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Daily Legislative Update: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Date
Category Daily Legislative Update
Photo by Will Newton/Arkansas House of Representatives

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 – Day 79

LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE
The House and Senate will convene at 1:30 this afternoon.

Committees are now following irregular meeting schedules. For the latest updates, visit www.arkleg.state.ar.us, where you can find committee schedules, agendas, and live streams.

 

CALL TO ACTION

Ask state senators to OPPOSE SB 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, and 418.

These bills affect all employers, not just businesses. Colleges, K-12 schools, state, county, city governments and non-profits will also be faced with increased costs.

SB 285 was passed over on the Senate floor yesterday and remains on today’s Senate calendar. SB 284 and SB 288 are also on today’s Senate calendar.

SB 284 and SB 288 would change the ability to switch physicians and specialists from a one-time option to an annual allowance. Following a March 19 amendment, SB 285 would raise the maximum weekly benefit from $903 to $1,923, making it the fifth highest in the nation.

SB 286 – Expands wage loss disability benefits in ways that would make the system less predictable. Currently, those benefits are largely determined on objective measures that derive the percentage of impairment, as assigned by a physician, and applied to the rate schedule. This bill would allow the Workers’ Compensation Commission to be able to increase those benefits, over and above the schedule, based on subjective criteria that includes age, education, work experience, and “other matters.” According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), this bill will result in an “indeterminate increase in cost to the system.” It is on today’s Senate calendar and listed on both today’s and tomorrow’s agenda for the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee.

SB 287 – Increases attorney fee caps for medical benefit appeals, which are currently capped at $500 for appeals to the commission and $1,000 for appeals to the Court of Appeals. It also allows attorneys to claim 12.5% of all medical bills, even if they had no involvement. This could drive excessive litigation, raise costs, and reduce system efficiency. It is on the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee agenda.

**Please contact your state senators and ask them to Vote NO on these bills.**
To leave a message dial 501-682-2902.

Click HERE to view a ONE-PAGE SUMMARY of these bills.

 

AT THE CAPITOL: A SYNOPSIS OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Bills on Floor Calendars Today

HB 1797 – Seeks to amend the law concerning the Arkansas Development Finance Authority. House calendar. We support this bill, which was brought by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

HB 1706 – Prohibits ranked choice voting.  Received a “Do Pass” recommendation yesterday from the House State Agencies Committee and is on today’s House calendar. We support this bill.

 

Bills on Committee Agendas Today

HB 1750 – Repeals the franchise tax. House Revenue and Taxation Committee. This bill is part of our tax package. We support this bill.

SB 390 – Creates an apprenticeship program. House Education Committee. We support this bill.

SB 322 – Allows third parties to review plans and perform site inspections. House City, County and Local Committee. We support this bill.

SB 456 and HB 1754 – Seek to limit/eliminate local zoning authorities. We oppose these bills.

  • SB 456 – Pending on Senate floor
  • HB 1754 – House Judiciary Committee

HB 1469 – Establishes the Broadband Expansion and Efficiency Act. House Revenue and Taxation Committee. We support this bill.

HB 1807 – Amends the sales tax exemption for aircraft held for resale and used for rental or charter and clarifies eligibility for the exemption. House Revenue and Taxation Committee. We support this bill.

HB 1656 – Seeks to make changes to existing royalty contracts. It failed to receive a second in the Senate Agriculture and Economic Development Committee before spring break. It is back on the committee’s agenda. We oppose this bill.

HB 1888 – Provides individuals access to employment records at the Division of Workforce Services. House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. We have concerns about this bill.

HB 1442 – Seeks to place additional restrictions on pharmacy contracting, potentially increasing costs for businesses and consumers. Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. We oppose this bill.

 

Tomorrow at the Capitol

HB 1150 – Restricts healthcare payors and pharmacy benefits managers from obtaining specific pharmacy permits, which could limit market competition. House Insurance and Commerce Committee. We oppose this bill.

SB 361 – Creates the Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act. House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee. We support this bill.

SB 258 – Known as the Arkansas Digital Responsibility, Safety, and Trust Act, this bill seeks to address technology privacy and artificial intelligence (AI). Senate Transportation, Technology, and Legislative Affairs Committee. We oppose this bill.

SB 560 – Seeks to decrease the unemployment insurance base contribution rate, increase the administrative assessment rate to increase funding for the state’s skilled workforce, and amend the Department of Workforce Services Training Trust Fund. Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. We support this bill.

Two senate joint resolutions have been placed on tomorrow’s agenda in the Senate State Agencies Committee. These proposals seek to be referred to the 2026 ballot.

  • SJR 2 – This proposed constitutional amendment would change the current method of apportioning political districts.
  • SJR 15 – This proposal would create economic development districts. We support this resolution.

SB 5 – Establishes a criminal offense for prescription drug harm or homicide. Senate Judiciary Committee. We oppose this bill.

SB 6 – Introduces a criminal offense for vaccine harm. Senate Judiciary Committee. We oppose this bill.

