NEW: Week 9 Legislative Report 2025

Week 8 Legislative Report

🟢 HB1510 by Rep. Gonzales: Protection of Private Property Owners Against Governments With No Jurisdiction Over Their Property — SUPPORT

This bill would protect the rights of private property owners who live in unincorporated areas against regulations of nearby incorporated areas and governments, such as zoning/planning boards, annexation, land development, and other ordinances and regulations related to municipal planning.

Status: Passed House (on 2nd Vote), Referred to Senate Committee, on Agenda 3/11

🟢  HB1636 by Rep. Ray: Phase Out of Sales Tax on Soda — SUPPORT

This good bill would implement a reduction and phasing out of the sales tax on soda. After hitting certain revenue, the overall rate of the sales tax on soda would be reduced over time until it is eliminated. The new sales tax on soda was passed under Gov. Asa Hutchinson as part of the “offset” to fund income tax exemptions for military retirees instead of just cutting taxes without raising them elsewhere. The eventual elimination would bring the law back in line with the reduction and elimination of the sales tax on grocery items.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

❌ HB1660 by Rep. S. Meeks: New Government Auditing Rights over Property Owners Association—OPPOSE

This bad bill would a expand government and reduce individual freedoms. It creates new government authority of auditing rights over private property owners associations who perform “services traditionally performed by a local government.” This infringes upon the private contracting and organizational rights of property owners who may not want to invite government auditing authority. This also creates a narrative that the government alone should be providing services like trash services or local/shared maintenance of shared private property areas.

Status: Filed

🟢  HB1662 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Prohibiting Lobbying for China & Russia — SUPPORT

This good bill would prohibit lobbying on behalf of China or Russia. However, the cost of violating this act does not seem large enough to be an effective deterrent.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

❌ HB1670 by Rep. L. Johnson: Refundable Tax Credit for Mentoring Health Professionals — OPPOSE

This bad bill is its second time it has been run by its physician sponsor. It would allow those engaging in effectively the mentor of health professionals early in their careers to get refundable income tax credits in exchange for their mentoring of these health professionals. No labor industry gets a refundable income tax credit for the training, mentoring, or otherwise preparing new and future workers in their field. Healthcare professionals should not be given special government treatment just because they have their own special interest legislator who continues to file bills to personally benefit himself, his donors, and friends in the healthcare industry.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

❌ HB1674 by Rep. L. Johnson: Income Tax Credit for Government Favored Hospital Donations — OPPOSE

This bad tax bill would allow an income tax credit for donations made to government favored hospitals. Hospitals are flush with cash from the ever-expanding and growing insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and other benefits paying for healthcare services. Already most healthcare hospitals are organized as non-profit companies further double dipping on the tax system with not paying income taxes and a constant gravy train of government program payments for services. No additional tax breaks are needed, especially for hand-picked groups the government favors.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

🟢 HB1682 by Rep. Puryear: Limited Liability for Food Donations — SUPPORT

Called “The Good Neighbor Act,” this good bill would provide for limited liability, for those donating in good faith, food to the needy.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1684 by Rep. McAlindon: Transparency in Government Teaching & Parental Rights in Children’s Education — SUPPORT

This good bill would increase transparency in government teaching and protect the parential rights in their child’s education. Parents would be allowed to access teaching materials, instructional materials required textbooks, lesson plans, and other teacing aids used in the government’s teaching of their children. The bill would also allow parents to temporariy remove their child from classes that are engaged in teaching critical race theory or similar indoctrination curriculum. Today with internet, online portals, and virtual school used in teaching, this bill could be improved by requiring teachers to provide to parents all actual materials intended to be taught to their students in advance of teaching rather than waiting for a request of same by parents. 

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

🟢  HB1685 by Rep. Underwood: Elimination of Remaining State Sales Tax on Groceries — SUPPORT

This good bill would eliminate the remaining 1/8% sales tax on groceries. This current tax goes to the Game and Fish Commission for parks and tourism. The bill would still allow local governments at the city and county level to tax groceries. Conduit for Action has been advocating the full repeal (including to local governments) of the grocery tax for over a decade. See: https://conduitnews.com/exempting-groceries-the-way-forward/

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

🟢 HB1691 by Rep. Torres: Sales Tax Exemption for Leased Vehicles by Nonprofits — SUPPORT

This bill would allow nonprofits who lease vehicles to receive a sales tax exemption on the lease, similar to governments’ exemption on leased vehicles and bringing the tax structure in line with the exemption for personal property taxes.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

🟢 HB1694 by Rep. Hawk: Better Transparency in Campaign Finance Filings – No More Paper Filings — SUPPORT

This good transparency bill would repeal the option for candidates to file paper filings. Paper filings shield candidates for office from the easy filtering and review of donations by the public online. Electronic filing has been in place since 2017 in Arkansas (being one of the last states to update its system to online filing. In 2023, its system was improved by the SOS (for history on electronic filing in AR see https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/sep/20/arkansas-launches-new-more-friendly-campaign/ ) This bill would ensure that all campaign finance reports are filed electronically and thus easier to review by the public. An argument by a candidate or entity that they do not have access to online filing should now be a red flag to voters.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/10

🟢 HB1698 by Rep. Torres: No Income Tax on Healthcare Sharing Ministry Contributions — SUPPORT

This bill would extend income tax exemptions to healthcare sharing ministry contributions similar to how contributions to traditional health insurance premiums are treated. This provides equal tax treatment under the law for those who choose alternatives to traditional health insurance policies, such as a healthcare sharing ministry, to cover healthcare costs.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

🟢  HB1706 by Rep. McCollum: Prohibition on Ranked Choice Voting — SUPPORT

This bill would prohibit ranked choice voting for any government elected positions in Arkansas. Ranked choice voting is used for big government politicians to ensure that the establishment choice always wins by ensuring all second and third choices of the other establishment candidates count towards (and against) any non-establishment candidates. This form of voting has been used to stop conservative candidates in Alaska and Maine.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/10

🟢  HB1708 by Rep. Underwood: No Tax on Bonuses — SUPPORT

This good bill would provide that there is no state income tax paid on bonuses. This bill does not pick winners and losers but favors all workers. It will increase the economic freedom of Arkansans and encourage the work ethic in Arkansas by allowing employees to keep bonuses earned. This bill could be improved by also exempting from state income tax, all overtime wages.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

❌ SB354 by Sen. Dismang: New Prison in Franklin County Funding Bill — OPPOSE

Provides new appropriations for spending up to $750 million for a new prison in Franklin County. Although we are in favor of expanding prisons as needed, we need to first pursue other options to reform our prison system before throwing more money at a system which appears to not be working. Continuing more of the same with more money is mindful of giving more money to a failing education system rather than addressing fundamental issues first.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB361 Sen. Dees: New Corporate Welfare Program with Future Tax Increases / Public Debt Authority — OPPOSE

This bad bill is filled with approximately 20 pages of new law to create new “industrial development authority” to create corporate welfare programs within the industrial industry. It will allow local government to saddle taxpayers with the issuance of public debt and future tax increases. Under the guise of “economic development” this is a stealth method of growing government, passing tax increases, and issuing public debt through bonds.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

❌ SB366 by Sen. J. Boyd: Replacement for SB179 – New Government Program to Funnel Taxpayer Money to Insurance Companies — OPPOSE

This bill is basically a tax increase by creating a new government program to siphon off otherwise available general revenue funds that could be used to cut taxes or fund already existing necessary government functions. The new government program would divert taxpayer dollars back to insurance companies that the government picks and chooses for certain rebuilding projects. This bill grows government and spends money we do not have and is otherwise known as a tax increase.

Status: Referred to Committee, on Agenda 3/11

🟢  SB377 by Sen. Hester: Elimination of Remaining State Sales Tax on Groceries — SUPPORT

This good bill would eliminate the remaining 1/8% sales tax on groceries. This current tax goes to the Game and Fish Commission for parks and tourism. The bill would still allow local governments at the city and county level to tax groceries. Conduit for Action has been advocating the full repeal (including to local governments) of the grocery tax for over a decade. See: https://conduitnews.com/exempting-groceries-the-way-forward/

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB382 by Sen. Crowell: Repeal of Transparency in Arkansas Development Finance Authority Capital Access Fund — OPPOSE

This bad bill would reduce transparency regarding the monies in the Capital Access Fund under the Arkansas Development Finance Authority.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB388 by Sen. Crowell: Repeal on Reporting Foreign Government Economic Development Offices — OPPOSE

This bad bill would repeal the requirement to report on any government economic development offices in foreign countries. This law was originally passed under Gov. Asa Hutchinson for his secretive “economic development” offices in China and other foreign countries. We need to keep this law in place for transparency for any future use of economic development offices in foreign countries.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/11

🟢  SB402 by Sen. Penzo: Protection Against Teacher Union Coercion — SUPPORT

This good bill would prohibit the coercion on employees to attend meetings, events, trainings, or otherwise interact with teachers unions or other similar groups. These groups usually use peer pressure to get donations, dues, or other involvement and actions to be taken by public school employees to appease their bosses and administrators who are aligned with the unions and groups. The bill would specifically prohibit the use of school facilities, mailing lists, supplies, equipment, and other taxpayer funded resources to engage in the coercion or teacher union activities.

Status: Referred to Committee

Week 7 Conduit Bill

🟢 HB1558 by Rep. McGrew: Reduced Licensure for Property Managers — SUPPORT

This good bill would reduce the licensure requirements to be a property manager. Instead of needing a full brokers real estate license, a scaled back license for property managers is created, which is less onerous to obtain and would allow more people to engage in the property management business. The market is likely the best judge of who are good property managers. This obviously increases economic freedom.

Status: Passed House, Referred to Senate Committee

❌ HB1574 by Rep. Vaught: Prohibiting Employment of Non-Arkansas Residents for Canvassing — OPPOSE

This bad bill would restrict the private contracting and hiring rights of Arkansans by prohibiting them from hiring any non-Arkansas residents to engage in canvassing to secure signatures for ballot initiatives and petitions. This would restrict the supply of workers, increasing costs and wages to potential employers, and severely limit the ability of regular Arkansans to place ballot initiatives before the voting public.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/3/25

🟢HB1582 by Rep. McAlindon: Welfare Recipients Required to Upload Resumes & Search for Work—SUPPORT

This good bill would require welfare recipients, such as those able-bodied working age adults on the Arkansas Medicaid expansion program, to upload their resumes to the state workforce services portal. They would also be required to respond to requests for interviews and seek relevant work options as part of their requirement to seek work. If they do not do so, they may lose their eligibility for welfare programs.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/4/25

🟢HB1588 by Rep. McAlindon: Legislative Approval Required Before Incurring Additional Costs for State Medicaid Program — SUPPORT

This good bill would require that the legislature approve any changes within the state Medicaid program if those changes would result in any increase in costs to the taxpayer to make those changes. This would include any increases to reimbursement rates, and any change in rules or amendments or seeking of a waiver that would expand coverage to any individuals or increase any cost to the state. These changes must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the Legislative Council, or if in Session, a 2/3 majority of the Joint Budget Committee.This helps ensure taxpayers voices are better heard if their legislators must vote to increase spending rather than a beaucrat imposing an effective tax increase on Arkansans.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/4/25

❌ HB1612 by Joint Budget Committee: Extra Taxpayer Funding to Government TV Capital Projects— OPPOSE

This bad bill would provide additional funding through an appropriation to spend $8 million on next gen tv advanced tv systems. Government TV is not needed. Additional funding above what they already receive should be rejected as it spends money we do not have.

Status: Passed by Joint Budget Committee

Fiscal Impact: $8,000,000.00

❌ HB1621 by Rep. Wardlaw: FOIA Exemption to Shield Politicians from the Public — OPPOSE

This bad bill would provide for a exemption from the Freedom of Information Act for politicians, government workers, and their family members, so that information regarding the names, emails, phone number (including taxpayer funded phones), addresses, and other information is shielded from the public. This decreases transparency and attempts to place those working in the government above others–granting them special privileges to shield them from the public eye and input. This type of measure would only serve to further divide the public from its public officials and further foster distrust of the government by the public.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda 3/10/25

❌ HB1625 by Rep. Barnett: Government Review of All Home Inspector Insurance Policies — OPPOSE

This bad bill would increase government red tape and grow the insurance commission department by requiring all home inspectors submit to the insurance commissioner their insurance policies for liability and then requires the insurance commissioners to determine if their policy meets the legal requirements. This grows government and would spend money we do no have by needing a new workforce to oversee this new regulatory scheme.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ HB1626 by Rep. Duffield: Ban on Sale of Disposable Vape Products — OPPOSE

Although Arkansas already has many laws restricting the use of disposable vaping products, this bill would impose a ban on the sale of any disposable vape products, limiting options for consumers and possibly forcing them to choose more expensive products or go to other states to purchase the products they want, proving Arkansas is moving more and more toward a state which prefers restricting individual freedoms. Although the writer of this summary my detest vaping products and the consequence of their use, there are many things that others are free to buy and sell in this state and country which is detestable to more sensitive natures. Although it may be against the greater safety or greater good which we may imagine, we should stay conscious of the fact that bills like this move us closer and closer to the left leaning states which prefer to control the freedoms of their citizens. It is our belief that the market alone will soon eliminate the threat of disposable vaping without using the force of government. https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/resources/us-e-cigarette-regulations-50-state-review/ar 

Status: Referred to House Rules Committee

🟢 SB272 by Sen. Crowell: No Pre-Filled Content on Voter Registration Applications — SUPPORT

This good bill would prohibit the use of pre-filled information on voter registration applications provided by the government. This will ensure better transparency and accuracy so that the information included is only that which is provided by the person registering to vote.

