SB 307, the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025: Sen. Jonathan Dismang and Rep. Les Eaves

AEDCE supports SB 307. Please take a moment and familiarize yourself with the bill, linked above, or the SB 307 summary one-pager.

Ask your legislators to support SB 307.

SB 307 allows Arkansas electric utilities to implement gradual, annual rate adjustments to help fund new power plant construction, rather than imposing large, sudden rate hikes once a plant is completed. Under this bill, utilities can request incremental rate adjustments—known as riders—by filing annually with the Public Service Commission (PSC), which must review and approve them to ensure they serve the public interest. Under this proposal, rate increases cannot exceed 10% below the national average unless justified by economic development benefits.

This bill provides key benefits like:

• Preventing sudden, steep rate hikes by spreading costs over time.
• Lowering borrowing costs, leading to more stable, long-term electricity rates for consumers
• Supporting economic growth by ensuring affordable and reliable energy.

Why SB 307 Matters:

Arkansas’ electricity demand is rising due to growth in manufacturing, transportation electrification, data centers and population increases. However, Arkansas lacks surplus power-generating capacity to meet this demand. Without reliable and affordable electricity, businesses may choose to expand or relocate elsewhere. SB 307 helps Arkansas to meet this growing need by allowing utility providers to implement a proactive approach to meeting electricity demand, making Arkansas more attractive for business expansion and preventing companies from seeking locations with more available power capacity.

At a press conference last Wednesday, economic developers from across the state, many members of AEDCE, voiced strong support for the bill. Randy Zook, president and CEO of the State Chamber/AIA, emphasized its importance, stating, “Economic growth from higher value-added jobs is right at our fingertips. Electrons equal growth equal jobs equal tax revenue.” He noted that this bill is the economic development opportunity of this generation—an opportunity to ensure Arkansas remains competitive in attracting and retaining businesses.

This bill is on this afternoon’s Senate Calendar.

CALL TO ACTION - SB 284-288

SB 284, 285, 286, 287 & 288 – Sen. John Payton

This package of bills moving through the Senate would significantly increase workers’ compensation costs, creating uncertainty for Arkansas businesses and threatening the long-term stability of a system that has served employees and employers for decades. If passed, these changes would drive up costs, prolong claims and weaken incentives for timely recovery and return to work.

Key Concerns:

SB 285 – This bill would raise the maximum coverage amount by 2½ times, setting an annual cap of $120,000—the highest in the nation. The current weekly maximum of $903 would jump to $2,307.69, creating substantial financial strain on employers.

SB 286 – This bill would expand wage loss disability benefits in ways that could make the system less predictable, requiring the Workers’ Compensation Commission to estimate an injured worker’s long-term earning potential. This could prolong disputes and create uncertainty for both workers and employers.

SB 284 & SB 288 – These bills would allow injured workers to change their physician and medical specialists annually, rather than just once. While access to quality care is critical, these changes could increase medical costs, extend claim durations and create unnecessary delays in recovery.

SB 287 – This bill would raise attorney fee caps on medical benefits from $500 to $2,500 at the commission level and from $1,000 to $5,000 at the Court of Appeals. This could lead to more litigation and higher costs, ultimately making the system less efficient and more expensive for everyone.

Why This Matters

Arkansas’ existing workers’ compensation system is competitive with neighboring states and provides strong protections for injured workers. These bills would implement changes that will drive up costs, disrupt the system’s stability and make Arkansas a more expensive place to do business.

A Special Order of Business in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee is set for Wednesday.

A stable and predictable system benefits everyone. This is why the State Chamber/AIA opposes these bills.

Ask your legislators to vote NO on SB 284-288.