Daily Legislative Update: Monday, March 3, 2025
Photo by Will Newton/Arkansas House of Representatives
Monday, March 3, 2025 – Day 49
TODAY AT THE CAPITOL
The Senate Education Committee will meet at 10:00 a.m. The Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs Committee and House State Agencies Committee will meet after adjournment. The House and Senate will convene at 1:30 p.m. To view committee schedules, agendas, and live streams—including live coverage of the House and Senate—visit www.arkleg.state.ar.us.
**CALL TO ACTION – SB 307**
SB 307 – Sen. Jonathan Dismang and Rep. Les Eaves
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 voiced strong support for the bill. Randy Zook, our president and CEO, 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.
The State Chamber/AIA Executive Committee has voted to support SB 307. The bill is also supported by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and a bipartisan group of legislators.
**Ask your legislators to support SB 307**
**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 we oppose these bills.
**Please contact your legislators and ask them to Vote NO on SB 284-288.**
TODAY AT THE CAPITOL (CONTINUED)
SB 258 – Sen. Clint Penzo and Rep. Stephen Meeks
This bill seeks to create the Arkansas Digital Responsibility, Safety and Trust Act. This bill is set to be heard as a Special Order of Business this afternoon in the Senate Transportation and Technology Committee. This bill needs significant amendments.
HCR 1006 – House Speaker Brian Evans and Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester
This resolution seeks to extend the session beyond its 60 day maximum and calls for adjournment no later than April 16, with sine die adjournment no later than May 5. This Concurrent Resolution is on this afternoon’s Senate Calendar.
SB 208 – 212 – Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Kendon Underwood
The following bills from the Secretary of State’s office seek to improve the ballot initiative process:
- SB 208 – Requires canvassers to request photo identification before obtaining a petition signature. This bill is on today’s Senate Calendar.
- SB 209 –Disqualifies signatures obtained by a canvasser under specific circumstances. This bill is on today’s agenda in the House State Agencies Committee.
- SB 210 –Requires petition signers to read the ballot title in the presence of a canvasser. This bill is on today’s agenda in the House State Agencies Committee.
- SB 211 –Mandates that canvassers submit an affidavit before collected petition signatures can be counted. This bill awaits consideration on the House floor.
- SB 212 –Establishes the Document Validity Division. This bill awaits consideration in the Senate State Agencies Committee.
HB 1574 – Rep. DeAnn Vaught and Sen. Kim Hammer
This bill amends the law concerning canvassers by requiring Arkansas domicile. It is on today’s agenda in the House State Agencies Committee.
SB 188 – Sen. Clarke Tucker
This bill seeks to amend Arkansas law concerning initiative petitions and referendum petitions and requires public posting of statewide initiative petitions and referendum petitions. This bill is on today’s Senate Calendar.
HB 1413 – Rep. Matthew Shepherd and Sen. Matt Stone
This bill from the state Department of Energy & Environment seeks to amend laws concerning brine production and the formation of brine production units. This bill is on today’s Senate Calendar. We support this bill.
HB 1442 – Rep. Brandon Achor and Sen. Dave Wallace
This bill seeks to set restrictions on pharmacy contracting and conflicts of interest and to establish pharmaceutical patient freedom of choice. This bill is on today’s House Calendar. We have concerns about this bill.
HB 1576 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum and Sen. Joshua Bryant
This bill prohibits the placement of solid waste landfills or transfer stations over Karst topography. This bill is on today’s agenda in the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
PENDING BILLS
HJR 1004 – Rep. Jack Ladyman
This resolution calls for a convention of the states to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to set Congressional term limits. This resolution was defeated in the House State Agencies Committee on February 19. However, an amendment has been adopted, adding 33 House co-sponsors and three Senate sponsors.
HB 1500 – Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Ben Gilmore
This bill enhances economic competitiveness by repealing the throwback rule. This bill is part of the State Chamber/AIA tax package. We support this bill.
HB 1501 – Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Ben Gilmore
This bill adopts federal income tax law regarding depreciation and expensing of property. It increases the allowable amount for expensing certain depreciable business assets to align with federal law. This bill is part of the State Chamber/AIA tax package. We support this bill.
HB 1538 – Rep. David Ray
This bill seeks to extend the state’s existing net operating loss carry forward law from 10 years to 20 years. This bill is part of the State Chamber/AIA tax package. We support this bill.
HB 1500, 1501 and 1538, await consideration in the House Revenue & Taxation Committee.
HB 1446 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum and Sen. Jane English
This bill seeks to amend the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program by adding the ability for scholarship funds to go towards a public or private vocational – technical school or institute in Arkansas. The bill is focused on associate degrees or certificate programs that result in a portable license or certificate in high demand fields including manufacturing, health care trades, information technology, construction trades and logistics and distribution. This bill awaits consideration in the House Education Committee. We support this bill.
HJR 1014 – Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Jonathan Dismang
This constitutional amendment concerns economic development in the state of Arkansas. It authorizes the General Assembly to provide for the creation of economic development districts to promote economic development. This joint resolution awaits consideration in the House State Agencies Committee. We support this bill.
HB 1435 – Rep. Brandon Achor and Sen. Jane English
To amend the law regarding income tax credits for childcare by modifying the employer-provided childcare 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.
HB 1469 – Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Blake Johnson
This bill creates the Broadband Expansion and Efficiency Act and a sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment used in producing broadband communications services. This bill awaits consideration in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. We support this bill.
HB 1560 – Rep. Richard McGrew and Sen. Ronald Caldwell
This bill amends public works contracts law; requires pricing information for lighting components in public works projects. It awaits consideration in the House State Agencies Committee. We oppose this bill.
HB 1150 – Rep. Jeremiah Moore and Sen. Kim Hammer
This bill prohibits healthcare payors and pharmacy benefits managers from obtaining specific pharmacy permits. It awaits consideration in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. We oppose this bill.
HB 1521 – Rep. Frances Cavenaugh and Sen. Jim Petty
This bill from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission seeks to repeal certain unused, underused, no longer needed or unfunded tax incentives. This bill awaits clarification/modification to the bill before consideration in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. We support this bill with adjustments to a couple of sections.
HB 1582 – Rep. Mindy McAlindon and Sen. Jane English
This bill requires individuals to meet specific conditions to be eligible for benefits under the Division of Workforce Services law. This bill awaits consideration in the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
BILL TRACKING
The House has filed a total of 635 bills, and the Senate has filed 351. In total, 1,148 bills and resolutions have been filed.