Bills signed into law by Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Monday, April 10, 2023, the Governor signed into law: 

 
HB1594, to create a sales tax exemption for the Disabled American Veterans Organization.
 
HB1653, to prohibit the purchase of small, unmanned aircrafts manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity. 
 
HB1674, concerning the consumer protection division of the attorney general’s office; and to amend the law concerning settlement funds held by the Attorney General’s Office. 
 
HB1296, to make technical corrections to the arkansas code concerning the use of respectful language when referring to individuals with disabilities.
 
HB1408, to create the Uniform Easement Relocation Act.
 
HB1501, to amend Arkansas law concerning when a prosecution is commenced.
 
HB1503, to create the offense of operating a chop shop; and to create the offense of dealing in stolen or forged motor vehicle parts.
 
HB1695, to amend the definition of “active-duty service member” used in the child maltreatment act.
 
HB1729, to name a licensed massage therapist as a mandated reporter under the child maltreatment act. 
 
HB1129, to require the Arkansas Medicaid program and insurance policies to reimburse for behavioral health services provided in certain settings. 
 
HB1273, to amend the healthcare payor identification card act; and to define short-term, limited duration insurance. 
 
HB1274, to modify the prior authorization transparency act; and to amend the appeal process for a denial under the prior authorization transparency act. 
 
HB1275, to regulate electronic medical records; and to prohibit a healthcare payor that has electronic access to medical records from requesting medical records in a different format from a healthcare provider. 
 
HB1640, to amend the definition of “rebates” as used in the business of insurance; and to amend the law concerning token gifts in the business of insurance. 
 
HB1690, to amend the law regarding return to service by essential seasonal staff members of the department of agriculture. 
 
HB1707, to amend the Arkansas soil nutrient application and poultry litter utilization act; and to provide that nutrient management plans and poultry litter management plans are not public record.
 
HB1067, to modify the law concerning residency requirements for certain firefighters.
 
HB1207, to create the Fast-Track Permits Act. 
 
HB1369, to require public entities to create a policy concerning the authorized use of technology resources and a cyber security policy; and to amend the duties of the state cyber security office. 
 
HB1555, to regulate meetings, internal policies and guidelines, and reports to address a cybersecurity incident involving, or a cyberattack on, a public entity. 
 
HB1579, to amend the law concerning the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission Act.
 
HB1621, to amend the definition of “revenue” under the Arkansas speed trap law. 
 
HB1641, to amend the law governing payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes; and to provide for the billing and collection of certain payments related to certain leased or purchased property. 
 
HB1703, to amend the law concerning leave time for deputy sheriffs, municipal police officers, and firefighters; and to add military leave for full-time deputy sheriffs, municipal police officers, and firefighters. 
 
HB1559, concerning implicit bias training required by a public school or state-supported institution of higher education. 
 
HB1576, to establish the creating a respectful and open world for natural hair (crown) act. 
 
HB1619, to permit a local board of a community college district to establish additional zones under certain circumstances. 
 
HB1009, to establish the nonemergency transportation rideshare expansion study workgroup to study expanding rideshare services covered by the Arkansas Medicaid program. 
 
HB1102, to create the Universal Newborn Screening Act; and to ensure that newborns are screened for conditions recommended by the United States department of health and human services.
 
HB1462, to amend the law concerning youths in foster care; and to certify unaccompanied homeless youths. 
 
HB1543, to amend the cemetery act for perpetually maintained cemeteries; and to modify the law concerning the state board of embalmers, funeral directors, cemeteries, and burial services. 
 
HB1565, to create the Arkansas legislative study on mental and behavioral health. 
 
HB1574, to support positive mental health for families with young children through the Arkansas Medicaid program; and to establish supplemental reimbursement rates for preventive services for children. 
 
HB1580, to exempt cosmetologists from licensing restrictions based on criminal records. 
 
HB1629, to amend the rabies control act related to the confinement of an animal when a person is bitten to allow an owner to confine an animal who has received a current vaccination against rabies. 
 
HB1203, to clarify that a mayor of a city of the first class is entitled to count previous or subsequent years of service in employment with the same city toward the mayor’s retirement. 
 
HB1253, to create the State Government Employee Retirement Protection Act. 
 
HB1592, to amend the digital product and motion picture industry development act of 2009. 
 
HB1627, to clarify that membership dues paid to hunting or fishing clubs are exempt from sales tax. 
 
HB1062, an act for the Office of the Treasurer of State appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 
HB1072, an act for the Department of Commerce – state bank department appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 
HB1074, an act for the Department of Finance and Administration – regulatory division appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year
 
HB1105, an act for the state board of election commissioners appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 
 
HB1118, an act for the Department of Human Services – secretary’s office appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 
 
HB1120, an act for the Department of Human Services – division of provider services and quality assurance appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 
HB1135, an act for the Office of Attorney General appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 
HB1269, an act for the UAMS – Reynolds Center on Aging, Boozman College of Public Health, Ark. Biosciences Institute, & The Area Health Ed. Center in Helena appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

UAMS Researchers Identify Most Accurate Hearing Screening Methods for Rural Children

By Linda Satter

LITTLE ROCK — Researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) evaluated the accuracy of various hearing screening tools in a rural school setting in a recent article published by Ear and Hearing, the official journal of the American Auditory Society.

Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Au.D., Ph.D., associate director of the UAMS Center for Hearing Health Equity, was the lead author of the article, “Changing the Paradigm for School Hearing Screening Globally: Evaluation of Screening Protocols From Two Randomized Trials in Rural Alaska.”

Susan Emmett, M.D., MPH, director of the center, was the senior author leading 11 co-authors on the article, which cited data collected during a landmark study that Robler and Emmett led in 2017-2020 in 15 communities in rural northwest Alaska.

https://news.uams.edu/2023/04/10/uams-researchers-identify-most-accurate-hearing-screening-methods-for-rural-children/

Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Au.D., Ph.D., (left) associate director of the UAMS Center for Hearing Health Equity, and Susan Emmett, M.D., MPH, director of the center, recently authored an article in Ear and Hearing evaluating the accuracy of various hearing screening tools in a rural school setting.

Forest management workshop to focus on white oak woodlands

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

BATESVILLE, Ark. — An upcoming workshop aims to help forest managers better understand white oak woodlands in the Ozark region, from improving the health of the habitat to selling harvested timber.

LEAF BY LEAF, BIRD BY BIRD — An upcoming workshop aims to help forest managers better understand white oak woodlands in the Ozark region, from improving the health of the habitat to selling harvested timber. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

The forest management workshop will be hosted at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Livestock and Forestry Research Station in Batesville, Arkansas. The workshop is scheduled for April 26, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Kyle Cunningham, associate professor of forestry for the Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, said the workshop will address several themes, including:

• Experiences with white oak management in Arkansas and neighboring states
• Selling white oak for stave logs
• Field tour of sustainably managed white oak woodlands, and
• Increasing Health and Habitat within your Woodland

"White oak woodlands in the Ozark region are a valuable resource that provide timberlands, wildlife habitat, aesthetic value, assist with air and water quality concerns,” Cunningham said. “The resource is experiencing strains from higher demand for wood products, climate, invasive species impacts, unsustainable management and other factors. This workshop aims to provide current and accurate information on the resource and its management.”

The meeting will also provide a platform for networking among stakeholders, he said.

There is no cost to attend the workshop, but registration is required. To RSVP, contact the Livestock and Forestry Research Station at 870-793-7432. For more information, contact Cunningham at kcunningham@uada.edu.

The research station is located at 70 Experiment Station Drive in Batesville.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter 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 Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Arkansas growers lay out the season ahead

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas growers expect to plant approximately 52,000 more acres of principal crops in 2023 than they did in 2022, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report published March 31. While this is only a small ripple amidst the state’s 7 million acres of farmland, it reflects the encouragement of rallying markets in 2022, tempered by high input costs and unpredictable weather.

HISTORIC PATTERN — These graphs show prospective planting numbers reported by NASS and the actual number of acres planted for four crops across the United States. The prospective numbers reflect survey data from growers across the country; many factors, including weather and market shifts, can affect the actual number of acres planted in the end. (USDA graphic.)

USDA’s annual Prospective Plantings report reflects growers’ intentions and often provides context for global markets. According to last Friday’s report, Arkansas growers intend to plant more than 7 million acres of soybean, rice, cotton and other major crops this year. Nationally, America’s farmers intend to plant more than 318 million acres.

The most notable shift in this year’s intentions is the fall in Arkansas cotton acres, which fell by 25 percent to 480,000 acres. Vic Ford, associate vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said a combination of high input costs and low market prices likely made the choice a necessary one for many producers.

“High input costs, such as seeds, fertilizer, chemicals, fuel and equipment combined with low crop prices have made cotton less profitable,” Ford said. “Other crops are being favored because of this.”

Cotton acres fell steeply across the entire country as well, with overall acreage falling 18 percent to less than 11.3 million acres.

The acreage isn’t going fallow, however. Hunter Biram, extension economist for the Division of Agriculture, said growers will simply shift those acres to more profitable crops.

The report, based on survey data gathered by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, noted that the drought conditions that deeply affected agriculture throughout the country for much of 2022 began to lessen in the fall and winter months. The country experienced a “record-setting streak with at least 40 percent drought coverage” of 126 weeks, finally ending in February of this year, the report said.

Pasture area was particularly affected by the drought, the report stated.

On a brighter note, although most input prices remain high relative to pre-pandemic markets, many have fallen significantly from their 2022 peak.

“Key nutrient prices are down year-over-year,” Biram said. “According to Bloomberg Green Markets, urea is down 60 percent, DAP is down 33 percent and potash is down 45 percent compared to this time last year. Given this, I think expected harvest time crop prices are driving prospective plantings,” in addition to annual crop rotations.