Status: Passed Senate Committee

🟢 SB274 by Sen. D. Wallace: Partial Sales Tax Exemption on Burial Caskets/Vaults/Monuments — SUPPORT

This bill would reduce the money leaving the hands of taxpayers and flowing to government by allowing a partial sales tax exemption on the first $1,000 paid towards a burial casket, vault, or monument. This is the second consecutive year this type bill has been offered by Sen Wallace. This bill could be improved by making the entire purchase for these items exempt from all sales and use tax. For a better appreciation of our Arkansas tax code, taxpayers and legislators should review on a regular basis these statutes: https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-26-taxation/#!tid=ND31BD5B0C89511DA90A7AE4DA09DA01A ; and then review in detail under Chapter 52 (reviewing all subchapters) all that is taxed and items which are exempt:https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-26-taxation/ar-code-sect-26-52-401.html

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢Series: SB284 – SB286 by Sen. Payton: Caps on Workers Comp Claims — SUPPORT

This series of bills: 1) give the employee the right to change physicians, 2) increase lifetime caps on workers compensation claims, changing maximum weekly benefits cap to 70% of the average weekly wage of the employee and the maximum annual salary total of weekly benefit to $120,000; 3) Allow the Workers’ Comp Comm to take various factors into consideration when establishing benefits for permanent partial disability benefits; 4) update legal fees allowed; and 5) increase the rights of the claimant/injured employee to change physicians.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢SB289 by Sen. Dotson: 0.125% Cut in State Sales Tax Rate — SUPPORT

This good bill would cut the state sales tax rate designated for “property tax relief” by 0.125%. The current designated rate of 0.5% would reduce down to 0.375%. Due to the increase in real property values across the state (which in turn increases the tax burden on real property owners,) although small, this is a good step toward reducing the burden on taxpayers in this state.

Status: Amended, Referred to Committee

🟢SB299 by Sen. K. Hammer: Preventing Fraud in Nursing Home Absentee Ballots and Assisting People Voting — SUPPORT

This good bill would make it harder to commit fraud in absentee ballots completed for nursing home residents or those being assisted in voting. The bill would require any person who is assisting a person at a polling site with voting, to provide ID to prove who they are consistent with voter ID requirements. The bill would also require a witness by a nursing home staff member to the actual act of assistance of a person living in and voting from the nursing home. This would help prevent fraud by a nursing home administrator or others from manipulating residents on how to vote when completing their absentee ballot as well as completion without the resident’s participation and approval.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB3334 by Joint Budget Committee: Extra Funding for Department of Education —OPPOSE

This bad appropriation bill would provide an additional $5 million for capital improvements for the Department of Education, which is “expanding government” and spending money “we do not have”, thus decreasing the economic freedom of Arkansans.

Status: Referred to Committee

Fiscal Impact: $5,000,000.00

❌ SB336 by Joint Budget Committee: New $30 Million Department of Health Building — OPPOSE

This bad appropriation bill would provide for $30 million for the building of a new Department of Health, which is “expanding government” and spending money “we do not have”, thus decreasing the economic freedom of Arkansans.

Status: Referred to Committee

Fiscal Impact: $152,900,000.00

Week 6 Conduit Bill Analysis

❌ HB1492 by Rep. Gramlich: New Devices for All School Employees — OPPOSE

This bad bill is an example of “spare no expense or bureaucracy growth” in an attempt to make life safer. It would require a panic alert device for every individual employed by a government school. The device would send alerts to law enforcement and send a lockdown notification. Hundreds of thousands of these devices would have to be purchased and maintained, and every local law enforcement group would have to grow to coordinate and work with these. All records related to the use of the devices would be exempt from the freedom of information law.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ HB1493 by Joint Budget Committee: Extra Funding for University Capital Improvement Projects— OPPOSE

This bill would provide additional funding beyond the general appropriations to government colleges and universities for capital improvements which ultimately means tax increases. The results yielded from current funds spent on education in Arkansas do not reflect that more money is the answer to our poor performance. Universities should utilize existing funding and budgets for any needed capital improvements rather than an additional appropriation of funds.

Status: Referred to Joint Budget Committee

🟢 HB1500 by Rep. Beaty Jr: Repeal of Throwback Rule — SUPPORT

This bill would repeal the “throwback rule.” The logic of the throwback rule is that an origination state has the right to tax income properly associated with another state simply because that other state does not choose, or is unable, to tax the income itself. This is obviously a tax which discourages corporations from doing business in Arkansas. Repealing this tax would change sales of tangible personal property that are subject to taxation now to only being subject to taxation if the property is delivered to a purchaser in Arkansas.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1501 by Rep. Beaty Jr: Federal Tax Code Section 168(k) Bonus Depreciation Adopted — SUPPORT

This would cause Arkansas to adopt the same Income Tax Depreciation law used by Federal tax law– commonly referred to as bonus depreciation. IRC Section 168(k), which is commonly known as bonus depreciation, allows taxpayers to expense up to 60% of the cost of qualified assets they place in service in 2024. IT IS HOPED THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL SUPPORT BUSINESS AND THE TAXPAYERS IN OUR STATE BY ADOPTING BONUS DEPRECIATION.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ HB1503 by Rep. Clowney: New Excessive Regulation of Tiny Homes — OPPOSE

Disguised as a “deregulation” bill by the sponsors (a liberal Democrat and a known supporter of regulation) the bill actually implements new excessive regulations on “tiny homes” that people may own and rent out. This bill mandates the specific sizes allowed, does not limit restrictions on local governments to regulate “short term rentals” of these tiny homes, allows for fees for reviewing applications to create tiny homes, and assess building fees, and letter approval from water and sewer systems. While specific items are prohibited, this is a backdoor way to create and allow a new government regulatory framework for tiny homes. It is deceiving, bad for property owners, and hurts the economic freedoms of Arkansans.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1506 by Rep. Andrews: Stopping Taxpayer Funds to Government Union Due — SUPPORT

This good bill would prohibit taxpayer dollars to be deducted from government employees paychecks and sent to anti-taxpayer union and labor groups who then usually lobby against the interests of taxpayers. Public safety employees and their groups would be exempt.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1534 by Rep. Schulz: Increase in Homestead Property Tax Credit — SUPPORT

This would increase the homestead property tax credit by $100.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1538 by Rep. Ray: Increase for Operating Loss Carry-Forward Time Period — SUPPORT

This good bill would help businesses by allowing them a longer period of time to carry forward net operating losses. This increases the time allowed from 10 years to 20 years. This improves the economic freedom of Arkansas businesses and keeps more money in the pockets of small businesses to reinvest in their business instead of adding to government growth.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1540 by Rep. J. Mayberry: Increased Income Tax Credit for Those Caring for Disabled Persons — SUPPORT

This bill would remove the tax deduction of $500 and increase the amount of the income tax credit from $500 to $1,000 for those caring for disabled persons. This increased credit would allow a person caring for a disabled person to ultimately keep more money than under the prior law.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ HB1541 -1542 by Rep. Wooten: Attacks on School Choice & Government Control of Private Schools — OPPOSE

These bad bills continue a series of proposed legislation by Rep. Wooten growing out of his opposition to parents choosing how to spend tax dollars to educate their own children. Mr. Wooten seems to greatly favor government schools and government education only. He continues trying to impose onerous regulations and costs on non-government schools. These bills would require private schools to maintain transportation to and from the school as well as using causing private school students to be under the government school testing. Mr. Wooten, a Republican from Beebe, seems emboldened to keep running these bills as he continues to be re-elected without a primary challenger.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB245 by Joint Budget Committee: Extra Funding for University Capital Improvement Projects— OPPOSE

Similar to HB1493, this bill would provide additional funding beyond the general appropriations to government colleges and universities for capital improvements which ultimately means tax increases. The results yielded from current funds spent on education in Arkansas do not reflect that more money is the answer to our poor performance. Universities should utilize existing funding and budgets for any needed capital improvements rather than an additional appropriation of funds.

Status: Referred to Joint Budget Committee

❌ SB248 by Sen. C. Tucker: FOIA Exemption for Politicians & Government Bureaucrat’s Public Records — OPPOSE

This bad bill would decrease transparency by providing an exemption to the freedom of information law for politicians and government bureaucrat’s personnel records. The public should be able to know the conduct, reviews, or other documents related to what the government worker or politician is doing in the taxpayers’ name. When the withholding of such information is truly justified, the court system is already prepared and adequate to address such.

Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/25

❌ SB252 by Sen. Dismang: Abolishing Tobacco and Vaping Products in Arkansas Through Regulation & Bureaucracy — OPPOSE

This omnibus bill would regulate the tobacco and vaping industry to death and could result in abolishing all tobacco and vaping products in Arkansas. This decreases economic freedom and freedom of choice for Arkansas consumers. The bill is also being used to push abolishing the tobacco industry by using school children as examples of those engaging in already illegal use of vape or tobacco products. New fees would create a slush fund from which money would be directed from/to politicians’ favorite projects. The government would dictate specific packaging, unlimited warrantless inspections of tobacco products sold at retail stores, prohibitions on specific locations for any possession of tobacco products even if they are not illegally possessed (in possession of those over 21), violating free speech rights in advertising products, new directory systems to track all tobacco products, and new fees charged per product. Competition will be limited and consumers will pay more. This “nanny state” bill violates individual and economic freedoms of Arkansans. It is an example of why Arkansas is ranked #44 out of 50 by The Cato Institute for individual freedoms: https://www.freedominthe50states.org/personal/arkansas

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB264 by Sen. Irvin: New Government Healthcare Group to Further Empower Special Interests — OPPOSE

This bill would create a new “primary care payment improvement working group” with specific special interests, with individual companies and organizations named in the legislation getting a seat/representation with the group. There is already a public health committee in the House and Senate; and new groups to spend more taxpayer money and further increase the clout and influence of special interests within the Capitol is not needed.

Status: Referred to Committee

Week 5 Conduit Bill Analysis

🟢 HB1438 by Rep. Cavenaugh: Income Tax Credit Equal to Property Tax Payments of a Homestead for Those Aged 65+ — SUPPORT

This bill would provide a income tax credit for individuals over 65 years of age in an amount equal to how much property taxes they pay for their homestead (primary residence). This will provide tax relief for seniors who are continuing to work and provide value and will reduce the amount of money flowing out of the economy and to the government.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda 2/18

❌ HB1440 by Rep. Bentley: Increased Regulation on Massage Therapist Establishments — OPPOSE

This bill would require all massage therapy establishments to register with the state government Department of Health to be able to operate. It would also require registration and disclosure to the government of the principals – ownership/other interest – in the massage therapy establishments. It would require a copy of a business license from a local government. If any changes occur, the massage therapy establishment must update them with the government within ten business days. These increased regulations increase costs to consumers and reduce supply of massage therapists providing services in Arkansas. In recent past Republicans were making a concerted effort to remove burdens and licensing from small business in Arkansas. This bill expands the role of government and bureaucracy in the market place.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1445 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Protection of Short Term Rental Property Rights — SUPPORT

This bill is an effort to protect private property rights of Arkansans who wish to use their property for short term rentals, such as renting out single rooms in their homes or having a property listed on Airbnb or VRBO type platforms. This bill is designed to prevent local government from imposing onerous regulations, fees, and fines on people for utilizing their private property for profit. It should also increase the supply of lodging for people visiting Arkansas and reduce the costs for consumers. See “Arkansas Property Owners Face Opposition in Short-Term Rental Battle” 

Status: Passed House Committee on Roll Call Vote

🟢 HB1448 by Rep. Puryear: Protection for Property Owners of Diminished Value Due to Government Action or Delayed Action — SUPPORT

This bill would require local governments to act transparently and in a timely manner if preventing private property from being developed. It would require written notice and action or no action to be taken within 6 months, and if they do not do so then the property shall be released from the reservation and the public body shall pay the private property owner any loss in value to their property by tying it up from being developed. This protects the economic freedom of property owners against slow and inefficient governments.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1472 by Rep. Beaty Jr.: Sales Tax Exemption on Parts to Repair Agri, Timber, and Grain Bin Equipment and Machinery — SUPPORT

This bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption on parts purchased to repair existing agricultural and/or timber equipment and machinery and parts and services purchased to repair a grain bin. This would reduce the tax burden on manufactures who are not the end user of goods and products–thus preventing the taxing of movement rather than ultimate consumption. This type tax exemption prevents double taxation to the ultimate consumer (which is passed on as an increase in costs).

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HB1469 by Rep. Beaty Jr.: Sales Tax Exemption for Machinery and Equipment used for Broadband Services — SUPPORT

This bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption on the sale of machinery and equipment used in producing broadband communications services. This tax exemption prevents double taxation to the ultimate consumer (as costs of production is passed on as an increase in costs to the ultimate consumer).

