2024 boating accident report shows continued issue of low life-jacket use among victims

Fifty-six boating accidents were reported to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 2024. AGFC photo courtesy Sydney Grant.

HOT SPRINGS — According to the recently released 2024 Year-End Boating Accident Report compiled by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, life jacket wear continues to be one of the largest shortfalls among Arkansas boaters when it comes to enjoying the water safely.

Only 20 percent of the 207 individuals involved in boating accidents last year were wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident, and only one of the nine victims involved in boating fatalities recorded last year were wearing a life jacket.

This boat fell victim to the wrong drain hole being plugged before launch. AGFC photo courtesy Sydney Grant.

Sydney Grant, AGFC Boating Law Administrator, says that drownings account for the majority of fatalities every year on Arkansas waters, and in many cases, life jackets were available, but not worn.

“Arkansas game wardens and other rescue agency personnel have seen too many drownings where a life jacket was out but not worn,” Grant said. “It’s not a seat cushion or a piece of gear you just throw in the boat and forget about. It’s there to save your life so why wouldn’t you use it?”

According to Arkansas boating law, all vessels must have at least one properly fitting Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person onboard.

Grant notes that children 12 and younger must wear a properly fitting life jacket the entire time they are on the water. The only exception to this is on houseboats and pontoon boats with adequate handrails that are not underway.

“Even those vessels require life jacket use by younger boaters when it is underway,” Grant said.

Grant says many boaters use the excuse that they know how to swim to avoid wearing a life jacket, but that reply rarely holds water.

“Swimming in a pool is much different than falling unprepared into the water fully clothed,” Grant said. “And many boating accidents result in injuries, which can compound any problems with swimming. Even climbing back on board a boat can be challenging for many people without help or a ladder attached to the gunwale. That life jacket gives you the help you need to stay afloat until help arrives after an accident.”

What caused the accidents in the first place?

“Operator inattention was the number one primary contributor to most of our boating accidents in 2024,” Grant said.

According to Grant, cell phone use on the water has increased, and it has been the cause in a rising number of accidents.

“It’s illegal to text and drive a car, but a lot of people don’t understand that it’s extremely dangerous on a boat, too,” Grant said. “It only takes a second for things to go wrong, and, unlike cars, boats don’t have brakes, so they take more room to stop or turn if you get in trouble.”

Other factors, such as operator inexperience, unseen water hazards and alcohol or drug use also played a role in many accidents, but inattention was by far the biggest primary cause of boating accidents last year.

Operator inattention was the leading primary cause for boating accidents in 2024. AGFC photo courtesy Sydney Grant.

Life jackets weren’t the only noticeable absence during boating accidents in 2024. Only 34 percent of the operators involved in boating accidents last year had taken any boating safety course.

“Again, it’s a requirement for some boaters, but not all,” Grant said. “Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, and of legal age to operate a motorboat is required to have passed an AGFC-approved Boater Education course and carry proof of the certification with them while on the water.

“Just like the life jackets, these courses are meant to save your life and the lives of others, it doesn’t take much effort to complete a boating safety course, and some insurance companies will even give you a lower rate if you have the certification.”

Grant also points out that many people involved in boating accidents were experienced boaters.

“The average age of fatality victims was 59,” Grant said. “And we had more operators with more than 100 hours of experience get involved in accidents than we did operators with less than 20 hours of experience.”

Visit www.agfc.com/boatered to read more about the 2024 Boating Accident Year-End Report and learn more about Boater Education in Arkansas.

'Social transition' bill pulled amid First Amendment concerns

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A bill that would open up liability to Arkansans who assist in someone's "social transition" was pulled following debate in committee.

The bill to create “The Vulnerable Youth Protection Act” would give broad litigation rights to people seeking to sue those who provide minors with gender-affirming care. A person could seek up to $10 million in punitive damages for 15 years against anyone who assists in social transitioning. The bill would expand previous legislation making it easier to sue doctors who participate in the medical transition of a minor.

The bill met pushback in a meeting of the House Judiciary committee Tuesday over its definition of “social transitioning” as “changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle, and name,” meaning a person could possibly sue their barber or person who calls them by a nickname.

'Social transition' bill pulled amid First Amendment concerns

Michael Hibblen/Little Rock Public Radio

Steps leading up to the Arkansas Senate chamber in the state Capitol.

Arkansas Delegation to European Commission: Fix Unworkable Deforestation Rules

Washington, D.C. — Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), and Congressmen Rick Crawford (Arkansas-01), French Hill (Arkansas-02), Steve Womack (Arkansas-03), and Bruce Westerman (Arkansas-04) today sent a letter to the European Union raising major concerns with the proposed European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This impractical regulation will impose an unfair and unnecessary burden on American businesses while failing to effectively combat deforestation.

