Arkansas lawmakers gather on first day of special session

KUAR | By Josie Lenora, Daniel Breen

The Arkansas Legislature advanced new tax cuts and funding for the Game and Fish Commission on Monday, the first day of a special legislative session. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders called the session last week, saying “additional tax reductions can be enacted to provide further tax relief during this period of heightened inflation under ‘Bidenomics.’” This comes after the legislature adjourned a fiscal session in May without funding the commission.

Game & Fish Commission Budget

The Arkansas Legislature passed a Game and Fish budget bill through committee after a round of committee hearings on Monday amid ongoing controversy over the director’s salary.

Arkansas lawmakers gather on first day of special session

Josie Lenora/Little Rock Public Radio

The Arkansas House of Representatives gathers on the first day of a special session, Monday.

Auditor: Investigation into Arkansas governor’s lectern purchase unlikely to end this year

From the Arkansas Advocate:

The investigation into Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ controversial lectern purchase and effort to shield records related to her security detail likely won’t be finished this year, the lead auditor at Arkansas’ nonpartisan agency that investigates government spending said Wednesday.

Sanders’ office drew widespread attention in September for the purchase of a $19,000 lectern and carrying case from a Virginia-based event design and management firm with political ties to Sanders.

Attorney and blogger Matt Campbell of the Blue Hog Report has spent months using the state Freedom of Information Act to report and scrutinize Sanders’ use of state funds and resources. He posted an invoice on X (formerly Twitter) on Sept. 15 that showed the lectern was purchased in June. (Campbell is now a reporter at the Arkansas Times.)

Auditor: Investigation into Arkansas governor’s lectern purchase unlikely to end this year

Arkansas Legislature

Frank Arey, a staff attorney with Arkansas Legislative Audit, discusses an ongoing audit into Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ controversial lectern purchase and effort to shield records related to her security detail before the Legislative Joint Auditing Executive Committee on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed fewest amount of bills since 1971

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

In an interview with Talk Business & Politics, Misty Orpin, executive director of Common Ground Arkansas, shared data that she compiled on the past legislative session. She said that 62% of the bills that were filed did pass, while 38% failed.

Most of the bills that failed to pass were related to taxation. Orpin said that 61% of the bills filed in the revenue and taxation committees didn’t pass.

“The biggest graveyard was actually revenue and tax [committees]. I think that because the state is absorbing some of the big tax cuts that they ran in the previous sessions,” Orpin said. “There are really big ticket expenses that they passed that are coming down the pipeline. I think whether they would admit it or not they’re a little skittish about the budget.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-05-31/during-the-2023-legislative-session-lawmakers-passed-fewest-amount-of-bills-since-1971

Jacob Kauffman/KUAR

The Arkansas Legislature meets every two years to pass legislation. During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed the least amount of bills since 1971.

Arkansas bill restricting transgender adults’ bathroom use will be amended, returned to committee

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas legislators will amend a proposed law that would make it a crime if an adult “knowingly exposes his or her sex organs to a minor of the opposite sex” in a public restroom or changing room.

Sen. John Payton (R-Wilburn), the sponsor of Senate Bill 270, pulled the bill from consideration on the Senate floor Wednesday in order to clarify some of the language.

Adults who enter and remain in a facility that does not align with their gender assigned at birth would risk criminal charges of sexual indecency with a child if they are aware that minors are present, the bill states.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-02/arkansas-bill-restricting-transgender-adults-bathroom-use-will-be-amended-returned-to-committee

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) explains his opposition to Senate Bill 270 before the full Senate on March 1, 2023. The bill would make it a crime of sexual indecency with a child if a person enters and remains in a restroom that does not align with their biological sex when children are present.

Arkansas bill restricting bathroom access in presence of minors advances

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Another bill aimed at restricting bathroom use in Arkansas has gained approval from a legislative panel.

Members of the Senate Judiciary committee on Monday voted along party lines in favor of Senate Bill 270, which would make it a crime for Arkansans to linger in a restroom or changing room inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth if a minor is present.

Bill sponsor Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, said it would only apply to adults who “knowingly remain” in a shared facility in which others, including minors, could be expected to be in various states of undress.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-02-27/arkansas-bill-restricting-bathroom-access-in-presence-of-minors-advances

Arkansas Legislature

Jessica Disney (right) speaks against Senate Bill 270 in a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday as the bill's sponsor, Sen. John Payton, looks on.

Issue 1 opposition forms with State Chamber, Farm Bureau support

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

Opponents of Issue 1, the proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the Arkansas Legislature to call itself into special session, announced Thursday (Oct. 6) the formation of a legislative question committee to oppose the measure.

The legislatively-referred issue will be on the November 8 general election ballot.

“Our legislature already meets once every year, plus one or more special sessions called by the governor most years, and that’s enough to take care of the business of the people,” said Randy Zook, co-chair of Arkansans Against Issue 1 and president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas. “Voters benefit from having a truly representative ‘citizen legislature,’ and if Issue 1 passes, making it harder for the average Arkansan to serve, we will move even closer to a full-time legislature.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/issue-1-opposition-forms-with-state-chamber-farm-bureau-support/

Poll: Arkansas Legislature Gets Mixed Reviews from Voters

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

A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll of 916 likely Arkansas voters tested the job approval of the legislature as well as a proposed constitutional amendment that would give lawmakers the power to call themselves into special session, a duty reserved exclusively to the governor. In the survey, conducted Sept. 20-22, 2021, participants were asked:

Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job the Arkansas legislature is doing?

