Governor Sanders Announces Grocery Tax Relief Act, Good Neighbor Act

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced the Grocery Tax Relief Act and the Good Neighbor Act. The Grocery Tax Relief Act will repeal the state grocery tax. The legislation’s lead sponsors are Senate President Bart Hester (District 33) and Representative Kendon Underwood (District 16). The Good Neighbor Act expands protections for food donors and food banks. The legislation’s lead sponsors are Senator Breanne Davis (District 25) and Representative Chad Puryear (District 25).

“The reckless tax-and-spend policies of the Biden Administration drove food prices through the roof. The Grocery Tax Relief Act ends our state’s most regressive tax, the state Grocery Tax, and eases the burden on families just trying to put food on their tables,” said Governor Sanders. “We’ve seen how often food goes to waste instead of helping a family in need. The Good Neighbor Act opens the door for more organizations to donate leftover food and ensures generous Arkansans don’t have to worry about lawsuits.”

“Working families deserve every break we can help provide especially at the grocery store. I am proud to do my part in helping deliver relief by letting them keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Senate President Bart Hester.

“With so many hungry people across our state, good food should not be going to waste. I’m proud to work with Governor Sanders to ensure good food goes to those who need it most,” said Senator Breanne Davis.

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“For too long too much has been taken out of hard-earned paychecks, but under Governor Sanders’ leadership, families will pay less in income tax, property tax, and now less tax at the grocery store too,” said Representative Kendon Underwood.

We have some great organizations working across our state to address food insecurities.  The Good Neighbor Act encourages more donors to participate by addressing liability barriers.  Anything we can do to encourage good faith donors is a win and I appreciate the Governor for making this a priority,” said Representative Chad Puryear.

The Grocery Tax Relief Act repeals the state grocery tax on food ingredients, returning nearly $10.9 million to the taxpayer annually. This bill will not impact county and municipal grocery taxes. 

The Good Neighbor Act expands liability protections to food bank donors including retail grocers, wholesalers, hotels, motels, restaurants, caterers, farmers, nonprofit food distributors, schools, churches, religious organizations, and hospitals. It also provides protection to food banks who then distribute those food donations to the community.

The Sanders Administration is working across the board to eliminate food insecurity. Earlier this session, Governor Sanders signed SB59 into law providing every student in Arkansas with free school breakfast. The legislation also repurposes Medical Marijuana tax revenue to ensure both Summer EBT and Arkansas’ free lunch and breakfast programs are fully funded into the future.

Governor Sanders previously announced Arkansas will continue its Summer EBT program this year after serving 260,000 last summer. The Governor previously signed legislation to provide free school lunches for students who previously qualified for reduced-price meals.

AARP survey shows small business support for more retirement options for workers

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Respondents to a statewide poll conducted by AARP showed overwhelming support for legislation to make it easier for businesses to access retirement savings choices for workers. The results of the survey were released Monday (March 3).

The AARP Small Business Survey of 504 small business owners across Arkansas showed 79% support for a privately managed, ready-to-go retirement savings option for small business owners that would enable them to offer workers a way to save for the future. And 88% agreed that state lawmakers should support a bill that makes it easier for small business owners to access a retirement savings option for their employees and themselves.

HB 1335, sponsored by Rep. Les Warren, R-Hot Springs, is currently a shell bill. Warren, who co-chairs the Joint Public Retirement Committee and has years of experience working in the trust division of a bank, said the purpose of the bill is to provide a retirement plan option for employees whose employers don’t offer a 401(k) or similar option.

AARP survey shows small business support for more retirement options for workers

Severe Weather Outlook for Arkansas today

• [WHAT] Strong to possibly a few severe thunderstorms are likely to impact Arkansas.

• [WHEN] Today, Tuesday March 4, 2025.

• [WHERE] Most of the state, but especially portions of central Arkansas, and all of southern Arkansas.

  [ADDITIONAL INFO]

• If the environment destabilizes enough, severe weather (including tornadoes) will become likely.

• Gusty winds in excess of 40+ mph will be possible ahead of the thunderstorm activity and after the passage of the thunderstorm activity through Wednesday.

  [KEEP IN MIND]

• The early arrival of precipitation (this morning) may keep the atmosphere from becoming overly unstable. If rain arrives later, or progresses more slowly to the east, then destabilization will occur. This is very concerning given that available shear will be impressive (to promote tornadoes).

