Thursday, March 20th:
Joint Budget- Special Language
❌ 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.
Senate State Agencies:
🟢 SB410 by Sen. B. King: Transparency in Former Government Employees and Politicians Future Government Benefitting Employment — SUPPORT
This good bill would provide ongoing financial transparency and disclosure from former government employees and elected officials who go to work for government contractors or others who are dependent on taxpayer dollars. The legislation would require reporting by former government employees and elected officials after they leave their government job if they receive money from, go to work for, or otherwise benefit from companies which receive government contracts or other taxpayer dollars. This reporting requirement would be for four consecutive years after the government worker/elected official leaves government employment or office. It does not make this practice illegal but will require disclosure so that the public knows if/when former politicians and government workers continue to benefit from government contractors.
❌ 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.
House Public Health:
❌ 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.
🟢 HB1751 by Rep. Underwood: Requiring Job Search While Waiting on Welfare Benefits Application Processing — SUPPORT
This bill would require the Department of Human Services to require welfare program applicants to engage in job search requirements while they are awaiting the processing and determination of their welfare benefits. This will ensure people do not stop looking for work as an alternative to getting welfare. This would apply to the Arkansas Work Pays Program and the cash welfare program TANF.
House Education:
❌ HB1710 by Rep. Vaught: Prohibiting Schools from Publishing Government School Ratings — Oppose
This unconstitutional bill denies private schools their right to Free Speech guaranteed them under the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. It is also a move to reduce competition between two options for education granted to children in Arkansas under the Learns Act. This bill clearly supports government schools over private schools. Its intent seems to prevent parents from making informed choices between government schools and private schools. It specifically prohibits all schools (including private schools) from publishing the legally required school grade ratings of government schools — reports found at https://myschoolinfo.arkansas.gov/SRC. These complicated reports are explained by the Division of Elementary & Secondary Education: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/public-school-accountability/school-performance-and-monitoring/reporting. On its face, the purpose of this bad bill is to protect government schools more than educate children. It also appears to assume government schools are inferior; and their legally required report cards should not be used as a legitimate reason by parents to change schools.
House Judiciary:
🟢 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.
🟢 HB1754 by Rep. Gonzales: Protection of Private Property Against Excessive Government Regulations — SUPPORT
This good bill protects property rights. It would restrict local government to only implementing property use restrictions that are demonstrably necessary and narrowly tailored to fulfill a compelling government interest with least restrictive means (applying strict scrutiny) with no reasonable alternatives. It provides a private right of action to enjoin or recover damages for violations of these property rights under the legislation, with a 5-year statute of limitations to bring an action. This protects the economic freedom of Arkansans and use of their property against overzealous local government regulators.
🟢 HB1780 by Rep. Gazaway: Return of Private Property During Criminal Investigations When Not Necessary the Government Seize It — SUPPORT
This bill would ensure that people’s private property is not seized and kept during the pendency of a felony investigation if released by a court order, by the prosecuting attorney who decides not to prosecute, or determines the item is not needed for prosecution. This will allow a person to keep their private property before they are ever convicted of a felony. This is a type of civil asset forfeiture reform that helps protect the economic freedom of Arkansans.
House Revenue and Tax:
🟢 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).
🟢 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).
❌ 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.
❌ 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.
🟢 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/
🟢 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.
🟢 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.
🟢 HB1715 by Rep. Lundstrum: Cap on Increase in Residential Property Tax Assessments After Sale/Conveyance — SUPPORT
This bill would provide a cap on the increase of the assessed value of residential property after it is sold/transferred. The cap would be five percent (5%) for principal place of residence homestead and ten percent (10%) for principal place of residence non-homestead residential properties. This will save taxpayers money and prohibit excessive increases in assessed values when homes are sold. Please note that Conduit is in favor of reducing these real property taxes rather than simply capping their growth.
🟢 HB1732 by Rep. Vaught: Increase in Tax Deduction for Teachers Classroom Expenses — SUPPORT
This bill would increase the existing tax deduction for teachers for any money they spend for classroom expenses from $500 to $1,000 or from $1,000 to $2,000 for those married, filing jointly. This will ensure teachers are effectively reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses used for their classrooms. Although schools provide teachers with all the necessary items for their classrooms, some teachers wish to go above and beyond for their students. This law further incentivizes this and ensure those teachers are not fully out of pocket for those costs.
