |
| HB1710 | Prohibits schools from referencing another school's rating in any communications-related materials | 03/10/2025 | Rep. Vaught | Referred to House Education | D | More Info | This bill would prevent a school from referencing another school's public school rating in advertising, promotional, or communications materials. This would hamper the ability of schools to market to parents' looking for the best choice for their children based on the best performing school in their area. Instead of limiting good-performing schools' ability to market to parents, poor-performing schools should strive to improve their ratings. | |
| SB402 | Bans public schools from requiring or taking certain actions related to employee organizations and professional associations | 03/06/2025 | Sen. Penzo | Referred to Senate Education | A | More Info | This bill would prevent public school districts from requiring employees to interact with employee organizations or professional associations (such as unions), distributing communications on behalf of these groups, or permit these groups from access to certain school meetings and property on terms more favorable than any other organization. This would help ensure school employees are not subject to mandatory union-backed presentations, and that taxpayer-financed school resources are not accommodating the interests of union activities. | |
| HB1702 | Creates a sales tax exemption for machinery and equipment used in closed-loop recycling | 03/06/2025 | Rep. Wooldridge | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for machinery and equipment used in closed-loop recycling. This type of targeted exemption benefits specific groups, diverting revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| HB1699 | Adds firearm safety and storage devices to the sales tax holiday | 03/06/2025 | Rep. McCullough | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would add firearm safety and storage devices to the state's sales tax holiday. This type of targeted exemption benefits specific groups, diverting revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| SB377 | Repeals the grocery tax | 03/04/2025 | Sen. Hester | Referred to Senate Revenue & Tax | A | More Info | This bill would eliminate the state tax on groceries, which most other states have already abandoned, returning more than $10 million back to Arkansas taxpayers. | |
| HB1685 | Repeals the grocery tax | 03/05/2025 | Rep. Underwood | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | A | More Info | This bill would eliminate the state tax on groceries, which most other states have already abandoned, returning more than $10 million back to Arkansas taxpayers. | |
| HB1671 | Creates a sales tax exemption to certain sales for qualified nonprofit organizations | 03/04/2025 | Rep. L. Johnson | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for certain sales to qualified nonprofit organizations in Arkansas that meet specific criteria. This type of targeted exemption benefits specific groups, diverting revenues away from broad-based tax relief. The fiscal impact statement for this bill states that the cost is unknown. | |
| HB1669 | Prohibits discrimination against foster care providers on the basis of their religious beliefs | 03/04/2025 | Rep. Bentley | Referred to Senate Judiciary | A | More Info | This bill would prohibit discrimination against foster care providers on the basis of their religious affiliation and beliefs, adding a layer of protection to countless Arkansas foster care providers and improving the child welfare system. | |
| HB1665 | Repeals the credit against the insurance premium tax | 03/04/2025 | Rep. Wardlaw | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | A | More Info | Currently, health insurance companies (and certain other insurers) can claim a credit against the imposition of Arkansas's insurance premium tax. In reality, the insurance premium tax is a financing gimmick used as part of Arkansas's Private Option approach to Medicaid expansion. While the credit is not specifically allowed to be claimed against collections related to the Private Option, the very act of allowing insurance companies to claim an extra credit against this tax adds insult to injury, and this bill would repeal this unnecessary credit. | |
| SB361 | Provides for the creation of industrial development authorities | 03/11/2025 | Sen. Dees | Referred to House Agriculture | D | More Info | This bill would allow localities to create industrial development authorities, use eminent domain to take property for use by the authority, and promote subsidies for businesses under the jurisdiction in the authority. This allows government to subsidize big businesses with tax dollars, picking winners and losers in the market. A better approach would be to establish free market zones offering broad tax and regulatory relief to all individuals and businesses, fostering genuine economic growth without government favoritism. The fiscal impact statement for this bill states that the total cost is unknown. | |
| HB1636 | Phases out the soda tax | 03/03/2025 | Rep. Ray | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | B | More Info | This bill would gradually reduce and eventually eliminate Arkansas's excise tax on soft drinks, based on rising sales tax revenue from soft drink sales. This would result in a tax cut of $9 million, up to $42 million once fully phased in. While this cut would not be as broad as a reduction in the income tax, it would return more money to the pockets of Arkansas taxpayers. | |
