Bill Tracker

Welcome to Opportunity Arkansas's bill tracker, where we closely monitor key pieces of legislation.

This tracker will be updated on a regular basis throughout legislative session to reflect new bills being filed and changes to the status of existing bills.

All bills are scored on a letter grading system by Opportunity Arkansas staff according to the following criteria:

A = Entirely moves Arkansas in the right direction
B = Mostly moves Arkansas in the right direction, but could use some slight improvements
C = A mixed bag, with some good and some not-so-good provisions
D = Mostly moves Arkansas in the wrong direction
F = Entirely moves Arkansas in the wrong direction
N/A = Not applicable (e.g. in the case of shell bills that have not been fully drafted yet)

We are generally tracking and scoring bills that fall within our six major policy areas, as outlined on our Roadmap to Opportunity 2023.

If we are missing bills of importance that you think we should weigh in on, please drop us a note on our Contact page.

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2023)

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB478

4/13/2023

Sen. Dismang & Rep. Eaves

Signed into Law

Expands waterways grants and tax incentives

This would repeal the existing River Navigation Fund, but would create corporate giveaway incentives through additional grant funding and a net waterways income tax credit, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB575

4/13/2023

Sen. M. Johnson

Signed into Law

Creates a mobile app to improve transparency around the parole processing

This would create a mobile app to provide important information about inmates being considered for parole.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB473

4/12/2023

Sen. Bryant & Rep. Hodges

Signed into Law

Restricts unions from deducting dues from paychecks

This would prohibit unions from deducting dues from paychecks, and require union applications to contain notice of a public school employees' right to refrain from joining a union.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB96

4/11/2023

Sen. Wallace & Rep. Milligan

Signed into Law

Requires a victim to be notified of a sex offender's petition to terminate their obligation to register as a sex offender

This bill would bring transparency to victims of sex-related crimes in the event a sex offender seeks to have their status eliminated.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB306

4/11/2023

Sen. Dismang

Signed into Law

Significantly expands welfare by raising the food stamp asset limit

This would increase Arkansas's food stamp asset limit by more than 350% (from $2,750 to $12,500) and adjust it for inflation annually. As a result, the number of individuals trapped on welfare would increase dramatically.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB403

4/11/2023

Sen. B. Johnson & Rep. Vaught

Signed into Law

Consolidates and abolishes several agriculture-related boards and commissions

This would improve the efficiency of state government by consolidating and abolishing several unneeded state boards and commissions.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB470

4/11/2023

Sen. Dotson & Rep. Beck

Signed into Law

Expands the role of career and technical education in K-12 schools

This would require career and technical education (CTE) assessments are weighted in a similar manner as traditional assessments, as well as to require the State to review and publish approved CTE programs.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB458

4/11/2023

Sen. English

Signed into Law

Expands public school choice as it relates to military families

This broadens the definition of military families to uniform services families when considering public school choice, and eliminates an arbitrary dealine for public school choice applications for these families.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB495

4/11/2023

Sen. Gilmore & Rep. Gazaway

Signed into Law

Makes various changes to address crime in Arkansas

This would make several impactful changes to address crime in Arkansas through a variety of effective mechanisms.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB477

4/11/2023

Sen. Dismang & Rep. Vaught

Signed into Law

Qualifies students who currently receive reduced-price meals for free meals at school

This would expand eligibility of free school meals to children of households with incomes well above the federal poverty level at a potential cost to state taxpayers.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB549

4/10/2023

Sen. Dismang & Rep. Eaves

Signed into Law

Decreases Arkansas individual and corporate income tax rates by $124 million

This would decrease individual and corporate income tax rates by approximately $124 million, reducing the top marginal individual income tax rate from 4.9% to 4.7% and the top marginal corporate income tax rate from 5.3% to 5.1%.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1663

4/7/2023

Rep. Gazaway

On Governor's Desk

Creates a new crime of knowingly exposing another person to fentanyl

This would help crack down on fentanyl distribution and related crimes by creating the offense of knowingly exposing a person to fentanyl, with serious penalties for violators.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1654

4/7/2023

Rep. Pilkington & Sen. Dismang

On Governor's Desk

Creates a new sales tax exemption for data centers

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1681

4/7/2023

Rep. Andrews

On Governor's Desk

Prohibits state and local entities from enacting a guarenteed income program

This would prevent welfare dependency by prohibiting government entities in Arkansas from implementing a guaranteed income program.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1719