🟢 HB1750 by Rep. Cavenaugh: Repeal of Franchise Tax on Businesses — SUPPORT
This good bill is one that has been championed by Conduit for many years. It would repeal the annual franchise tax on all businesses incorporated in Arkansas ($150+ per entity). This would save businesses or entities money, especially those who may not operate or receive revenue/profits but still must pay a tax for the pleasure of operating in Arkansas. The franchise tax is referred to by many small business owners as a “nuisance tax” but more correctly as a deterrent to “doing business in Arkansas”.
🟢 HB1775 by Rep. Lundstrum: No Extra Taxation of Private Property for Additional Dwelling Units (Tiny Homes) — SUPPORT
This bill would protect private property owners from being double-taxed with a new and separate assessment on accessory dwelling units such as a tiny home. Residential properties, including any tiny homes on the property, must be assessed under a single tax parcel.
🟢 HB1787 by Rep. Warren: Income Tax Exemption on Retirement Benefits of Law Enforcement & Firefighters — SUPPORT
This bill would exempt from Arkansas income taxes the retirement benefits received by state and local law enforcement officers and firefighters. Conduit opposed the original 2017 bill which exempted from income tax retirement benefits for uniform services primiarily because that bill came with offseting tax increases. This one does not. However, it would be prudent for those filing and supporting this bill (and their legal team) to refer to our Conduit article from 2017 referencing case law and a caution regarding the discriminatory practice of exempting certain groups from taxation. (Also on page 2 of this bill, line 21 appears to be a typo “(v)”.) See https://conduitforaction.org/can-we-also-exempt-teacher-retirement-from-tax-and-other-questions-about-the-governors-tax-plan/#_edn2
❌ 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.
❌ 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!”
🟢 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.
House Rules:
❌ 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.
❌ 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
❌ 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
House floor:
🟢 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.
🟢 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.
🟢 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 parental 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 temporarily 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.
🟢 HB1782 by Rep. Hudson: Banning Consumer Choice In Over the Counter Weight Loss Supplements — SUPPORT
Arkansas and the Federal government have passed many laws meant to protect consumers by placing age requirements on the purchaser of certain products–such as tobacco, alcohol, and even transgender surgeries. In 2005, the Feds placed certain over-the-counter decongestants behind the counter in an attempt to protect public health. The support or opposition to this bill will likely be best determined by what one believes about “over the counter diet-pills”. No doubt this bill would limit consumer choices by banning the sale of OTC diet pills to anyone under 18 years old. It would require ID verification to sale OTC supplements. The Department of Health is given authority to write rules to determine which OTC supplements they want to ban. Violations are a deceptive trade practices violation with additional penalties of $2,000 for a violation. Though it is hoped the DOH will be limiting in its use of this law, Conduit supports this bill strictly on the basis of what it believes about the safety of these specific products and therefore is against the OTC sale of diet pills to those under 18 years of age.
🟢 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.
❌ 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.
❌ SB432 by Sen. J. Petty: Reduction on the Supply of CPAs Licensed in Other States — OPPOSE
As is common with very bad bills, this bill is sponsored by a CPA legislator acting to limit the number of people who may practice his own licensed profession while giving significantly more power to the board overseeing those currently licensed. This bill is quite concerning as the number of available CPAs, like medical doctors, is quickly vanishing in our state. This bad bill would make it harder for out of state licensed CPAs to provide services to consumers in Arkansas. Instead of a recipriocal recognition of significant equivalency for licensed CPAs, a government board controlled by in-state accountants, would determine if someone can receive services from CPAs licensed in other states.This will decrease the access to accounting services, increase costs, while protecting in-state service providers from competition. This obviously hurts competition and thus the quality of these services — all while hurting the economic freedom of Arkansans. The State Board of Public Accountancy is well known for these type bills, as Conduit recalls opposing one of their bills which attempted to capture a monopoly over the use of the word “accounting”.
🟢 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.
🟢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.
Senate floor:
❌ 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.
