Arkansas lawmakers send sweeping education bill to governor’s desk

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will sign her signature education package into law Wednesday, two weeks after the bill was filed.

The Arkansas Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, on Tuesday.

“I’m ready to sign it into law tomorrow and end the failed status quo that has governed our education system for far too long,” Sanders said in a statement. “Every kid should have access to a quality education and a path to a good paying job and better life right here in Arkansas.”

The LEARNS Act makes sweeping changes to the state’s education system by addressing a variety of topics, including teacher pay, school safety, career readiness, literacy, a new voucher program and “indoctrination.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-08/arkansas-lawmakers-send-sweeping-education-bill-to-governors-desk

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

Sen. Breanne Davis (R-Russellville), gives a thumbs-up after the Senate passes SB 294 on Feb. 23, as Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) looks on.

Arkansas Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing Campaign Funds To Go For Childcare Expenses

By SARAH KELLOGG

The Arkansas Legislature has given final approval to a bill that would allow campaign funds to be used for childcare services in certain circumstances.

The Senate on Tuesday voted 24-6, with 5 present, to pass House Bill 1728. It now goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

The legislation, which has had bipartisan support, makes the distinction that the use of campaign funds to pay for a candidate’s childcare expenses would not be considered as a "taking of campaign funds as personal income" as long as the childcare being paid for because the candidate is engaging in campaign activity.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-lawmakers-pass-bill-allowing-campaign-funds-go-childcare-expenses

Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, presents House Bill 1728 to the Senate floor.

CREDIT ARKANSAS SENATE

Arkansas Lawmakers Approve Governor’s 60-Day Extension Of Pandemic Emergency

By ROBY BROCK / TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

Gov. Asa Hutchinson asked lawmakers Monday (March 29) to approve his 60-day extension of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, and they agreed but not without lengthy debate.

On a voice vote from the Arkansas Legislative Council, state legislators extended the emergency order although several members raised objections. In essence, the legislature voted “no” on a proposal by Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, to deny the governor the extension. After members voted down the rejection of his request, they voted to approve five executive orders related to the emergency declaration.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-lawmakers-approve-governor-s-60-day-extension-pandemic-emergency

Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaking to the Arkansas Legislative Council Monday, asking for a 60-day extension of his state pandemic emergency.

CREDIT KATV-CHANNEL 7

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.

CREDIT ARKANSAS SENATE