9% Strongly Approve
37.5% Somewhat Approve (46.5% Approve)
19% Somewhat Disapprove
28% Strongly Disapprove (47% Disapprove)
6.5% Don’t Know

Q. Earlier this year, the state legislature placed several constitutional amendments on the ballot for consideration by Arkansas voters in the November 2022 general election. One proposal would give the legislature the authority to convene a special legislative session by issuing a proclamation of House and Senate leadership or by 2/3rds of the members of both the House and Senate. If the election were held today, would you plan to vote for or against this constitutional amendment?

8% Definitely For
32% Probably For (40% For)
24% Probably Against
14% Definitely Against (38% Against)
22% Don’t Know

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/09/poll-arkansas-legislature-gets-mixed-reviews-from-voters/

NCAA Allows Students To Profit from Name, Image, and Likeness

By MATTHEW MOORE

In April, the Arkansas State Legislature passed Act 810, which gives college athletes in the state the opportunity to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness. On July 1, the NCAA adopted an interim policy, which provides a uniform policy for all institutions. The University of Arkansas has created an in house program to help facilitate their student athletes, while smaller universities are depending on third parties to do this work.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/ncaa-allows-students-profit-name-image-and-likeness

Jordan Wright, owner of Wright's Barbecue, with the "Protectors of the Pit"

COURTESY / WRIGHT'S BARBECUE

Legislature Passes New Version Of 'Gun Sovereignty' Bill In Final Day Of Session

In the last moments of the 2021 Arkansas General Legislative Session, which ended early Tuesday after 1 a.m., the legislature managed to pass a bill that bans police from enforcing some federal gun laws, but addresses problems previously brought up on a similar bill that was vetoed by the governor. 

House Bill 1957, filed late Monday night, made its way through the legislature in fewer than 28 hours through a series of committee meetings, recesses and votes.

The legislation would ban all state and local law enforcement officers from enforcing any federal gun laws that conflict with the right to bear arms as outlined in both the U.S. and Arkansas Constitution. Those include any laws requiring registration, tracking or banning possession of firearms. The bill is nearly identical to Senate Bill 298, which Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoed on Friday.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/legislature-passes-new-version-gun-sovereignty-bill-final-day-session

Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, R-Hermitage, presents House Bill 1957 to the House floor.

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Panel Advances Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Allow Legislature to Call Itself Into Special Session

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Should the Arkansas Legislature have the power to call itself into an extraordinary session?

The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee on Monday (April 19) passed SJR 10, a proposed change to the state constitution for voter consideration. The resolution could be one of three proposals that legislators refer to voters for the 2022 general election.

Before it was passed, sponsor Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, presented an amendment to the bill. It would allow the legislature to come into a special session if two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate vote for it. The reasons for opening a special or extraordinary session must be specifically stated, she said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/panel-advances-proposed-constitutional-amendment-to-allow-legislature-to-call-itself-into-special-session/

Alternative To Hate Crimes Bill Filed In Arkansas Legislature

By GEORGE JARED/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

Arkansas is one of the only states without some type of hate crime law on the books, and Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said more than once it’s a top priority for him during the current legislative session. SB622, filed Thursday will attempt to solve that problem.

The bill, filed by Sen. Jimmy Hickey Jr., R-Texarkana, Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, and Rep. Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana, had not been assigned to a committee as of Thursday morning. Talk Business & Politics has confirmed that the bill is an alternative to the previously filed hate crimes legislation which has stalled during the session. It’s described as a “class protection bill.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/alternative-hate-crimes-bill-filed-arkansas-legislature

A hate crimes bill has so far not gained any momentum in the Arkansas General Assembly, so SB622 was filed Thursday as an alternative.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

Arkansas Legislature Passes Medicaid Expansion Program

By SARAH KELLOGG

The Arkansas Legislature has passed a new version of its Medicaid expansion program.

The House voted 64-34 Tuesday to pass Senate Bill 410, meaning it now goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson, where if signed, the bill will become law.

The state’s current plan, Arkansas Works, is set to sunset, or end, this year. The new plan, entitled the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me or ARHOME, would retain the current private insurance model for purchasing health plans for participants. Unlike Arkansas Works, there is no work requirement.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-legislature-passes-medicaid-expansion-program

Rep. Michelle Gray, R-Melbourne, presents Senate Bill 410 to the House.

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Arkansas Lawmakers Consider Proposed Constitutional Amendments for 2022 Ballot

By ANTOINETTE GRAJEDA

The Arkansas legislature can refer up to three constitutional amendments to Arkansas voters in the 2022 General Election. We talk to Kristin Higgins from the Arkansas Public Policy Center to learn more about the process for narrowing down proposals.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-lawmakers-consider-proposed-constitutional-amendments-2022-ballot

Bills Amending Telemedicine And SNAP Requirements Pass Arkansas Legislature

By SARAH KELLOGG

The Arkansas Legislature has passed bills that would amend telemedicine laws in an attempt to make permanent laws that are currently temporarily in place due to the pandemic.