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 SB217 by Sen. Penzo: No Food Stamps for Candy/Soda — SUPPORT

This bill would prohibit the use of food stamps for candy and soft drinks. This will ensure proper use of taxpayer money towards nutritional food products, which is the intent of food stamps. Specifically it would require DHS to seek a waiver to implement this change.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB219 by Sen. J. Dismang: Making Temporary Tax Permanent — OPPOSE

Although we are not in favor of the legalization of medical marijuana, we are against taxing this product or making this tax permanent. This action only ensures the expansion of government and in turn reduces the economic freedom of all Arkansans. To argue that the tax is needed in order to cover the costs to control the effects of the use of this product and its potential for abuse only supports the fact that the expansion of government to control its citizens is an idea which has gone beyond all reason and is out of control.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB233 by Sen. Penzo: Income Tax Exemption for Non-Grantor Trusts — SUPPORT

This bill would provide an income tax exemption on non-grantor trusts in Arkansas. This would make Arkansas competitive with other states which do not tax non-grantor trusts. A result would encourage grantors to establish their trusts along with retaining trust assets in this state. This tax exemption would also decrease the expansion of government by reducing tax revenue.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB231 by Sen. Dotson: New Law Enforcement Officers in Office of Arkansas Lottery — OPPOSE

This bill would grow government by creating a new law enforcement officer role within the office the Arkansas lottery. If law enforcement officers are needed to address issues at the Arkansas lottery, existing law enforcement officers should be utilized.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

❌ SB229 by Sen. J. Boyd: Creates New Government Department of Financial Services — OPPOSE

This bill would grow government by creating a new government department of financial services within the already existing department of commerce. This increases layers of bureaucracy – DOGE would not approve.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 SJR13 by Sen. J. Dotson: Allowing Judicial Candidates to Declare a Political Party Affiliation — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would allow, but not require, judicial candidates to affiliate with a political party. This would provide greater transparency into what a candidate’s political philosophy and judicial philosophy may be. It would also expose or force liberal activist judges to affiliate with the Democrats and potentially lose their seats in super majority Republican areas in most of Arkansas.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HJR1011 by Rep. S. Meeks: Allowing Non-Appropriation Bills During Fiscal Session — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would make it easier to hear non-appropriation bills during a fiscal session. Currently, there must be a 2/3 majority vote of each chamber to allow non-appropriation bills to be heard during the fiscal session. This amendment would allow the filing of non-appropriation bills between seven days before the fiscal session starts and seven days after it has started. Even though we are a proponent of less government and less legislation, there have been times when allowing for the hearing of proposed legislation (like at the time of the Covid crisis), this measure could avoid a special session or allow a hearing of legislation which may not be popular at the time with the Governor but is with a majority of the electorate.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HJR1012 by Rep. R. Scott Richardson: Freeze Property Assessments If No Substantial Change or Conveyance – Keeps Taxes Level — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would protect property owners against increases in their property taxes unless there is susbtantial change to the property or a new conveyance has occured. This would ensure that property that is not developed, improved, or transferred would not be subject to an increase in tax on the mere increase in the values of real property in general. This amendment would stop the ever increasing tax on real estate ownership in areas where values increase. As a result, government will not grow (and individual freedoms shrink) simply because real estate values increase. This amendment could be improved if it specifically defined “substantial change,” “new construction,” and “substantial improvement” –as we have seen local governments determine a property is significantly improved when new kitchen cabnets and counter tops were installed–which we know is not a substantial improvement to real property. We also acknowledge that even though we would prefer assessments to decrease when values decline, it is unlikely that adding language to reduce the tax when values decline would be cost effective once the regular re-appraisal apparatus is disassembled within counties. (When that scenario occurs, another law change would likely be in order.)

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

❌ SJR15/HJR1014 by Sen. J. Dismang/Rep. Beaty Jr: Creation of Socialism – Corporate Welfare Districts — OPPOSE

When you see the words “economic development” used in legislation, brace for a tax increase. At a time when the rest of the country is moving away from socialism, this amendment would increase Arkansas’ current welfare state by creating corporate welfare districts, taking taxpayer money and redistributing it to government favorites….not only is the government acting in the place of a friendly bank to corporate welfare friends, this amendment hands out permanent tax exempt status to their chosen participates! This practice has continued to be tried and failed in Arkansas and continues ripe with corruption. Previously, the legislature created this same framework with “general improvement districts.” In that scenerio legislators picked which special groups or projects they would direct taxpayer money. Former state legislators still sit in prison today for their abuse of that program. Passage of this amendment would lead to tax increases, more corruption, growing government, and a socialist-corporate welfare program with no limits or guard rails. DOGE to the rescue!?! No help there! Best Advice: Do not allow this on the ballot! See: https://uca.edu/acre/targeted-economic-development-incentives/ and https://www.heritage.org/budget/pages/recommendations/1.370.85.html

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

❌ SJR17 by Sen. Dotson: Requiring 3/4 Vote by Both Chambers of Arkansas Legislature to Pass Tax Increases — OPPOSE

Currently (and deleted in this SJR17) the AR Const Art 5 §38 states: “None of the rates for property, excise, privilege or personal taxes, now levied shall be increased by the General Assembly except after the approval of the qualified electors voting thereon at an election, or in case of emergency, by the votes of three-fourths of the members elected to each House of the General Assembly. [As added to Art. 5 by Const. Amend. 19.].” The proposed SJR17 would delete the current requirement that (except in an emergency) the people vote on a tax increase. This taxpayer bill of rights (which moves closer to a cap on government growth) is laudable but fails to go far enough in slowing the growth of government. Conduit has held a consistent position through the years that an ideal Taxpayer Bill of Rights in Arkansas should require that: 1) Growth in government expenditures should be limited to inflation plus population growth; 2) Any revenue collected over the limit goes immediately back to the taxpayers, and all tax increases have to be approved by a vote of the people; 3) When transferring government programs the overall limit must be reduced down accordingly; and 4) Supermajority vote of legislature or popular vote of the people to change the limit or raise/change any taxes. See comments on HJR1005 and https://conduitforcommerce.org/containing-government-growth/

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HJR1015 by Rep. Lundstrum: Partisan Judicial Election — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would require judicial candidates to affiliate with a political party. This would provide greater transparency into what a candidate’s political philosophy and judicial philosophy may be. It would also expose or force liberal activist judges to affiliate with the Democrats and potentially lose their seats in super majority Republican areas in most of Arkansas.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

Week 4 Conduit Bill Analysis

🟢 HB1371 by Rep. Wardlaw: Repeal of Regulation to Receive Commercial Driver License — SUPPORT

This bill would remove a regulation on those seeking to get a commercial drivers license. Currently the government mandates any application for a commercial drivers license must complete a human trafficking prevention course. This would decrease government regulations and increase personal freedoms and make it easier for people to get their commercial drivers license.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1372 – HB1376 by Rep. Pilkington: Government Favoritism for New Businesses Over Existing Arkansas Businesses — OPPOSE

Economic Development is taking tax dollars from profitable businesses which pay taxes and giving them to businesses which the government favors and decides should receive the profits of their competition. This is redistribution of wealth to a favored government business. The purpose of these bills on their face may seem noble unless we already expect economic development dollars to go to “new business” by definition. When we realize that is not the case, these bills disclose additional concerns. Also, for the legislature to use the term “encourage” rather than “shall” seems to make these bills merely for show and expose a timid legislature when it comes to the powerful Economic Development Commission–created with taxpayer dollars.

Status: Passed House Committee, On Agenda for 2/10

❌ HB1416 by Rep. L. Johnson: Allowing Municipal & “Volunteer” Fire Departments to Levy Taxes on Persons Who do Not Live in their Municipality — OPPOSE

This bill would allow municipal fire departments to levy a tax (called “dues”) on people who do not live in their municipality or an area with a volunteer fire department. However, AR Code Sec 14-284-406(b)(2) allows the municipality to not respond to the fire outside their municipality when in the opinion of the proper municipal authorities, its municipal property or fire classification rating would be jeopardized. There is no provision in this bill for a refund of dues when the municipal fire department does not respond to a fire outside its city limits.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ HB1436 by Rep. Steele: Government Prohibitions & Slaughterhouses & Food Processing Plant in Certain Locations — OPPOSE

This bill would prohibit companies who operate a slaughterhouse together with their food processing plant to be located in certain areas within a city. This will create less opportunities for these companies to find locations to open/operate, thus increasing costs for them which will be passed along to consumers of the food. This decreases economic freedom and increased government regulations.

Status: Filed

❌ SB179 by Sen. J. Boyd: New Government Program for Funneling Money to Insurance Companies Instead of General Revenue — OPPOSE

This is another bill which grows government, increases taxes, interferes with the free market in favor of big business and is filed by Republicans. It will increase taxes up to $12 million annually by creating a new government program to siphon off otherwise available general revenue funds that could be used to cut taxes or fund already existing necessary government functions. The new government program would divert taxpayer dollars back to insurance companies that the government picks and chooses for certain rebuilding projects. This bill grows government and spends money we do not have and is effectively a tax increase.

Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/11

🟢 SB181 by Sen. Sullivan: Work Experience Allowed to Qualify for Government Job Instead of Mandatory Degree — SUPPORT

Rather than another attempt to make government better, this bill is an example of time to ask, “Why do we still have government libraries?” The free market is much more equipped to handle this job of providing libraries if effective, wanted, used, and needed. With that note aside, this bill would allow a person to use their work experience to qualify for a government job as a regional library director instead of a specific government mandated degree program. This should allow more supply of applicants for the position, thus increasing the quality and competition for these jobs.

Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/11

🟢 SB189 by Sen. A. Clark: Authorizes the Sale of Ivermectin for Human Use Without Requiring a Prescription or Consultation With a Healthcare Professional — SUPPORT

This bill is a good start for medical and health freedom in Arkansas. This bill expands medical freedom in the state, allowing Arkansans to make their own decisions regarding their health. SB189 cuts out big pharma gatekeeping and does not require the waiting period for a prescription of Ivermectin. The bill challenges the FDA’s control over alternate treatments, which means more choices and fewer restrictions for Arkansans.

Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/10

🟢 SB200 by Sen. K. Hammer: No Sales Tax on Rented Educational Materials — SUPPORT

This bill would provide for a sales tax exemption on the rental of educational materials. Currently, the exemption only applies to purchased items. This should save taxpayers a minimum amount of money. However, in the spirit of school choice which is now declared the law in Arkansas, it is time that this bill includes private schools.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB204 by Sen. Penzo: No Tax on Government Seized Property — SUPPORT

This bill would make clear that if/when a government seizes a taxpayer’s private property through eminent domain and is paid by the government, any gains above their basis when they first purchase the property is not taxable.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB207 – SB211 by Sen. K. Hammer: Making it Harder to Pass Initiatives and Ballot Measures —OPPOSE

Here we go again! These series of bills will make it harder to pass citizen initiatives and ballot measures put up for a vote by petition by the people. Some of the new regulations would require people collecting signatures to read entire portions of the proposed legislation, read aloud names and addresses of people signing, separately confirm information from people signing the petition outside of what is written on the petition such as requiring viewing of photo ID, and otherwise making it easier to disqualify signatures collected to place items on the ballot for a vote. This undermines the individual and possible economic freedoms of the people to pass laws and make changes to their government.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ SB212 by Sen. K. Hammer: New Government Department with New Law Enforcement Officers— OPPOSE

Again, unbelievably, this government growth, freedom repressing bill is filed by a Republican! To make it worse, the sponsor of the bill has declared his candidacy for election of Secretary of State in 2026! This bill would create a new government department to administer new government regulations under SB207-211 (if passed) within the office of Secretary of State. It would allow/create a type of law enforcement officer within the Secretary of State’s office. Named the “Document Validity Division” this Orwellian named division would oversee the process of working to disquality citizen petitions to place items on the ballot for a vote of the people for changes in their government. Broad government powers are granted to these “document validators” including issuing subpoenas, compelling witness attendance, collecting evidence, and requiring the production of documents and correspondence that the government deems relevant to their inquiry. This bill grows government and reduces the freedoms of the people to make changes to their government and is an example that legislators can stay focused on the government as the answer–for too long! https://www.kait8.com/2025/01/07/arkansas-senator-hammer-announces-campaign-secretary-state/

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 SJR9 by Sen. King: Ending Qualified Government Immunity – You Can Sue the Government For Hurting You — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would remove the constitutional prohibition on the government being sued within our court system. Known as qualified government immunity, the state has little to no incentive to avoid lawsuits if they can always dismiss them for simply being the government. This bill would increase the incentive for government actors to follow the Constitution, be more cautious in their actions toward citizens–by giving citizens the opportunity to sue the government if the government causes them harm.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ SJR12 by Sen. C. Tucker: Rigging Primary Elections to Ensure Big Government Politicians Are Elected — OPPOSE

This proposed constitutional amendment has been filed for many years now by Sen. Clark Tucker. The change would overhaul the election system in Arkansas by replacing our current primary and general election systems with a single jungle primary, similar to California’s. This jungle primary (or ranked choice voting) would pit all candidates from all parties against one another. The two top vote getters would advance to a runoff, with the candidate with the most votes winning the seat. It would allow for Democrat and liberal voters to have an oversized influence over picking candidates and ultimately representatives of our government. It is a bad bill that would grow government and silence opposition. (see https://www.heritage.org/election-integrity/report/ranked-choice-voting-bad-choice )

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

Week 3 Conduit Bill Analysis

🟢 HB1224 by Rep. Nazarenko: Adds Massage Therapists to Automatic Out of State Occupational Licensure Act — SUPPORT

This bill would add massage therapists to the automatic out-of-state licensure act. This will make it easier for out-of-state physicians to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1237 by Rep. J. Richardson: Prohibiting Free Speech of Medical Professionals to Help Prospective Patients — OPPOSE

This bill would violate the free speech rights of medical professionals to provide information to the public, including people recently injured, about medical services they may provide to benefit people. This violates the individual rights of Arkansans from both free speech and from the government censuring what information they may receive that could benefit them.

Status: Passed Committee; Failed House Floor

🟢 HB1243 by Rep. Underwood: Increased Transparency in Financial Disclosure of Local Elections— SUPPORT

This bill would increase transparency in local elections by requiring candidates for school district, city council, mayor, etc. to file with the county clerk financial disclosure reports similar to those required for state legislative candidates. This will increase the information to the public as to who is funding candidates’ campaigns for office and provide it in a more timely manner, including a pre-election 10-day report.