• This will be the last severe weather briefing regarding the severe thunderstorms moving across the state today.

The most widespread hazard across Arkansas today will be the risk for damaging wind gusts. Damaging wind gusts will be possible statewide; however, southern portions of the state will see the highest potential for severe winds. (Note the hatched area across southern Arkansas which indicates a 10% or greater chance for significant severe winds equal to or greater than 74 mph.)

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

During the 7th week of the 2025 Regular Session, the House approved HCR1006, extending the session until April 16, with adjournment Sine Die on May 5. 

The House passed three bills this week focusing on initiatives and referendum petitions. SB207 requires canvassers to inform potential petitioners that petition fraud is a class A misdemeanor. SB208 requires canvassers to verify petitioners' photo IDs before collecting signatures, while SB211 mandates canvassers to submit an affidavit confirming their adherence to Arkansas laws concerning canvassing, perjury, forgery, and election fraud.  

The House also passed two bills this week addressing human trafficking. HB1474 mandates the display of information about the National Human Trafficking Hotline at nail salons, massage businesses, and any privately owned facilities offering food, fuel, shower, or sanitary services, as well as overnight parking, within 1,320 feet of an interstate. HB1440 requires massage therapy establishments to list all therapists working there with the Arkansas Department of Health.  

Education legislation was also addressed with the passage of SB206 and HB1117. SB206 increases the maximum amount for literacy tutoring grants from $500 to $1,500, provided funding is available.

HB1117 states that all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools must provide students with age-appropriate and grade-appropriate firearm safety instruction. 

Beginning March 3, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee will begin hearing proposed constitutional amendments after House adjournment on Mondays. There are 20 proposals filed in the House, and the committee will hear testimony on all of the proposals before taking any votes. Pursuant to the Arkansas Constitution, the General Assembly can place up to three constitutional amendments on the November 2026 General Election Ballot.  

For more details, you can access proposed amendments, and recently filed bills, and watch all House meetings at arkansashouse.org.

Severe Weather for Arkansas possible on Tuesday

Ahead of a powerful storm system (“L”) in the southern Plains, there will be a lot of shear/turning with height (to promote tornadoes), with a southerly 50 to 70 knot jet at 850 millibars (5,000 feet) and a southwest 70 to 100+ knot jet at 500 millibars (18,000 feet).

• [WHAT] Strong to possibly severe thunderstorms could impact the state early next week.

• [WHEN] Tuesday, March 4th.

• [WHERE] Across much of Arkansas, but especially the eastern half of the state.

  [ADDITIONAL INFO]

• A strong storm system and cold front are expected to approach by early next week.

• The system will try to bring warm, moist, and unstable air into the region from the Gulf Coast.

• If the environment destabilizes enough, severe weather (including tornadoes) will become likely.

  [WHAT HAS CHANGED]

• It appears an early arrival of precipitation (Tuesday morning) may keep the atmosphere from becoming overly unstable. If rain arrives later, or progresses more slowly to the east, then destabilization will occur. This is very concerning given that available shear will be impressive (to promote tornadoes).

• Continue to monitor the latest briefings as we assess trends in medium to short-term model data.

Attorney General Griffin joins 37 AGs urging Congress to increase penalties for organized retail crime

Griffin: ‘This Legislation We Are Asking Congress To Pass Will Help Us In Our Local Fight Against Organized Retail Crime’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after joining a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general on a letter urging Congress to create stiffer penalties for criminals engaged in organized retail crime:

“Arkansas has been a leader on organized retail crime for the past two years, and I have made it a priority in my office. Last year I hired a full-time organized retail crime investigator, and before that I joined with Homeland Security Investigations and several neighboring states to form an Organized Retail Crime Alliance. We’ve already seen multiple busts and arrests as a result of our focused efforts.

“This legislation we are asking Congress to pass will help us in our local fight against organized retail crime. The more tools we have in bringing these criminals to justice, the more success we will have in keeping our communities, our roadways, and our places of business safe, and the more we can prevent crimes that pass on costs to consumers.”

Organized retail crime has contributed to financial losses totaling over $121 billion in the U.S., and 76 percent of retail asset protection managers report their employees have suffered from violence at the hands of an organized retail criminal. Cargo theft remains a primary component of organized retail crime nationwide – disrupting supply chains and acting as an inflationary pressure on the price of everything from baby formula to clothing.