SB 7 – Seeks to grant legislators the ability to request sales and use tax reports. It failed in committee before spring break but is back on the committee agenda. We have concerns about confidentiality and business privacy. Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. We oppose this bill.

 

Yesterday at the Capitol

The House State Agencies Committee voted yesterday on its top five joint resolutions for a proposed constitutional amendment referral to the 2026 General Election ballot. The committee will hear presentations on these resolutions tomorrow. The top five selections, in order, were:

  1. HJR 1018 – ( David Ray and Sen. John Payton) The Citizens Only Voting Amendment.
  2. HJR 1014 – ( Jonathan Dismang and Rep. Howard Beaty) A constitutional amendment concerning economic development in the state of Arkansas and authorizing the General Assembly to provide for the creation of economic development districts to promote economic development We support this bill, which was brought by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
  3. HJR 1017 – ( David Ray and Sen. John Payton) A constitutional amendment providing that a proposed statewide initiated act or constitutional amendment shall become law when approved by a majority of the votes cast in the election and a majority of the counties of the state.
  4. HJR 1016 – ( David Ray) A constitutional amendment to repeal the provision of Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, § 1, allowing the sponsor of an initiative or referendum petition to correct or amend a petition.
  5. HJR 1009 – ( Karilyn Brown and Sen. Ben Gilmore) An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to be known as the Arkansas Victims’ Bill of Rights; and to provide rights for victims of misdemeanor and felony offenses, including victims in the adult and juvenile justice systems.

SB 403 – Seeks to create a complete count committee for the 2030 census. Passed the House 96-1. We support this bill.

HB 1444 – Seeks to amend the sales and use tax exemption for data centers. Passed the Senate 24-4. We support this bill.

HB 1571 – Amends the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program Act. Passed the House yesterday 90-1 and has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. We support this bill.

 

Pending Bills We Support

Our tax package includes these four bills because the Tax Foundation has identified these measures as critical to improving Arkansas’ tax competitiveness ranking. All but HB 1750 have been presented, but no votes have been taken on bills with revenue impacts.

  • HB 1500 – Repeals the throwback rule
  • HB 1501 – Aligns Arkansas’ income tax law with federal standards for expensing depreciable business assets
  • HB 1538 – Extends the net operating loss carryforward period
  • HB 1750 – Repeals the franchise tax

Other tax-related bills we support that are pending in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee:

  • HB 1435 – Provides income tax credits for childcare
  • SB 465 – Provides for a sales and use tax refund for speculative development projects and requires concurrent financial incentive agreements under the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003.

Other bills we support that are pending on committee or floor agendas:

  • HB 1446 – Expands the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program. It is pending in the House Education Committee.
  • HB 1731 – Strengthens child labor laws by reinstating employment certificate requirements.

To view the status of each of the bill we support, click HERE.

 

Pending bills we oppose:

To view the status of each of the bills we oppose, click HERE.

 

Bills of Interest

HB 1800 – Rep. Mindy McAlindon and Sen. Matt McKee
Amends campaign finance disclosure laws, requiring agents of a foreign principal to disclose their activities. The sponsor had the bill returned to the House State Agencies Committees to adopt an amendment.

HB 1852 – Rep. Jeremiah Moore and Sen. Matt Stone
Establishes a right to repair for certain agricultural equipment. Awaits consideration in the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee.

SB 527 – Sen. Missy Irvin and Rep. Lee Johnson
Seeks to amend the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me Act of 2021 and increase the medical-loss ratio of the ARHOME program. Awaits consideration in the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.

SB 528 – Sen. Ben Gilmore and Rep. Howard Beaty
Defines the powers of the Office of Skills Development and the Career Education and Workforce Development Board regarding secondary technical centers. Awaits consideration in the Senate Education Committee.

SB 529 – Sen. Blake Johnson and Rep. Frances Cavenaugh
Amends the Independent Tax Appeals Commission Act. Awaits consideration in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.

SB 568 – Sen. Steve Crowell and Rep. Lane Jean
Amends the law concerning the taxes applicable to lithium extraction and development; provides a sales and use tax exemption for lithium resource development; and amends the law concerning the severance tax on lithium.

 

NEWLY TRACKED BILLS
We added 33 bills to our tracking list based on those filed yesterday.

HB 1894 – Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Ben Gilmore
To establish a method of valuation for real property used for affordable housing and for certain real property under Arkansas Constitution, Article 16, § 5. 

HB 1895 – Rep. Carol Dalby and Sen. Clarke Tucker
To allow a corporation or voluntary association to employ in-house attorneys to represent affiliates of the corporation or voluntary association.

HB 1897 – Rep. Stetson Painter and Sen. Kim Hammer
To create the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Reform and Efficiency Act of 2025; to amend the law concerning the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board; and to declare an emergency.

HB 1898 – Rep. Stetson Painter and Sen. Steve Crowell
To create the Regulatory Division and Regulatory Enforcement Division in the Department of Finance and Administration; and to allow personnel of the Regulatory Enforcement Division to be designated as agents.

HB 1900 – Rep. Rick Beck and Sen. Breanne Davis
To amend the law regarding information provided to royalty owners related to deductions; and to amend the law concerning sanctions for noncompliance related to information provided to royalty owners.