Status: Amended & Re-Referred to Committee

❌ HB1245 by Rep. Clowney: New Occupational Licensure Regulations for Behavior Analysts — OPPOSE

This bill failed during the 2023 session and is filed again to create new regulations for a new government defined subset of workers defined as behavior analysts. It creates a government mandate on registration and creates a fine for people who do not sign up with the government and pay a fee. This decreases economic freedom, grows government, and increases fees paid to government

Status: Passed House; On Senate Agenda for 2/10

🟢 HB1250 by Rep. Duffield: Sales Tax Holiday for Disaster Preparedness Supplies — SUPPORT

This bill would create a sales tax holiday for a sales tax exemption on disaster preparedness items. This would be similar to the tax holiday for retail during back to school sales. The tax holiday would occur the first weekend of November (Saturday – Sunday). This will save taxpayers money and lead to a little less money going to government.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 HB1253 by Rep. L. Johnson: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Licensure Compact — SUPPORT

This bill would add Arkansas to the interstate emergency medical services (EMS) personnel compact, making it easier for EMS licensees in other states to obtain licensure and regulatory approval in Arkansas. This will make it easier for out of EMS licensees to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1268 by Rep. Unger: Future Tax Increase With Expansion of Government Retirement to Transit Authorities — OPPOSE

This bill would put in place a future tax increase to pay for the ongoing obligations of the government retirement program by adding public transit authorities to the public employees retirement program. This spends money we do not have and thus violates the economic freedom of Arkansans.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1305 by Rep. Andrews: Increased supply of Teachers for Children — SUPPORT

This bill would provide a government school teaching license to be issued to individuals who a government school district deems provides educational value through teaching their students for a period so hired. This will increase the supply and could improve the quality of teachers who teach children in Arkansas schools.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1312 by Rep. Brooks: Increased Per-Student Funding of Government Schools — OPPOSE

This bill would increase the per-student funding of government schools to $8,162 for the 2025-2026 school year and then to $8,371 for the 2026-2027 school year. Additional special funding for non-English speaking students, or those in alternative learning are also increased. Throwing more money at government education in Arkansas has not worked so far and is less likely to work today.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1348 by Rep. Warren: Unsustainable Expansion of Dependent Child Government Retirement Benefits Past Age 18 — OPPOSE

This bill would put an unlimited expansion for dependent children survivor benefits for government retirement funds to extend to age 23 instead of 18 (however not affecting those physically and mentally incompetent). Currently, the extension to competent 23 year olds only occurs if the survivor child dependent is in school. This 5-year blanket increase (from 18 to 23) is a future tax increase and spends money we do not have – these benefits should end when the child becomes a legal adult at age 18.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB119 by Sen. Penzo: Establishes Interstate Medical Licensure Compact — SUPPORT

This bill would add Arkansas to the interstate medical licensure compact, making it easier for medical licensees in other states to obtain licensure and regulatory approval in Arkansas. This will make it easier for out of state medical service providers to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices, and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

🟢 SB121 by Sen. Penzo: Adds Physician Assistants to Automatic Out of State Licensure Act — SUPPORT

This bill would add physician assistants to the automatic out of state licensure act. This will make it easier for out of state physicians to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices, and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB122 by Sen. Penzo: Adds Physicians to Automatic Out of State Licensure Act — SUPPORT

This bill would add physicians to the automatic out of state licensure act. This will make it easier for out of state physicians to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices, and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

❌ SB135 Sen. J. Boyd: Avoiding Elections to Approve Property Taxes — OPPOSE

This bill would allow avoidance of an election by taxpayers to determine/approve tax rate assessments by a government school district if the property assessment tax rates for the school district remain unchanged from year over year. It is logical to conclude that there would also be no requirement for posting the proposed budget as required by AR Code Sec 26-80-102 if this bill is passed. This bill robs the people of their right to vote to approve or disapprove their tax rate. This is an affront to the economic freedom and basic fundamental rights of Arkansans to have representation before taxation. The bill was wrongly referred to the Education committee instead of the State Agencies committee which handles election legislation.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

❌ SB139 by Se. J. Boyd: Violation of Private Contracting Rights — OPPOSE

This bill would place a blanket prohibition on private contracts between private people regarding covenants not to compete with physicians. It would void any covenant’s not to compete for any restrictions that fall within the scope of practice of a physician, effectively banning all covenants not to compete if a person is a licensed physician. This is an action similar to what was taken by the Biden Administration in 2024.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

❌ SB168 by Sen. Rice: Adds New Barriers to Get Massage Therapy License – Government Test — OPPOSE

This bill adds unwanted regulations except by those wanting to eliminate competition! It would add a government mandated, created, and administered test for those seeking a massage therapy license. It would require 100 questions, and people must get a 70% to pass and receive their license. This is an added regulation to make it harder for people to work as a massage therapist and is but another law which would deprive the consumer of making their own choices regarding their own health or use of personal services. 

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

Week 2 Conduit Bill Analysis

❌ HB1168 by Rep. L. Johnson: Criminal Immunity for Healthcare Professionals Who Hurt or Kill Patients – OPPOSE 

This bill would provide criminal immunity for “healthcare professionals” who negligently hurt or kill their patients. It would extend to facilities including hospitals, rehab hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, surgical facilities, ambulances, hospice care facilities, home health agencies, and kidney dialysis centers. The sponsor of the bill is a hospital/ER doctor. Therefore, this bill should be considered a bill filed for the self-interest of the sponsor rather than the interst of the citizens of Arkansas. This sponsor is also a past supporter of transgender surgeries for children. This bill violates individual freedoms and decreases incentives for the healthcare industry to exercise prudent caution in caring for patients.

Status: Withdrawn by Author

❌ HB1190 by Rep. Vaught: Income Tax Exemption for Government Teachers: – OPPOSE 

This bill would exempt from AR income tax the first $50,000 of teacher pay earned by government school teachers (K-12). Although the bill may result in an AR revenue loss of approximately $60 million ($1558 per taxpayer times < 40K teachers), it remains as a carve out for a specific class of taxpayer–which is usually bad income tax policy. This bill is especially bad in that it does not include all Arkansas teachers (excluding private school teachers). Most tax cuts are good. But this one would be an attempt to place government school teachers in an even greater economic advantage than those who choose to teach in private school–which also causes this bill to resemble one which is an attempt to undermine and weaken “school choice” in Arkansas.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1192 by Rep. Pilkington: Prohibiting Tobacco Products by Any Person on Government School Property – OPPOSE 

This bill would prohibit and potentially criminalize the possession or use of any tobacco products in or on real property, personal property, or otherwise of a government school. It would also levy fines against parents whose children who are caught with tobacco products while at school up to $1,000, and give the money to the local police department. This bill not only discreminates against student violators vs adults but prohibits the otherwise legal possession of a legal product by free people on government property, thus diminishing the individual freedoms of Arkansans. These fines not only increase revenues flowing to government but also increases government bureaucracy needed to enforce this bill. This is a simple example of how an increase in the size and scope of government proportionately reduces individual freedoms.

Status: Referred to House Rules Committee

❌ HB1216 by Rep. Long: Tax Exemptions for Businesses in Opportunity Zones – OPPOSE 

Though an admirable idea, this is a government (taxpayer) sponsored Economic Development plan which has proven ineffective at best. The bill provides tax exemptions to businesses located in a opportunity zones, including income tax, corporate franchise tax, and the elective pass-through entity tax . Though it will result in less money flowing to state government, it would forego the better most effective economic growth plan of providing tax incentives across the board rather than to an ineffective group. See “WHY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH OPPORTUNITY ZONES NEVER WORK!”

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 HB1217 by Rep. Nazarenko: Interstate Massage Therapy Impact — SUPPORT

This bill would pass “the massage therapy licensure compact” with other states to allow increased reciprocity with licensed massage therapists from other states to be licensed in Arkansas. This would increase the supply of providers to the public and could lower or maintain prices for consumers.

Status: Filed

🟢 HB1219 by Rep. R. Scott Richardson: Body-Cameras Required for Police — SUPPORT

This bill would require law enforcement officers to record all official interactions between law enforcement officers and the public while the law enforcement officer is on duty. It would require training and implementation by December 31, 2026. Rule-making authority to state agencies overseeing law enforcement officers is given. This increases transparency among law enforcement actions taken against the public and in turn may protect the individual freedoms of Arkansans as well as the law enforcement officers themselves.

Status: Withdrawn by author

🟢 SB82 by Sen. J Payton: Reduction of Sales tax on Used Vehicles — SUPPORT

This bill would further reduce the sales tax on used motor vehicles and trailers. Used motor vehicles sold for less than $10,000 would not be subject to Arkansas state sales tax. Trailers or semitrailers sold for less than $4,000 would not be subject to Arkansas state sales tax. Used motor vehicles sold for between $10,000 and $15,000 will see a reduced sales tax rate.

Status: Referred to committee

🟢 SB89 by Sen. English: Increased Transparency for School Boards — SUPPORT

This bill would require school boards to provide agendas of regular and special meetings no later than 24-hours prior to the holding of each regular or special meeting and to also provide the names and email addresses of the school board members. This should provide better and timely transparency regarding school board matters and activity, allowing the public to be better informed as well as the school board members as well.

Status: Amended; Referred to Committee; On Agenda 2/10

🟢 SB90 by Sen. English: Increased Public Input at School Board Meetings — SUPPORT

This bill would require school boards to provide opportunities for the public to give comment for at least three minutes per meeting. This will increase public input and transparency in local school boards, assisting both sides in improved communications.

Status: Amended; Referred to Committee; On Agenda 2/10

🟢 SB91 by Sen. Penzo: Protecting Private Property Owners from Local Government Rent Control Regulations — SUPPORT

This bill would expand the prohibition against “rent” control programs by local governments in that it is expanded to rental application fees and rental deposits for private residential or commercial property. This would further protect the economic freedom of Arkansans against further control by local governments.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 SB101 by Sen. Penzo: Physician Assistant Licensure Compact — SUPPORT

This bill would pass the physician assistant licensure compact with other states to allow increased reciprocity with licensed physician assistants from other states to get licensure in Arkansas. This would increase the supply of providers to the public, and could lower or maintain prices for consumers.

Status: Referred to Committee

Week 1 Conduit Bill Analysis 

❌ HB1009 by Rep. A. Collins: To Allow Pregnancy to Be a Qualifying Event for Automatic Enrollment in Medicaid – OPPOSE

This bill would create “presumptive eligiblity” for Medicaid for any pregnant woman in Arkansas and immediately enroll them in Medicaid and cover services for prenatal care. This would increase the Medicaid rolls without prior proper screening to ensure the Medicaid program is limited to those who are truly needy and not based on a specific class of people (pregnant women). Medicaid would potentially foot the initial bills of any and all medical services provided to any pregnant woman in Arkansas.

Status: Amended & Engrossed

❌ HB1012 by Rep. A. Collins: To Establish a New Population of Persons Eligible for Medicaid Coverage for “Family Planning” Services (Code – ABORTION Services) – OPPOSE 

This bill would create a new population of eligible persons for Medicaid coverage not otherwise eligible based solely on income (no work requirements or other criteria to be eligible are included) of 200% of the federal poverty level to receive taxpayer funded “family planning services”. Family Planning Services are not defined but have long been used as code for “Abortion Services” – see Planned Parenthood. The bill would also force the state Department of Human Services to seek additional taxpayer funding at the federal level for additional support of this new government program within Medicaid.

Status: Amended & Engrossed

❌ HB1015 by Rep. A. Collins: New $300 Per Child State Income Tax Credit – OPPOSE 

We are not supportive of increasing this child credit to $300 under the terms as written. This bill would cause the credit to be refundable, meaning it would give cash directly to persons who do not pay taxes. We are supportive of this tax credit if this bill is amended to remove the refundability aspect to ensure the credit only goes towards offsetting taxes owed by those who actually pay taxes in at least that amount. Also as written, the credit would be limited to single persons making up to $100K, or couples making up to $200K.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 HB1016 by Rep. A. Collins: Sales Tax Exemption for Diapers, Breastfeeding Products, and Tampons — SUPPORT

We generally support all tax cuts and therefore support this tax cut. However, we are not a fan of carve outs, and this bill would create a new sales tax exemption (state sales tax only) for products including: tampons, diapers, breastfeeding equipment and products, certain grooming and hygiene products, baby bottles, and certain over- the-counter drugs. This would save some taxpayers money, but is highly targeted to a specific subset of items rather than an across the board sales tax cut.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1017 by Rep. A. Collins: Expansion of Taxpayer Funded Paid Time Off for School Employees with New Babies — OPPOSE 

This bill would increase government spending by expanding paid maternity leave to 12-weeks off for women who have a child, adopt a child under one, or became a foster parent of a child under one. This would be for ANY school employee, not just education personnel, as is currently the standard. It would cover 100% of that person’s paid leave through the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1024 by Rep. A. Collins: Repeal of Collective Bargaining Ban for Taxpayer Funded Government Employees — OPPOSE 

This bill would repeal the current ban on collective bargaining for taxpayer funded government employees. Collective bargaining is basically legalized unionization protections to allow them to negotiate contracts or other terms of employment between an employer and employee. This is generally accepted in the private sector. However, many states have banned this for taxpayer funded government employees to avoid collusion between elected officials, government workers, and taxpayer funded unions to result in the taxpayers paying inflated wages or benefits outside what the market may otherwise provide through forced collective bargaining protections for the government employees.This repeal would lead to higher costs to taxpayers without any recognizable benefits in return.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

❌ HB1025 by Rep. A. Collins: Making It Nearly Impossible to Fire Bad Taxpayer Funded Government Teachers — OPPOSE  

This bill would make it even harder to fire bad taxpayer funded government teachers, protecting their jobs and pay even if it is not in the best interests of the children being taught at that government school. It is already very difficult to fire a bad teacher “for cause” that is not arbitrary, capricious, or discrimnatory, and this new law would raise that standard to “just and reasonable cause” and would lower the requirement that teachers adhere with strict compliance to the school districts policies to a lower standard of “substantial compliance”. The bill states the law would not provide “tenure” to government teachers as it does not guarantee lifetime employment, but it effectively will do just that. This will lead to lower quality teachers and lower quality education for Arkansas children. It will also take away local control from local school districts to make their own determinations on personnel decisions. This bill only helps bad teachers and harms everyone else, including the taxpayer paying for the bad teacher.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1035 by Rep. A. Collins: Increasing Voter Fraud Through Online Voter Registration — OPPOSE 

This bill would increase voter fraud through a new online voter registration program. The law would FORCE election officials to register anyone who signs up online if they submit the form within 30-days of an election, and they provide a current driver‘s license number or the last four digits of a social security number. No additional screening or security is provided in the text of the bill. When big government politicians keep losing elections, instead of changing their policies to reflect what the people want, they try to change the rules to cheat and win elections, which is what this bill does.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

❌ HB1038 by Rep. A. Collins: Increasing Voter Fraud Through No-Excuse Absentee Voting — OPPOSE 

This bill would increase voter fraud by allowing any person’s ballot to be cast by absentee vote for any reason or no reason at all. This will allow ballot harvesters and ballot thieves, preventing the actual voter from potentially voting in person later in the election period, such as waiting until the actual election day. This appears to be a change in the rules to provide a better opportunity to cheat and steal elections.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

❌ HB1041 by Rep. A. Collins: Government Censorship of Free Speech Using Technology to Harm Politicians Reputations — OPPOSE 

This bill would violate a person’s Right of Free Speech protected under the First Amendment. It would ban free people from engaging in speech that would harm the reputation of politicians if the politician did not agree with how they are being portrayed. Specifically it would apply to speech made using technology, such as artificial intelligence, to create memes, videos, or other items in which someone says something the government does not like. This would harm the rights of people to engage in political speech against their government, and protect political incumbents and governments against speech with which they disagree.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

❌ HB1043 by Rep. A. Collins: Government Censorship of Free Speech in Judicial Elections — OPPOSE 

This bill would require government registration, disclosure of private people’s information and create a target on people who engage in speech that discusses judicial candidates for the Arkansas Court of Appeals or Arkansas Supreme Court. Specially it would create a new “noncandiate disclosure committee” requirement by anyone who engages in speech regarding candidates for office, even when that person is not advocating for or against either of the candidates but rather providing information on candidates positions, past rulings, financial support, or otherwise. This type bill has previously been referred to as targeting “dark money” and has been run for several sessions now, since people are less likely to elect liberal judges.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

🟢 HB1048 by Rep. C. Cooper: Increased Freedom for Sale of Goat/Sheep Milk  — SUPPORT 

This bill would allow the sale of raw goat, sheep, and whole milk at places other than just the farm where the milk is produced, allowing greater access to consumers who wish to buy this product and increasing markets to producers.