During the 118th Congress, the House and Senate introduced H.R.895/S.140 – Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023 and S.139 – Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023. This legislation would provide the necessary resources at the state and federal level to bring the organizations and individuals behind this nationwide problem to justice. Now, the coalition is urging the 119th Congress to re-introduce this bill to include increased federal penalties for supply chain thefts to act as a strong deterrent against the organized theft of goods in transit.

The letter was co-led by attorneys general from Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina. In addition to Arkansas, joining them are the attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, and West Virginia.

To read the letter, click here.

Cotton, Scott, Hill, and colleagues to Uyeda: Review approach to consolidated audit trail

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), and House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (Arkansas-02) today sent a letter to Acting Chairman of The Securities and Exchange Commission Mark Uyeda to launch a comprehensive review of all aspects of the Consolidated Audit Trail.

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Additional signers of the letter included Senator Boozman (R-Arkansas), Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Congressman Bill Huizenga (Michigan-04), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (Missouri-02), and Congressman Barry Loudermilk (Georgia-11).

In part, the lawmakers wrote:

“The prohibition on collecting investor PII must be formally codified (rather than via rescindable exemptive relief) and already-collected PII must be expunged.  Cybersecurity measures for the remaining data must be enhanced.  And the CAT’s bloated out-of-control budget must be addressed... . Further, it would appear appropriate for the Commission to pause and reconsider its position with respect to ongoing litigation related to the CAT, as it has done for other cases commenced during the Biden administration.”

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

February 28, 2025

Mr. Mark Uyeda

Acting Chairman

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street NE

Washington, DC 20549

The Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) has been a highly controversial endeavor that has raised many concerns from Members of Congress, including with respect to (i) the unwarranted collection of personally identifiable information (PII) from millions of American investors, (ii) potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and (iii) its inequitable funding structure.

We are pleased that you and fellow Commissioner Peirce have repeatedly acknowledged these longstanding concerns and applaud the Commission for its recent steps to protect the financial privacy of American investors.

However, there is more work to be done. The prohibition on collecting investor PII must be formally codified (rather than via rescindable exemptive relief) and already-collected PII must be expunged.  Cybersecurity measures for the remaining data must be enhanced.  And the CAT’s bloated out-of-control budget must be addressed.

Given these continuing concerns, the Commission should launch a comprehensive review that covers all aspects of the CAT.  In doing so, the Commission should take additional steps to pause the CAT’s most controversial elements—not only the collection of customer PII, but also the problematic funding structure that a majority of the current Commission voted against. Further, it would appear appropriate for the Commission to pause and reconsider its position with respect to ongoing litigation related to the CAT, as it has done for other cases commenced during the Biden administration.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Boozman, Moran, Fischer, Budd Measure Seeks to Improve Veterans’ Access to Care

WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) as well as Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tedd Budd (R-NC) to introduce legislation that would permanently authorize and expand the External Provider Scheduling (EPS) program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make it easier to schedule healthcare appointments for veterans in the community. 

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The EPS program allows the VA to view the schedules of community care providers. This reduces the amount of time it takes to find and create appointments for veterans in need of care. In initial rollout phases, this system led to a 65 percent improvement in the timeliness of community care scheduling and increased scheduling from seven appointments a day to over twenty.

“Veterans deserve timely and quality access to medical care,” said Boozman. “Across our country, and particularly in rural areas, our former servicemembers rely on community care to receive the services and benefits they need. I’m pleased to join my colleagues on this effort to support and strengthen the important tools that help ensure veterans’ appointments are not delayed or denied.”

“Veterans should not have to wait weeks or months to obtain the care and services they have earned,” said Moran. “By simplifying the community care appointment scheduling process and improving communication between VA and community providers, the External Provider Scheduling program has resulted in veterans getting the health care they need faster. This bill would continue the EPS program so that even more veterans will benefit from it, improving access to care nationwide.”

“Our veterans shouldn’t have to wait long periods to receive the medical care and services they need,” said Fischer. “By making the EPS program permanent, we will put our veterans’ needs first as we improve care coordination between the VA and community providers, especially in our rural areas. I look forward to working with my colleagues to take care of our veterans by passing this legislation.”

“No veteran should be forced to wait for the care they need and deserve,” said Budd. “That’s why I am proud to support Senator Moran’s legislation that allows the VA to schedule appointments with community healthcare providers in real time. Veterans in North Carolina and across the nation deserve the highest quality care we can provide them, and this bill will help us accomplish that mission.”