DAP, or diammonium phosphate, is one of the most commonly used fertilizers in the world.

Writing for Southern Ag Today, Biram noted in an April 3 article that the NASS projections for planted acreage are generally reliable across both Southern agricultural states and the United States more broadly, especially for corn and soybeans.

Winter wheat and feed grains

Arkansas growers expanded wheat acreage by about 5 percent, from 220,000 in 2022 to 230,000 acres. Nationally, winter wheat acres grew by 13 percent.

Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said that cost-benefit analysis played a strong hand in the shift of acreage toward wheat.

“Winter wheat seedings increased slightly during the fall of 2022, partially due to the reduction in fertilizer costs and attractive grain prices,” Kelley said. “The dry fall was helpful for farmers to get their summer crops harvested ahead of wheat planting, but wet weather in late October and November limited wheat acres in some areas of the state.”

Arkansas hay production appears likely to increase marginally, rising 3 percent to more than 1.1 million acres. Nationally, hay acreage looks to expand by about 2 percent to more than 50.6 million acres.

The state’s corn growers appear optimistic about the crop’s future, increasing acreage 14 percent to 810,000 acres. By comparison, the prediction for all U.S. corn acreage increased by only 4 percent.

There were “no real surprises on the corn side,” Kelley said. “We expected corn acres to be up in 2023 compared to last year’s 750,000 acres. The drop in fertilizer prices along with still relatively high grain prices helped increase interest in corn planting intentions in Arkansas and across the United States as well.

“Last year, corn acres were down in some areas of the state due to wet conditions in April that prevented planting, so this year’s increase is also a reflection of producers trying to get back to their normal crop rotation,” he said.

Rice

Arkansas rice acreage looks to increase by 18 percent over 2022 intentions, to more than 1.3 million acres, accounting for long-, medium- and short-grain varieties. Nationally, growers expect to expand their acreage by 16 percent to nearly 2.6 million acres.

Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said the 2023 numbers were unsurprising.

“Prospective plantings report intentions were right in line with expectations at this point,” Hardke said. “We’ve been predicting about 1.3 million acres of rice total. The question mark has been more around the breakdown of long grain versus medium grain. 

“Two straight lower acreage years for rice in Arkansas — 2021-2022 — have had growers geared up for more rice acres in 2023,” he said. “There was better land preparation last fall than we have seen in some time; however, the winter turned and remained wet once again so there’s still a lot of ground waiting to be prepared for planting. 

“Whether we meet or exceed the 1.3 million acres of rice intended will once again depend on favorable weather in April, which is not off to a great start,” Hardke said. “However, there was a nice start to rice planting up and down the state over the past week where ground could be found dry enough to plant.”

Soybeans

Arkansas soybean growers appear to be planting slightly fewer acres of the crop in 2023, with intended acreage falling 4 percent to just over 3 million acres. Nationally, acreage for the crop remains steady from 2022 at 87.5 million acres.

Jeremy Ross, extension soybean agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said that final acreage for the state’s largest crop is largely weather-dependent.

“The final numbers are going to be dictated by the weather over the next three months,” Ross said. “If we stay in this pattern that we’ve been in, we may see more soybean acres.

There’s been quite a bit of beans planted in the last five or six days.”

Peanuts

Arkansas remains a small-but-mighty peanut-producing state, with intended acres growing 6 percent to 35,000 acres. Nationally, intended peanut acres grew 7 percent to more than 1.5 million acres.

Travis Faske, extension plant pathologist and acting peanut agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said the modest increase in peanut acres was another factor related to the significant drop in cotton acreage.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter 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 Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. 

New small ruminants specialist plans to lead from the ground up

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — After growing up in rural Brazil and conducting research at several universities there, in Europe and the United States, Dan Quadros said he is ready to bring three things to Arkansas: motivation, innovation and confidence.

NEW TO ARKANSAS — Dan Quadros is the extension small ruminants specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

Quadros, who joined the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture as an assistant professor and extension small ruminant specialist in January, first came to the United States in 2013 as a visiting scholar.

A native of Brazil, Quadros said joining the Cooperative Extension Service seemed like a natural fit.

“This is my passion, to help other people,” he said. “To help those in need with knowledge.”

Quadros completed a Bachelor of Science in agronomy at Southwestern Bahia State University, located on the eastern coast of Brazil, in 1999. After completing a master’s degree and then a Ph.D. in animal science at Sao Paulo State University in 2004, he was hired as an assistant professor at Bahia State University with appointments for teaching, research and extension.

In 2013, he traveled to the University of Florida for postdoctoral research.

“Coming to the United States changed my life,” he said. “Ever since, I’ve tried to stay.”

Vic Ford, associate vice president of agriculture and natural resources for the Division of Agriculture, said he believes Quadros can help Arkansas producers develop a stronger foothold in the sheep and goat markets.