Passed House; Passed Senate Committee, On Agenda 2/17

🟢 HB1049 by Rep. Tosh: Criminalizing Unlawful Squatting — SUPPORT 

This bill would further protect private property rights against unlawful squatters by making such squatting a criminal offense – a class B misdemeanor. Specifically, if a person enters onto the premises of another person, resides there for any time period, and does so unlawfully, and cannot produce evidence of having a deed to the property, a lease agreement, or evidence of payment of rent, they can be charged with a crime.

Passed House; Passed Senate Committee, On Agenda 2/17

🟢 HB1065 by Rep. Ray: Removal of Cap on Standard Deduction Increases Year over Year — SUPPORT 

This bill removes the cap, currently set at 3%, by which the standard deduction against individual income tax may increase year over year. This would allow for situations when and/or if inflation rises higher than 3% in a year, then the standard deduction would be allowed to increase by the same rate of inflation. The measurement would also refine the inflation measurement to be of the rate of inflation in the West South Central Division of the South Region rather than All Urban Consumers, which should produce a more localized and accurate rate of inflation for Arkansas.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HB1066 by Rep. Ray: Increase in Standard Deduction for Income Tax — SUPPORT  

This bill would increase the standard deduction for income tax from the current rate of $2,200 (began in 2015) to a rate of $4,400 beginning in 2026. This would save money for taxpayers.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1068 by Rep. McElroy: Expansion of Taxpayer Funded Government Retirement to Metropolitan Port Authority Employees — OPPOSE 

This bill would grow government and spend money we do not have by adding all metropolitan port authority employees to the taxpayer funded government retirement system. This would increase ongoing obligations to a new group of people who have already benefitted from taxpayer funded salaries and benefits for decades. It is an unfunded debt liability that will only grow as government grows and at some point may only be covered by increased taxes.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ HB1073 by Rep. Ennett: Creation of New Task Force — OPPOSE 

This bill would create a new “advanced energy jobs” task force. No new task forces are needed in Arkansas. Standing committees of the legislature are already set up to address any issues or specific topics. In the past, the primary purpose of a task force was to provide cover for the pre-determined plan of the executive branch. However, they also provide opportunities for legislators to get extra pay and per diem for traveling to the task force meetings, which usually seem unproductive and duplicative of the legislatures’ standing committees and subcommittees.

Status: Passed Over In Committee

🟢 HB1081 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Repeal of Increased Funding for Professional Learning Communities — SUPPORT 

This bill would decrease the additional funding for the development and administration of professional learning communities. This would cut $16.5 million and allow those funds to be better used for core functions of government.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 HB1134 by Rep. Unger: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact — SUPPORT 

Generally, this bill would create a compact with other states which have passed this law to have a more streamlined licensing and regulation of advanced practice registered nurses. This should allow for greater access to care for the public by increasing the supply of APRNs who could work in Arkansas from other states or in multiple states.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1139 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Protection of Religious Moral Education Courses without Hurting Students Attendance — SUPPORT 

This bill would allow courses to be taught in religious, moral instruction by independent entities of a government school, and such attendance at the course cannot be counted against the the student. This protects the religious freedom of students and parents who wish to learn such content without being treated poorly by the government school through the docking of their attendance.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1141 by Rep. R. Scott Richardson: Prohibiting Free Speech in Elections if using Government Defined “Deep Fakes” — OPPOSE  

This bill would attempt to ban speech that the government considers deceptive or injures a politician’s running for office, or otherwise influence the results of an election. Specifically, it would ban what the government would define as “deep fakes” that show something other than what actually occurred. This bill tries to exclude satirical items or changes to the brightness/contract of a politician’s photo. The definition is overbroad and places a chilling effect on free speech. Political speech has traditionally and by law been the most protected speech in our land. The people should be able to engage in political speech, even if that speech makes fun of politicians and hurts their chances to be re-elected.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1144 by Rep. Wooten: Government Overreach Regulatory Requirements on Private Schools— OPPOSE 

This bill would place burdensome government regulations on private schools which accept payments from children’s educational freedom accounts. This bill seems designed to hurt private schools. It should be noted that the sponsor of the bill and its supporters are against school choice and want to force all kids into one size fits all government schools, even if it is in the best interests of the child to go elsewhere.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/4

❌ HB1159 by Rep. J. Richardson: Government Mandated Employment and Security Measures for Convenience Stores — OPPOSE  

This bill would place government mandates on private businesses to require a certain number of employees working at specific times within a convenience store. It would also mandate types of security cameras the private businesses must use, types of safes, lighting outside the store, forced speech on signage of how much money is in their safe, regulations on how signs may be displayed in the store, install height measures at store entrances to measure people’s heights, mandate how much cash the store can have at a certain time, mandate employment training, mandate silent alarms installation, and force the businesses to be locked from 9pm to 6am and only transact business through a trapdoor or window. This is government overeach that would cost small businesses and overregulate free enterprise if passed.

Status: Pulled down in Committee

🟢 SB57 by Sen. C. Tucker: Increased Tax Credits for Political Contributions — SUPPORT

This bill would increase the annual tax credit to those who donate to individual political candidates from $50 per person to $100 per person. This would result in less money flowing to government.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB59 by Sen. Dismang: Free Daily Breakfast to all Government School Students Regardless of Income Eligibility — OPPOSE  

This is an unfunded mandate requiring all government schools to provide all students who request a breakfast to receive one daily for free, regardless of their income levels or eligiblity for free/reduced meals. The bill first directs taxpayers dollars sent to D.C. to be used for the program, then taxpayer dollars sent to Little Rock to cover everything else. While a nice notion to provide all students with free meals, this once more places the government in the role of parent, expanding the role of government by taking over the duties of parents, and spends money we do not have, thus violating the economic freedom filter principles.

Status: Passed the Senate; Referred to Committee 2/11

🟢 SB61 by Sen. Hill: To Allow Veterinary Telemedicine — SUPPORT

This bill would authorize and allow veterinary telemedicine. Telemedicine for humans has been allowed for years, but past efforts to allow veterinary telemedicine have been defeated by special interests who make more money with limited access and supply of vets. This will increase the supply and options that farmers, ranchers, or others could have in getting care for their animals and livestock as well as create new opportunities for the veterinary profession to provide services to their customers.

Status: Passed Senate; Passed House Committee

🟢 SB62 by Sen. B. King: Repeal of Private Option – Arkansas Works – Arkansas HOME Obamacare Medicaid Expansion Program – Transition to Traditional Medicaid Expansion — SUPPORT

This bill would shift the current Arkansas HOME (previously called the Private Option and Arkansas Works) medicaid expansion program from paying Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and other insurance providers directly for premiums for health insurance to a pay for service model within Medicaid. This Obamacare government welfare program is for able-bodied, working age adults who do not work or pay income taxes. It is the only program in the country to keep the insurance premium model because insurance companies get rich off the premiums, regardless of whether or not the insurance is used and would instead only cost taxpayers when services are actually rendered. The healthcare industry donates large sums to Arkansas state legislators to keep the system going as-is rather than what would be best for taxpayers. When this same repeal effort was proposed last legislative session, it was proposed to save taxpayers possibly over $200 million annually.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB64 by Joint Budget Committee: Appropriation for Government Television — OPPOSE  

There should not be state television. This clearly expands government. This appropriation gives them over $11 million.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB68 by Sen. Hill: Allowing Vet Techs to Respond to Emergency Calls Without Vets at that Location — SUPPORT

This bill would allow vet techs to respond to emergency calls and practice with indirect supervision from their associate vets in an emergency call situation to care for an animal. This reduces regulation and would allow for common-sense responses to help secure and preserve animals and property of Arkansans.

Status: Passed Senate; Passed House Committee

❌ HJR1005 by Rep. Long: Constitutional Amendment to Require 3/4th Vote for Raising Taxes/Fees and 2% Cap on Budget Increases Year over Year — OPPOSE  

This proposed constitutional amendment would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot if passed. The amendment is good in many respects, but because it does not go far enough, we oppose it. The proposal would require a 3/4ths vote of both chambers of the state legislature to pass any tax/fee that is new, increasing rates, extensions, or otherwise a change in law causing a gain to the state in next tax/fee revenue. There would be a cap on the state budget of a 2% increase year over year. For any revenues received above the allowed budget cap, funds would be distributed to (1) Catastrophic Reserve Fund then (2) Budget Stabilization Trust Fund. Since the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund can be tapped by the legislature as they see fit, there is no real advantage to this cap. If there is to be a real cap on government spending, then any remaining balance should be “refunded” through reductions of income tax rates and sales and use tax rates rather than merely placed in a separate fund to be used as needed. This bill is labeled the “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” but is not exactly like simlarly named proposals, such as that proposed by Conduit for Commerce beginning in 2013 (see https://conduitforcommerce.org/containing-government-growth/). This is an example of why a bill should be read beyond its title.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HJR1006 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Stopping Taxpayer Funded Government Lobbying — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment is long over-due. It would prohibit the use of taxpayer money to be used to lobby to grow government. It prohibits government actors from hiring lobbyists which then lobby on behalf of the government actor. This would include a prohibition on using tax money going to organizations who then lobby on behalf of the organization, such as public sector membership organizations. This would include all government actors at the state, county, or local level. This would not prohibit actual government employees within a government body to engage in lobbying, including registering as a lobbyist.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SJR1 by Sen. B. King: Constitutional Amendment to Require 3/4th Vote to Change the Freedom of Information Law — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot. It would require that any changes to access to public records or access to public meetings by the state legislature be subject to a vote of 3/4ths of both chambers to make the change. This would apply to any potential changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. This is a good proposal that would protect against changes which undermine transparency in government.Week 5 Conduit Bill Analysis

🟢 HB1438 by Rep. Cavenaugh: Income Tax Credit Equal to Property Tax Payments of a Homestead for Those Aged 65+ — SUPPORT

This bill would provide a income tax credit for individuals over 65 years of age in an amount equal to how much property taxes they pay for their homestead (primary residence). This will provide tax relief for seniors who are continuing to work and provide value and will reduce the amount of money flowing out of the economy and to the government.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda 2/18

❌ HB1440 by Rep. Bentley: Increased Regulation on Massage Therapist Establishments — OPPOSE

This bill would require all massage therapy establishments to register with the state government Department of Health to be able to operate. It would also require registration and disclosure to the government of the principals – ownership/other interest – in the massage therapy establishments. It would require a copy of a business license from a local government. If any changes occur, the massage therapy establishment must update them with the government within ten business days. These increased regulations increase costs to consumers and reduce supply of massage therapists providing services in Arkansas. In recent past Republicans were making a concerted effort to remove burdens and licensing from small business in Arkansas. This bill expands the role of government and bureaucracy in the market place.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1445 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Protection of Short Term Rental Property Rights — SUPPORT

This bill is an effort to protect private property rights of Arkansans who wish to use their property for short term rentals, such as renting out single rooms in their homes or having a property listed on Airbnb or VRBO type platforms. This bill is designed to prevent local government from imposing onerous regulations, fees, and fines on people for utilizing their private property for profit. It should also increase the supply of lodging for people visiting Arkansas and reduce the costs for consumers. See “Arkansas Property Owners Face Opposition in Short-Term Rental Battle” 

Status: Passed House Committee on Roll Call Vote

🟢 HB1448 by Rep. Puryear: Protection for Property Owners of Diminished Value Due to Government Action or Delayed Action — SUPPORT

This bill would require local governments to act transparently and in a timely manner if preventing private property from being developed. It would require written notice and action or no action to be taken within 6 months, and if they do not do so then the property shall be released from the reservation and the public body shall pay the private property owner any loss in value to their property by tying it up from being developed. This protects the economic freedom of property owners against slow and inefficient governments.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1472 by Rep. Beaty Jr.: Sales Tax Exemption on Parts to Repair Agri, Timber, and Grain Bin Equipment and Machinery — SUPPORT

This bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption on parts purchased to repair existing agricultural and/or timber equipment and machinery and parts and services purchased to repair a grain bin. This would reduce the tax burden on manufactures who are not the end user of goods and products–thus preventing the taxing of movement rather than ultimate consumption. This type tax exemption prevents double taxation to the ultimate consumer (which is passed on as an increase in costs).