4/7/2023

Rep. Lundstrum & Sen. Crowell

On Governor's Desk

Creates a new sales tax exemption for products and services related to electronic prescribing

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1766

4/7/2023

Rep. L. Johnson & Sen. Hammer

On Governor's Desk

Consolidates boards relating to fire prevention

This would consolidate the duties of the State Fire Prevention Commission into the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board, helping improve efficiencies in state government.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1742

4/7/2023

Rep. McCollum & Sen. Boyd

On Governor's Desk

Transfers the TEA program from DWS to DHS

This would transfer Arkansas's Temporary Employment Assistance program from the Division of Workforce Services to the Department of Human Services, better aligning the needs of individuals on the program with social services.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1840

4/7/2023

Rep. Andrews

On Governor's Desk

Prohibits an individual who commits unemployment fraud from collecting unemployment benefits for ten years

This would prohibit an individual who commits $1,000 or more in unemployment fraud from receiving unemployment benefits for a period of 10 years

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB579

4/7/2023

Sen. Leding

In Senate Judiciary Committee

Raises the age of adulthood from 18 to 21 for a series of criminal offenses

This would raise the age of adulthood for sentancing purposes from 18 to 21 for a series of criminal offenses, granting more leniency for even serious crimes if they were committed by someone between the ages of 18 and 20

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1011

4/6/2023

Rep. Pilkington

On Governor's Desk

Requires Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for depression screening of pregnant women.

This bill would expand Medicaid benefits and increase costs. Medicaid is a broken welfare program that already traps nearly 1 in 3 Arkansas residents.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1012

4/6/2023

Rep. Ray

Withdrawn

Expands state income tax deduction

This bill would offer income tax relief to Arkansans, some of the most heavily taxed workers in the country.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1016

4/6/2023

Rep. Ray & Sen. Dismang

Withdrawn

Removes cap on standard deduction increases due to inflation & ties increases to a better inflation measure

This bill would offer income tax relief to Arkansans and protect inflation from eroding future relief.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1097

4/6/2023

Rep. Ray

Withdrawn

Cuts top marginal income rate

This bill would provide significant and lasting income tax relief for untold numbers of Arkansans, some of the highest taxed workers in the country.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1046

4/6/2023

Rep. Ray

Withdrawn

Eliminates the gross receipts tax for wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1172

4/6/2023

Rep. Vaught & Sen. Dees

On Governor's Desk

Eliminates sales and use taxes for mortality composting devices sold to a commercial livestock or poultry producer.

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB283/HB1456

4/6/2023

Sen. Gilmore & Rep. Gazaway

On Governor's Desk

Creates more severe penalties for serious drug-related crimes, including fentanyl trafficking

This would help address drug-related crime by establishing more severe penalties for serious drug-related crimes, including fentanyl trafficking.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1575

4/6/2023

Rep. Burkes & Sen. Penzo

On Governor's Desk

Increases work search requirements for individuals receiving unemployment compensation

This would strengthen Arkansas's workforce by requiring all individuals receiving unemployment compensation to make at least five job search contacts per week—and to increase audits of these contacts—in order to help fill the nearly 100,000 open jobs in Arkansas.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1655

4/6/2023

Rep. Pilkington & Sen. Penzo

Failed

Encourages the State to award a minimum amount of procurement contracts to Arkansas businesses created within the last five years

This would help support newly-created Arkansas businesses by directing at least 5% of state contracts to Arkansas businesses created within the last five years.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1682

4/6/2023

Rep. Andrews

Withdrawn

Disqualifies an individual for and enhances penalties for unemployment fraud

This would deter and penalize unemployment fraud in Arkansas through stronger penalties and disqualification periods.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1207

4/5/2023

Rep. Underwood & Sen. Gilmore

On Governor's Desk

Speeds up the processing of local permits for economic development

This would improve the speed of local economic growth and ensure local bureaucracy does not slow down private enterprise unnecessarily.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1594

4/5/2023

Rep. Duffield & Sen. Flippo

On Governor's Desk

Creates a sales tax exemption for the Disabled Veterans of Americans

While well intentioned, this would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1657

4/5/2023

Rep. Pilkington & Sen. Penzo

Senate Floor

Encourages the State to award a minimum amount of workforce development funds to Arkansas businesses created within the last five years