Click here for full text of the legislation. 

Governor Sanders Announces Appointment

Dawn Egan - Justia Image

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today appointed Dawn Egan as Judge on Arkansas’ Fourth Judicial Circuit, Division 3. Dawn replaces Judge Stacey Zimmerman, who will retire effective March 1st, 2025. She will take office on March 1st, 2025, and her term will expire December 31st, 2026.

“Dawn is a very experienced and qualified attorney that has dedicated her career to serving our state’s most vulnerable with a special focus on kids. I look forward to her continued service on the Fourth Judicial Circuit,” said Governor Sanders.
 
Dawn Egan bio:
Dawn Egan has worked as an Attorney Ad Litem for Washington and Madison Counties for the last 14 years, having represented approximately 5,000 abused and neglected children while advocating for the best interest of children in dependency neglect cases. Prior to that, Dawn was a Juvenile Prosecuting Attorney for six years in Washington County before leaving to go into private practice, working initially for the Kester law firm, writing appeals and representing clients in all forms of domestic law before opening her own law firm. She is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and Washington County Bar Association. Dawn is a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children and is certified as a Child Welfare Law Specialist.

Dawn graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Ecology with an emphasis in Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville where she was on Law Review as an Article’s Editor and was published in 52 Ark. L. Rev. 591 (1999).  She is an active member of Cross Church, serving in the Baptism ministry. Dawn has been married to her husband Ted for 39 years and has one daughter, Shayna.

Professor Sponsors High School, Undergrad Students in 2 UAMS Health Career Programs

By Chris Carmody

A pair of community engagement programs in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships will be able to accept more students this year thanks to support from a professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics.

David Becton, M.D., a pediatric hematologist and oncologist who treats patients at Arkansas Children’s, has agreed to provide $45,000 in endowed chair discretionary funds to sponsor students in the Pre-Medical Summer Scholars and Summer Research Internship programs over a two-year period.

Becton is the inaugural recipient of Arkansas Children’s Lawrence H. Schmieding Endowed Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, which was established in 2015. He said the UAMS programs are the first of their kind that he’s supported through Arkansas Children’s endowment funds.

Professor Sponsors High School, Undergrad Students in 2 UAMS Health Career Programs

Students from UAMS’ Health Career University programs gather for a 2023 ceremony that celebrated their achievements. Health Career University helps students from rural and medically underserved communities gain exposure to health professions and advice on how to get into academic institutions like UAMS.

Cold plasma-treated seeds show potential to protect plants, reduce pesticide use

By Maddie Johnson
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The same substance that paints the sky with the Northern Lights also appears to enhance plant growth and insect defense, according to a new study.

FOURTH STATE OF MATTER — Cold plasma is applied to rice seeds to investigate its effects on plant growth and defense against the fall armyworm. (Image courtesy of Rupesh Kariyat)

Food science and entomology researchers from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station teamed up to harness plasma and measure its effects on rice seed. The project began after Mahfuzur Rahman, assistant professor of food science, acquired a machine that produces cold plasma.

Known as the fourth state of matter, plasma is an electrically charged gas that has fluid-like behavior. Rahman points to the Northern Lights as the most familiar example of cold plasma, which means it is considered low temperature compared to the much higher temperatures of plasma in stars. Other examples of cold plasma like that generated in Rahman’s lab include fluorescent lights and neon signs.

Rupesh Kariyat, associate professor of crop entomology, became interested in investigating cold plasma’s effects from an insect perspective — an area he said had not been studied adequately.

“I thought it would be a good idea that we expose our seeds to cold plasma and then grow those seeds out into plants and ask the question of whether the plants are doing better,” Kariyat said.

“If this works, then we can come up with a method to expand at a scale where we can add cold plasma to complement existing seed treatments to boost their growth and defense against insect herbivores,” Kariyat said, noting the potential to reduce insecticide use.

One of Kariyat’s graduate students, Deepak Dilip, led the project in collaboration with Nikitha Modupalli, a postdoctoral fellow in food science and member of Rahman’s lab. Their study, "Atmospheric cold plasma alters plant traits and negatively affects the growth and development of fall armyworm in rice," was published in Nature's Scientific Reports in January.