“Small ruminant interest and herd numbers are increasing in Arkansas,” Ford said. “Dr. Quadros is knowledgeable in livestock but is especially gifted in small ruminants. He has the knowledge and experience to increase efficiency of production with small ruminants which may lead to Arkansas being a major supplier in this area. 

“Dr. Quadros is enthusiastic about his program,” Ford said. “Anyone spending time with him will catch his enthusiasm and the beneficiaries are the county agents and producers.”

With the collaboration of county agents and other faculty, Quadros said his plan is to develop a hands-on extension program to increase producer knowledge and understanding of small ruminant husbandry, health, production and marketing.

“Most of the time, the bottleneck isn’t in production, but in the market,” he said. “This region is something new for me — but if something’s working, I can adapt what I know to the situation.”

But, he said, even tried-and-true solutions won’t work for every problem.

“You can apply all the basics and still run into trouble,” he said. “That’s where innovation comes in.

”To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter 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 Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Arkansas to send reserve funds to UAMS for cancer center, redirect medical marijuana tax

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas will send $100 million in reserve funds over the next two years to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ pursuit of recognition from the National Cancer Institute, known as NCI designation.

But that doesn’t mean the 4% privilege tax on medical marijuana that had funded the NCI efforts will go away. Instead, state policymakers enacted legislation to extend the tax for at least two more years and dedicate those revenues to food insecurity and public health needs.

State officials hope the $50 million transfers to UAMS in fiscal 2024 and 2025 will further strengthen the institute’s chances for success when it formally requests NCI designation.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-13/arkansas-to-send-reserve-funds-to-uams-for-cancer-center-redirect-medical-marijuana-tax

Arkansas Governor signs social media regulation bill

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders continues to sign bills passed earlier this year by the Arkansas General Assembly. On Tuesday, she signed into law the “Social Media Safety Act” which aims to prevent underage children in Arkansas from setting up social media accounts without obtaining parental permission.

“As a parent, this is a very personal thing,” Sanders said. “I have a ten-year-old, a nine-year-old and a seven-year-old.” The governor said she was concerned about the increase in depression among teenagers, and that the bill was the start of “great steps in protecting the young people of Arkansas.”

The law also requires adult social media users in Arkansas to provide a digital copy of their ID for purposes of age verification. That only applies to new accounts and is not applicable to companies like Amazon and Google which would not qualify as social media under the act.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-13/arkansas-governor-signs-social-media-regulation-bill

Organization launches effort to place Arkansas LEARNS Act repeal on the ballot

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

A group of public school supporters took the first step Monday to pursue a referendum petition to repeal the LEARNS Act, a wide-ranging education law signed by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in March.

Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES) filed a statement of organization with the Arkansas Ethics Commission on Monday and submitted their ballot title to the Attorney General’s office. If it’s approved, the group will start gathering signatures to get their referendum on the ballot.

CAPES Executive Director Steve Grappe said that, as the Arkansas Democratic Rural Caucus chairman, he’s spoken to people in rural communities where he’s seen “such a groundswell of people that are against it.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-11/organization-launches-effort-to-place-arkansas-learns-act-repeal-on-the-ballot

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

A group of Little Rock Central High School students and others met on the steps of the state Capitol on March 8, 2023 to express their opposition to the LEARNS Act, which was signed into law earlier that day by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Sevier County 4-H holds Indoor and Outdoor County O’Rama Competition

Submitted by: Kim Frachiseur, 4-H Program Assistant

Sevier County 4-H held its annual Indoor O’Rama competition on April 3. This year’s Indoor O’Rama consisted of speeches, singing, instrumental, and modeling. There were 10 4-H’ers competing if different categories. The winners in the junior and senior divisions will be able to compete against others in the District O’Rama in June held at Malvern.

Those competing and the categories they competed in are as follows:

Cloverbuds – ages 5 to 8: Ally Gregg-Tap Dance, Molly Mangum-Fashion Review, GG Herring- Horse Speech, Elliot Hooker- Fashion Review, and Landon Tabler- Vocal

Juniors – ages 9 to 13: Leighton Frachiseur- Fashion Review, Raegan Frachiseur- Fashion Review, Madison Tabler- Instrumental

Seniors – ages 14 to 19: Jake Seymour- Animal Science, Audrey Pardana- Fashion Review

Sevier County also held Outdoor O’Rama on February 20. Outdoor consists of gun safety, bicycle, and sportfishing. There were 68 4-Her’s competing. Winners will have the opportunity to represent Sevier County in June as well.

Winners of each category are listed below:

Juniors – ages 9 to 13: Leighton Frachiseur-Sportfishing, Kinnah Ferguson- Bicycle, and Jude Gallagher- Gun Safety

Seniors – ages 14 to 19: Zae-Lei Frachiseur- Sportfishing, James Bartek-Bicycle & Gun Safety

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

In the final week of the 2023 Regular Session, the House passed a criminal justice reform bill, a tax cut, and a budget that increases spending in education and public safety. 

