Legislature considers bill to regulate Disability Rights Arkansas

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

About 75 years ago, people with severe intellectual or emotional disabilities in Arkansas were relegated to one state facility in downtown Little Rock.

In the late 1800s, it was called the Arkansas Lunatic Asylum. About 20 years later, the name changed to the Arkansas State Hospital for Nervous Diseases. And in 1933, the state settled on its current title: the Arkansas State Hospital.

Now, families have a few more options. There are five Human Development Centers scattered around Arkansas. These are long term care facilities where residents eat, work, sleep and live among people with similar challenges or diagnoses.

Legislature considers bill to regulate Disability Rights Arkansas

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Tom Masseau, executive director of Disability Rights Arkansas, testifies against House Bill 1382 on Feb. 11, 2025.

Consumer alert: Attorney General Griffin warns against home solicitation scams

Griffin: ‘Some Of These Sellers … Employ High-Pressure Sales Tactics And May Misrepresent What They Are Selling’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement warning Arkansans about scams related to door-to-door sales:

Doorway-Pexels Image

“With the arrival of warmer weather, Arkansans can expect to see more door-to-door sellers visiting their homes. Home solicitations include a wide range of products and services, including home improvement projects, home security systems, and solar panels. While some of these sellers are legitimate, others employ high-pressure sales tactics and may misrepresent what they are selling, including the benefits, costs, and terms of the products and services they offer.”

Arkansans can keep themselves safe from door-to-door scams following these tips:

• Always require proper identification from a salesperson before allowing him or her into your home, and ensure you understand the exact purpose of the visit and what company the salesperson represents.

• Some cities require that door-to-door salespersons obtain a permit before engaging in sales. Know your local ordinances.

• Take the time you need to fully evaluate any sales offer. Shopping around and conducting research is essential to ensure that the deal is legitimate. Be cautious if a salesperson pressures you to sign a contract immediately without taking time to think about the offer.

• Read the contract carefully and make sure it matches what the salesperson is telling you. Furthermore, make sure you get a copy of the contract.

• Do not allow a salesperson to install any product on the same day as the sale.

• Consumers in Arkansas have the right to cancel any home solicitation sale within three days of making a purchase. You have the right to cancel within that three-day window even if equipment is installed in your home.

• Be skeptical of “free” installation or equipment deals. Even if something is initially presented as free to entice you, you may end up paying for the product through expensive, long-term contracts.

Even diligent people can be scammed; however, knowing the warning signs and carefully evaluating the sales offer can help keep you safe from deceptive sales practices.

If you wish to file a complaint against with the Attorney General’s office, you can do so by contacting the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982, emailing consumer@arkansasag.gov, or visiting ArkansasAG.gov.

Discussion with bill sponsor ‘saved’ Arkansas PBS governing board from dissolution, chairman says

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

A proposal to eliminate the governing board that oversees educational public television programs in Arkansas is not likely to advance further in the Legislature, the board chairman said Thursday.

The Arkansas Educational Television Commission oversees Arkansas PBS programs and finances and acts independently of the Arkansas Department of Education despite operating under its umbrella. Senate Bill 184, which passed the Senate in February, would abolish the commission and transfer its powers and authorities to the education department.

At the commission’s quarterly meeting Thursday, Chairman West Doss said he came to “an understanding” with SB 184’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Jonesboro, earlier that morning.

Discussion with bill sponsor ‘saved’ Arkansas PBS governing board from dissolution, chairman says

Screenshot Via Livestream

West Doss, chairman of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, addresses the commission during its quarterly meeting on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman on SOTU, tariffs, federal park layoffs

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, said he heard good things for Arkansas in the president’s address to the nation last week and he’s hopeful that federal layoffs and tariffs can avoid significant harm to the Arkansas economy.

In an interview with Talk Business & Politics, Westerman said the priorities President Donald Trump laid out in his State of the Union speech to Congress will help several industries that are thriving or launching in the Natural State.

“Trump talked about several issues that I think hit home in Arkansas. He talked about more domestic steel production, and Arkansas is now, I believe, leading the country in steel production. That’s not in my district, but it’s in Arkansas, and that makes us all proud. He talked about more domestic lumber production. That’s definitely in my district,” said Westerman.