In part, the lawmakers wrote: 

“This regulation is unworkable for the forest products industry in the United States and would jeopardize more than $3.5 billion worth of paper and wood products shipping into the EU market for essential products like timber or pulp for baby diapers.”

Full text of the letter may be found here and below. 

March 14, 2025

Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity

Jessica Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment

Marcos Sefcovic, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security 

Dear Commissioners,

We write to you today to share our significant concerns with the European Union deforestation-free supply chains regulation (Regulation (EU) No 2023/1115) and to share our perspective on the impact this will have on the more than 900,000 forest products workers throughout the United States and the over 23,000 men and women in Arkansas who are employed by this industry.  This regulation is unworkable for the forest products industry in the United States and would jeopardize more than $3.5 billion worth of paper and wood products shipping into the EU market for essential products like timber or pulp for baby diapers. 

The U.S. Forest products industry is a strong proponent of international efforts to suppress deforestation and forest degradation. As such, the United States has excellent ratings in this regard and no evidence of deforestation. Unfortunately, as written, this regulation presents severe compliance challenges that constitute technical barriers to trade for the U.S. Forest products industry. The United States is not a source of the EU’s deforestation concerns and the burden this regulation puts on U.S. pulp, paper, and packaging manufacturers will not achieve the EU’s stated policy goal. Furthermore, the U.S. is widely recognized for its sustainable forestry practices, with negligible deforestation risk, as confirmed by the EU Observatory on deforestation and forest degradation.

The unprecedented and over-prescriptive reporting requirements of the regulation are a one-size-fits-all approach that does not recognize commodity-specific challenges or country differences. The U.S. Forest products sector operates with deep visibility into their supply chains, with clear management rules and strict controls of forestry practices. These practices and performance measures not only deliver the intended goals of EUDR but go beyond the narrow objectives of regulation.

We are asking you and the European Commission to work with the United States to ensure the United States is recognized as the lowest possible risk for deforestation and to ensure the geolocation traceability requirements in place are proportional to the level of risk for a particular country. These obligations should be simplified, more proportional and with greater distinction among the risk categories. The geospatial coordinate mapping requirement for every individual plot of land should be removed for supply chains that have already achieved deforestation risk status as low risk, negligible, or insignificant. Secondary materials should be exempt from geolocation because traceability is virtually impossible. Unless these key problems are addressed, I am extremely concerned that the EU may lose their trading relationship with the U.S. Forest products industry, which they rely upon every day. 

We also believe the EUDR fits within President Trump’s “America First Trade Policy” executive order that was signed on January 20th, 2025, and requires key members of his cabinet to identify examples around the world where the United States is being disadvantaged by policies in place from governments that could be considered a technical barrier to trade and submit reports to President Trump by April 1st, 2025. Already, key members of the President’s cabinet, like Mr. Howard Lutnick, the Secretary of Commerce, have identified the EUDR as a potential technical barrier to trade and it will be more important than ever that you and your team address the concerns we have identified here. 

We look forward to your response. 

Sincerely,

Arkansas Timber and Forestry Products Image - Arkansas Inc

High winds fuel rare wildfire outbreak across Arkansas

KUAR | By Daniel Breen,

Maggie Ryan

Dry conditions and abnormally high winds sparked a number of wildfires across Arkansas Wednesday.

Much of Arkansas remains under extreme fire danger, according to the National Weather Service in North Little Rock. As of 5:19 p.m., Arkansas State Police said fire crews were responding to 54 wildfires across the state. No injuries had been reported as of early Wednesday evening.

Pulaski County/X

Flames engulf the historic St. Joseph Center in North Little Rock on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

In a news conference, Little Rock Fire Chief Delphone Hubbard said the department received its first call of a grass fire at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday.

Hubbard said 14 locations across Little Rock had been affected by fires, including four businesses. Of the 10 residential properties affected, four sustained damage to the primary residence; Hubbard said all four are located on Chaucer Lane in southwest Little Rock. He added only one firefighter responding to Wednesday's blazes received medical attention for dehydration, and that resources were never a concern for fire crews.

High winds fuel rare wildfire outbreak across Arkansas

Pulaski County/X

Fire crews respond to a blaze near the St. Joseph's Center in North Little Rock on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Boozman, Kaine, Hassan, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Hiring of Military Spouses

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) and Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced the Military Spouse Hiring Act, legislation that would amend the U.S. tax code to create incentives for businesses to hire military spouses.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act would expand the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program – which provides tax credits to employers who hire people facing unique barriers to employment – to include military spouses. Military spouses experience rates of unemployment and underemployment higher than the national average, and frequent moves often stall military spouses’ upward career progression and force them to find new jobs.