The House passed SB549. This bill will reduce the state’s top income tax rate from 4.9% to 4.7%. It also reduces the corporate income tax rate from 5.3% to 5.1%. The reductions will be retroactive to January 1, 2023. 

The House also passed SB495, the Protect Arkansas Act. This bill makes several felony offenses ineligible for early release from prison. Those offenses include capital murder, murder in the first degree, aggravated robbery, rape, and several crimes against children. 

It also classifies several other offenses as restricted release felonies. After January 1, 2025, a person convicted of a restricted release felony would have to serve 85% of their sentence before being eligible for early release.  

Restricted release felonies include murder in the second degree, manslaughter, negligent homicide, battery in the first degree, and sexual indecency with a child. 

Another bill we passed this week creates the Social Media Safety Act. It requires age verification for use of social media and parental consent for minors. 

The House adopted HJR1006. This resolution is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lottery proceeds to provide scholarships and grants to Arkansans enrolled in vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. This proposal will now appear on the November 2024 ballot. 

And one of the final items of business we address every session is the budget. This year we passed a $6.2 billion balanced budget. 

The biggest increases in funding are directed to the public school fund and the Division of Correction. The budget also includes $31.7 million for Educational Freedom Accounts.  

The House also passed SB578. This bill outlines one-time spending of state surplus funds. It directs $250 million to educational facilities, $330 million to correctional facilities, and $200 million to the state crime lab. 

You can review all of the legislation passed during this session and watch recorded committees and House floor proceedings at arkansashouse.org.

Lookout Arkansas! Another round of severe storms on the way for late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning

The potential for widespread severe weather across much of the state remains for later this evening and into the overnight hours. All severe weather hazards will be possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. 

• Thunderstorms are expected to develop and move across the state from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.

• Damaging winds, tornadoes and large hail will be possible as storms move across the state.

• Initial storm development may occur across western Arkansas. These storms are expected to be isolated and capable of producing large hail and tornadoes as they move to the northeast.

• By late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning, storms are expected to merge into a line and march east across the state. The main severe weather hazards with the line of storms will be damaging winds and QLCS-type tornadoes.

• Locally heavy rainfall will be possible, but should not be very widespread. The highest amounts are expected across far southern Arkansas.

Here we go again: 2nd tornado outbreak in 5 days looms for Midwest

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Many of the same areas in the central United States that were hit by violent thunderstorms on Friday will face a similar threat starting late Tuesday as another powerful system takes aim at the region with many modes of severe weather ranging from damaging winds to large hail and destructive tornadoes, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.

Like this past Friday, at least 16 states in the middle of the United States are at risk for severe weather and tornadoes from the latter part of Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night. The risk includes all of Missouri and Illinois, much of Arkansas and Iowa, and portions of Indiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

As of Monday morning, 80 of the over 100 reported tornadoes from Friday have already been confirmed by National Weather Service (NWS) officials, including one EF4 tornado in southeastern Iowa with winds estimated to be between 166 and 200 mph. There were at least nine EF3 tornadoes with winds between 136 and 165 mph.

Little Rock tornado survivor explains why he took a tornado warning ‘seriously for the first time’

By John Murphy, AccuWeather staff writer

Little Rock, Arkansas, resident Mike Green shared his harrowing experience of surviving the high-end EF3 tornado that caused significant destruction to his home Friday.

Green, a resident of the Stone Bridge neighborhood of Little Rock for eight years, has experienced countless tornado warnings, but his property had never been directly hit by a twister until March 31. On that day, Green was working at his home office when he heard on the news that a wall cloud had formed over Little Rock.

"I actually saw the wall cloud. So I took it seriously for the first time in my life. I took a tornado warning seriously," Green told AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell.

USDA accepting applications for $1 billion in renewable energy REAP grants

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

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday (March 31) that USDA is accepting applications for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements.

USDA is making the $1 billion in grants available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), with funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Supporting renewable energy and energy-saving systems helps the people of rural America create thriving, livable communities,” Vilsack said. “When we invest in rural communities, we are supporting hard work that sends a ripple effect across our country. Clean energy is critical to the future of our economy, and the Inflation Reduction Act provides the Biden-Harris Administration with the resources to build a more prosperous rural America while tackling the climate crisis and lowering energy costs.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/usda-accepting-applications-for-1-billion-in-renewable-energy-reap-grants/

Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he is running for President; Bentonville kick-off later this month

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday (April 2) that he will run for U.S. President in the 2024 election cycle.

In an interview that aired Sunday with ABC reporter Jonathan Karl on This Week, Hutchinson declared his candidacy.

“I have made a decision and my decision is I’m going to run for President of the United States,” the former Republican governor said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/former-gov-asa-hutchinson-says-he-is-running-for-president-bentonville-kick-off-later-this-month/

Arkansas Senate votes for ‘truth in sentencing’ bill, bucking national and international trends

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

The proposed overhaul to Arkansas’ criminal sentencing and parole system moves in the opposite direction of several surrounding states and most of the U.S. and world.