US Rep. Bruce Westerman on SOTU, tariffs, federal park layoffs

Representative French Hill on Bloomberg Surveillance

REP. HILL ON BLOOMBERG SURVEILLANCE: WHEN YOU MANDATE THIS KIND OF A PRICE CAP, YOU ARE GOING TO DENY DEPOSIT SERVICES AND OVERDRAFT PRIVILEGE SERVICES TO MILLIONS OF LOW-INCOME AMERICAN FAMILIES

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) joined Bloomberg Surveillance to discuss President Trump's work to make America competitive again, his Overdraft CRA, and more.

To watch the full interview, please visit HERE.

Topline Quotes:

• "When you mandate this kind of a price cap, you are going to deny deposit services and overdraft privilege services to millions of low-income American families – that is why the CFPB rule is wrong. I want the competition to handle that as it is today."

• "Every customer I had at my company in the Mississippi Delta was a smart consumer of how to balance their capital and income needs for their family every month, and what Rohit Chopra does is take that privilege away from millions of people."

• "The President is focused on bringing broad manufacturing back to the United States, and I think the United States is the single best location for foreign direct investment in the world... Europe is not surging, Europe is slumping, and I am glad to see that actions taken by the U.S. are encouraging, maybe, a change economically and militarily in Europe."

Womack cosponsored measure censuring Rep. Al Green passes House

Washington, DC—March 6, 2025…Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to censure Congressman Al Green (TX-9) in response to his breach of proper conduct during President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) is a cosponsor of the measure and voted in support of its passage.

Congressman Al Green - Flickr Image

Congressman Womack said, “I’ve had the honor of presiding over the House floor many times, particularly during contentious votes and heightened emotions. It’s a duty I take very seriously due to my deep respect for the institution. I believe it’s one thing to be cautioned by the Speaker—as I have often reminded people to heed the gavel—but it’s another thing to completely disregard the authority of the Speaker and the decorum of the People’s House. This behavior has no place in the halls of Congress. Mr. Green deserves the consequences of his actions.”

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

Senate President Hester says prison can be built for $825M, expects Medicaid moves this week

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, expects a bill that centers on power generation to move through the Senate soon. He also predicts success moving forward with funding for an $825 million state prison, and he said plans related to Medicaid costs will likely be revealed this week.

Hester, the president of the Arkansas State Senate, was a guest on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics.

Last week, SB307, the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025, failed by one vote in the Arkansas State Senate on Wednesday (March 5). The bill received 17 votes for, 11 votes against, four did not vote, and three voted present.

The measure would allow utilities and electric cooperatives to file annual riders with the state Public Service Commission (PSC). Those riders would allow them to increase rates annually before a new plant is fully capitalized, rather than the current system that enacts a larger rate increase near the end of the process. The commission would have to determine if the update is in the public interest.

Senate President Hester says prison can be built for $825M, expects Medicaid moves this week

Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs.

UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Scientist Awarded $1.9 Million to Study Air Pollution, Breast Cancer

By Marty Trieschmann

A researcher at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received a $1.9 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to study the role of environmental exposures in the development of early onset breast cancer in Arkansas women.

Ping-Ching Hsu, Ph.D., an associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences in the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health and a member of the Cancer Institute’s Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Research Group, is the first UAMS researcher to receive federal funding for a large, population-based study on environmental exposure and cancer in rural Arkansas communities.

The five-year NIEHS grant will advance Hsu’s study of 26,000 Arkansas women, all study participants in the UAMS Arkansas Rural Community Health (ARCH) Study since 2007. ARCH is a large cohort of women ages 18 to 95 from all 75 counties in Arkansas that began as Spit for the Cure. In leading the study, Hsu has already discovered that the cohort has high proportions of women younger than 50 who were healthy when they enrolled and later developed breast cancer.

UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Scientist Awarded $1.9 Million to Study Air Pollution, Breast Cancer

Ping-Ching Hsu, Ph.D., an associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences in the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health and a member of the Cancer Institute's Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Research Group, is the first UAMS researcher to receive federal funding for a large, population-based study on environmental exposure and cancer in rural Arkansas communities. Image by Evan Lewis

Cattlewomen’s bootcamp set for April 10-12 in north-central Arkansas

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

BATESVILLE, Ark. — April 10-12 won’t be the usual “girls’ day out” unless your day usually involves moving cattle, managing vaccinations and testing hay.