“Spouses of servicemembers play an integral part in the support system that bolsters America’s military,” said Boozman. “Part of their sacrifice includes factors, like relocation, that can make it difficult to access meaningful career opportunities. This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense effort that will encourage employers to hire military spouses and benefit from their unique skills and experiences.”

PICRYL Image

“Our servicemembers and their families make sacrifices day in and day out to protect us and our national security,” said Kaine. “We owe military families a debt of gratitude and support—including when it comes to juggling frequent moves with building their careers. By incentivizing the hiring of military spouses, the Military Spouse Hiring Act will help bring down the obstacles that America’s talented military spouses too often face when seeking work opportunities, and reduce financial instability among military families that can cause servicemembers to leave even if they want to continue serving. I am proud to be introducing this commonsense bill alongside colleagues from both parties.”

“Military families make tremendous sacrifices to help keep our country safe, secure, and free. The often-frequent relocations required of military families can make it harder for military family members to find jobs,” said Hassan. “This bipartisan bill incentivizes companies to hire military spouses – helping them get jobs – and is a crucial way that we can continue to support our service members and their families.”

“Our service members and their families are willing to sacrifice so much for our country,” said Rounds. “One of these sacrifices includes moving from one assignment to the next, which can make it difficult for military spouses to secure a job and for employers to hire them. We owe it to our service members and their families to remove obstacles hindering their financial well-being. I’m pleased to reintroduce this legislation, which would expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses to help remove one barrier, giving our military families the opportunities they deserve.”

The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Hoeven (R-ND), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Tom Cotton (R-AR).

The Military Spouse Hiring Act is supported by the Air & Space Forces Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, Chief Warrant Officers Association of the U.S. Coast Guard, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Fleet Reserve Association, Jewish War Veterans, Marine Corps League, Military Chaplains Association, Military Family Advisory Network, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Spouse Advocacy Network, National Defense Committee, National Military Family Association, National Military Spouse Network, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Reserve Organization of America, Service Women’s Action Network, The American Legion, The Retired Enlisted Association, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, United States Army Warrant Officers Association, Vietnam Veterans of America and the Wounded Warrior Project.

“Employing military spouses is a strategic issue with direct ties to force readiness and the retention of experienced warfighters. And in 2025, having two household incomes is a baseline requirement. This bill eases an employer's path to hiring from this talented pool of dedicated workers to invest in both military families and the viability of the all-volunteer force,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, USAF (Ret.), President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). “MOAA wants to thank Sens. Kaine, Boozman, Hassan and Rounds and Reps. Beyer, Kelly, Panetta and Carter for their ongoing work to support military spouses and families.”

“Hiring a military spouse isn’t just good for a business, it’s good for America,” said Besa Pinchotti, CEO of the National Military Family Association. “Expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses incentivizes businesses to employ military spouses, a highly qualified talent pool. It also supports military family financial security—ensuring our military is always ready. We’re grateful to Senators Boozman and Kaine and Representatives Kelly and Beyer for introducing this important legislation.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), John Carter (R-TX-31) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19).

Full text of the legislation is availablehere. A summary of the legislation is availablehere.

Congressional delegation a no-show at packed Little Rock rally

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A rally denouncing Arkansas’ Congressional delegation, all of whom are Republicans, drew a crowd of Arkansans to downtown Little Rock Tuesday night. Shouts of “do your job” rang out in First United Methodist Church as speakers called on Rep. French Hill and Sens. Tom Cotton and John Boozman to respond to their demands in a town hall.

The three members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation that were invited to attend the event, but did not appear. Instead, speakers took turns speaking on recent cuts to government services led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones hosted the event.

Congressional delegation a no-show at packed Little Rock rally

Josie Lenora/Little Rock Public Radio

Attendees gather at First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Governor signs ACCESS Act at forum touting lithium, economic development

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Repeating the notion that she wants to be known as the education governor, Gov. Sarah Sanders signed her higher education overhaul bill into law at an economic forum in Little Rock Tuesday (March 18) before nearly 1,000 business leaders.

At a packed house crowd in the Wally Allen Ballroom at Little Rock’s Arkansas Economic Development Foundation (AEDF) luncheon, Sanders shared remarks that touched on education and jobs, before signing her higher education reform measure, the ACCESS Act, into law.