Facing a growing body of research that more incarceration does not lower violent crime rates, policymakers elsewhere have focused on criminal justice measures that reduce the number of offenders in prison.

But the “truth in sentencing” legislation approved by the Arkansas Senate along party lines on Monday aims to increase the time those convicted of the state’s most serious offenses spend behind bars.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-04/arkansas-senate-votes-for-truth-in-sentencing-bill-bucking-national-and-international-trends

Lauren Justice For NPR

Lt. Keith Immerfall walks past prison cells at Waupun Correctional Institution, a maximum security prison in Waupun, Wis.

Arkansas faces another round of severe weather; Little Rock begins cleanup

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Less than a week after parts of central Arkansas were devastated by a tornado outbreak, more severe weather could be on the way.

An EF-3 tornado last Friday tore through a roughly 30 mile stretch of central Arkansas, causing damage and one death in North Little Rock. Later Friday, four people were killed in the Cross County town of Wynne when a tornado touched down there.

Now, forecasters say heavy rain is possible for much of the state Tuesday evening, as well as high winds, large hail and an increased risk of more tornadoes. Meteorologist Travis Shelton with the National Weather Service says the greatest risk for severe weather will come later Tuesday.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-04/arkansas-faces-another-round-of-severe-weather-little-rock-begins-cleanup

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

A sign sits atop fallen tree limbs in front of a home on Tarrytown Road in west Little Rock Sunday morning.

2023 Arkansas farm income expected to retreat following record year

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Arkansas’ farm income is expected to fall in 2023 following 2022’s record high, and the decline is expected to exceed the national rate, the Rural & Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center said Monday.

The center, based at the University of Missouri and working with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, released its “Spring 2023 Arkansas Farm Income Outlook” on Monday. 

“After a record-setting 2022, 2023 Arkansas net farm income declines $1.3 billion and is projected to return to levels closer to 2021,” the report said. “Total farm receipts decline $1.6 billion and are further compounded by increased production expenses.”

Graph showing Arkansas net farm income. (Source: Rural & Farm Policy Analysis Center).

The report said that Arkansas is expected to see a 32 percent decrease in net farm income, compared to a projected 19 percent decrease in U.S. net farm income.

 “One contributing factor is the state’s livestock receipts, which decrease more rapidly than national receipts,” the report said. “In Arkansas, poultry and egg receipts make up a larger share of state farm receipts than national receipts; weaker poultry and egg prices in 2023 more than offset any improvements in production.”

James Mitchell, extension economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said that “nationally, we expect fewer disruptions to turkey and egg production from highly pathogenic avian influenza, which will raise output and bring down prices.

“The result is Arkansas is to mostly follow national trends,” he said. “A lot will depend on consumer demand. This will impact what consumers purchase and where they choose to consume it.”

Weather as a driver

Another facet of the decline is that federal crop insurance indemnities are expected to decrease by $342 million, while government payments from commodity programs and ad hoc assistance are projected to fall $152 million from the previous year.

“These estimates assume weather will cooperate more this year than last,” said Hunter Biram, extension economist for the Division of Agriculture. With kinder weather, Arkansas farmers could be expected to see fewer instances of prevented planting and overall, fewer lost cotton acres.

“Last year's growing season saw above-average rainfall at planting driving larger prevented planting claims in corn and rice,” Biram said. “The hot and dry summer caused large production losses for cotton, resulting in higher STAX payments.”

STAX is a crop insurance product for upland cotton that provides coverage for a portion of the expected revenue for a grower’s area.

Biram said the drop in commodity program and ad hoc assistance can largely be tied to relatively higher prices and the phasing out of some emergency assistance programs.

“PLC payments are projected to fall to zero from $29 million while projected ARC payments remain unchanged at zero,” he said.

Price Loss Coverage, known as PLC and the Agriculture Risk Coverage, or ARC, programs provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms.

PLC prices are dropping because record-high commodity prices “will not fall below the Reference Price triggering payments,” Biram said. “The fall in ad hoc program payments, or those programs providing payments in response to a disaster event, is attributed to the end of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, and the first phase of the Emergency Relief Program, or ERP.

“CFAP phase 2 and ERP phase 1 payments in Arkansas totaled $345.9 million and $158.9 million, respectively, in 2022,” he said.

Arkansas farmers will also be facing slightly higher production costs than 2021, a year which saw record fertilizer pricing. The report said farmers will be seeing a 0.7 percent increase in production costs in 2023, despite the easing of fertilizer, feed and fuel costs.

Federal Reserve actions

“Despite lower fertilizer prices across all major nutrients, total input costs are projected to be up slightly due to an estimated increase of 17 percent in interest expense,” Biram said “This increase in interest expense is driven by the Federal Reserve's recent increases in the Federal Funds Rate as they attempt to curtail inflation.

