arkansas senate
Bill to shield Arkansas officials’ security records moves forward
Arkansas lawmakers’ third attempt this week to alter the state’s Freedom of Information Act advanced in both the House and Senate on Wednesday. House Bill 1012 and Senate Bill 10 would exempt from FOIA all records and communications concerning the planning or provision of security services to the governor and other state elected officials. The […]
Lawmakers offer narrower change to Arkansas FOIA after bipartisan pushback
After two days of bipartisan backlash against proposed changes to Arkansas’ Freedom of Information Act, lawmakers late Tuesday filed narrower legislation to exempt information related to security services provided to the governor and other state officials. It’s the third attempt in as many business days to alter the state’s 1967 public records law. The first […]
Lawmakers, public await promised replacement for controversial Arkansas FOIA legislation
UPDATE: Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester late Monday night introduced a new version of the bill to add exemptions to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. It can be read here. This week’s special session of the Arkansas Legislature, expected to be a smooth-sailing three days, hit a major snag on day one when […]
Pronoun restrictions in Arkansas schools head to Sanders’ desk
Arkansas public school teachers and professors will be required to use the pronouns and names students were assigned at birth, unless parents specifically allow them to do otherwise, if Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs House Bill 1468 into law. The Senate approved the bill along party lines Wednesday. It would require written permission from a […]
Arkansas senator’s demotion after “frivolous” ethics complaint will end next year
Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, will regain his seniority in the Arkansas Senate shortly after the general election in November 2024. A majority of senators agreed in a voice vote Wednesday that Clark, who was demoted last year to the lowest level of seniority for the 94th General Assembly, will be allowed to participate in the […]
Amended proposal to increase some Arkansans’ food stamp asset limit goes to Sanders’ desk
Legislation meant to help some Arkansans save money while still receiving federal nutrition assistance is on Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ desk after clearing the state Legislature on Tuesday. Senate Bill 306 initially would have raised the resource limit to $12,500 for Arkansans to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly called food stamps. […]
Arkansas Senate approves proposal to increase food stamp asset limit
A proposed increase of Arkansas’ asset ceiling for federal nutrition assistance passed the Senate on Thursday with bipartisan support. Senate Bill 306 initially would have raised the resource limit to $12,500 for Arkansans to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly called food stamps. The bill was amended to lower the proposal to […]
Proposed law restricting school bathroom use will return to Arkansas House
A proposed law that would restrict bathroom use in Arkansas public and charter schools based on students’ gender assigned at birth passed the Senate with a 29-6 party-line vote Monday. House Bill 1156 would apply to multiple-occupancy restrooms and locker rooms, as well as rooms for students on overnight trips. It also requires schools to […]
Arkansas licensing board for home inspectors will be combined with two others under bill
A state Senate panel on Tuesday approved a bill that consolidates three real estate-related professional licensing boards into one despite strident objections from members of one of the boards. Senate Bill 354 would abolish the Arkansas Abstracters’ Board, Home Inspector Registration Board and the Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board and replace them with a single […]
Arkansas Senate approves bill restricting transgender adults’ bathroom use
The Arkansas Senate approved a proposed law Tuesday that would criminalize entering and remaining in bathrooms and locker rooms that do not match a person’s gender assigned at birth if there are children present. Senate Bill 270 would add the proposed Class C misdemeanor offense to existing state law regarding sexual indecency with a child. […]
Arkansas lawmakers send sweeping education bill to governor’s desk
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will sign her signature education package into law Wednesday, two weeks after the bill was filed. The Arkansas Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, on Tuesday. “I’m ready to sign it into law tomorrow and end the failed status quo that has governed our […]
Heightened requirements to put measures on the Arkansas ballot awaits Sanders’ signature
A proposed Arkansas law that would make it harder for citizen-led petitions to qualify for the statewide ballot passed the Senate and went to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ desk Monday. House Bill 1419 would require canvassers to gather signatures from at least 50 counties — up from the 15-county threshold laid out in Article 5 […]