Cleburne County Extension Staff Chair Amy Heck demonstrates how to tag cattle during the Cattlewomen's Bootcamp. Taken Feb. 23, 2024, at the Livestock and Forestry Research Station in Batesville, Arkansas. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Sarah Cato)

The second Cleburne and Independence County Cattlewomen’s Bootcamp “will be a great opportunity for women to deepen their knowledge about managing a livestock operation,” said Amy Heck, Cleburne County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “The bootcamp offers hands-on experience in a female focused, non-intimidating environment.

“Our goal is to  empower women in the agriculture industry, specifically in beef cattle operations. The program fosters women-to-women mentorship while providing essential knowledge on owning and managing a cattle farm,” Heck said. “Participants also have the opportunity to network with other female cattle producers across the state.

“Hearing the success stories from last year's participants has been incredibly rewarding and we look forward to a new class of participants this year,” she said.

Michelle Mobley, Independence County extension staff chair, said that “this year, the bootcamp will cover essential topics including forage management, herd health and nutrition, cattle handling, farm business planning, trailer backing and administering cattle vaccines and other disease prevention measures.”

As in past, the bootcamp sessions will be hosted in two places: the Chimney Rock Cattle Company in Concord, and the Livestock and Forestry Research Station near Batesville, part of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

The bootcamp is limited to 35 participants. Registration is $50, which covers food and materials. For registration information, contact the Independence Co. Extension Office at 870-793-8840 or you can register online.

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

Arkansas Congressional Delegation Gathers For Gavel Photograph

Washington, DC—March 6, 2025…In a unique moment for Arkansas, each Member of Congress in the Senate and House of Representatives serving across the Natural State proudly hold a gavel in the 119th Congress. This positions Arkansas well to be a frontrunner in policy making decisions that greatly impact Arkansans and Americans alike. Earlier this week, each member of the Arkansas delegation gathered for a photograph in the U.S. Capitol to commemorate this exciting achievement. 

• Senator John Boozman – Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chairman

• Senator Tom Cotton – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman

• Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) – House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman

• Representative French Hill (AR-02) – House Financial Services Committee Chairman

• Representative Steve Womack (AR-03) – House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Chairman

• Representative Bruce Westerman (AR-04) – House Natural Resources Committee Chairman

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

Representative Hill introduces legislation to protect American hostages from financial penalties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02), Co-Chair of the Hostage Task Force in the House, today introduced the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act alongside Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01). This bipartisan legislation provides financial relief to Americans wrongfully detained abroad. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) recently introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

Rep. Hill said, "After returning home, American hostages and wrongful detainees should not have to face penalties for taxes missed while held abroad. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will correct a crucial gap in our laws that burdens these Americans with penalties and fines from the IRS after they return home."

Rep. Titus said, “It goes without saying that no one who has endured wrongful detention or been taken hostage abroad should face the additional trial of navigating onerous tax burdens they incurred through no fault of their own when they return. This commonsense, bicameral, bipartisan legislation will eliminate that unthinkable possibility by simplifying the tax code to postpone tax deadlines and refund late fees to support wrongful detainees, hostages, and their families.”

Further Background:

Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act: This legislation postpones tax deadlines, refunds late penalties, and exempts forgiven debts from taxation for Americans who were wrongly or illegally detained abroad, helping ease this financial burden when they return

LR Port achieves Entergy Arkansas ‘Select Site’ certification for 875-acre megasite

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

The Little Rock Regional Chamber and Entergy Arkansas announced Friday (March 7) the completion of its Select Site certification for a new 875-acre industrial megasite located on the southeastern portion of the Little Rock Port.

Representatives from both organizations along with U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock; Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.; Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde; and leadership from the Little Rock Port Authority attended a press conference.

Select Site is an initiative designed to provide Entergy Arkansas-served communities with a competitive advantage and shovel-ready sites. This developmental and promotional tool allows communities to certify sites using a set of comprehensive and pre-determined criteria to better satisfy site location searches by consultants and companies.

LR Port achieves Entergy Arkansas ‘Select Site’ certification for 875-acre megasite

Arkansas deer harvest increases, just short of 200,000

BY Randy Zellers

LITTLE ROCK – The last arrow has been launched for the 2024-25 Arkansas deer hunting season, and the tally of checked deer stands at 199,863. Although the raw data still needs to be analyzed, the preliminary results indicate an increase of nearly 4 percent over last year’s final harvest of 192,392.