The Arkansas Senate on Thursday voted 19-11 to pass House Bill 1063. Under the legislation, patients seeking medical care through telehealth would be able to seek care with a physician, without needing a prior face-to-face meeting. Instead an "real-time, interactive audio" meeting, which would include a phone call, would be enough to receive telehealth services. 

Currently, the in-person meeting requirement is suspended due to the public health emergency Gov. Asa Hutchinson implemented last year. 

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bills-amending-telemedicine-and-snap-requirements-pass-arkansas-legislature

Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, presents House Bill 1063 to the Senate.

CREDIT ARKANSAS SENATE

Arkansas Legislature Passes Bill Allowing Pharmacists To Prescribe And Dispense Birth Control

By SARAH KELLOGG

The Arkansas Legislature has passed a bill that would allow pharmacies to administer up to six months’ worth of birth control for patients seeking it. The Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to House Bill 1069. It advanced the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee on Monday.

The legislation would allow pharmacists, after screening a patient to assess whether that person has been seen by a primary-care provider in the previous six months, to dispense no more than six months’ worth of birth control until the patient has been seen by a doctor.

Pharmacists must also provide the patient with a referral to a local healthcare provider. The pharmacist would not be allowed to refer a patient to an abortion provider. 

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-legislature-passes-bill-allowing-pharmacists-prescribe-and-dispense-birth-control

Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville presents HB1069 to the Senate floor.

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Bill To Limit Governor’s Emergency Declarations Heads To Hutchinson’s Desk

By STEVE BRAWNER / TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

The Arkansas House of Representatives passed a bill Monday (March 15) that would give the Legislature the power to end a governor’s declared disaster emergency. Another bill, opposed by the governor, would require state agencies to refund COVID-19-related fines levied on businesses.

The House also passed a bill allowing medical professionals to opt out of certain procedures, and it advanced a bill codifying COVID-19-related civil immunity.

Senate Bill 379, which would create processes for the Legislature to end a governor’s declared state of emergency, passed 78-16, with 1 voting present. The bill by Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould, has already passed the Senate.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-limit-governor-s-emergency-declarations-heads-hutchinson-s-desk

Arkansas lawmakers approved legislation Monday that will give the legislature the power to end a disaster emergency issued by the governor.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

Arkansas Legislature Votes To Pass Abortion Ban, Awaits Action From Governor

By SARAH KELLOGG

The Arkansas Legislature on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that would ban nearly all abortions in the state.

By a vote of 76-19, the Arkansas House passed Senate Bill 6, which bans the legal practice of abortion with few medical exceptions and no exceptions for rape or incest. Anyone found guilty of performing or attempting to perform an abortion could face a fine of up to $100,000, up to 10 years in prison, or both a fine and prison sentence.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-legislature-votes-pass-abortion-ban-awaits-action-governor

The Arkansas House voted to ultimately pass SB6. It's undetermined whether Gov. Asa Hutchinson will sign it into law.

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After Second Go Round, Arkansas Lawmakers Approve "Stand Your Ground" Bill

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

This week, Arkansas legislators approved a controversial “stand your ground” gun measure allowing the use of lethal force in self-defense without first having to attempt to retreat, which was previously required by the state. The bill has been sent to Gov. Asa Hutchinson for approval. His decision is expected this week.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/after-second-go-round-arkansas-lawmakers-approve-stand-your-ground-bill

J. FROELICH / KUAF

Bill Expanding Scholarship Eligibility Rushed Through Legislature To Meet Deadline

By ANTOINETTE GRAJEDA

The winter weather postponed the Arkansas Legislature last week, which has complicated things for a time-sensitive bill aimed at expanding eligibility for certain Arkansas scholarships to students with legal status. This would include DACA recipients and Marshallese migrants legally residing in the state under a Compact of Free Association.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/bill-expanding-scholarship-eligibility-rushed-through-legislature-meet-deadline

Bentonville West senior Ananya Vangoor, a Bentonville West senior, speaks to the House Education Committee Feb. 25, 2021. She is one student who would benefit from the passage of SB287.

House Speaker Matthew Shepherd Commends Legislature For Making Progress Despite COVID-19 Pandemic

By ALEXANDRIA BROWN

Although the Arkansas General Assembly didn’t meet last week because of severe winter weather, House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, still commends the amount of progress that the legislature made this week.

While he says the amount of bills that have been filed is down compared to other sessions, he expects those numbers to pick up despite some members contracting the coronavirus earlier in the session.

"Even in the midst of working in the House where we have 100 members on the floor every single day, we’ve been very fortunate," Shepherd said. "A number of our members are falling into those categories from an age perspective being over 70 or 65, and they’re taking steps to obtain the vaccination. I feel like we’re only going to be in a better position as we move forward."

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/house-speaker-matthew-shepherd-commends-legislature-making-progress-despite-covid-19-pandemic

File photo of the Arkansas House

CREDIT SARAH KELLOGG