| HB1637 | Requires fiscal impact statements for ballot initiatives | 03/03/2025 | Rep. Ray | Passed House Committee | A | More Info | This bill would require the Attorney General to review proposed ballot initiatives to determine if they have a fiscal impact to the state, and if so, require the Department of Finance and Administration to prepare a fiscal statement for the initiative. The statement would include the projected fiscal impact to the state, including the impact on state revenue and taxes. This would expand transparency and provide voters with more information on the total costs of proposed amendments. | |
| HJR1014 | Amends the constitution to allow the legislature to create economic development districts | 02/12/2025 | Rep. Beaty | Referred to House State Agencies | D | More Info | This constitutional amendment would allow the legislature to create economic development districts, use eminent domain to take property for use by businesses in the district, and use taxpayer dollars to subsidize corporations in the district. This allows government to subsidize big businesses with tax dollars, picking winners and losers in the market. A better approach would be to establish free market zones offering broad tax and regulatory relief to all individuals and businesses, fostering genuine economic growth without government favoritism. The fiscal impact statement for this bill states that the total cost is unknown. | |
| SB188 | Requires public posting of new ballot initiatives | 03/03/2025 | Sen. C. Tucker | Signed into Law | A | More Info | This bill would require the Secretary of State to publish online the full text of certified ballot initiatives. This improves transparency and gives voters an official resource to consider the full text of proposed measures. | |
| SB347 | Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental services | 02/27/2025 | Sen. Penzo | Referred to Senate Public Health | D | More Info | This bill would substantially increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental services, and set a reimbursement cap. At a time when the Arkansas Medicaid program is severely bloated, Arkansas taxpayers would have to bear an even greater expense if this bill passed. | |
| SB326 | Makes various changes to provisions surrounding child welfare and placement | 02/26/2025 | Sen. Clark | Passed Senate Committee | A | More Info | This bill would amend various portions of statute relating to child welfare. First, it would include family integrity as a priority when making best interest determinations for child custody and placement decisions. Second, it would construct a more precise definition of neglect. Third, it would institute a 72-hour hold provision for Families In Need of Services (FINS) cases where an immediate danger is present, as well as narrow who can file a FINS petition. Fourth, it would add clearer screening procedures governing the use of the Child Abuse Hotline. And fifth, it would establish clear criteria for when a child can be placed in protective custody. The net effect of these provisions would be to promote family integrity and afford greater protections to Arkansas children. | |
| SB325 | Makes changes to the reinstatement of parental rights and the Child Maltreatment Registry | 02/26/2025 | Sen. Clark | Passed Senate Committee | A | More Info | This legislation contains three major components. First, it would allow parents to file a petition to reinstate their own parental rights, a process which they are currently excluded from. Second, it would allow parental rights to be reinstated more quickly (within two years of termination) compared to the status quo (within three years of termination). Third, it reforms the Child Maltreatment Registry to ensure true determinations are accurate. This legislation could dramatically improve family integrity and reunification in the state's child welfare system. | |
| HB1588 | Requires DHS to receive legislative before submitting certain waivers | 02/25/2025 | Rep. McAlindon | Referred to House Public Health | B | More Info | This bill would require the Arkansas Department of Human Services receive legislative approval for waivers that increase coverage and gubernatorial approval for waivers that increase reimbursement rates. This legislation is a good first step towards ensuring proper checks and balances are placed on waiver requests, but could be strengthened by 1) requiring all waivers to receive affirmative legislative approval (rather than ambiguously defined waivers that "increase coverage") and 2) require all legislative approval to take the form of a vote by the general assembly (rather than by Legislative Council or the Joint Budget Committee). | |
| HB1582 | Requires individuals seeking workforce benefits to create an account on a state-maintained job board | 02/25/2025 | Rep. McAlindon | Referred to House Public Health | A | More Info | This bill would require individuals applying for unemployment benefits to create a profile and upload their work credentials to a job board. This would help link employers with prospective employees and reduce dependency on government. | |
| HB1574 | Requires canvassers to be domiciled in the jurisdiction subject to a ballot initiative | 02/25/2025 | Rep. Vaught | Referred to House State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill would expand on existing residency requirements for canvassers of ballot petitions by also requiring these canvassers to be domiciled in Arkansas (for statewide petitions) and domiciled in a local jurisdiction (for local petitions). This would add greater integrity to the ballot petition process and limit the ability of out-of-state groups to wield undue influence over Arkansas's petition process. | |