“Additionally, we are projecting a 12.2 percent decrease in pesticides, fertilizer, and fuel expense, and a 7.2 percent decrease in feed expense,” he said.

Partnership

The Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center at the University of Missouri was launched in March 2022. RaFF is closely aligned with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri. The center works in partnership with other states to

provide objective policy analysis and inform decision-makers on issues affecting farm and rural finances. The center produces farm income projections for states and regions that are consistent with each other. Cooperation with participating states brings local expertise to enhance model design and estimates.

“RaFF’s partnership with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a critical step toward identifying and contrasting the uniqueness of farm income factors at the state level,” RaFF interim director Scott Brown said. “The Arkansas farm income report, and other state-level analyses, equip decision-makers with insights that can impact policy and program discussions.”

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter 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 us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

How to help children cope with disaster

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — After a devastating tornado struck parts of central and eastern Arkansas on March 31, many children may be experiencing confusion, sadness or fear about the disaster.

TORNADO DESTRUCTION — In the wake of the tornado that struck eastern and central Arkansas on March 31, Rebecca Simon, extension instructor for early childhood and family life with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said parents and caregivers should speak to their children about the disaster, listen to and validate their feelings and watch for signs of significant changes in behavior. (Division of Agriculture photo.) 

Rebecca Simon, extension instructor for early childhood and family life with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said parents and caregivers should limit children’s exposure to images of the destruction, listen carefully to their concerns and watch for significant changes in behavior.  

“Many parents, teachers, grandparents and caregivers are concerned about how dramatic images of disaster can affect the emotional well-being of their children and are looking for advice,” Simon said.

Simon said it is critical to limit time watching television reports featuring images of the destruction caused by the tornado, which can overwhelm children and even adults.

It’s also important to listen to children carefully to find out what they know and understand about the disaster before responding to their questions, Simon said. 

“When children are given the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about a disaster, it can help them process their emotions and cope with the situation,” she said. “By actively listening to their concerns and providing reassurance and support, children can feel more comfortable talking about their experiences and develop a better understanding of what has happened.”

As part of this process, reassure children by letting them know that adults are doing everything they can to protect and help people who have been affected by the disaster, Simon said.

“Let them know that if an emergency happens, your main concern would be their safety,” she said. “Make sure they know they are being protected.”

Simon said it can also be helpful to read an emergency-themed storybook together — such as “Stormy Night” by Salina Yoon, “Just a Big Storm” by Mercer Mayer or “Arthur’s Fire Drill” by Marc Brown — and then discuss the story after. Parents or caregivers should then ask questions such as Ask questions such as “How do you think the characters felt?” and “How did the characters keep themselves safe?”

Watch for changes in behavior

After a disaster, it’s especially important to be alert for changes in children’s behavior, Simon said. “Children may have difficulty processing and coping with the traumatic experience, and significant changes in behavior can be a sign that they are struggling and need support.”

These changes can manifest as withdrawal and isolation from others, aggression and irritability. Changes in eating or sleeping habits, difficulty concentrating, increased anxiety or fearfulness or regression to earlier developmental stages are also common signs.

“By being alert for these changes in behavior, parents, caregivers and teachers can provide timely interventions to help children process their experiences, reduce their stress levels and promote their mental health and well-being,” Simon said.

Remember that each child has unique needs, and not every child will experience a disaster in the same way, Simon said. Younger children are largely dependent on adults to interpret events, while older children and teenagers will get information from their friends and the media. In any case, it’s important to meet the child where they are.

“Give your child extra time and attention,” Simon said. “Children need close, personal attention to know they are safe. Talk, play, and most importantly, listen to them. Find time to engage in special activities with children of all ages.”

Getting back on track

Simon said it is also critical to help children return to a normal routine as soon as possible after a disaster because they benefit from routine activities, such as set eating times, bedtime, and playing with others.

To help children understand how to respond in disasters, parents and caregivers should model appropriate behavior to help children feel safe and secure, she said.

“Children can be easily influenced by the adults around them, and they may imitate the behavior of adults, including their emotional reactions and coping strategies,” Simon said. “For example, if an adult expresses intense fear or anxiety, the child may become more frightened or anxious themselves.”

Simon said that in addition to staying calm and composed, it’s also important to be direct.

“It is important to be honest with children about what happened and to use age-appropriate language to explain the situation,” she said. “Avoiding the topic or using euphemisms can increase confusion and anxiety in children.”

Encourage empathy by volunteering to help  

For many children returning to school this week, they’ll be joining classmates whose families have been impacted by the tornado and may be displaced from their homes. To help children navigate this, parents and caregivers should validate any big or difficult feelings.

“Acknowledge your child’s feelings of sadness or confusion and let them know that it is okay to feel this way,” Simon said. “Let them express their feelings and provide a safe and supportive environment to do so.”

Parents should also encourage empathy in their children, asking them to imagine how they would feel if they were in the same situation.  