Although 200,000 is a nice round number, it doesn’t make or break a deer season. AGFC Deer Program Coordinator Ralph Meeker says it is quite close to where Arkansas needs to be in terms of sustainable harvest given the state’s available habitat, hunting effort and reproductive capability of the deer herd

Anna Mooreland of Ferndale shot this mature buck during the second week of Arkansas’s 2024-25 modern gun deer season. Photo courtesy Clint Mooreland. 

“It’s a good rough measure, but we really look more closely at the harvest by deer zone to determine trends, and we still have to do some analysis there before we make any formal presentation,” Meeker said. “A lot of factors play into that statewide harvest number. Mast crop production, flooding and the closing of flood prone zones, inclement weather on the opening weekends of alternative firearm or modern gun deer season, and hunter effort can all affect regional harvest numbers which in turn affect the overall statewide harvest figure.”

The statewide harvest continues a steady climb, indicating that Arkansas’s deer population continues to recover after an unusually high spike in harvest following the COVID-19 epidemic.

“The deer population actually saw a bit of a double-whammy then,” Meeker said. “The deer season  prior to COVID (2019-20), we saw a small drop in the harvest, likely indicating a slight population decline. But in the 2020-21 season, we saw many more hunters go to the woods and many of those were more inclined to harvest an additional deer for the freezer with some of the talks of food shortages circulating. That’s likely why we saw a dramatic decline from our record-high 216,835 in 2020 to 181,379 the next year.”

Deer are resilient, and Meeker says the population is showing signs of recovery . In 2022-23, deer hunters harvested 185,579 deer, followed by a harvest of 192,392 deer in 2023-24.

“We also have a lot of reports of fawns seen this year by hunters, so we’re cautiously optimistic that reproduction is picking up to continue filling that void.”

AGFC Chief of Enforcement Col. Brad Young with a healthy buck in velvet. Photo courtesy Brad Young. 

This season marked the introduction of two new seasons: an early archery buck-only season and an alternative firearms season that allowed firearms shooting straight-walled cartridges to replace the muzzleloader season. The AGFC deer team watched numbers closely to determine any effects these changes may have had on overall harvest.

“So far, it doesn’t look like the new seasons had a dramatic effect on overall harvest,” Meeker said. “Successful deer hunters still harvested an average of 1.2 deer per hunter, so it was more of a shift in harvest to different methods.”

Meeker said the adoption of straight-walled rifles definitely boosted the overall muzzleloader harvest.

“During the last decade, we’ve seen a slow decline in muzzleloader harvest,” Meeker said. “This year, we had pretty close to the same muzzleloader harvest as last year, but the addition of straight-walled firearms more than doubled the total for that season. We’re pretty close to the same harvest numbers for alternative firearms combined that we saw for muzzleloaders in 2017, when it peaked.”

The alternative firearms increase came at the same time as a slight decrease in the modern gun harvest, again likely indicating a shift in season instead of an additive overall harvest.

“It’s possible that hunters who took a deer in alternative firearms season were more selective during modern gun, or it could have been a result of weather patterns during the seasons.”

Meeker says excellent hunting weather accompanied the alternative firearms season, but the opening weekend of modern gun season this year offered horribly wet and windy conditions.

“A little warm , a little wind or a little rain doesn’t hurt harvest much, but it was unseasonably warm, pouring down rain and very windy in most of the state during the modern gun opener this year,” Meeker said.

Favorable weather during the early archery buck hunt also prompted a pretty successful opening hunt, with about 1,200 bucks taken.

Hunters harvested nearly 200,000 deer during the 2024-25 Arkansas deer hunting season. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath. 

“Participation was pretty high for this new season as well, especially considering that it fell on the same weekend as the dove opener,” Meeker said. “Participation in that season may fluctuate in the future, depending on the heat and season schedules.”

Meeker says a few hunters have asked if the alternative firearms and early antlerless seasons will become regular fixtures in Arkansas’s deer hunting, noting many questions before purchasing a new straight-walled cartridge firearm.

“You never know exactly what the future holds, but there have been no conversations about changing from this season’s format,” Meeker said. “As of now, we’re looking at harvest numbers and management strategies to continue to accommodate these new seasons.”