| HB1404 | Creates a tax credit for contributions to a pregnancy help center | 02/04/2025 | Rep. C. Cooper | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new income tax credit for contributions to pregnancy help centers. While these centers perform valuable services, these credits benefit selected groups and reduce state revenue by an estimated $10 million, which could be directed toward fully eliminating the state income tax to benefit all Arkansans. | |
| HB1559 | Requires Arkansas DHS to submit a Medicaid waiver relating to coverage for inpatient treatment of substance use disorders | 03/04/2025 | Rep. McGrew | Referred to Senate Public Health | D | More Info | This legislation further expands Arkansas's Medicaid program via a waiver to provide costly inpatient treatment programs at a time when Medicaid is consuming an ever-growing share of Arkansas's budget. Before adding new mandated services, the state should focus on moving able-bodied participants out of dependence. | |
| SB274 | Creates a sales tax exemption for certain items related to a human burial | 02/24/2025 | Sen. Wallace | Referred to Senate Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for certain items related to the cost of a human burial. This type of industry-targeted exemption benefits specific groups and diverts revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| HB1506 | Prohibits public employers from deducting union dues | 02/17/2025 | Rep. Andrews | Referred to House Public Health | A | More Info | This bill would prohibit public employers in Arkansas from automatically deducting fees, dues, or contributions to labor organizations, protecting the paychecks of Arkansas workers. | |
| HB1491 | Creates an excise tax credit for certain alcoholic beverages | 02/20/2025 | Rep. Wardlaw | Referred to House Rules | F | More Info | This bill would create a special excise tax credit for some beer and sake, exempting them from excise tax. These credits benefit select groups and make it more difficult to pursue broad-based tax reductions. | |
| SB256 | Reduces the franchise tax | 02/19/2025 | Sen. Dotson | Referred to Senate Revenue & Tax | B | More Info | This bill would reduce the franchise tax for businesses from $150 to $100. This is an outdated tax that most states have moved away from. Reducing the tax helps Arkansas businesses with a tax reduction of $12 million, but eliminating it completely would be preferable. | |
| HB1542 | Requires private schools to administer state tests and regulates their admissions process | 02/20/2025 | Rep. Wooten | Failed in Committee | F | More Info | This bill would regulate the admissions process of private schools and require them to administer certain tests. This regulation interferes with the operation of private providers and would end education freedom in Arkansas. | |
| HB1541 | Requires private schools to provide transportation | 02/20/2025 | Rep. Wooten | Failed in Committee | F | More Info | This bill would require private schools that accept EFA funds to provide transportation for students. This regulation would place an undue burden on private schools and limit education freedom in Arkansas. | |
| HB1540 | Expands the income tax credit for individuals with disabilities | 02/20/2025 | Rep. Mayberry | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | C | More Info | This bill would double the income tax credit for individuals that provide support for those with disabilities. These credits benefit select groups with a targeted tax cut of $10 million and make it more difficult to reduce income taxes across-the-board for all Arkansans. | |
| HB1538 | Increases the carry-forward period for net operating losses | 02/20/2025 | Rep. Ray | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | B | More Info | This bill would allow businesses to reduce their taxable income by carrying forward losses for up to 20 years instead of the current 10 year period. This offsets the burden of the state's income tax and makes Arkansas more competitive for businesses, especially capital-intensive businesses. This would result in a tax cut of $13 million starting in 2037, up to $100 million in 2046. | |
| SB205 | Makes technical corrections to the Public School Choice Act | 02/06/2025 | Sen. Clark | Referred to Senate Education | A | More Info | This bill makes a correction to the Public School Choice Act to clarify that students are eligible for intra-district transfers. This bill would clarify procedures for public school transfers and ensure that families are able to exercise public school choice in Arkansas. | |
| HB1485 | Creates a sales tax exemption for certain organizations that support veterans' facilities | 02/13/2025 | Rep. K. Brown | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for certain organizations that support veterans' facilities. This type of industry-targeted exemption benefits specific groups and divert revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| HB1472 | Creates a sales tax exemption for parts and repair of agricultural + timber equipment and machinery | 02/13/2025 | Rep. Beaty | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for parts and repair of agricultural and timber equipment and machinery. This type of industry-targeted exemption benefits specific groups with nearly $10 million, diverting revenue that could be used for broad-based tax relief. | |
