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Daily Legislative Update: Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Date
Category Daily Legislative Update, Uncategorized

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

TODAY AT THE CAPITOL
The House and Senate convened at 10 a.m. They will meet in a joint session at 10:30 a.m. to hear the State of the State address by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

TOMORROW AT THE CAPITOL
Committees will hold their organizational meetings tomorrow.

STATE CHAMBER/AIA LEGISLATIVE TRACKING
We added seven bills to our tracking list based on yesterday’s filings.

  • HB 1080 (Evans-R and Hester-R) seeks to repeal the requirement for fiscal impact statements for bills related to state health benefit plans and eliminate the bill filing deadline for such bills.
  • HB 1081 (McKenzie-R) proposes to repeal additional funding allocated for the development and administration of professional learning communities.
  • HB 1082 (Collins-D) aims to establish the Arkansas Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act.
  • HB 1083 (Collins-D) seeks to create the Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act.
  • HB 1085 (Brown, Karilyn-R) proposes the adoption of federal laws concerning tax-deferred tuition savings programs and amends income tax liability for rollover contributions from an Arkansas Brighter Future Fund plan to a Roth IRA.
  • HJR1005 (Long-R) introduces an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to establish the Arkansas Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
  • HJR1006 (McKenzie-R) introduces an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to prohibit governmental bodies from using state or local funds to contract with lobbyists for lobbying purposes.

YESTERDAY AT THE CAPITOL
Rep. Brian Evans (R-Cabot) was elected Speaker of the House. Below is the list of leadership and committee chairs and vice-chairs he announced:

House Leadership

House Speaker Pro Tem:

  • Carlton Wing

Assistant Speakers Pro Tem:

  • District 1: Dwight Tosh
  • District 2: Fred Allen
  • District 3: Kendra Moore
  • District 4: Les Warren

Committees & Vice Chairs

“A” Committees:

  • Education: Keith Brooks (Chair), Rep. Brit McKenzie (Vice Chair)
  • Judiciary: Carol Dalby (Chair), Rep. Kendon Underwood (Vice Chair)
  • Public Health, Welfare & Labor: Jeff Wardlaw (Chair), Rep. Jeremy Wooldridge (Vice Chair)
  • Revenue & Tax: Rep. Fran Cavanaugh (Chair), Rep. David Ray (Vice Chair)
  • Public Transportation: Mike Holcomb (Chair), Rep. Jon Milligan (Vice Chair)

“B” Committees:

  • Aging, Children & Youth: Sonia Barker (Chair), Rep. Mary Bentley (Vice Chair)
  • Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development: Roger Lynch (Chair), Rep. Jeremiah Moore (Vice Chair)
  • City, County & Local Affairs: Justin Gonzales (Chair), Rep. Bart Schulz (Vice Chair)
  • Insurance & Commerce: John Maddox (Chair), Rep. Trey Steimel (Vice Chair)
  • State Agencies & Governmental Affairs: Jimmy Gazaway (Chair), Rep. Rick Beck (Vice Chair)

Select Committees:

  • Rules: John Eubanks (Chair), Rep. Shad Pierce (Vice Chair)
  • Management: DeAnn Vaught (Chair), Rep. Steven Walker (Vice Chair)
  • Energy: Matthew Shepherd (Chair), Rep. Zach Gramlich (Vice Chair)
  • Retirement: Les Warren (Chair), Rep. Kendra Moore (Vice Chair)
  • Advanced Communication & Information Technology: Stephen Meeks (Chair), Rep. Austin McCollum (Vice Chair)

Joint Committees:

  • Performance Review: Bruce Cozart (Chair), Rep. Tony Furman (Vice Chair)
  • Budget: Lane Jean (Chair), Rep. Lee Johnson (Vice Chair)
  • Audit: Robin Lundstrum (Chair), Rep. R.J. Hawk (Vice Chair)
  • Arkansas Legislative Council: Les Eaves (Chair), Rep. Jack Ladyman (Vice Chair)

STATE CHAMBER/AIA LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
The State Chamber/AIA will host its Annual Legislative Reception on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will take place in the tent located in the State Chamber/AIA parking lot. Worried about the cold? No need—we’ll keep you warm with a fully heated tent, ensuring your comfort throughout the evening.