This would help support newly-created Arkansas businesses by directing at least 5% of workforce development funds to Arkansas businesses created within the last five years.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1659

4/5/2023

Rep. Pilkington & Sen. Penzo

Senate Floor

Encourages the State to award a minimum amount of economic development funds to Arkansas businesses created within the last five years

This would help support newly-created Arkansas businesses by directing at least 5% of economic development funds to Arkansas businesses created within the last five years.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1592

4/5/2023

Rep. C. Fite & Sen. Dismang

On Governor's Desk

Expands the tax credits for the Digital Product and Motion Picture Industry Development Act

This would effectively constitute an increase in a corporate giveaway tax incentive that will ultimately been be borne by all Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB496

4/5/2023

Sen. Hammer & Rep. L. Johnson

House Floor

Consolidates boards relating to fire prevention

This would consolidate the duties of the State Fire Prevention Commission into the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board, helping improve efficiencies in state government.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1818

4/5/2023

Rep. Beaty Jr

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Increases the qualifying threshold of pre-payment of sales taxes for retailers from $200,000 in sales to $500,000 in sales

This would expand the threshold that triggers the requirement for retailers to pre-pay sales taxes from $200,000 to $500,000, providing modest relief to small retial businesses.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1452

4/4/2023

Rep. Gonzales

On Governor's Desk

Requires hospitals to comply with federal price transparency requirements

This would require Arkansas hospitals to comply with federal price transparency requirements and fine them for non-compliance. Hospitals recieve significant amounts of Arkansas taxpayer funding, and greater clarity on their pricing would improve health care affordability and options for members of the Arkansas workforce.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1523

4/4/2023

Rep. K. Moore & Sen. Dismang

Signed into Law

Expands an existing sales tax exemption to cover more youth organizations in Arkansas

This would expand another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1762

4/4/2023

Rep. McAlindon & Sen. Dotson

Withdrawn

Creates a process for notifying certain entities when a child abuse claim is made against a person who provides for the care of children

This would improve notification procedures for instances in which a claim of abuse is made against an individual who provides for the care of children as part of their employment.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB577

4/4/2023

Sen. Bryant

In Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee

Requires union applications to contain a notice of a public employees' right to refrain from joining a union

This would require union membership applications to advise public employees of their right to refrain from joining a labor union

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1346

4/3/2023

Rep. Tosh & Sen. Wallace

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Eliminates sales tax for food pantries

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1492

4/3/2023

Rep. Lundstrum & Sen. English

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Amends and increases the income tax credit for youth apprenticeship programs

While the changes of this legislation are somewhat marginal, it would still be a positive step toward promoting apprenticeships and workforce development.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1516

4/3/2023

Rep. Lundstrum & Sen. English

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Allows public schools to partner with subject matter experts and create an income tax credit for businesses that loan subject matter experts to public schools

This would improve real-world, hands-on educational opportunities for Arkansas students by encouraging subject matter experts in the business community to assist in teaching.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB90

3/30/2023

Sen. Hill & Rep. Underwood

On Governor's Desk

Creates an automatic and expedited occupational licensing process

This would improve the licensure process for individuals moving to Arkansas and allow them to obtain an occupational license more expeditiously. UPDATE: This score was updated from a "B" to an "A" to reflect additional changes made via a Senate amendment that substantially improved the automatic approval components of the legislation.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1443

3/30/2023

Rep. C. Fite & Sen. Irvin

Signed into Law

Clarifies that victims of misdemeanor crimes have certain rights

This would improve the rights of certain crime victims in Arkansas by clarifying that victims of misdemeanor offenses have certain victim-related rights by virtue of being a victim of a crime.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1804

3/30/2023

Rep. Bentley and Sen. Penzo

In House Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee

Sets a universal certification period of 6 months for food stamps for able-bodied adults

This will actually increase the certification period for all able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDS) from 4 months to 6 months, allowing them to stay on welfare longer before recertification. Other able-bodied adults have even shorter certification periods that also may be raised.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1787

3/29/2023

Rep. Pilkington

In House Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee

Authorizes Medicaid presumptive eligibility determinations for pregnant women

This would authorize Arkansas's Medicaid program to make presumptive eligibillity determinations—a dangerous and fraud-filled method of enrolling individuals on Medicaid without verification of certain eligibility standards—for pregnant women.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB541

3/29/2023

Sen. Wallace

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Creates a sales tax exemption for certain items and services sold to a cemetary

