Senate News

  • Legislature Officially Adjourns 2025 Regular Session

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The legislature officially adjourned the 2025 regular session on May 5, and is not scheduled to convene again until the 2026 fiscal session. The legislature will consider spending bills during next year’s fiscal session, which begins at noon on the second Wednesday in April. The legislature changed the starting date […]

    14 May 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Legislature Renews ARHOME program

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Medicaid expansion program known as ARHOME must be renewed every five years, and earlier this year the Department of Human Services submitted a renewal application to federal authorities that includes a revised work requirement for recipients. Also this year the legislature approved Act 774 to achieve more than […]

    07 May 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Legislature Places Three Proposed Amendments on 2026 Ballots

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The legislature agreed on three proposed amendments to the state Constitution. One measure would expand the economic development authority of local governments. Another proposal would protect the right to keep firearms, ammunition, firearm accessories and components. The third proposed amendment would prohibit people who are not citizens of the United […]

    30 Apr 2025 Weekly Updates
  • 2025 Legislative Session Ends

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The legislature completed the 2025 regular session after approving a balanced budget, increasing public school funding, making higher education more accessible and improving maternal health care. State government spending will be about $6.5 billion next fiscal year. That is a 2.89 percent increase over this year. The increase reflects economic […]

    23 Apr 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Legislature Prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers from Operating Retail Drug Stores

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas is at the center of a national battle between local pharmacies on the one hand, and on the other hand a giant industry known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). It is a battle of economic life and death. Local pharmacies accuse PBMs of anti-competitive practices and multiple violations of […]

    16 Apr 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Legislature Creates New Program to Help Schools Afford Property Insurance

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate voted to create a new and sustainable property insurance plan to help school districts meet the rising cost of property insurance. Senate Bill 481 is the result of two years of work by legislators, school administrators and state officials. Two years ago the governor and legislators agreed to […]

    09 Apr 2025 Weekly Updates
  • As of May 7, a Real ID Will Be Needed for Access to Federal Facilities

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – Beginning on May 7, Arkansas residents will need to produce a “Real ID” in order to board a domestic flight, enter a federal building or visit a military base. If you don’t have a Real ID, you must present additional forms of identification along with your driver’s license. On May […]

    02 Apr 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Legislature Votes to Clarify Meaning of Medical Emergency During Pregnancies

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The legislature has approved and sent to the governor a bill that clarifies the meaning of a medical emergency when the life of a pregnant woman and her unborn children are threatened. House Bill 1610 defines a medical emergency as a condition which complicates the medical condition of a pregnant […]

    26 Mar 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Legislature Approves Sweeping Changes in Higher Education

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate passed legislation with far-reaching changes in how state-supported colleges and universities divide state aid, and how students qualify for scholarships. One of the most noticeable changes will be in how much is awarded the first year to students who qualify for an Academic Challenge Scholarship. Now, students receive […]

    19 Mar 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Senate Passes Additional $100 a Year Property Tax Credit

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate has approved a property tax cut that will save Arkansas homeowners $56 million every year. The tax reduction is in Senate Bill 263, which will take effect in 2026. It raises the homestead property tax credit by $100 to $600 a year. The credit is currently $500. About […]

    12 Mar 2025 Weekly Updates