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HB1469 by Rep. Beaty Jr.: Sales Tax Exemption for Machinery and Equipment used for Broadband Services — SUPPORT

This bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption on the sale of machinery and equipment used in producing broadband communications services. This tax exemption prevents double taxation to the ultimate consumer (as costs of production is passed on as an increase in costs to the ultimate consumer).

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 SB217 by Sen. Penzo: No Food Stamps for Candy/Soda — SUPPORT

This bill would prohibit the use of food stamps for candy and soft drinks. This will ensure proper use of taxpayer money towards nutritional food products, which is the intent of food stamps. Specifically it would require DHS to seek a waiver to implement this change.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB219 by Sen. J. Dismang: Making Temporary Tax Permanent — OPPOSE

Although we are not in favor of the legalization of medical marijuana, we are against taxing this product or making this tax permanent. This action only insures the expansion of government and in turn reduces the economic freedom of all Arkansans. To argue that the tax is needed in order to cover the costs to control the effects of the use of this product and its potential for abuse only supports the fact that the expansion of government to control its citizens is an idea which has gone beyond all reason and is out of control.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB233 by Sen. Penzo: Income Tax Exemption for Non-Grantor Trusts — SUPPORT

This bill would provide an income tax exemption on non-grantor trusts in Arkansas. This would make Arkansas competitive with other states which do not tax non-grantor trusts. A result would encourage grantors to establish their trusts along with retaining trust assets in this state. This tax exemption would also decrease the expansion of government by reducing tax revenue.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB231 by Sen. Dotson: New Law Enforcement Officers in Office of Arkansas Lottery — OPPOSE

This bill would grow government by creating a new law enforcement officer role within the office the Arkansas lottery. If law enforcement officers are needed to address issues at the Arkansas lottery, existing law enforcement officers should be utilized.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

❌ SB229 by Sen. J. Boyd: Creates New Government Department of Financial Services — OPPOSE

This bill would grow government by creating a new government department of financial services within the already existing department of commerce. This increases layers of bureaucracy – DOGE would not approve.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 SJR13 by Sen. J. Dotson: Allowing Judicial Candidates to Declare a Political Party Affiliation — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would allow, but not require, judicial candidates to affiliate with a political party. This would provide greater transparency into what a candidate’s political philosophy and judicial philosophy may be. It would also expose or force liberal activist judges to affiliate with the Democrats and potentially lose their seats in super majority Republican areas in most of Arkansas.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HJR1011 by Rep. S. Meeks: Allowing Non-Appropriation Bills During Fiscal Session — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would make it easier to hear non-appropriation bills during a fiscal session. Currently, there must be a 2/3 majority vote of each chamber to allow non-appropriation bills to be heard during the fiscal session. This amendment would allow the filing of non-appropriation bills between seven days before the fiscal session starts and seven days after it has started. Even though we are a proponent of less government and less legislation, there have been times when allowing for the hearing of proposed legislation (like at the time of the Covid crisis), this measure could avoid a special session or allow a hearing of legislation which may not be popular at the time with the Governor but is with a majority of the electorate.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HJR1012 by Rep. R. Scott Richardson: Freeze Property Assessments If No Substantial Change or Conveyance – Keeps Taxes Level — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would protect property owners against increases in their property taxes unless there is susbtantial change to the property or a new conveyance has occured. This would ensure that property that is not developed, improved, or transferred would not be subject to an increase in tax on the mere increase in the values of real property in general. This amendment would stop the ever increasing tax on real estate ownership in areas where values increase. As a result, government will not grow (and individual freedoms shrink) simply because real estate values increase. This amendment could be improved if it specifically defined “substantial change,” “new construction,” and “substantial improvement” –as we have seen local governments determine a property is significantly improved when new kitchen cabnets and counter tops were installed–which we know is not a substantial improvement to real property. We also acknowledge that even though we would prefer assessments to decrease when values decline, it is unlikely that adding language to reduce the tax when values decline would be cost effective once the regular re-appraisal apparatus is disassembled within counties. (When that scenario occurs, another law change would likely be in order.)

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

❌ SJR15/HJR1014 by Sen. J. Dismang/Rep. Beaty Jr: Creation of Socialism – Corporate Welfare Districts — OPPOSE

When you see the words “economic development” used in legislation, brace for a tax increase. At a time when the rest of the country is moving away from socialism, this amendment would increase Arkansas’ current welfare state by creating corporate welfare districts, taking taxpayer money and redistributing it to government favorites….not only is the government acting in the place of a friendly bank to corporate welfare friends, this amendment hands out permanent tax exempt status to their chosen participates! This practice has continued to be tried and failed in Arkansas and continues ripe with corruption. Previously, the legislature created this same framework with “general improvement districts.” In that scenerio legislators picked which special groups or projects they would direct taxpayer money. Former state legislators still sit in prison today for their abuse of that program. Passage of this amendment would lead to tax increases, more corruption, growing government, and a socialist-corporate welfare program with no limits or guard rails. DOGE to the rescue!?! No help there! Best Advice: Do not allow this on the ballot! See: https://uca.edu/acre/targeted-economic-development-incentives/ and https://www.heritage.org/budget/pages/recommendations/1.370.85.html

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

❌ SJR17 by Sen. Dotson: Requiring 3/4 Vote by Both Chambers of Arkansas Legislature to Pass Tax Increases — OPPOSE

Currently (and deleted in this SJR17) the AR Const Art 5 §38 states: “None of the rates for property, excise, privilege or personal taxes, now levied shall be increased by the General Assembly except after the approval of the qualified electors voting thereon at an election, or in case of emergency, by the votes of three-fourths of the members elected to each House of the General Assembly. [As added to Art. 5 by Const. Amend. 19.].” The proposed SJR17 would delete the current requirement that (except in an emergency) the people vote on a tax increase. This taxpayer bill of rights (which moves closer to a cap on government growth) is laudable but fails to go far enough in slowing the growth of government. Conduit has held a consistent position through the years that an ideal Taxpayer Bill of Rights in Arkansas should require that: 1) Growth in government expenditures should be limited to inflation plus population growth; 2) Any revenue collected over the limit goes immediately back to the taxpayers, and all tax increases have to be approved by a vote of the people; 3) When transferring government programs the overall limit must be reduced down accordingly; and 4) Supermajority vote of legislature or popular vote of the people to change the limit or raise/change any taxes. See comments on HJR1005 and https://conduitforcommerce.org/containing-government-growth/

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HJR1015 by Rep. Lundstrum: Partisan Judicial Election — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would require judicial candidates to affiliate with a political party. This would provide greater transparency into what a candidate’s political philosophy and judicial philosophy may be. It would also expose or force liberal activist judges to affiliate with the Democrats and potentially lose their seats in super majority Republican areas in most of Arkansas.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18

Week 4 Conduit Bill Analysis

🟢 HB1371 by Rep. Wardlaw: Repeal of Regulation to Receive Commercial Driver License — SUPPORT

This bill would remove a regulation on those seeking to get a commercial drivers license. Currently the government mandates any application for a commercial drivers license must complete a human trafficking prevention course. This would decrease government regulations and increase personal freedoms and make it easier for people to get their commercial drivers license.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1372 – HB1376 by Rep. Pilkington: Government Favoritism for New Businesses Over Existing Arkansas Businesses — OPPOSE

Economic Development is taking tax dollars from profitable businesses which pay taxes and giving them to businesses which the government favors and decides should receive the profits of their competition. This is redistribution of wealth to a favored government business. The purpose of these bills on their face may seem noble unless we already expect economic development dollars to go to “new business” by definition. When we realize that is not the case, these bills disclose additional concerns. Also, for the legislature to use the term “encourage” rather than “shall” seems to make these bills merely for show and expose a timid legislature when it comes to the powerful Economic Development Commission–created with taxpayer dollars.

Status: Passed House Committee, On Agenda for 2/10

❌ HB1416 by Rep. L. Johnson: Allowing Municipal & “Volunteer” Fire Departments to Levy Taxes on Persons Who do Not Live in their Municipality — OPPOSE

This bill would allow municipal fire departments to levy a tax (called “dues”) on people who do not live in their municipality or an area with a volunteer fire department. However, AR Code Sec 14-284-406(b)(2) allows the municipality to not respond to the fire outside their municipality when in the opinion of the proper municipal authorities, its municipal property or fire classification rating would be jeopardized. There is no provision in this bill for a refund of dues when the municipal fire department does not respond to a fire outside its city limits.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ HB1436 by Rep. Steele: Government Prohibitions & Slaughterhouses & Food Processing Plant in Certain Locations — OPPOSE

This bill would prohibit companies who operate a slaughterhouse together with their food processing plant to be located in certain areas within a city. This will create less opportunities for these companies to find locations to open/operate, thus increasing costs for them which will be passed along to consumers of the food. This decreases economic freedom and increased government regulations.

Status: Filed

❌ SB179 by Sen. J. Boyd: New Government Program for Funneling Money to Insurance Companies Instead of General Revenue — OPPOSE

This is another bill which grows government, increases taxes, interferes with the free market in favor of big business and is filed by Republicans. It will increase taxes up to $12 million annually by creating a new government program to siphon off otherwise available general revenue funds that could be used to cut taxes or fund already existing necessary government functions. The new government program would divert taxpayer dollars back to insurance companies that the government picks and chooses for certain rebuilding projects. This bill grows government and spends money we do not have and is effectively a tax increase.

Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/11

🟢 SB181 by Sen. Sullivan: Work Experience Allowed to Qualify for Government Job Instead of Mandatory Degree — SUPPORT

Rather than another attempt to make government better, this bill is an example of time to ask, “Why do we still have government libraries?” The free market is much more equipped to handle this job of providing libraries if effective, wanted, used, and needed. With that note aside, this bill would allow a person to use their work experience to qualify for a government job as a regional library director instead of a specific government mandated degree program. This should allow more supply of applicants for the position, thus increasing the quality and competition for these jobs.

Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/11

🟢 SB189 by Sen. A. Clark: Authorizes the Sale of Ivermectin for Human Use Without Requiring a Prescription or Consultation With a Healthcare Professional — SUPPORT

This bill is a good start for medical and health freedom in Arkansas. This bill expands medical freedom in the state, allowing Arkansans to make their own decisions regarding their health. SB189 cuts out big pharma gatekeeping and does not require the waiting period for a prescription of Ivermectin. The bill challenges the FDA’s control over alternate treatments, which means more choices and fewer restrictions for Arkansans.

Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/10

🟢 SB200 by Sen. K. Hammer: No Sales Tax on Rented Educational Materials — SUPPORT

This bill would provide for a sales tax exemption on the rental of educational materials. Currently, the exemption only applies to purchased items. This should save taxpayers a minimum amount of money. However, in the spirit of school choice which is now declared the law in Arkansas, it is time that this bill includes private schools.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB204 by Sen. Penzo: No Tax on Government Seized Property — SUPPORT

This bill would make clear that if/when a government seizes a taxpayer’s private property through eminent domain and is paid by the government, any gains above their basis when they first purchase the property is not taxable.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB207 – SB211 by Sen. K. Hammer: Making it Harder to Pass Initiatives and Ballot Measures —OPPOSE

Here we go again! These series of bills will make it harder to pass citizen initiatives and ballot measures put up for a vote by petition by the people. Some of the new regulations would require people collecting signatures to read entire portions of the proposed legislation, read aloud names and addresses of people signing, separately confirm information from people signing the petition outside of what is written on the petition such as requiring viewing of photo ID, and otherwise making it easier to disqualify signatures collected to place items on the ballot for a vote. This undermines the individual and possible economic freedoms of the people to pass laws and make changes to their government.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ SB212 by Sen. K. Hammer: New Government Department with New Law Enforcement Officers— OPPOSE

Again, unbelievably, this government growth, freedom repressing bill is filed by a Republican! To make it worse, the sponsor of the bill has declared his candidacy for election of Secretary of State in 2026! This bill would create a new government department to administer new government regulations under SB207-211 (if passed) within the office of Secretary of State. It would allow/create a type of law enforcement officer within the Secretary of State’s office. Named the “Document Validity Division” this Orwellian named division would oversee the process of working to disquality citizen petitions to place items on the ballot for a vote of the people for changes in their government. Broad government powers are granted to these “document validators” including issuing subpoenas, compelling witness attendance, collecting evidence, and requiring the production of documents and correspondence that the government deems relevant to their inquiry. This bill grows government and reduces the freedoms of the people to make changes to their government and is an example that legislators can stay focused on the government as the answer–for too long! https://www.kait8.com/2025/01/07/arkansas-senator-hammer-announces-campaign-secretary-state/

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 SJR9 by Sen. King: Ending Qualified Government Immunity – You Can Sue the Government For Hurting You — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would remove the constitutional prohibition on the government being sued within our court system. Known as qualified government immunity, the state has little to no incentive to avoid lawsuits if they can always dismiss them for simply being the government. This bill would increase the incentive for government actors to follow the Constitution, be more cautious in their actions toward citizens–by giving citizens the opportunity to sue the government if the government causes them harm.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ SJR12 by Sen. C. Tucker: Rigging Primary Elections to Ensure Big Government Politicians Are Elected — OPPOSE

This proposed constitutional amendment has been filed for many years now by Sen. Clark Tucker. The change would overhaul the election system in Arkansas by replacing our current primary and general election systems with a single jungle primary, similar to California’s. This jungle primary (or ranked choice voting) would pit all candidates from all parties against one another. The two top vote getters would advance to a runoff, with the candidate with the most votes winning the seat. It would allow for Democrat and liberal voters to have an oversized influence over picking candidates and ultimately representatives of our government. It is a bad bill that would grow government and silence opposition. (see https://www.heritage.org/election-integrity/report/ranked-choice-voting-bad-choice )

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

Week 3 Conduit Bill Analysis

🟢 HB1224 by Rep. Nazarenko: Adds Massage Therapists to Automatic Out of State Occupational Licensure Act — SUPPORT

This bill would add massage therapists to the automatic out-of-state licensure act. This will make it easier for out-of-state physicians to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1237 by Rep. J. Richardson: Prohibiting Free Speech of Medical Professionals to Help Prospective Patients — OPPOSE

This bill would violate the free speech rights of medical professionals to provide information to the public, including people recently injured, about medical services they may provide to benefit people. This violates the individual rights of Arkansans from both free speech and from the government censuring what information they may receive that could benefit them.

