TODAY AT THE CAPITOL

The House and Senate are in recess until Monday. To view committee schedules, agendas, and live streams—including live coverage of the House and Senate—visit www.arkleg.state.ar.us.

YESTERDAY AT THE CAPITOL

HB 1049 – Rep. Dwight Tosh and Sen. Ron Caldwell

This bill would amend Arkansas law concerning criminal offenses and criminalize unlawful squatting. An amendment was adopted yesterday on the Senate floor. We support this bill.

HB 1221 thru 1223 - Rep. David Ray and Sen. Kim Hammer

These three bills seek to improve the ballot initiative process. These bills all received Do Pass recommendations from the Senate State Agencies Committee.

• HB 1221 – To amend Arkansas law concerning initiatives, referenda, and constitutional amendments.
• HB 1222 - To require the Attorney General to review ballot titles for conflicts with the United States Constitution and federal statutes and to prohibit the submission of multiple initiative petitions and referendum petitions.
• HB 1223 – To allow a candidate for the office of Justice of the Supreme Court or Judge of the Court of Appeals who is serving as an appointee to use the title of that position as a prefix on the ballot.

HB 1411 – Rep. Matthew Shepherd and Sen. Matt Stone

This bill from the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment clarifies the regulation of carbon capture and sequestration and establishes the Carbon Dioxide Storage Fund. This passed the House yesterday 98-0 and has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee.

HB 1412 – Rep. Matthew Shepherd and Sen. Matt Stone E&E BILLS

This bill from the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment clarifies pipeline safety regulations for hazardous liquids and carbon dioxide transportation. This passed the House yesterday 99-0 and has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committee and is on this afternoon’s House Calendar.

HB 1069 – Rep. Stephen Meeks

This bill originally sought to make standard time permanent in Arkansas. An amendment has been filed that would allow Arkansas to follow the federal government if it adopts year round daylight savings time. The amendment was adopted on the House floor yesterday.

MONDAY AT THE CAPITOL

SB 207 thru 211 - Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Kendon Underwood

The following bills from the Secretary of State’s office seek to improve the ballot initiative process. There will be a Special Order of Business on Monday in the House State Agencies Committee on SB 207, SB 208 and SB 211.

• SB 207 – Amends laws regarding initiative and referendum petitions, requiring canvassers to disclose that petition fraud is a Class A misdemeanor.
• SB 208 – Requires canvassers to request photo identification before obtaining a petition signature.
• SB 211 – Mandates that canvassers submit an affidavit before collected petition signatures can be counted.
• SB 209 – Disqualifies signatures obtained by a canvasser under specific circumstances. Passed the Senate but emergency clause failed so it’s being held in the Senate.
• SB 210 – Requires petition signers to read the ballot title in the presence of a canvasser. Passed the Senate but emergency clause failed so it’s being held in the Senate.

HB 1446 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum and Sen. Jane English

This bill seeks to amend the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program. An amendment to this bill was adopted yesterday on the House floor.

PENDING BILLS

HB 1435 – Rep. Brandon Achor and Sen. Jane English

This bill would amend the law regarding income tax credits for child care by modifying the employer-provided child care credit and establishing a new income tax credit for licensed childcare providers. This bill awaits consideration in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. We support this bill.

NEWLY TRACKED BILLS

We added 13 bills to our tracking list based on yesterday’s filings.

House Bills

HB 1468 – Rep. Bruce Cozart and Sen. Jim Petty

Amends Arkansas law concerning claims against contractors and suppliers to remedy construction defects. Referred to House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.

HB 1469 – Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Blake Johnson

Creates the Broadband Expansion and Efficiency Act and a sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment used in producing broadband communications services. Referred to House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

HB 1472 – Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Ben Gilmore

Creates a sales and use tax exemption for parts purchased to repair agricultural and timber equipment, machinery and grain bins. Referred to the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

HB 1476 – Rep. Brit McKenzie and Sen. Bart Hester

Amends the Direct Shipment of Vinous Liquor Act and establishes a wine direct shipper license. Referred to House Rules Committee.

HB 1479 – Rep. Les Warren

Amends the law concerning scrivener's affidavits; allows licensed engineers, surveyors, or notaries to execute and record them in certain cases. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 1480 – Rep. Wade Andrews

Amends the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program and the definition of "approved institution of higher education." Referred to the House Education Committee.

HB 1483 – Rep. Zachary Gramlich

Allows public school districts to use state funds for contracted adult education programs. Referred to the House Education Committee.

HB 1485 – Rep. Karilyn Brown and Sen. Dave Wallace

Creates a sales and use tax exemption for sales to organizations supporting veterans' facilities. Referred to the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Senate Bills

SB 228 – Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. RJ Hawk

Concerns background check waivers for non-licensed staff positions granted by educational entities. Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. on Monday in the Senate Education Committee.

SB 229 – Sen. Justin Boyd and Rep. Brandon Achor

Creates the Department of Financial Services within the Department of Commerce. Referred to the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.

SB 230 – Sen. Justin Boyd and Rep. Brandon Achor

Repeals the Arkansas Trust Institutions Act and establishes the Arkansas Trust Institutions Act of 2025. Referred to the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.

SB 232 – Sen. Jimmy Hickey

Amends various provisions of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Act. Referred to the Senate Education Committee.

SB 233 – Sen. Clint Penzo and Rep. Robin Lundstrum

Amends income tax laws related to nongrantor trusts, preserves trust assets and exempts certain trusts from income tax. Referred to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.