Daily Legislative Update: April 11, 2024

STATE CHAMBER/AIA LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION

The State Chamber/AIA invites members, public officials, candidates, and community leaders to join us at our annual Big Tent Legislative Reception at 1200 W. Capitol Avenue on Monday, April 15, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. As always, this event is free-of-charge. We look forward to seeing you there!

TODAY AT THE CAPITOL

The Joint Budget Committee meets at 9:00 a.m., and the Senate will convene 20 minutes upon adjournment of the Joint Budget Committee. The House will convene at 11:00 a.m.

NEW BILLS

One additional appropriation bill was filed in the House.

Yesterday was the deadline to file resolutions seeking authority to file a non-appropriation bill. Twelve new resolutions were filed in the House, and 12 new resolutions were filed in the Senate.

New House Resolutions

HR1012 by Rep. Jeff Wardlaw seeks to amend the rules of the 94th General Assembly.

The other 11 new resolutions all seek authority to introduce a non-appropriation bill.

HR1010 and HR1011 by Rep. Lane Jean are identical and also identical to SR1 and SR2 filed previously by Sen. Jonathan Dismang. These resolutions seek to amend the Revenue Stabilization Law, create funds, repeal funds, and make transfers to and from funds and fund accounts.

HR1009 by Rep. Richard McClure seeks to amend the Arkansas Data Center Act of 2023.

HR1013 by Rep. Jim Wooten seeks to amend the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act.

HR1014 through HR1019 were filed by Rep. Josh Miller. HR1014 would prohibit the use of a computer or software manufactured, assembled, or developed by a covered foreign entity in digital asset mining. HR1015 seeks to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 and amend the requirements for a digital asset mining business or a business using a blockchain network. HR1016 would require a digital asset mining business to provide notification before purchasing land or a building or beginning construction of a digital asset mining facility. HR1017 seeks to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 and to regulate the impact on water usage and the electric grid by blockchain networks and digital asset mining. HR1018 would amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 and amend the Uniform Money Services Act. HR1019 would amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023, regulate digital asset mining businesses, and businesses utilizing a blockchain network and declare an emergency.

HR1020 by Rep. Jeremiah Moore seeks to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023, regulate digital asset mining businesses and businesses utilizing a blockchain network and declare an emergency.

New Senate Resolutions

Eight of the 12 new resolutions filed in the Senate seek authority to file a non-appropriation bill.

SR10 by Sen. Breanne Davis seeks to amend the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act.

SR11 through SR16 were filed by Sen. Brian King. SR11 would require a digital asset mining business to pay a fee for extraordinary electrical energy usage. SR12 would prohibit the use of a computer or software manufactured assembled or developed by a covered foreign entity in digital asset mining. SR13 seeks to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 and to amend the Uniform Money Services Act. SR14 would amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 and regulate the impact on water usage and the electric grid by blockchain networks and digital asset mining. SR15 would require a digital asset mining business to provide notification before purchasing land or a building or beginning construction of a digital asset mining facility. SR16 seeks to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 and to amend the requirements for a digital asset mining business or business using a blockchain network.

SR17 by Sen. Missy Irvin would amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023, to regulate digital asset mining businesses and businesses utilizing a blockchain network, and to declare an emergency.