Status: Passed Committee; Failed House Floor

🟢 HB1243 by Rep. Underwood: Increased Transparency in Financial Disclosure of Local Elections— SUPPORT

This bill would increase transparency in local elections by requiring candidates for school district, city council, mayor, etc. to file with the county clerk financial disclosure reports similar to those required for state legislative candidates. This will increase the information to the public as to who is funding candidates’ campaigns for office and provide it in a more timely manner, including a pre-election 10-day report.

Status: Amended & Re-Referred to Committee

❌ HB1245 by Rep. Clowney: New Occupational Licensure Regulations for Behavior Analysts — OPPOSE

This bill failed during the 2023 session and is filed again to create new regulations for a new government defined subset of workers defined as behavior analysts. It creates a government mandate on registration and creates a fine for people who do not sign up with the government and pay a fee. This decreases economic freedom, grows government, and increases fees paid to government

Status: Passed House; On Senate Agenda for 2/10

🟢 HB1250 by Rep. Duffield: Sales Tax Holiday for Disaster Preparedness Supplies — SUPPORT

This bill would create a sales tax holiday for a sales tax exemption on disaster preparedness items. This would be similar to the tax holiday for retail during back to school sales. The tax holiday would occur the first weekend of November (Saturday – Sunday). This will save taxpayers money and lead to a little less money going to government.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 HB1253 by Rep. L. Johnson: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Licensure Compact — SUPPORT

This bill would add Arkansas to the interstate emergency medical services (EMS) personnel compact, making it easier for EMS licensees in other states to obtain licensure and regulatory approval in Arkansas. This will make it easier for out of EMS licensees to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1268 by Rep. Unger: Future Tax Increase With Expansion of Government Retirement to Transit Authorities — OPPOSE

This bill would put in place a future tax increase to pay for the ongoing obligations of the government retirement program by adding public transit authorities to the public employees retirement program. This spends money we do not have and thus violates the economic freedom of Arkansans.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1305 by Rep. Andrews: Increased supply of Teachers for Children — SUPPORT

This bill would provide a government school teaching license to be issued to individuals who a government school district deems provides educational value through teaching their students for a period so hired. This will increase the supply and could improve the quality of teachers who teach children in Arkansas schools.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1312 by Rep. Brooks: Increased Per-Student Funding of Government Schools — OPPOSE

This bill would increase the per-student funding of government schools to $8,162 for the 2025-2026 school year and then to $8,371 for the 2026-2027 school year. Additional special funding for non-English speaking students, or those in alternative learning are also increased. Throwing more money at government education in Arkansas has not worked so far and is less likely to work today.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1348 by Rep. Warren: Unsustainable Expansion of Dependent Child Government Retirement Benefits Past Age 18 — OPPOSE

This bill would put an unlimited expansion for dependent children survivor benefits for government retirement funds to extend to age 23 instead of 18 (however not affecting those physically and mentally incompetent). Currently, the extension to competent 23 year olds only occurs if the survivor child dependent is in school. This 5-year blanket increase (from 18 to 23) is a future tax increase and spends money we do not have – these benefits should end when the child becomes a legal adult at age 18.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB119 by Sen. Penzo: Establishes Interstate Medical Licensure Compact — SUPPORT

This bill would add Arkansas to the interstate medical licensure compact, making it easier for medical licensees in other states to obtain licensure and regulatory approval in Arkansas. This will make it easier for out of state medical service providers to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices, and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

🟢 SB121 by Sen. Penzo: Adds Physician Assistants to Automatic Out of State Licensure Act — SUPPORT

This bill would add physician assistants to the automatic out of state licensure act. This will make it easier for out of state physicians to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices, and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB122 by Sen. Penzo: Adds Physicians to Automatic Out of State Licensure Act — SUPPORT

This bill would add physicians to the automatic out of state licensure act. This will make it easier for out of state physicians to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices, and/or higher quality services.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

❌ SB135 Sen. J. Boyd: Avoiding Elections to Approve Property Taxes — OPPOSE

This bill would allow avoidance of an election by taxpayers to determine/approve tax rate assessments by a government school district if the property assessment tax rates for the school district remain unchanged from year over year. It is logical to conclude that there would also be no requirement for posting the proposed budget as required by AR Code Sec 26-80-102 if this bill is passed. This bill robs the people of their right to vote to approve or disapprove their tax rate. This is an affront to the economic freedom and basic fundamental rights of Arkansans to have representation before taxation. The bill was wrongly referred to the Education committee instead of the State Agencies committee which handles election legislation.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

❌ SB139 by Se. J. Boyd: Violation of Private Contracting Rights — OPPOSE

This bill would place a blanket prohibition on private contracts between private people regarding covenants not to compete with physicians. It would void any covenant’s not to compete for any restrictions that fall within the scope of practice of a physician, effectively banning all covenants not to compete if a person is a licensed physician. This is an action similar to what was taken by the Biden Administration in 2024.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

❌ SB168 by Sen. Rice: Adds New Barriers to Get Massage Therapy License – Government Test — OPPOSE

This bill adds unwanted regulations except by those wanting to eliminate competition! It would add a government mandated, created, and administered test for those seeking a massage therapy license. It would require 100 questions, and people must get a 70% to pass and receive their license. This is an added regulation to make it harder for people to work as a massage therapist and is but another law which would deprive the consumer of making their own choices regarding their own health or use of personal services. 

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10

Week 2 Conduit Bill Analysis

❌ HB1168 by Rep. L. Johnson: Criminal Immunity for Healthcare Professionals Who Hurt or Kill Patients – OPPOSE 

This bill would provide criminal immunity for “healthcare professionals” who negligently hurt or kill their patients. It would extend to facilities including hospitals, rehab hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, surgical facilities, ambulances, hospice care facilities, home health agencies, and kidney dialysis centers. The sponsor of the bill is a hospital/ER doctor. Therefore, this bill should be considered a bill filed for the self-interest of the sponsor rather than the interst of the citizens of Arkansas. This sponsor is also a past supporter of transgender surgeries for children. This bill violates individual freedoms and decreases incentives for the healthcare industry to exercise prudent caution in caring for patients.

Status: Withdrawn by Author

❌ HB1190 by Rep. Vaught: Income Tax Exemption for Government Teachers: – OPPOSE 

This bill would exempt from AR income tax the first $50,000 of teacher pay earned by government school teachers (K-12). Although the bill may result in an AR revenue loss of approximately $60 million ($1558 per taxpayer times < 40K teachers), it remains as a carve out for a specific class of taxpayer–which is usually bad income tax policy. This bill is especially bad in that it does not include all Arkansas teachers (excluding private school teachers). Most tax cuts are good. But this one would be an attempt to place government school teachers in an even greater economic advantage than those who choose to teach in private school–which also causes this bill to resemble one which is an attempt to undermine and weaken “school choice” in Arkansas.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1192 by Rep. Pilkington: Prohibiting Tobacco Products by Any Person on Government School Property – OPPOSE 

This bill would prohibit and potentially criminalize the possession or use of any tobacco products in or on real property, personal property, or otherwise of a government school. It would also levy fines against parents whose children who are caught with tobacco products while at school up to $1,000, and give the money to the local police department. This bill not only discreminates against student violators vs adults but prohibits the otherwise legal possession of a legal product by free people on government property, thus diminishing the individual freedoms of Arkansans. These fines not only increase revenues flowing to government but also increases government bureaucracy needed to enforce this bill. This is a simple example of how an increase in the size and scope of government proportionately reduces individual freedoms.

Status: Referred to House Rules Committee

❌ HB1216 by Rep. Long: Tax Exemptions for Businesses in Opportunity Zones – OPPOSE 

Though an admirable idea, this is a government (taxpayer) sponsored Economic Development plan which has proven ineffective at best. The bill provides tax exemptions to businesses located in a opportunity zones, including income tax, corporate franchise tax, and the elective pass-through entity tax . Though it will result in less money flowing to state government, it would forego the better most effective economic growth plan of providing tax incentives across the board rather than to an ineffective group. See “WHY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH OPPORTUNITY ZONES NEVER WORK!”

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 HB1217 by Rep. Nazarenko: Interstate Massage Therapy Impact — SUPPORT

This bill would pass “the massage therapy licensure compact” with other states to allow increased reciprocity with licensed massage therapists from other states to be licensed in Arkansas. This would increase the supply of providers to the public and could lower or maintain prices for consumers.

Status: Filed

🟢 HB1219 by Rep. R. Scott Richardson: Body-Cameras Required for Police — SUPPORT

This bill would require law enforcement officers to record all official interactions between law enforcement officers and the public while the law enforcement officer is on duty. It would require training and implementation by December 31, 2026. Rule-making authority to state agencies overseeing law enforcement officers is given. This increases transparency among law enforcement actions taken against the public and in turn may protect the individual freedoms of Arkansans as well as the law enforcement officers themselves.

Status: Withdrawn by author

🟢 SB82 by Sen. J Payton: Reduction of Sales tax on Used Vehicles — SUPPORT

This bill would further reduce the sales tax on used motor vehicles and trailers. Used motor vehicles sold for less than $10,000 would not be subject to Arkansas state sales tax. Trailers or semitrailers sold for less than $4,000 would not be subject to Arkansas state sales tax. Used motor vehicles sold for between $10,000 and $15,000 will see a reduced sales tax rate.

Status: Referred to committee

🟢 SB89 by Sen. English: Increased Transparency for School Boards — SUPPORT

This bill would require school boards to provide agendas of regular and special meetings no later than 24-hours prior to the holding of each regular or special meeting and to also provide the names and email addresses of the school board members. This should provide better and timely transparency regarding school board matters and activity, allowing the public to be better informed as well as the school board members as well.

Status: Amended; Referred to Committee; On Agenda 2/10

🟢 SB90 by Sen. English: Increased Public Input at School Board Meetings — SUPPORT

This bill would require school boards to provide opportunities for the public to give comment for at least three minutes per meeting. This will increase public input and transparency in local school boards, assisting both sides in improved communications.

Status: Amended; Referred to Committee; On Agenda 2/10

🟢 SB91 by Sen. Penzo: Protecting Private Property Owners from Local Government Rent Control Regulations — SUPPORT

This bill would expand the prohibition against “rent” control programs by local governments in that it is expanded to rental application fees and rental deposits for private residential or commercial property. This would further protect the economic freedom of Arkansans against further control by local governments.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 SB101 by Sen. Penzo: Physician Assistant Licensure Compact — SUPPORT

This bill would pass the physician assistant licensure compact with other states to allow increased reciprocity with licensed physician assistants from other states to get licensure in Arkansas. This would increase the supply of providers to the public, and could lower or maintain prices for consumers.

Status: Referred to Committee

Week 1 Conduit Bill Analysis 

❌ HB1009 by Rep. A. Collins: To Allow Pregnancy to Be a Qualifying Event for Automatic Enrollment in Medicaid – OPPOSE

This bill would create “presumptive eligiblity” for Medicaid for any pregnant woman in Arkansas and immediately enroll them in Medicaid and cover services for prenatal care. This would increase the Medicaid rolls without prior proper screening to ensure the Medicaid program is limited to those who are truly needy and not based on a specific class of people (pregnant women). Medicaid would potentially foot the initial bills of any and all medical services provided to any pregnant woman in Arkansas.

Status: Amended & Engrossed

❌ HB1012 by Rep. A. Collins: To Establish a New Population of Persons Eligible for Medicaid Coverage for “Family Planning” Services (Code – ABORTION Services) – OPPOSE 

This bill would create a new population of eligible persons for Medicaid coverage not otherwise eligible based solely on income (no work requirements or other criteria to be eligible are included) of 200% of the federal poverty level to receive taxpayer funded “family planning services”. Family Planning Services are not defined but have long been used as code for “Abortion Services” – see Planned Parenthood. The bill would also force the state Department of Human Services to seek additional taxpayer funding at the federal level for additional support of this new government program within Medicaid.