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB540

3/29/2023

Sen. Wallace

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Creates a sales tax exemption for certain items related to human burial

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB530

3/29/2023

Sen. Leding

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Creates a sales tax exemption for certain sales to a cultivation facility

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SJR8/HJR1005

3/28/2023

Sen. Dotson & Rep. Long

In House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee

Taxpayers bill of rights and spending cap; shell bill; unclear at this time

N/A

Unclear at this time

NEW

MOVEMENT

SJR10

3/28/2023

Sen. Wallace & Rep. Wardlaw

In Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee

Creates a victims' bill of rights

This would provide several rights for victims of crimes in Arkansas, including to be heard in public proceedings, to be given reasonable protection from the accused, to be provided reasonable notice of release of the accused, and more.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1740

3/28/2023

Rep. Warren & Sen. McKee

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Creates a sales tax exemption for sales to the Young Men's Christian Association

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1239

3/27/2023

Rep. Underwood & Sen. Dotson

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Repeals the franchise tax

This would repeal an unnecessary tax that currently punishes Arkansas businesses on an annual basis for simply existing in the state of Arkansas.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1702

3/27/2023

Rep. Unger & Sen. Bryant

In House Education Committee

Creates recall elections for school board directors

This would create recall elections for school board directors, introducing more accountability into Arkansas's education system.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB313

3/24/2023

Sen. Petty & Rep. John Carr

Signed into Law

Allows a military retiree or survivor to receive the full income tax exemption for retirement benefits

While this would provide marginal tax relief to a smaller portion of the population, it is a step in the right direction towards greater income tax relief for Arkansans—specifically those who have served our country.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB468

3/23/2023

Sen. Penzo

In Senate Insurance and Commerce

Requires personal care providers to submit certain documentation for Medicaid services

This would moderately help prevent Medicaid improper payments by requiring personal care providers to submit certain information and documentation.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1032

3/21/2023

Rep. L. Fite

Signed into Law

Increases the homestead property tax credit across the board by $50

This bill would offer property tax relief to Arkansans.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1510

3/17/2023

Rep. Ray & Sen. Payton

Signed into Law

Restricts the instances in which special elections may be held and requires local referedums to occur in November

This would align local referendums—such as on tax issues—with high turnout elections and prevent localities from attempting to pass bad public policy during times of low voter turnout.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1490

3/16/2023

Rep. Collins

Withdrawn

Creates a sales tax exemption for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB369

3/16/2023

Sen. Dotson

In House Education Committee

Makes various changes to career and technical education

This would make modest improvements to the state's coordination of career and technical education.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1669

3/16/2023

Rep. Pilkington & Sen. Penzo

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Waives certain fees and defer state income taxes for businesses created within the last five years

This would create important waivers of fees and a deferral of state income taxes to help new Arkansas businesses thrive in their first five years of existence.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1661

3/16/2023

Rep. Underwood

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Eliminates the sales tax on food and groceries

This would eliminate the unnecessary broad-based sales tax that Arkansans are forced to pay on food and groceries, helping the state join a majority of other states that already do not tax food and groceries.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1639

3/15/2023

Rep. McCollum & Sen. Penzo

In House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative, and Military Affairs Committee

Codifies and establishes a broad array of best interest guiding principles for foster care and other cases of child placement

This would create several key guiding principles for the purpose of determining foster care nad other child placement decisions, helping to align placement decisions with important goals like family integrity, health and safety of the child, timely permanency decisions, the availability of a relative caregiver, and the goal of the child to become a self-sufficient adult.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB232

3/14/2023

Sen. Clark

Signed into Law

Allows students to complete school at their old school if their family relocates

While the impact is likely somewhat constrained, it would provide additional choice for families that relocate to a different school district by giving them the option for their child to remain enrolled in his or her old school district, therefore expanding educational freedom.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB294

3/14/2023

Sen. Davis & Rep. Brooks

Signed into Law

Creates the Arkansas LEARNS Act

This would make several changes to Arkansas's educational system, including adopting the largest expansion of educational freedom in state history.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1204

3/13/2023

Rep. Wooten

In House Education Committee

Requires private schools to administer an annual assessment and admit every student who applies to attend with state funding

This places additional mandates and requirements on non-public schools that would be harmful to their goals.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1401