HB 1904 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum and Sen. Jim Petty
To amend the penalties imposed for failure to comply with the Arkansas Tax Procedure Act.

HB 1905 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum and Sen. Joshua Bryant
To create the Buyer Beware Act; and to require a real estate licensee representing a seller to direct the seller to the office of the county assessor for the current assessed value of a residential real estate property.

HB 1907 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum
To amend the income tax deduction for depreciation and the expensing of property; and to adopt federal income tax law concerning the deduction for depreciation and the expensing of property.

HB 1910 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum
To allow a deduction for certain qualified business expenses under the Income Tax Act of 1929. 

HB 1911 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum and Sen. Joshua Bryant
To amend the law concerning the assessment of property for the purpose of property tax; and to repeal the requirement that personal property subject to taxation be listed or reported by the property owner. 

HB 1912 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum and Sen. Joshua Bryant
To amend the definition of “assessed value” for purposes of the assessment of property; and to establish a method or procedure for the valuation of property for taxation purposes under Arkansas Constitution, Article 16, § 5.

HB 1918 – Rep. Mindy McAlindon and Sen. Jim Dotson
To amend the law concerning specie or legal tender; to authorize the use of a bullion depository; and to allow for a precious metals-backed electronic system.

HB 1922 – Rep. John Maddox and Sen. Jonathan Dismang
To amend the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003; to create an income tax credit for relocating corporate headquarters to this state; and to encourage corporations to relocate to Arkansas. 

HB 1924 – Rep. Chad Puryear
To repeal the requirement that the State Board of Education establish rules regarding the implementation of four-day school weeks.

HB 1928 – Rep. Matt Brown and Sen. Steve Crowell
To amend the Arkansas Soil Nutrient Application and Poultry Litter Utilization Act.

HB 1930 – Rep. Jeff Wardlaw and Sen. Justin Boyd
To mandate minimum reimbursement levels for healthcare services. 

HB 1931 – Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Ben Gilmore
To create the Recidivism Reduction System within the Department of Corrections; and to declare an emergency. 

HB 1932 – Rep. Austin McCollum and Sen. Justin Boyd
To amend laws concerning the corporate franchise tax; to repeal the Arkansas Corporate Franchise Tax Act of 1979; and to require an annual report for corporations. 

HB 1940 – Rep. Steven Walker
To establish the requirements for a public school district that initiates and maintains a four-day school week; and to declare an emergency.

HB 1942 – Rep. Lee Johnson and Sen. Breanne Davis
To require certain reimbursement rates for home- and community-based services within risk-based provider organizations.

HB 1945 – Rep. Austin McCollum
To amend the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act; to amend the Public School Choice Act of 2015; and to allow a student to transfer to another public school within his or her resident district.

SB 577 – Sen. Jim Petty and Rep. Brad Hall
To amend the law concerning local sales and use taxes; and to require the Department of Finance and Administration to notify local governments concerning sales and use taxes that are set to expire.

SB 579 – Sen. Matt McKee and Rep. Matt Brown
To amend the law concerning public officers and employees and to prohibit a public employer from deducting labor organization membership dues from the compensation of a public employee. Senate State Agencies Committee.

SB 581 – Sen. Bryan King
To create the Poultry Integrators Deceptive Trade Practices and Taxpayer Protection Act. Senate Judiciary Committee. 

SB 582 – Sen. Bryan King
To establish the State Action Poultry Flock Depopulation Grant Program. Senate Agriculture and Economic Development Committee.

SB 583 – Sen. Clarke Tucker
To amend the law concerning maximum allowable cost lists relating to pharmacy services.

SB 585 – Sen. Greg Leding
To require certain records be provided to an employee who is a minor.

SB 586 – Sen. Jim Dotson and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway
To create the “Protect Our Constitution Act”; and to amend a portion of the Arkansas Constitution as authorized by Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, § 1. Senate State Agencies Committee.

SB 589 – Sen. Clint Penzo
Seeks to create the 340B Program Transparency Act and amend the law concerning transparency and accountability for certain 340B covered entities. Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.

SB 590 – Sen. Ben Gilmore and Rep. Howard Beaty
To create the Recidivism Reduction System within the Department of Corrections; and to declare an emergency.

SB 592 – Sen. Dave Wallace and Rep. Johnny Rye
To require a financial institution to renew certain certificates of deposit at the highest interest rate closest to the term of the previous certificate of deposit and for the same term.

SB 593 – Rep. Justin Boyd and Rep. Brandon Achor
To amend the Arkansas Pharmacy Benefits Manager Licensure Act; and to create the Pharmacy Services Administrative Organization Act. Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.

SB 594 – Sen. Matt McKee and Rep. Jon Milligan
To amend the law concerning exemptions for certificates of public convenience and necessity for new construction to supply a public service or to extend a public service.

SB 596 – Sen. Matt McKee and Rep. Mindy McAlindon
To amend the law regarding energy; to establish a state energy policy; to regulate retirement of dispatchable electric generation facilities; and to declare an emergency.