The AEDF is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization established in 1955 that raises funds to support economic development efforts in Arkansas, including research, site visits, and recruitment support. The foundation frequently helps pay for overseas business recruiting trips for the governor and staff of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Governor signs ACCESS Act at forum touting lithium, economic development

UAMS Receives $2.5 Million for Family Medicine Residency Programs in South Arkansas

By Philip Allison

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will expand its residency programs in south Arkansas thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the Arkansas State Legislature.

The state’s PEER Joint Budget Committee recently approved a request for $2,550,225 in funding from the restricted reserve fund to support the development of family medicine residency programs in El Dorado and Crossett. The funds will help create 22 new residency slots in hospitals in the two cities as well as one new family medicine obstetrics fellowship.

“Expanding the number of physicians starting their careers in Arkansas through their medical residency increases the chance they will remain in the state to practice, so partnering with hospitals around the state to increase the number of residency slots is a pathway for addressing physician shortages in rural Arkansas,” said Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., UAMS provost and chief strategy officer. “We are grateful for the State of Arkansas providing startup funds for these new family medicine residency programs in Crossett and El Dorado.”

UAMS Receives $2.5 Million for Family Medicine Residency Programs in South Arkansas

Attorney General Griffin Wins Challenge to Biden Administration Rule that Gave Biological Males Access to Female Locker Rooms and Bathrooms

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after a federal court dismissed the Biden administration’s appeal of an injunction won by Griffin and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey:

“This lawsuit challenged a Biden administration rule that rewrote Title IX to give biological males access to women’s and girls’ locker rooms, bathrooms, and other areas that had previously been restricted based on biological sex. The vast majority of Americans disagree with Biden on this issue, believing instead that the safety of girls and women is paramount, and they should not be forced to share bathrooms and locker rooms with biological males.

“The recent order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit dismisses the appeal by our opponents and preserves the preliminary injunction we won last July. I am grateful to the Trump administration for agreeing to dismiss the appeal, and for their broader commitment to restore common sense in how we approach this issue.”

To read a copy of the order, click here.

UAMS and Walmart Work Together to Address Food Insecurity and Improve Wellness

By David Wise

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Walmart are collaborating to increase access to nutritious food across Arkansas.

Through the collaboration, participants in select research projects at the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation will receive Walmart Wellness Benefit cards to be specifically used at Walmart stores for various health-related items, including healthy foods and baby care items.

The statewide program begins in March. The number of cards and card amounts will be determined on a project-by-project basis. Various research projects within the institute will participate in the program, including CenteringPregnancy and Delivering HOPE, a new program that will include nutritional counseling, case management and grocery deliveries.

UAMS and Walmart Work Together to Address Food Insecurity and Improve Wellness

F-35 pilot training center cost rises to $1.2 billion, impact up to $1.4 billion

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Despite global rumblings about NATO allies and other foreign nations being concerned about using the F-35 fighter, retired Air Force Col. Rob Ator said Tuesday (March 18) the F-35 pilot training center in Fort Smith will have a long and important mission that has the attention of the White House.

Ator, who is now the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in Arkansas, was the military affairs liaison for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission when Ebbing Air National Guard Base at the Fort Smith Regional Airport was selected for the new training center.

Ebbing, home to the 188th Wing in Fort Smith and co-located with the Fort Smith Regional Airport, was selected in March 2023 by the U.S. Air Force to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Finland, and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

F-35 pilot training center cost rises to $1.2 billion, impact up to $1.4 billion

Col. Nicholas “Matrix” Ihde, commander of the 85th Fighter Group, talks to the Fort Smith Regional Airport Commission Tuesday (March 18) about progress on the foreign pilot training center at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

Paragould, Cave City recovering after weekend tornadoes

KUAR | By KASU Newsroom

Officials in northern Arkansas are assessing damage and continuing recovery efforts after severe storms and tornadoes moved through the region over the weekend.

Paragould Mayor Josh Agee announced that the storm destroyed seven of the city's 16 outdoor warning sirens. In a video statement posted to Facebook, Agee said the city had purchased and installed three new sirens last fall and is aware of the current issues.

"We have crews out looking at those, inspecting them, making an inventory of the parts they need," Agee said. "We're going to try our best to get those replaced. Bear with us for that."

Paragould, Cave City recovering after weekend tornadoes

Arkansas Department Of Parks, Heritage And Tourism

The welcome sign for Cave City, Ark. The town was hit by an EF3 tornado on Friday, March 14, 2025, killing three people.

Bills signed into law March 12th by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Governor signed into law: 

HB1400 – An act to amend the law concerning the redemption of a tax-delinquent parcel; to exempt disabled veterans from certain penalties when redeeming a tax-delinquent parcel; and for other purposes. 