3/13/2023

Rep. Burkes & Sen. Penzo

Signed into Law

Reduces the maximum duration households with able-bodied adults can remain on cash welfare from 24 months to 12 months

This significantly reduces welfare dependency in Arkansas by encouraging folks to move from welfare to work more quickly via a reduction in the maximum time limit for cash welfare for households with able-bodied adults.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1587

3/9/2023

Rep. Wooten

In House Education Committee

Requires home schools receiving public funds to administer an annual exam

This unnecessarily increases requirements on home schools without a corresponding increase in school choice, and ignores the improvements made to the process in the recently-signed AR LEARNS legislation.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1585

3/9/2023

Rep. Maddox & Sen. Hill

In House Insurance and Commerce Committee

Requires food delivery companies to carry insurance on vehicles used for food delivery

This would impose onerous insurance requirements on food delivery companies that could overregulate and unnecessarily harm an emerging industry, with costs passed onto consumers.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1465

3/7/2023

Rep. Crawford

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Creates a sales tax exemption for disabled veterans

While well intentioned, this would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB304

3/7/2023

Sen. Stone & Rep. Gonzales

Withdrawn

Eases requirements for terminating problematic superintendents

This would increase accountability in Arkansas's education system by easing the requirements for terminating problematic superintendents.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1027

3/6/2023

Rep. Ray & Sen. M. Johnson

Signed into Law

Requires certain local taxes to be put before voters and have the vote aligned with major elections

This bill would give Arkansans a voice in local efforts to raise taxes on food and lodging and ensure these elections take place in higher-turnout environments.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1340

3/6/2023

Rep. Tosh & Sen. Wallace

Signed into Law

Disregards veterans disability benefits from counting against eligibility for food stamps

This legislation would constitute an expansion of welfare in Arkansas at a time when nearly one in ten Arkansans are on food stamps.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1430

3/6/2023

Rep. Lundstrum & Sen. Hammer

Signed into Law

Makes several changes to unemployment insurance

This would substantially improve the state's unemployment system, reduce dependency, and bolster the workforce by cutting the maximum duration of unemployment benefits from 16 weeks to 12 weeks, reforming unemployment taxes, and more.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB360

3/6/2023

Sen. Gillmore

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Provides a sales tax exemption for textbooks, library books, and other instructional materials purchased at a library

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1196

2/27/2023

Rep. Underwood & Sen. Gilmore

Signed into Law

Creates work requirements for able-bodied adults in public housing

This bill would help move individuals from welfare to work and end the cycle of dependency in taxpayer-funded housing.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB193

2/27/2023

Sen. Hill & Rep. Eubanks

Signed into Law

Streamlines occupational licensing for servicemembers

This would streamline the occupational licensing process for servicemembers by allowing national credentials to count towards occupational licensing requirements, extend felexibilities to military spouses, and remove an artbitrary one-year limit for veterans to apply service-related education.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1506

2/27/2023

Rep. Beaty Jr. & Sen Gilmore

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Creates a sales tax exemption for parts used for agricultural and timber equipment and machinary repairs

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1185

2/24/2023

Rep. Mayberry & Sen. Clark

Signed into Law

Waives a district cap on public school choice in certain situations

This bill would expand public school choice and improve educational freedom.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB 1029

2/22/2023

Rep. Meeks

In House Management Committee

Limits early release for sex offenders

This bill would help prevent crime by limiting the early release of sex offenders.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1026

2/21/2023

Rep. Ray & Sen. Payton

Signed into Law

Prohibits localities from implementing an income tax

This bill would preemptively protect Arkansans from locally-imposed income taxes.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1197

2/21/2023

Rep. Underwood & Sen. Gilmore

Signed into Law

Disqualifies unemployment recipients for a period of time if they fail accept a job offer or appear for a job interview

This bill would improve program integrity in the state's unemployment system by ensuring individuals are not taking advantage of the unemployment system. UPDATE: The score was updated from a "A" to a "C" because it removed the proposed requirement that a prospective requirement must report ghosting of an employer by an individual receiving unemployment insurance.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1478

2/21/2023

Rep. Eaves & Sen. B. Johnson

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Increases eligibility for the commercial jet aircraft sales tax exemption

This would exacerbate an existing costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1476

2/21/2023

Rep. Pilkington & Sen. Gilmore

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Creates a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to data centers

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1359

2/16/2023

Rep. Cavenaugh & Sen. Hammer

Reported Correctly Engrossed

Consolidates several boards and commissions

This would improve the efficiency of state government by consolidating and merging several state boards and commissions into a singular entity

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB206

2/16/2023

Sen. Penzo & Rep. Beaty Jr.