Dilip served as the lead author, with Modupalli, Rahman and Kariyat serving as co-authors. Both Rahman and Kariyat are researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Tracking seed germination and plant growth

The study specifically investigated rice plant defense against fall armyworm. Seeds were treated with cold plasma and then irrigated with cold plasma-activated water, which is water that has been treated with cold plasma and has some antimicrobial properties. The plasma interacts with water molecules to generate highly reactive molecules containing oxygen and nitrogen, which effectively kill bacteria.

The results revealed that rice seeds treated with cold plasma could negatively impact fall armyworms’ growth and development.

MEASURING GROWTH AND DEFENSE — Deepak Dilip, a graduate research assistant pursuing a master's degree in entomology, led the experiments with strong support from Nikitha Modupalli, food science postdoctoral fellow. (Image courtesy of Rupesh Kariyat)

Researchers also observed signs of improved plant growth such as more leaf growth. They also saw a faster germination rate in cold plasma-treated plants, though this was not statistically significant. It has been found that cold plasma can increase germination by eroding a seed’s surface.

Additionally, though germination rates were quicker, control plants eventually caught up with treated ones in terms of growth, making final germination counts similar between untreated and cold plasma-treated seeds. Researchers point out that this suggests cold plasma applications, though they can benefit initial plant growth, would not be as beneficial in later stages of the plant’s growth cycle.

As for the study’s impacts on the future, Kariyat and Rahman hope to apply cold plasma to the field of organic food production.

Rahman explained that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is evaluating cold plasma as an organic technology, potentially paving the way to alternatives for pesticides.

“In the future, if we can optimize this technology for organic production, it will create a very new avenue for organic food growth,” Rahman said.

To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.

Media Advisory: 4-H Day at the Capitol

The 4-H Day at the Capitol schedule has been revised, due to the pending weather forecast for March 4.

Tracy Courage           tcourage@uada.edu                      501-658-2044

WHAT:   More than 500 4-H members from 55 counties will be at 4-H Day at the Capitol to meet their legislators, learn about the legislative process, and showcase their work in 4-H on a large scale.

WHEN:   Tuesday, March 4, 2025 — Tribute to 4-H begins at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE   State Capitol Rotunda (second floor)

 WHO:   Speakers include the following:

• Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge

• State Treasurer John Thurston

• Attorney General Tim Griffin

• Secretary of State Cole Jester 

• Deacue Fields – Vice President-Agriculture, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture 

• John Anderson, Director of Cooperative Extension Service, UADA

 4-H members will meet with their legislators at 11 a.m. and depart the Capitol at 1 p.m.

Arkansas governor signs bill criminalizing sale of body parts

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Thursday she had signed “Lux's Law," which institutes criminal penalties for selling human remains.

The legislation is a reaction to an April 2024 indictment against an Arkansas woman. Candance Chapman Scott admitted to selling thousands of dollars in human remains over Facebook Marketplace. Scott sold the remains to Jeremy Pauley, a tattoo artist from Pennsylvania.

Last year, Scott pleaded guilty to charges such as mail fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property, crimes that could carry a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. She did not plead guilty to selling a corpse, because at that time it was not illegal in Arkansas to sell body parts over the internet.

Arkansas governor signs bill criminalizing sale of body parts

Arkansas House

"Lux's Law," signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders this week, will criminalize people who sell a corpse or body parts.

Arkansas House committee advances bill to allow nitrogen gas executions

KUAR | By Nathan Treece

A bill to allow executions using nitrogen gas in Arkansas cleared an initial hurdle Thursday morning.

House Bill 1489 is sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, R-Hermitage. It would expand the state’s alternatives to lethal injection to include nitrogen hypoxia, alongside the electric chair, which is Arkansas’ only alternative on record.

In a meeting of the House Judiciary committee Thursday, Deputy Solicitor General Dylan Jacobs said the state has been seeking a resupply of lethal injection drugs since 2017.

“The lethal injection drugs are controlled substances, and the supply chains are obviously very restricted in who can purchase them," said Jacobs. "That's not necessarily the case with nitrogen gas, and states have, thus far, assessed that it's pretty available to get. I'm not aware of any troubles that Alabama has had in securing access to a supply of nitrogen.”