HB1556 – An act to amend Arkansas music appreciation day; to change the date on which Arkansas music appreciation day is celebrated; and for other purposes. 

SB236 – An act to amend the insurance holding company regulatory act; and for other purposes. 

HB1466 – An act to amend the fair mortgage lending act; and for other purposes. 

HB1184 – An act to amend the fair mortgage lending act; to protect a consumer’s privacy in certain mortgage applications; and for other purposes.

SB292 – An act to amend the law concerning the date of annual school election; to move the annual school election if the annual school election is scheduled on a state holiday in certain instances; and for other purposes. 

HCR1007 – To encourage the United States Congress to reevaluate the Medicare physician fee schedule locality structure and ensure accurate geographic practice cost indices for the metropolitan statistical areas of this state. 

HB1182 – An act to replace the defined term “medication assistive person” with the defined term “certified medication assistant” throughout § 17-87-701 ET SEQ.; to set forth the certification requirements, qualifications, and the scope of practice for a certified medication assistant; and for other purposes.

HB1213 – An act to amend the Arkansas athletic trainers act; to clarify the definition of “athlete” within the Arkansas athletic trainers act; to define “healthcare provider” regarding student athlete concussion education; and for other purposes. 

HB1217 – An act to establish the interstate massage compact in Arkansas; and for other purposes. 

HB1309 – An act to amend the law concerning coverage of examinations for breast cancer; to clarify the cost-sharing requirements for examinations for breast cancer; and for other purposes. 

SB119 – An act to establish the interstate medical licensure compact; and for other purposes.

HB1369 – An act concerning the establishment of the maximum campaign contribution limit by the Arkansas ethics commission; amending portions of law resulting from initiated act 1 of 1990 and initiated act 1 of 1996; declaring an emergency; and for other purposes.

HB1452 – An act clarifying the law on the use of medical marijuana in certain places; to prohibit the possession of an unsealed container of certain forms of medical marijuana in a motor vehicle; and for other purposes.

SB188 – An act to amend Arkansas law concerning initiative petitions and referendum petitions; to require public posting of statewide initiative petitions and referendum petitions; and for other purposes. 

SB209 – An act to amend the law concerning initiative petitions and referendum petitions; to disqualify signatures obtained by a canvasser under certain circumstances; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. 

SB210 – An act to create the require examining of authoritative documents act; to amend the law concerning initiative and referendum petitions; to require the signer to read the ballot title of the petition in the presence of a canvasser; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. 

SB244 – An act concerning postponement of judgement in district court; to permit a suspended imposition of sentence in certain district court cases; and for other purposes.

SB251 – An act to amend the law concerning the Arkansas Trails Council; to amend the law concerning the executive secretary of the Arkansas Trails Council; to amend the law concerning the participation of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism on the Arkansas Trails Council; and for other purposes. 

SB260 – An act to amend the law concerning the collection of court fines, fees, or costs after default; and for other purposes. 

SB272 -An act to amend the law concerning voter registration; to prohibit pre-filled fields on a voter registration form in certain instances; to amend provisions of Arkansas constitution, amendment 51, § 6; and for other purposes. 

SB291 – An act to amend the law concerning complaints of election law violations; to amend the deadlines for complaints of election law violations; and for other purposes. 

SB294 – An act to amend the law concerning election audits; to allow the state board of election commissioners to audit a county in the preceding election in certain circumstances; and for other purposes. 

SB295 – An act to amend the law concerning appropriation for election expenses; to allow compensation for a certified election monitor as an election expense; and for other purposes. 

SB296 – An act to amend the law concerning the designation of an early voting location by the county clerk; and for other purposes. 

SB297 – An act to amend the law concerning municipalities choosing to elect council members; to require the governing body of the municipality to file the ordinance describing the election of city council members with the county clerk; and for other purposes. 

SB308 – An act to amend the law concerning a write-in candidate; to remove references to a write-in candidate; and for other purposes.

HB1279 – An act to amend the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act of 1969; to authorize repackaging of eggs by a retailer if certain criteria is met; and for other purposes.

HB1325 – An act to amend the provisions regarding credited service under the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System; to allow a member of the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System to receive service credit from service under an alternate retirement plan to meet eligibility requirements for a retirement benefit under certain circumstances; and for other purposes. 

HB1379 – An act to amend the law concerning the special authorization for reimbursement for meals and lodging while traveling on official business of the state; and for other purposes. 

HB1499 – An act to amend the sale and purchase procedure for public property; and for other purposes. 

HB1568 – An act to amend the law concerning examinations, investigations, and postmortem examination; to amend the law requiring a postmortem examination when a death is by apparent drug, alcohol, or poison toxicity; and for other purposes. 

