Politics

As we wind down the 8th week of the 2021 Regular Session, more than 270 bills have been signed into law. Next week, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee will begin hearing proposals for constitutional amendments. According to Joint Rules, the House and Senate can each recommend one amendment, but it must be approved by a majority in both chambers. A 2/3 vote is required by both chambers to introduce a third proposed constitutional amendment. This week, the House passed more than 50 bills, including the following:

HB1061-This bill creates the No Patient Left Alone Act. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

Little Rock, AR: In the 7th week of the 2021 Regular Session, the House passed bills addressing taxes, medical care, scholarships, the duty to retreat, and more. The following tax measures were advanced by the House:

·      HB1023-This bill excludes certain school fundraisers from the sales tax laws regulation special events. ·      HB1374-This bill amends the law concerning which sales by charitable organizations are exempt from sales and use tax. It allows an organization to exempt sales from up to 10 events. The previous limit was 3. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

From the workers clearing our roads to the utility employees doing their best to keep houses warm, we want to extend our deepest appreciation to our essential workers this week. The General Assembly took an extended recess due to the winter weather across our state. However, House members plan to be back at the Capitol on February 22. In the upcoming days, the House is expected to vote on two tax relief bills which were advanced by the House Revenue and Taxation Committee on February 9. SB236 would exempt unemployment benefits paid in 2020 and 2021 from state income tax. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

There are 25 proposed constitutional amendments filed in the House and 18 in the Senate. The deadline to file proposed amendments was February 10. Proposals range from creating a citizens commission on minimum wage to tort reform. The House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee will hear testimony and vote on proposals later this session. We will update you as those hearings approach. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

The 93rd General Assembly now prepares to enter the 5th week of the 2021 Regular Session. The House passed a resolution to extend this session, if necessary, to May 3. The resolution provides for a recess on April 9. The deadline for members to file proposed Constitutional Amendments is February 10. The General Assembly can put forth up to 3 amendments to the voters for the 2022 General Election. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

In the second week of the 2021 Regular Session, the House voted on bills addressing everything from car tags to jury duty pay. 

The bills now advancing to the Senate include:

HB1028-This bill changes the length of time a consumer has to tag their vehicle. Current law gives car buyers 30 days to pay the sales tax and register a vehicle after purchase. HB 1028 would extend it to 60 days. HB1059-This bill allows participants in a specialty court program, such as drug court, to transfer to a similar program if they move to another court district. This bill also includes guidelines for courts to establish a veterans treatment specialty court program and a DWI specialty court program. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

House members are now ready to begin the second week of the 2021 Regular Session. Nearly 200 bills have been filed so far in the House and more than 135 have been filed in the Senate. House members elected to serve in the 93rd General Assembly took the oath of office in the House Chamber on Monday. Upon swearing-in, members then voted to name Rep. Matthew J. Shepherd of El Dorado as the Speaker of the Arkansas House. This will be his second full term to serve as Speaker. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics

Public participation is an essential part of our democracy. In preparation for the upcoming session, House and Senate leadership have agreed to a few rules so Arkansans can participate in an environment that is as safe and healthy as possible. With limited exceptions, a mask or other cloth face covering will be required to enter committee rooms and public comment holding rooms. All individuals will be submitted to a temperature check and onsite health screening at the entrance to either the State Capitol Building or the adjacent MAC Building. We have provided nearby space for committee rooms for members of the public to watch the live stream while they wait for their turn to testify for or against a bill. These rooms will provide ample space for social distancing. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arkansas, Politics