Arkansas House committee advances bill to allow nitrogen gas executions

Cotton, Slotkin, colleagues reintroduce legislation to address cybersecurity threats to American agriculture

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Elissa Slotkin (D- Michigan) today reintroduced the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act, legislation that would strengthen cybersecurity protections for the agriculture and food critical infrastructure sectors. The bill will identify vulnerabilities and improve protective measures of both the government and private groups against cyber threats to America’s food supply chain.

Co-sponsoring the legislation are Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Thom Tillis (R- North Carolina), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Katie Britt (R- Alabama), and Ted Budd (R- North Carolina). Congressman Brad Finstad (Minnesota-01) is introducing companion legislation in the House.

Bill text may be found here.  

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“America’s adversaries are seeking to gain any advantage they can against us—including targeting critical industries like agriculture. Congress must work with the Department of Agriculture to identify and defeat these cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This legislation will ensure we are prepared to protect the supply chains our farmers and all Americans rely on,” said Senator Cotton.

“Food security is national security, and the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act is a vital step toward safeguarding Michigan’s agriculture and food sectors,” said Senator Slotkin. “Cyber attacks threaten our food supply constantly, and we must ensure both government and private industries are prepared. This bipartisan bill will require the Department of Agriculture to work closely with our national security agencies to ensure that our adversaries, like China, can’t threaten our ability to feed ourselves by ourselves.”

"With innovation and advancement in precision ag technology, the agricultural industry has become more technologically advanced, creating new challenges and vulnerabilities for farmers across southern Minnesota and the nation,” said Congressman Finstad. “Food security is national security. The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act will make tremendous strides to protect our nation’s food supply from the imminent cyber threats that the ag sector experiences here at home.”

Supporting the legislation are the North American Millers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, USA Rice, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act would:

• Direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a risk assessment every two years of the cybersecurity threat to, and vulnerabilities in, the agriculture and food sectors and submit a report to Congress.

• Direct the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, as well as the Director of National Intelligence, to conduct an annual cross-sector crisis simulation exercise for food-related cyber emergencies or disruptions.

U.S. Representative French Hill introduces bill to expand Flatside Wilderness Area

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today reintroduced the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act, which will add 2,215 U.S. Forest Service acres to the Flatside Wilderness area. In 2019, Flatside was initially expanded by over 600 acres under Rep. Hill’s original bill, H.R. 5636, the Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act. In the 118th Congress, identical legislation from Rep. Hill was unanimously approved by the House Natural Resources Committee.

"As a ninth-generation Arkansan and a lifelong outdoorsman, I believe that all Arkansans should have the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of our state. In 2019, my Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act added over 600 acres to Flatside Wilderness, known as Bethune Woods, and I also commissioned a study of all possible qualifying additions to Flatside.

“I am proud to reintroduce my Flatside Wilderness Additions Act, which will complete my work on the final expansion of Flatside Wilderness by adding 2,215 acres of existing U.S. Forest Service land. Finishing this expansion will bring more opportunities for Arkansans and visitors to explore more of our state’s natural qualities and further boost our outdoor recreation economy."

Further Background:

Flatside Wilderness Additions Act – This bill will designate an additional 2,215 acres to Flatside Wilderness. This area is a part of the Ouachita National Forest and is in Perry County, Arkansas, which is in the Second Congressional District. At the direction of Congress, this addition was thoroughly studied and evaluated by the U.S. Forest Service. They issued their report in May of 2021. This legislation is designed based on their analysis and findings. This legislation has support from local and state agencies, as well as numerous outside organizations, including:

• Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

• Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde

• Perry County Judge Larry Blackmon

• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

• The National Wildlife Federation

• The PEW Charitable Trusts

• Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

• The Ozark Society

• Southern Environmental Law Center

• The Wilderness Society

Flatside Wilderness Area

Boozman, Murray unveil bipartisan legislation to improve support for disabled veterans and their families, including young caregivers

WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Patty Murray (D-WA), senior members of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced the Helping Heroes Act, legislation to support the families and children of disabled veterans who take on caregiving roles.

The Helping Heroes Act seeks to improve the assistance provided to children under the age of 18 that offer invaluable support to the veteran family members they live with. Because these dependents face unique challenges and take on responsibilities that their peers do not carry, this bill aims to bolster the accessibility and quality of mental health care and peer support services they can receive through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Investing in the families of our veterans is part of the commitment we have made to those who have served,” said Boozman. “By expanding the VA’s capabilities and resources to better support the needs of caregivers, including the children of disabled veterans, they will benefit in their own lives as well as enjoy more access to comprehensive tools and networks. Better grasping and responding to the impact of caring for their loved ones is an important step to raise their quality of life.”