SB224 – An act to repeal the law concerning natural organic fertilizers; and for other purposes. 

SB249 – An act to amend the law concerning violations and penalties related to forestry; to amend the powers of the Arkansas Forestry Commission; and for other purposes. 

SB250 – An act to amend the pest control law; to reassign certain duties of the state plant board; and for other purposes. 

SB259 – An act to transfer appointment authority for the director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission to the Governor; and for other purposes. 

SB265 – An act to reduce and modify the membership of the licensing committee relating to wastewater; to reduce and modify the membership of the licensing committee relating to solid waste; to amend the apprenticeship licenses in solid waste licensing; to amend participation requirements for environmental officers; and for other purposes. 

SB267 – An act to repeal the Arkansas alternative motor fuel development act; to repeal the alternative motor fuel development fund; and for other purposes. 

HB1146 – An act to make an appropriation for personal services and operating expenses for the Office of Attorney General for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; and for other purposes. 

HB1175 – An act to make an appropriation for personal services and operating expenses for the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism – Division of Heritage for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; and for other purposes.  

HB1493 – An act to make an appropriation to the institutions of higher education for capital improvement projects; and for other purposes. 

HB1544 – An act to make an appropriation for state turnback for counties and municipalities by the Office of the Treasurer of State which shall be supplemental and in addition to those funds appropriated by Act 140 of 2024; and for other purposes. 

Senate panel advances two bills defining ‘public meeting’ in Arkansas Freedom of Information Act

KUAR | By Sonny Albarado / Arkansas Advocate,

Mary Hennigan / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

An Arkansas Senate committee approved two bills hours apart Tuesday seeking to define a public meeting, an issue that has plagued local elected officials and government transparency advocates for decades.

Sen. Clarke Tucker, a Little Rock Democrat and sponsor of Senate Bill 227, told the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee Tuesday morning his proposal would, “after 50 years, bring clarity to the law” by setting parameters for what members of city councils, quorum courts or school boards can discuss outside of a public meeting.

The bill also would amend the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to add cybersecurity breach as a reason to meet in executive session, introduce and regulate remote meeting attendance, and allow a court to nullify official actions taken as a result of violations of open meetings law.

Senate panel advances two bills defining ‘public meeting’ in Arkansas Freedom of Information Act

Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate

Little Rock Democratic Sen. Clarke Tucker (left) considers a question from Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, at a Senate State Agencies Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

April 14 workshop aims to help Arkansans plan to keep the farm in the family

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

SEARCY, Ark. — Keeping the family farm in the family can be more complicated than many realize. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is working to help farm families and other interested Arkansans plan for the inevitable with a second succession planning meeting on April 14.

MAKE A PLAN — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is working to help farm families and other interested Arkansans plan for the inevitable with a second succession planning meeting on April 14. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)

Sherri Sanders, White County agriculture extension agent for the Division of Agriculture, said reaction to the first session, held Feb. 25, helped shape the upcoming meeting agenda.

“Our first session got the conversation started,” Sanders said. “It’s emotional, it’s hard. You’re coming to terms with your death or retirement from your farm that’s been in the family for generations. Most people just don’t talk about it, and they think they’re OK because they’ve got a will — but a will isn’t a succession plan. It doesn’t lay out who gets what, or how the farm will be run.

“This second session is still for farmers and ranchers, but the information can really apply to anybody who wants to plan for their estate,” she said. “Because estate taxes, power of attorney and living wills affect everybody.”

Rusty Rumley, senior staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, will be the meeting’s featured speaker.

“People know they need to find an attorney, but they don’t know what to be prepared for at that first meeting,” Sanders said, noting that attorneys typically charge by the hour. “Rusty will help them understand how to prepare to meet with that attorney.”

The session will take place at 6 p.m. at the White County Extension Office, located at 2400 Old Searcy Landing Road in Searcy, Arkansas. The cost to attend is $25 per person, which includes dinner.

The deadline to register online is April 7.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

Arkansas Farm Bureau to launch Arkansas Farm Trail program

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Farm Bureau (ArFB) will launch the Arkansas Farm Trail (AFT), on Saturday, March 15.

AFT allows farmers to share stories, connect with consumers and increase visibility for ArFB members who produce direct-to-consumer products. This first-of-its-kind Arkansas program will connect consumers with local agriculture and teach about the state’s agricultural industry.

“With agriculture being the number one industry in Arkansas, this program is a long time coming,” said John McMinn, director of commodity activities at ArFB. “Over the past decade, farmers in the state have built a strong community of direct-to-consumer sales, which provides a unique opportunity to teach customers how their food is produced. We wanted to capitalize on that teaching opportunity while also promoting the state’s farmers. The Arkansas Farm Trail is a win for farmers and consumers.”

