Weekly Updates

Limiting children’s access to social media is still a priority for Arkansas policy makers.

The Division of Children and Family Services will try to recruit more foster families among health care professionals, educators and businesses.

The legislature has passed a balanced budget for state government for next fiscal year, clearing the way for completion of the 2024 session. The budget calls for general revenue spending of $6.31 billion in Fiscal Year 2025, which begins on July 1.

The Arkansas Senate passed two bills that will tighten state and local regulations of data centers and the newly emerging crypto mining industry.

The state Education Department has written new rules for troubled schools to enter “transformation contracts” with outside entities, such as charter school operators.

The legislature convened the fiscal session and will spend the next month working on a $6.3 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Parents can now apply to the state Education Division for Education Freedom Accounts for next year.

Several state agencies are preparing for increased traffic from out-of-state tourists who will drive to Arkansas on Monday, April 8, to view the solar eclipse. They’re planning for traffic disruptions even in parts of the state that will not experience the full effect of the eclipse.

Arkansans who own a home or a business are becoming more aware that the cost of insurance coverage is going up significantly. Legislators are looking for ways to bring the cost down again.

A legislative committee voted to add $25.2 million to a revolving loan fund for safe drinking water projects.