“I’m proud to reintroduce my bipartisan legislation to help VA better support the families of disabled veterans—especially children who frequently take on caregiving roles in their families and could benefit from additional supportive services,” said Murray, daughter of a WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient who was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during her childhood. “Veterans and their families have sacrificed so much for our country, and we have a responsibility to make sure the federal government is there for them and that we’re constantly working to improve the services they get through VA.”

Specifically, the Helping Heroes Act would:

• Establish a permanent Family Support Program to provide supportive services to eligible family members of disabled veterans;

• Require a coordinator at each Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) to assess the needs of veteran families in their catchment area and refer them to available local, state and federal resources; and

• Require VA to collect data on the experiences of disabled veteran families to better identify and understand their needs.

The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Peter Welch (D-VT).

The Helping Heroes Act is supported by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, American Veterans and the Association of the United States Army.

More information on supporting the healthy development of children from military and veteran caregiving homes can be found in this report commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. 

Click here for full text of the legislation.

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Panel rejects bill granting secretary of state law enforcement powers

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

A bill to give the secretary of state’s office more power over the petition process failed in an Arkansas legislative committee Thursday.

Senate Bill 212 was rejected by members of the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committee. The bill would grant the Secretary of State’s Office law enforcement powers to investigate the validity of documents relating to ballot initiatives and petitions.

The bill failed on a voice vote after roughly an hour of debate and public comment. Activist Jimmie Cavin was one of several members of the public to speak against the bill, saying it gives the secretary of state too much power.

Panel rejects bill granting secretary of state law enforcement powers

Dwain Hebda/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas State Capitol.

Bill amending library system director qualifications advances

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

A bill changing the requirements for library system directors is nearing final approval in the Arkansas Legislature.

Senate Bill 181 would no longer require the State Librarian or regional library system directors to hold a master’s degree from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association. Instead, local oversight boards could consider relevant work experience as a substitute for a master’s degree when choosing a new director.

In a meeting of the House City, County and Local Affairs committee Wednesday, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, said local library boards can be trusted to choose the most qualified candidate regardless of their education level.

Bill amending library system director qualifications advances

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas state Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro) speaks on the Senate floor in February 2023.

Klass to lead Arkansas Plant Health Clinic

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Some people spend years trying to find a career that’s a perfect fit. For Taylor Klass, the new head plant pathologist and diagnostician at the Arkansas Plant Health Clinic, the pieces came together relatively early in her academic journey. 

NEW IN THE ROLE — Taylor Klass is the new head of the Arkansas Plant Health Clinic. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

“I studied agronomy and animal sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University in undergrad,” Klass said. “For my agronomy major, I had to take an introduction to plant pathology course, and I loved it. It was like solving a puzzle, but for plants. I decided that in graduate school, I wanted to pursue a future career in plant pathology.”

Before joining the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Klass completed her Ph.D. in plant pathology last May. Growing up in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, Klass said she wasn’t exposed to much farming culture as a child, until an unusual summer camp in her early teens introduced her to a different way of life.

“I wasn’t in 4-H or FFA, but I grew up with a love for animals and the outdoors,” Klass said. “My parents sent me to this 1800s farm camp in Ohio’s Amish Country when I was in middle school — that was my first introduction to agriculture. For the whole week, you did farm chores and everything. I really fell in love with it — but I didn’t know you could study agriculture in college until the end of high school. When I figured that out, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Klass applied for the position with the Arkansas Plant Clinic last summer. Sherrie Smith, who ran the clinic for 18 years, retired in 2023. Jason Pavel, plant diagnostician and extension program associate for the Division of Agriculture, kept the clinic running in the interim and continues in those roles.

Klass said she wants to build on the clinic’s established reputation, holding public outreach and training sessions for extension agents, Master Gardeners and the general public.

Ken Korth, entomology and plant pathology department chair for the Division of Agriculture, said Klass’ background and disposition made her the right choice for the Arkansas Plant Health Clinic.

“Taylor joins us with a wealth of knowledge of plant diseases and a drive to use her skills in serving others,” Korth said. “Her background and education are excellent fits for a diagnostic lab. She has a good mix of practical field experience, along with expertise in emerging technologies for pathogen identification.”

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.