Arkansas Farm Bureau to launch Arkansas Farm Trail program

Farmers Market - Flickr Image

League of Women Voters seek to ‘reform’ ballot initiative process

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The League of Women Voters of Arkansas (LWV) has submitted a proposed constitutional amendment it says is designed to counter recent legislative efforts that “weaken and dismantle” the ability of citizens to place amendments on the ballot.

According to a LWV press release issued Tuesday (March 11), the amendment and ballot title presented to Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin “aims to reform the state’s ballot initiative process and address concerns over transparency and accessibility.”

The LWV action follows attempts by the Arkansas Legislature to add more requirements to citizen initiatives. One of those was SB 211, filed by Rep. Kendon Underwood, R-Cave Springs, which requires a signature canvasser to file an affidavit with the Arkansas Secretary or State “certifying that the canvasser has complied with the Arkansas Constitution and all Arkansas law regarding canvassing, perjury, forgery, and fraudulent practices in the procurement of petition signatures during the current election cycle.”

League of Women Voters seek to ‘reform’ ballot initiative process

UAMS Doctor Receives VA Merit Award to Address Overprescribing of Thyroid Medication

By David Robinson

UAMS’ Spyridoula Maraka, M.D., has been awarded a Veterans Affairs (VA) Merit Award of $830,000 over four years to address the widespread overprescribing of levothyroxine (LT4), one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States.

LT4 is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid produces too few hormones. However, many patients are prescribed LT4 based solely on a single abnormal test, even when thyroid function is normal, Maraka said, which can lead to unnecessary treatment and financial burden, disruptive lifestyle changes, cardiovascular risks and even death.

About 20 million people in the United States receive LT4. Among those starting LT4, about 31% have normal thyroid function, meaning LT4 should not have been prescribed, according to a 2021 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine that Maraka co-authored.

UAMS Doctor Receives VA Merit Award to Address Overprescribing of Thyroid Medication

UAMS’ Spyridoula Maraka, M.D., will implement strategies that she hopes will reduce overprescribing of the common thyroid medication levothyroxine (LT4).

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee considers Womack’s protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act

Washington, DC—March 11, 2025…Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health considered Congressman Steve Womack’s (AR-3) bill, H.R. 1107, the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025. At the hearing, Congressman Womack spoke about the importance of the legislation and urged swift passage.

Watch Congressman Womack’s Remarks

Remarks as prepared:

“Chairwoman Miller-Meeks, Ranking Member Brownley, and distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for considering my bill, H.R. 1107, the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025. I also want to express my sincere gratitude for allowing me to speak in support of this legislation today.

“This bill aims to guarantee that our nation’s veterans—whether in bustling cities or remote rural areas—have continuous access to the healthcare services they need and deserve.

“The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act, enacted in 2008, was designed to regulate the prescription of controlled substances via telemedicine in response to the rise of online pharmacies and the risk of misuse. While this law plays a crucial role in protecting public health, it has not been updated to reflect the realities of 2025. Nor does it account for the fundamental differences between the VA and civilian online pharmacies.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ryan Haight Act’s in-person consultation requirement for prescribing controlled substances was temporarily waived. The DEA and HHS later extended these flexibilities through the end of this year.

“My bill, the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025, would make this exemption permanent for the VA allowing VA healthcare professionals to prescribe medically necessary controlled substances via telemedicine under specific conditions.

“This exemption has been a lifeline for our veterans. Without it, many will face severe restrictions in accessing vital healthcare.

“For veterans in urban areas, letting this exemption expire would mean longer wait times for in-person appointments, further straining an already overburdened VA healthcare system. The impact is even greater for veterans in rural communities, where geographic isolation and limited healthcare providers create significant barriers. The exemption has allowed them to receive care from VA specialists hundreds of miles away, without the burden of costly and time-consuming travel.

“Continuing this exemption isn’t just a matter of convenience—it’s a necessity. It ensures that every veteran, no matter where they live, has equal access to the care they have earned and deserve.

“I’m honored to speak in support of this legislation today. I urge my colleagues to act swiftly in passing this bill. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country—it’s our duty to ensure they receive the care they need in a way that meets the demands of today’s world.”

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’ Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

Economists tackle estimating consumer effects following the loss of billions of birds and eggs lost to avian influenza

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Fewer and more expensive eggs in 2024 put estimated $1.41 billion burden on consumers in 2024, according to study by a trio of researchers examining the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza — HPAI — on the economy.