In Senate Education Committee

Makes several changes to school board elections

This would introduce greater accountability in school board elections by reducing the length of school board terms, requiring candidates to identify their party affiliation, aligning school board elections with general elections, and more.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1450

2/16/2023

Rep. Moore & Sen. Gilmore

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Removes the 10% penalty for businesses not paying estimated quarterly taxes

This would remove an onerous provision on small businesses in Arkansas that requires them to pre-pay estimated quarterly taxes before the revenue is actually collected, and fines them for non-compliance. By removing this penalty, Arkansas businesses could better align their collection of business revenue with payment of taxes.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1043

2/15/2023

Rep. Berry & Sen. Stubblefield

Withdrawn

Minimum sentences for fentanyl-related crimes.

This bill would combat drug-related crimes by stregthening minimum sentences for fentanyl-related offenses.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB278

2/15/2023

Sen. King & Rep. Miller

In Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee

Repeals Arkansas's Medicaid "private option"/ARHOMES

This would eliminate Arkansas's Medicaid private option, otherwise known as ARHOMES, which currently places all Medicaid expansion enrollees into expensive qualified health plans. Instead, expansion enrollees would be moved into the conventional fee for service Medicaid program, saving taxpayers tens of millions each year.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HJR1009

2/14/2023

Rep. Lundstrum & Sen. Stubblefield

In House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee

Provides for the partisan election of judges

This would require candidates for judicial office in Arkansas to declare their party affiliation, providing much-needed transparency to voters on where judges stand on crime-related issues.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1205

2/13/2023

Rep. Wooten

In House Education Committee

Requires all schools that accept state funding to provide transportation to certain students.

This legislation will impose additional mandates on non-public schools that could severely hamper their operations.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB256

2/13/2023

Sen. B. Johnson & Rep. Beaty Jr.

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Includes machinery used in R&D in the sales and use tax exemption for certain machinary and equipment used in manufacturing

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1004

2/9/2023

Rep. Ray & Sen. M. Johnson

Signed into Law

Requires the disclosure of sex offenders' address

This bill would add transparency for Arkansans living in close proximity to sex offenders, increasing public safety.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SB215

2/8/2023

Sen. Irvin

In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee

Eliminates sales and use taxes for working horses and fencing used in commercial agricultural production

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HJR1012

2/8/2023

Rep. S. Richardson

In House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee

Allows the Legislature to create exemptions for property taxes

Currently, property tax exemptions require a constitutional amendment. This would advance property tax relief by allowing the Legislature to create property tax exemptions.

NEW

MOVEMENT

SJR11

2/8/2023

Sen. King

In Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee

Creates a new pardon board

This would create a new board to grant pardons, in addition to retaining the Governor's authority to grant pardons. This would lead to another governmental entity that could expand the number of pardons granted.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1235

2/7/2023

Rep. Crawford & Sen. Boyd

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Eliminates sales and use taxes for purchases made by a nonprofit that works with Arkansas citizens with developmental disabilities.

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HB1364

2/7/2023

Rep. Clowney & Sen. Davis

In House Revenue and Taxation Committee

Eliminates sales and use tax for breast pumps and related items

This would create another costly sales tax exemption ultimately borne by Arkansas taxpayers, pushing away the prospect of an income tax repeal.

NEW

MOVEMENT

HJR1004

2/7/2023

Rep. Ray

In House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee In House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee

Requires voter approval for tax increases imposed by the General Assembly

This would strengthen tax relief for Arkansans by creating a Constitutional amendment to provide for voter approval requirement for tax increases imposed by the General Assembly.

BILL NO.

DESCRIPTION

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

RATING

BILL TRACKER

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2023)

BILL NUMBER

SB478

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

RATING

ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER

SB575

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

RATING

ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER

SB473

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

RATING

ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER

SB96

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

RATING

ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER

SB306

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

RATING

ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER

SB403

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

RATING

ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER

SB470

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

RATING

ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER

SB458

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

RATING

ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER

SB495

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

RATING

ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER

SB477

LATEST ACTIVITY

LEAD SPONSOR

STATUS

DESCRIPTION