| HB1469 | Creates a sales tax exemption for machinery and equipment used in producing broadband services | 02/12/2025 | Rep. Beaty | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for machinery and equipment used in producing broadband communications services. This type of industry-targeted exemption benefits specific groups with $15 million, diverting revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| SJR24 | Constitutional amendment to shorten ballot titles | 02/12/2025 | Sen. M. Johnson | Referred to Senate State Agencies | A | More Info | This proposed constitutional amendment would require that ballot titles are clear, concise, readable, and less than 500 words in length. Ballot titles are often long and confusing. This will improve the integrity of the process and ensure that initiatives are clear and understandable. | |
| HB1464 | Creates a sales tax exemption for parts and repair of agricultural equipment and machinery | 02/12/2025 | Rep. Vaught | Referred to House Revenue & Tax | D | More Info | This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for parts and repair of agricultural equipment and machinery. This type of industry-targeted exemption benefits specific groups with $15 million, diverting revenues away from broad-based tax relief. | |
| SJR19 | Constitutional amendment to remove the grocery tax | 02/12/2025 | Sen. M. Johnson | Withdrawn by Author | A | More Info | This proposed constitutional amendment would remove food and food ingredients from the excise tax. This would eliminate the state tax on groceries, which most other states have already abandoned, returning more money back to Arkansas taxpayers. | |
| HJR1017 | Constitutional amendment to require ballot petitions to receive a majority vote in a majority of counties | 02/12/2025 | Rep. Ray | Referred to House State Agencies | A | More Info | This proposed constitutional amendment would require a ballot petition to pass in a majority of counties in addition to a majority vote statewide. This would improve geographically-balanced representation in the passage of petitions and prevent heavily-populated counties from having undue influence in the process. | |
| HJR1016 | Constitutional amendment to prevent changes to petitions and initatives after Secretary of State Review | 02/12/2025 | Rep. Ray | Referred to House State Agencies | A | More Info | This proposed constitutional amendment would prevent petition organizers from changing a ballot petition or initiative after it has been reviewed by the Secretary of State. This amendment streamlines the process and conserves taxpayer resources. | |
| HJR1015 | Constitutional amendment to allow judges to declare a partisan affiliation or independent status | 02/12/2025 | Rep. Lundstrum | Referred to House State Agencies | A | More Info | This would amend the state constitution to allow candidates for judicial races to declare a party affiliation or run as an independent. Prohibiting party identification leaves voters in the dark about the judicial philosophies of candidates, and this amendment would provide voters with more insight to make informed decisions. | |
| HB1461 | Abolishes unnecccesary state boards and commissions | 02/12/2025 | Rep. L. Johnson | Referred to Senate State Agencies | A | More Info | This bill would abolish state boards and commissions that have no duties prescribed by law and do not meet regularly. This would simplify state government by removing unnecessary boards and commissions. | |
| SJR17 | Creates Taxpayer Bill of Rights | 02/12/2025 | Sen. Dotson | Referred to Senate 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. | |
| SJR13 | Constitutional amendment to allow judges to declare a partisan affiliation or independent status | 02/10/2025 | Sen. Dotson | Referred to Senate State Agencies | A | More Info | This proposed amendment to the state constitution would allow candidates for judicial races to declare a party affiliation or run as an independent. Prohibiting party identification leaves voters in the dark about the judicial philosophies of candidates, and this amendment would provide voters with more insight to make informed decisions. | |
| 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 with over $2 million, diverting 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 House 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 spend $40 million 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Passed Senate 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. The fiscal impact statement for this bill estimates that it could cost taxpayers up to half a million dollars annually. | |
| 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed Into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 House 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Failed in Committee | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Signed into Law | 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 | Withdrawn by Author | 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 | Withdrawn by Author | 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 | Withdrawn by Author | 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 | Withdrawn by Author | 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. |
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