The 2025 Regular Session of the Arkansas General Assembly begins today, Monday, January 13, marking the start of an important legislative season for the state. The session opens with the swearing-in of all members and the formal election of the Speaker of the House, Rep. Brian Evans (R – Cabot).
Governor Sanders’ Legislative Address
On Tuesday, January 14, the General Assembly will convene for a joint session in the House Chamber to hear an address from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. In this pivotal speech, the Governor will outline her legislative priorities and offer insights into addressing Arkansas’s most pressing challenges. 
Key Legislative Deadlines
Several critical deadlines will guide this session’s legislative process:
– January 27: Deadline for filing legislation affecting public retirement plans, health care provider licensure, or state/public school health insurance.
– February 12: Deadline for bills related to lottery-funded scholarships or constitutional amendments.
– March 3: Deadline for filing all appropriation bills.
Committee Assignments and Public Engagement
On the session’s first day, the Speaker will announce committee chair assignments, which will be available at arkansashouse.org. House committee meetings and floor proceedings are open to the public, providing a transparent platform for Arkansans to engage with the legislative process. Citizens are encouraged to attend committee meetings, voice their opinions on proposed legislation, and participate in shaping state policy.
For those unable to attend in person, House committee meetings and floor proceedings are live-streamed and recorded. Agendas and live-stream links are accessible through the Arkansas House website, ensuring real-time access for all.
Conduit’s Legislative Reports
This will be the 9th year and fifth straight session that Conduit will publish a weekly legislative report highlighting bills affecting the Economic and Individual Freedom of Arkansans.
Conduit will flag and analyze bills that may be considered for the annual Legislative Scorecard that will be published later in 2025 scoring legislators on their votes. Conduit uses the proprietary Economic Freedom Filter to determine what bills to flag for potential scoring.
The Economic Freedom Filter considers whether a piece of legislation provides or promotes more freedom or less freedom by considering: (1) If it Grows or shrinks government (2) Increases/Decreases dependency on government and/or (3) Spends money the state does not have.
New to the scoring, Conduit will also score bills that support a transparent, open, and honest government that is accountable to the people.
Each week a legislative report detailing important legislation impacting Arkansans economic freedom will be published. This report will be sent weekly to state legislators to have outside analysis of legislation and know about potential scoring of their votes on this legislation.
Conduit hopes this weekly legislative report tool will help aid the public and legislators in knowing exactly what a bill does– giving historical context, real world impact, and cutting through any carefully crafted language that may confuse people.
To receive our legislative reports and email updates, sign up here.
Your Voice Matters
This session will tackle critical issues, including education reform, healthcare access, and economic development. We encourage you to reach out to your representatives, attend committee meetings, or follow live streams to stay informed and involved. By engaging with the legislative process, you contribute to shaping Arkansas’s future.