Expectations are for the price burden to continue through 2025 as producers work to repopulate laying hens lost to HPAI.

The study, “The Economic Impact of HPAI on U.S. Egg Consumers: Estimating a $1.41 Billion Loss in Consumer Surplus” was published last month by the Fryar Price Risk Management Center. It was conducted as an extension to an earlier paper, “Biological lags and market dynamics in vertically coordinated food supply chains: HPAI impacts on U.S. egg prices,” published in the journal Food Policy in 2024.

PRICE OF EGGS — Clocks in at more than $9 for 18 eggs on March 10, 2025, in Little Rock. (U of A System Division of Agriculture File photo)

The Fryar Center is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

James Mitchell, assistant professor and extension economist for the Division of Agriculture, was the lead author on both papers, which were written with Jada Thompson, associate professor and Division of Agriculture economist and Trey Malone, an economist formerly at the University of Arkansas, but now at Purdue University.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, HPAI affected 38.4 million commercial egg laying birds and 29 flocks in 2024.

“As a result, we estimate an average week-to-week increase of 9 percent in retail egg prices, independent of other sources of egg price inflation,” the authors said. Using own-price elasticities — a measure of demand responsiveness to price changes — they estimated that price increases lowered demand for eggs by 2 percent on average.

“This reduction in consumption, coupled with higher prices, led to an estimated consumer surplus loss of $1.41 billion,” the researchers said. “This estimate reflects the economic burden on consumers due to reduced availability and affordability of eggs following HPAI outbreaks.

“The magnitude of these losses underscores the importance of understanding how disease outbreaks in the egg supply chain influence consumer welfare and market dynamics,” the three authors said.

The cost of eggs

While the cost of eggs may seem to be a simple supply vs. demand equation, determining the size of the economic loss is quite a bit more complex, say the economists.

“Someone not familiar with broiler or turkey or egg production might say, ‘oh, a bird died today because of bird flu and egg prices today are impacted by that’,” Mitchell said.

HPAI has been hitting broilers, egg layers and turkey production in the U.S. and globally hard since 2022, resulting in the loss of billions of commercial birds, not to mention birds and other animals in the wild.

“Our main thesis is that you have to consider a longer timeframe,” Mitchell said. “What’s happening today is a function of what happened six months ago.”

Because of the fierceness of the current strain of HPAI, which has a mortality rate of higher than 75 percent, whole flocks are destroyed once the disease is detected. Mitchell said if a flock has to be depopulated because of avian influenza or another cause, “you’re losing egg production from that flock.

“But you don’t just replace that flock tomorrow. It takes about six months for the new birds to reach maturity and start laying eggs,” he said.

Mitchell said that when they started their initial analysis looking at 2022 data, the challenge was “how much consideration had to be given to disentangling the impacts of bird flu from other things that were happening in 2022.”

Economic aftershocks from the COVID pandemic and the Ukraine war and resulting higher grain prices “were something we had to be careful about,” he said.

Price rollercoaster

When egg prices rise, so do the number of media interview requests for Thompson.

“The questions that are asked right now are, ‘Why are prices are high?’ And ‘when are they coming back down?’” Thompson said. She noted that in 2022, HPAI led to some 43 million laying hens being taken out of egg production” in the U.S.

That was possibly the largest loss of layers in one quarter, at least until 2024-25.

“In the fourth quarter of 2024, there was a loss of 20 million birds,” Thompson said. “And in the first two months of this year, some 30 million birds. That’s an astronomical number of birds being affected by HPAI.”

Much of the nation’s commercial egg production is concentrated in a fairly small area, including Minnesota and Iowa, Mitchell said.

There have been proposals within the industry to bring broiler eggs to the market, but both Thompson and Mitchell say that’s not an easy fix because the broiler and egg production systems don’t interact.

“It’s not the first time we’ve had this conversation,” Thompson said. “There are limitations on what can be done when dealing with a different system. How do we collect these eggs? How are we going to store and clean them? This will mean additional transportation costs.

“And egg prices are really high already,” she said. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics retail egg prices reached $4.95 per dozen in January 2025, an increase of 96 percent compared to January 2024.

The research comes with a few important caveats. First, the estimate assumes that consumer preferences and purchasing behavior remained stable, meaning that consumers responded to price increases in the same way as they have in the past.

Second, the analysis focuses on the direct impact of HPAI on egg prices and consumer surplus, meaning it does not account for any indirect effects, such as potential changes in producer behavior or government policy responses.

“Despite these considerations, this estimate provides a clear and useful benchmark for understanding how HPAI affected egg prices and consumer spending in 2024,” the authors said.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.