Weekly Updates

Legislative budget hearings have begun at the state Capitol, in preparation for the 2025 regular session that begins in January.

A subcommittee of legislators is close to finishing its year-long study of Arkansas gun laws.

When the legislature convenes in regular session in January, lawmakers will consider changing how district courts are funded.

Most of the universities in Arkansas reported increases in enrollment for the fall semester.

Legislators and state officials continue to work on methods of improving maternal health care in Arkansas.

A special committee created by the governor last week issued its recommendations in a report called “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies.” It calls for making access to health care more clear and convenient for expectant mothers.

A legislative committee has signed off on stronger penalties against pharmacy benefit managers that fail to reimburse local drug stores according to rates established in state law.

The state has begun a new campaign to make people aware of the variety of Medicaid services for which they may be eligible, especially if someone in their family has a disability.

The Senate and House Education Committees are close to finalizing next year’s school funding formula. They have worked all year on the formula, in order to comply with the mandate in the Arkansas Constitution that requires the state to provide all children with an adequate and equitable education.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation estimates that in 2027 and 2028 about $2.2 billion of new projects will be added to its list of highway improvements.

More than 3,000 families applied for Education Freedom Accounts during the first week of August, bringing the total number of applicants statewide to 15,365.