Learn more about deer and deer hunting in Arkansas at www.agfc.com/deer.

Master Gardeners accepting applications for Janet B. Carson scholarship

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — For Arkansas Master Gardeners, it’s important to support the next generation of leaders in plant science. As part of this effort, the program funds the Janet B. Carson High School Senior Scholarship, which is now accepting applications from Arkansas students.

PLANTING THE FUTURE — Arkansas Master Gardeners are accepting applications for the Janet B. Carson High School Senior Scholarship, which is available for Arkansas students who plan to attend a state college or university and pursue a plant science-related degree. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)

The $2,000 scholarship is available to Arkansas high school seniors who plan to attend an Arkansas college or university. The student must be planning to pursue a degree in a plant science-related field, including horticulture, botany, agronomy, forestry and landscape architecture and design.

Randy Forst, extension consumer horticulture educator and Master Gardener program coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the scholarship is a fitting tribute to its namesake.

“Janet Carson spent 38 years sharing her knowledge and passion for gardening with thousands of people around the state as a horticulturist for the Cooperative Extension Service,” Forst said. “The Janet B. Carson Scholarship was set up in 2014 in honor of her significant contributions to the field of horticulture in Arkansas.

“As Master Gardeners, we hope that this opportunity will encourage more young people to pursue a career involving plants,” Forst said. “Investing in the future of the plant industry is fundamental to our mission.”

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is March 14. The application is available at uada.formstack.com/forms/jbc_high_school_scholarship. Scholarship applicants must submit a statement about their interest in plant science and their career goals, two letters of recommendation, and their high school transcript and ACT scores. All applications must be submitted online.

For any questions about the Janet B. Carson Scholarship, contact c76scholarships@gmail.com

To learn about Master Gardeners, visit uaex.uada.edu/master-gardeners. To learn about other 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. 

‘Beyond the Fence’ Lunch and Learn to highlight herd rebuilding, cattle markets

By Sarah Cato
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK – With the national beef cow herd at its lowest level since the 1960s, an upcoming lunch and learn session will focus on herd rebuilding strategies and current cattle markets.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Arvest Bank are working in partnership to host a series of lunch and learn sessions covering timely topics and production strategies for cattle producers in Arkansas. The first installment of the “Beyond the Fence” sessions will be held March 18 at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center in Fayetteville, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Online streaming via Zoom will begin at noon. 

REBUILDING THE HERD – The national beef cow herd is at its lowest level since the 1960s. James Mitchell will discuss herd rebuilding strategies at the March 18 "Beyond the Fence" lunch and learn sessions hosted by the Division of Agriculture and Arvest Bank. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

“We’re thrilled to partner with Arvest in delivering the Beyond the Fence Lunch and Learn sessions,” said Maggie Justice, extension beef cattle specialist for the Division of Agriculture.  “We are hoping to provide producers across the state with valuable insights and support as we work together to address the challenges they continue to face.”

The March 18 lunch and learn will feature James Mitchell, assistant professor and extension economist for the Division of Agriculture, who will discuss the benefits and costs of alternative cow herd rebuilding strategies and the current lending conditions.

The session is free to attend and lunch will be provided to those attending in person. Those interested can register online or email mjustice@uada.edu. Times and locations of future sessions will be released in the coming weeks.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact mjustice@uada.edu as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

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. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

Former state Sen. Chesterfield talks ACCESS, HBCUs, student rights at legislative meeting

KUAR | By Maggie Ryan

Former Democratic state Sen. Linda Chesterfield spoke to lawmakers about the sweeping higher education legislation known as Arkansas ACCESS Monday.

Chesterfield, who previously served as a state lawmaker for over two decades, re-introduced herself as the Education Liaison for Pulaski County. She said her new responsibilities include establishing relationships between public schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the county, in order to “take advantage” of new funding provided through ACCESS.

Chesterfield told members of the Legislative Black Caucus she has concerns about parts of the 122-page higher education bill, but first addressed parts of ACCESS she said could offer a significant boost to students.

Former state Sen. Chesterfield talks ACCESS, HBCUs, student rights at legislative meeting

Maggie Ryan/Little Rock Public Radio

Former Democratic state Sen. Linda Chesterfield addresses members of the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus on March 3, 2025.

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.

Flickr Image

“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.