Status: Amended & Engrossed

❌ HB1015 by Rep. A. Collins: New $300 Per Child State Income Tax Credit – OPPOSE 

We are not supportive of increasing this child credit to $300 under the terms as written. This bill would cause the credit to be refundable, meaning it would give cash directly to persons who do not pay taxes. We are supportive of this tax credit if this bill is amended to remove the refundability aspect to ensure the credit only goes towards offsetting taxes owed by those who actually pay taxes in at least that amount. Also as written, the credit would be limited to single persons making up to $100K, or couples making up to $200K.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 HB1016 by Rep. A. Collins: Sales Tax Exemption for Diapers, Breastfeeding Products, and Tampons — SUPPORT

We generally support all tax cuts and therefore support this tax cut. However, we are not a fan of carve outs, and this bill would create a new sales tax exemption (state sales tax only) for products including: tampons, diapers, breastfeeding equipment and products, certain grooming and hygiene products, baby bottles, and certain over- the-counter drugs. This would save some taxpayers money, but is highly targeted to a specific subset of items rather than an across the board sales tax cut.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1017 by Rep. A. Collins: Expansion of Taxpayer Funded Paid Time Off for School Employees with New Babies — OPPOSE 

This bill would increase government spending by expanding paid maternity leave to 12-weeks off for women who have a child, adopt a child under one, or became a foster parent of a child under one. This would be for ANY school employee, not just education personnel, as is currently the standard. It would cover 100% of that person’s paid leave through the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1024 by Rep. A. Collins: Repeal of Collective Bargaining Ban for Taxpayer Funded Government Employees — OPPOSE 

This bill would repeal the current ban on collective bargaining for taxpayer funded government employees. Collective bargaining is basically legalized unionization protections to allow them to negotiate contracts or other terms of employment between an employer and employee. This is generally accepted in the private sector. However, many states have banned this for taxpayer funded government employees to avoid collusion between elected officials, government workers, and taxpayer funded unions to result in the taxpayers paying inflated wages or benefits outside what the market may otherwise provide through forced collective bargaining protections for the government employees.This repeal would lead to higher costs to taxpayers without any recognizable benefits in return.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

❌ HB1025 by Rep. A. Collins: Making It Nearly Impossible to Fire Bad Taxpayer Funded Government Teachers — OPPOSE  

This bill would make it even harder to fire bad taxpayer funded government teachers, protecting their jobs and pay even if it is not in the best interests of the children being taught at that government school. It is already very difficult to fire a bad teacher “for cause” that is not arbitrary, capricious, or discrimnatory, and this new law would raise that standard to “just and reasonable cause” and would lower the requirement that teachers adhere with strict compliance to the school districts policies to a lower standard of “substantial compliance”. The bill states the law would not provide “tenure” to government teachers as it does not guarantee lifetime employment, but it effectively will do just that. This will lead to lower quality teachers and lower quality education for Arkansas children. It will also take away local control from local school districts to make their own determinations on personnel decisions. This bill only helps bad teachers and harms everyone else, including the taxpayer paying for the bad teacher.

Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1035 by Rep. A. Collins: Increasing Voter Fraud Through Online Voter Registration — OPPOSE 

This bill would increase voter fraud through a new online voter registration program. The law would FORCE election officials to register anyone who signs up online if they submit the form within 30-days of an election, and they provide a current driver‘s license number or the last four digits of a social security number. No additional screening or security is provided in the text of the bill. When big government politicians keep losing elections, instead of changing their policies to reflect what the people want, they try to change the rules to cheat and win elections, which is what this bill does.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

❌ HB1038 by Rep. A. Collins: Increasing Voter Fraud Through No-Excuse Absentee Voting — OPPOSE 

This bill would increase voter fraud by allowing any person’s ballot to be cast by absentee vote for any reason or no reason at all. This will allow ballot harvesters and ballot thieves, preventing the actual voter from potentially voting in person later in the election period, such as waiting until the actual election day. This appears to be a change in the rules to provide a better opportunity to cheat and steal elections.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

❌ HB1041 by Rep. A. Collins: Government Censorship of Free Speech Using Technology to Harm Politicians Reputations — OPPOSE 

This bill would violate a person’s Right of Free Speech protected under the First Amendment. It would ban free people from engaging in speech that would harm the reputation of politicians if the politician did not agree with how they are being portrayed. Specifically it would apply to speech made using technology, such as artificial intelligence, to create memes, videos, or other items in which someone says something the government does not like. This would harm the rights of people to engage in political speech against their government, and protect political incumbents and governments against speech with which they disagree.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

❌ HB1043 by Rep. A. Collins: Government Censorship of Free Speech in Judicial Elections — OPPOSE 

This bill would require government registration, disclosure of private people’s information and create a target on people who engage in speech that discusses judicial candidates for the Arkansas Court of Appeals or Arkansas Supreme Court. Specially it would create a new “noncandiate disclosure committee” requirement by anyone who engages in speech regarding candidates for office, even when that person is not advocating for or against either of the candidates but rather providing information on candidates positions, past rulings, financial support, or otherwise. This type bill has previously been referred to as targeting “dark money” and has been run for several sessions now, since people are less likely to elect liberal judges.

Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17

🟢 HB1048 by Rep. C. Cooper: Increased Freedom for Sale of Goat/Sheep Milk  — SUPPORT 

This bill would allow the sale of raw goat, sheep, and whole milk at places other than just the farm where the milk is produced, allowing greater access to consumers who wish to buy this product and increasing markets to producers.

Passed House; Passed Senate Committee, On Agenda 2/17

🟢 HB1049 by Rep. Tosh: Criminalizing Unlawful Squatting — SUPPORT 

This bill would further protect private property rights against unlawful squatters by making such squatting a criminal offense – a class B misdemeanor. Specifically, if a person enters onto the premises of another person, resides there for any time period, and does so unlawfully, and cannot produce evidence of having a deed to the property, a lease agreement, or evidence of payment of rent, they can be charged with a crime.

Passed House; Passed Senate Committee, On Agenda 2/17

🟢 HB1065 by Rep. Ray: Removal of Cap on Standard Deduction Increases Year over Year — SUPPORT 

This bill removes the cap, currently set at 3%, by which the standard deduction against individual income tax may increase year over year. This would allow for situations when and/or if inflation rises higher than 3% in a year, then the standard deduction would be allowed to increase by the same rate of inflation. The measurement would also refine the inflation measurement to be of the rate of inflation in the West South Central Division of the South Region rather than All Urban Consumers, which should produce a more localized and accurate rate of inflation for Arkansas.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/18

🟢 HB1066 by Rep. Ray: Increase in Standard Deduction for Income Tax — SUPPORT  

This bill would increase the standard deduction for income tax from the current rate of $2,200 (began in 2015) to a rate of $4,400 beginning in 2026. This would save money for taxpayers.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1068 by Rep. McElroy: Expansion of Taxpayer Funded Government Retirement to Metropolitan Port Authority Employees — OPPOSE 

This bill would grow government and spend money we do not have by adding all metropolitian port authority employees to the taxpayer funded government retirement system. This would increase ongoing obligations to a new group of people who have already benefitted from taxpayer funded salaries and benefits for decades. It is an unfunded debt liability that will only grow as government grows and at some point may only be covered by increased taxes.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ HB1073 by Rep. Ennett: Creation of New Task Force — OPPOSE 

This bill would create a new “advanced energy jobs” task force. No new task forces are needed in Arkansas. Standing committees of the legislature are already set up to address any issues or specific topics. In the past, the primary purpose of a task force was to provide cover for the pre-determined plan of the executive branch. However, they also provide opportunities for legislators to get extra pay and per diem for traveling to the task force meetings, which usually seem unproductive and duplicative of the legislatures’ standing committees and subcommittees.

Status: Passed Over In Committee

🟢 HB1081 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Repeal of Increased Funding for Professional Learning Communities — SUPPORT 

This bill would decrease the additional funding for the development and administration of professional learning communities. This would cut $16.5 million and allow those funds to be better used for core functions of government.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

🟢 HB1134 by Rep. Unger: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact — SUPPORT 

Generally, this bill would create a compact with other states which have passed this law to have a more streamlined licensing and regulation of advanced practice registered nurses. This should allow for greater access to care for the public by increasing the supply of APRNs who could work in Arkansas from other states or in multiple states.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HB1139 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Protection of Religious Moral Education Courses without Hurting Students Attendance — SUPPORT 

This bill would allow courses to be taught in religious, moral instruction by independent entities of a government school, and such attendance at the course cannot be counted against the the student. This protects the religious freedom of students and parents who wish to learn such content without being treated poorly by the government school through the docking of their attendance.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1141 by Rep. R. Scott Richardson: Prohibiting Free Speech in Elections if using Government Defined “Deep Fakes” — OPPOSE  

This bill would attempt to ban speech that the government considers deceptive or injures a politician’s running for office, or otherwise influence the results of an election. Specifically, it would ban what the government would define as “deep fakes” that show something other than what actually occurred. This bill tries to exclude satirical items or changes to the brightness/contract of a politician’s photo. The definition is overbroad and places a chilling effect on free speech. Political speech has traditionally and by law been the most protected speech in our land. The people should be able to engage in political speech, even if that speech makes fun of politicians and hurts their chances to be re-elected.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11

❌ HB1144 by Rep. Wooten: Government Overreach Regulatory Requirements on Private Schools— OPPOSE 

This bill would place burdensome government regulations on private schools which accept payments from children’s educational freedom accounts. This bill seems designed to hurt private schools. It should be noted that the sponsor of the bill and its supporters are against school choice and want to force all kids into one size fits all government schools, even if it is in the best interests of the child to go elsewhere.

Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/4

❌ HB1159 by Rep. J. Richardson: Government Mandated Employment and Security Measures for Convenience Stores — OPPOSE  

This bill would place government mandates on private businesses to require a certain number of employees working at specific times within a convenience store. It would also mandate types of security cameras the private businesses must use, types of safes, lighting outside the store, forced speech on signage of how much money is in their safe, regulations on how signs may be displayed in the store, install height measures at store entrances to measure people’s heights, mandate how much cash the store can have at a certain time, mandate employment training, mandate silent alarms installation, and force the businesses to be locked from 9pm to 6am and only transact business through a trapdoor or window. This is government overeach that would cost small businesses and overregulate free enterprise if passed.

Status: Pulled down in Committee

🟢 SB57 by Sen. C. Tucker: Increased Tax Credits for Political Contributions — SUPPORT

This bill would increase the annual tax credit to those who donate to individual political candidates from $50 per person to $100 per person. This would result in less money flowing to government.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB59 by Sen. Dismang: Free Daily Breakfast to all Government School Students Regardless of Income Eligibility — OPPOSE  

This is an unfunded mandate requiring all government schools to provide all students who request a breakfast to receive one daily for free, regardless of their income levels or eligiblity for free/reduced meals. The bill first directs taxpayers dollars sent to D.C. to be used for the program, then taxpayer dollars sent to Little Rock to cover everything else. While a nice notion to provide all students with free meals, this once more places the government in the role of parent, expanding the role of government by taking over the duties of parents, and spends money we do not have, thus violating the economic freedom filter principles.

Status: Passed the Senate; Referred to Committee 2/11

🟢 SB61 by Sen. Hill: To Allow Veterinary Telemedicine — SUPPORT

This bill would authorize and allow veterinary telemedicine. Telemedicine for humans has been allowed for years, but past efforts to allow veterinary telemedicine have been defeated by special interests who make more money with limited access and supply of vets. This will increase the supply and options that farmers, ranchers, or others could have in getting care for their animals and livestock as well as create new opportunities for the veterinary profession to provide services to their customers.

Status: Passed Senate; Passed House Committee

🟢 SB62 by Sen. B. King: Repeal of Private Option – Arkansas Works – Arkansas HOME Obamacare Medicaid Expansion Program – Transition to Traditional Medicaid Expansion — SUPPORT

This bill would shift the current Arkansas HOME (previously called the Private Option and Arkansas Works) medicaid expansion program from paying Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and other insurance providers directly for premiums for health insurance to a pay for service model within Medicaid. This Obamacare government welfare program is for able-bodied, working age adults who do not work or pay income taxes. It is the only program in the country to keep the insurance premium model because insurance companies get rich off the premiums, regardless of whether or not the insurance is used and would instead only cost taxpayers when services are actually rendered. The healthcare industry donates large sums to Arkansas state legislators to keep the system going as-is rather than what would be best for taxpayers. When this same repeal effort was proposed last legislative session, it was proposed to save taxpayers possibly over $200 million annually.

Status: Referred to Committee

❌ SB64 by Joint Budget Committee: Appropriation for Government Television — OPPOSE  

There should not be state television. This clearly expands government. This appropriation gives them over $11 million.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SB68 by Sen. Hill: Allowing Vet Techs to Respond to Emergency Calls Without Vets at that Location — SUPPORT

This bill would allow vet techs to respond to emergency calls and practice with indirect supervision from their associate vets in an emergency call situation to care for an animal. This reduces regulation and would allow for common-sense responses to help secure and preserve animals and property of Arkansans.

Status: Passed Senate; Passed House Committee

❌ HJR1005 by Rep. Long: Constitutional Amendment to Require 3/4th Vote for Raising Taxes/Fees and 2% Cap on Budget Increases Year over Year — OPPOSE  

This proposed constitutional amendment would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot if passed. The amendment is good in many respects, but because it does not go far enough, we oppose it. The proposal would require a 3/4ths vote of both chambers of the state legislature to pass any tax/fee that is new, increasing rates, extensions, or otherwise a change in law causing a gain to the state in next tax/fee revenue. There would be a cap on the state budget of a 2% increase year over year. For any revenues received above the allowed budget cap, funds would be distributed to (1) Catastrophic Reserve Fund then (2) Budget Stabilization Trust Fund. Since the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund can be tapped by the legislature as they see fit, there is no real advantage to this cap. If there is to be a real cap on government spending, then any remaining balance should be “refunded” through reductions of income tax rates and sales and use tax rates rather than merely placed in a separate fund to be used as needed. This bill is labeled the “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” but is not exactly like simlarly named proposals, such as that proposed by Conduit for Commerce beginning in 2013 (see https://conduitforcommerce.org/containing-government-growth/). This is an example of why a bill should be read beyond its title.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 HJR1006 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Stopping Taxpayer Funded Government Lobbying — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment is long over-due. It would prohibit the use of taxpayer money to be used to lobby to grow government. It prohibits government actors from hiring lobbyists which then lobby on behalf of the government actor. This would include a prohibition on using tax money going to organizations who then lobby on behalf of the organization, such as public sector membership organizations. This would include all government actors at the state, county, or local level. This would not prohibit actual government employees within a government body to engage in lobbying, including registering as a lobbyist.

Status: Referred to Committee

🟢 SJR1 by Sen. B. King: Constitutional Amendment to Require 3/4th Vote to Change the Freedom of Information Law — SUPPORT

This proposed constitutional amendment would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot. It would require that any changes to access to public records or access to public meetings by the state legislature be subject to a vote of 3/4ths of both chambers to make the change. This would apply to any potential changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. This is a good proposal that would protect against changes which undermine transparency in government.