“This can help develop empathy and foster a sense of understanding and compassion towards their classmates,” Simon said.

Encourage and support community efforts by participating in age-appropriate volunteer opportunities. This can include:

• Making care packages with non-perishable food, toiletries and clothes

• Drawing pictures and writing letters to be distributed at community centers or shelters

• Collecting and distributing books, toys and blankets to support children who may have lost their homes and belongings in the tornado

• Fundraising by hosting a lemonade stand, bake sale or selling artwork and crafts

• Assisting in neighborhood clean-up efforts by picking up litter, raking leaves and helping to clear debris

“Parents should also explain the importance of volunteering and helping those in need and provide positive reinforcement for their efforts,” Simon said. “By participating in volunteer efforts, children can develop important life skills and a sense of community spirit, while also helping those affected by the disaster.”

To learn more about helping children cope after a disaster, check out the Helping Your Kids When Disaster Strikes article by Brittney Schrick, extension family life specialist for the Division of Agriculture. For more information about natural disaster recovery, visit the Cooperative Extension Service’s Natural Disaster Recovery in Arkansas page and the Arkansas Emergency Preparedness Resources page.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter 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 Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

After the tornado: What to do about insurance, documents, taxes

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — One of the most difficult parts of disaster recovery is managing the paperwork that follows.

Damage done to a business in Little Rock during the March 31, 2023, tornado. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

Laura Hendrix, an extension personal finance expert for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, offers this checklist to those trying to figure out what they need to do:

• Contact your insurance agent — “One of the first things for people with losses or damage is to contact their insurance agent,” she said. “Procedures will vary by company and policy.”

• Taxes — The tax filing deadline this year is Monday, April 18. Even as you navigate this disaster, “taxpayers can file for an extension,” Hendrix said. “Any losses would fall under next year’s taxes.” The Internal Revenue Service has a page dedicated to taxes and disasters.

• Replacing lost papers — “Documents such as birth certificates, insurance policies and health records may be lost or destroyed,” she said. “Prompt replacement prevents delays when the documents are needed.”

• Insurance Policy — Contact your insurance agency for a copy of your policy. If you have any trouble locating the company, contact the Arkansas Department of Insurance at 501-371-2600 or .

• Social Security Card — Order a replacement social security card online at gov/myaccount or visit your nearest Social Security office.

• Driver’s License — To replace a driver’s license, visit your local revenue office.

• Property Deeds — Contact your local Circuit Clerk’s office for property deeds.

• Passport — Visit your local Postal Service office for a new passport.

• Birth certificate, death, marriage, and divorce certificates — Visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s websites for Certificates & Records or Vital Records.

The American Red Cross also advises victims of natural disasters to:

• Stop unnecessary expenses — For example, if your home is uninhabitable, notify the utility company and other service companies, such as phone, internet and cable companies, so they can stop billing immediately.

• Assess your funds — Estimate the amount of income and emergency savings you have to pay bills while you recover from the disaster, then prioritize your bills. Paying your insurance premiums and rent or mortgage should be your top priority.

• Talk to your creditors — Ask creditors for more time to pay. Most creditors will be willing to work with you, especially if you notify them before a payment is due.

Find additional information from Hendrix:

• Managing Financial Losses from a Disaster

• Replacing Valuable Documents After a Disaster

Find other disaster recovery information:

• Planning for Food after a Disaster

Beware disaster scammers

Immediately after Friday’s storms, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said, “Unfortunately, unscrupulous people will already be preying upon our neighbors with offers of quick repair jobs. Arkansans should call their insurance company first and not be pressured into paying a quick deposit to a person who will take off with their money just as quickly.”

Griffin said that insurers will honor their policies and “there is no need to rush or be pressured to sign a contracting agreement.”

Without time pressure, Arkansans should:

• Obtain more than one estimate.

• Demand references from contractors and check them.

• Never let a contractor pressure you into hiring them.

• Never sign a contract with blanks “to be filled in later.”

• Never pay a contractor in full until the work is finished.

• Never let a contractor discourage you from contacting your insurance company.

• Be sure you review and understand all documents sent to your insurance company.

Arkansans who want to report concerns can contact the attorney general’s office at 800-482-8982.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter 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 Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

The National Weather Service indicates additional severe weather expected for Arkansas Tuesday and Wednesday

Rain and thunderstorms that moved across the state overnight have pushed east of the area. Rainfall amounts across southern Arkansas were generally in the 1-2 inch range. Amounts decrease as you go north.  

Mostly dry conditions are expected across the state today, southerly winds could be gusty at times. Very warm temperatures are expected today and Tuesday, highs could approach 90° in some areas both days.  

There will be an opportunity for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop and move across the state from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. All severe weather hazards appear possible, an enhanced risk of severe weather remains in place. The threat for severe weather should wrap up before noon Wednesday as a cold front moves east of the area.  

Locally heavy rain is possible Tuesday and Wednesday, the highest amounts are expected across far southern Arkansas.