🟢 SB456 by Sen. J. Petty: Protection of Private Property Rights Against Excessive Zoning/Regulations that Make It Harder to Find Affordable Housing — SUPPORT
This really good bill reins in local governments from creating excessive zoning or other regulatory burdens that increase costs and make it harder for people to find affordable housing. This bill restricts local governments from placing “design” requirements on dwelling units unless they protect the public health or safety or structural integrity of the buildings. Government regulations for specific types of architectural style, building materials, landscaping preferences, and garages would be restricted to only those absolutely necessary. The bill makes clear that these design elements are the rights of the private property owners and any private HOA in which the property is located. The bill also would allow for duplexes to be built in single family home zoned areas or replace single family homes. The bill would also make clear that secondary dwelling units (such as a tiny home) should not be regulated the same as single family homes and property rights over those must not be unduly restricted, such as restricing the renting of tiny homes. Further reforms would provide for more timely action by government on permits, variances, zoning, and other requests for private property use and narrowly tailored restrictions tied only to public safety and not preferential treatment of preferences of a government.
❌ 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.
Wednesday, March 19th:
House Agri:
❌ 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.
❌ 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.
House Insurance & Commerce:
🟢 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.
❌ 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.
❌ SB432 by Sen. J. Petty: Reduction on the Supply of CPAs Licensed in Other States — OPPOSE
As is common with very bad bills, this bill is sponsored by a CPA legislator acting to limit the number of people who may practice his own licensed profession while giving significantly more power to the board overseeing those currently licensed. This bill is quite concerning as the number of available CPAs, like medical doctors, is quickly vanishing in our state. This bad bill would make it harder for out of state licensed CPAs to provide services to consumers in Arkansas. Instead of a recipriocal recognition of significant equivalency for licensed CPAs, a government board controlled by in-state accountants, would determine if someone can receive services from CPAs licensed in other states.This will decrease the access to accounting services, increase costs, while protecting in-state service providers from competition. This obviously hurts competition and thus the quality of these services — all while hurting the economic freedom of Arkansans. The State Board of Public Accountancy is well known for these type bills, as Conduit recalls opposing one of their bills which attempted to capture a monopoly over the use of the word “accounting”.
House State Agencies:
❌ 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.
🟢 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.
❌ HB1720 by Rep. Vaught: Allowing Government Employees to Bring Newborns to Work — OPPOSE
Similar to HB1747, this very bad bill is well intentioned but misguided. It would make it permissible for supervisors to allow a government employee-parent to bring a newborn to work (any child, including foster kids) up until they are 6 months old. And the bill adds that it does not prohibit an agency from allowing state employees to bring the children older than 6 months. If this work ethic mentality is the norm among our legislators and government agencies toward the effective work product expected from state employees, it is time to call Elon Musk to bring in the “sink’ (as he did when he bought X.) Infants and most all children under the age of 3 are a distraction to their parents at work to the point that the parent gets little done other than give their attention to the demands of their child. Of course, there may be the occasional exception–which we know should never make the rule. Those who do not believe this is the case do not have children or have never had to sign a paycheck as the payor. Bringing children to work not only distracts the parent but also co-workers, preventing both from focusing on their tasks.
❌ HB1740 by Rep K. Moore: New Freedom of Information Act Exemption — OPPOSE
This bill hurts transparency by creating a new exemption under the Arkansas Freedom of Information law. It would exempt a certificate of veterinary inspection certificates and information obtained from or associated with any animal electronic identification tag obtained by the Department of Agriculture.
🟢 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.
❌ 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.
❌ HB1797 by Rep. Beaty Jr.: Removal of Transparency and Oversight in Arkansas Development Finance Authority — OPPOSE
This bad bill would decrease transparency by removing oversight of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and allow them to act independently, including loaning taxpayer money, issuing public debt paid for by future tax increases on the people, purchases of loans, and other powers granted by the legislature. Any rules are exempt from the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act thus ensuring no accountability to the public or allowing of public comment periods before rule changes are made. The bill would allow a troubled agency to work secretly, loaning out taxpayer money and issuing public debt in the taxpayers’ name, and pledging payment for their future obligations. ADFA is also exempted from required disclosures of state agencies–similar to standing granted to the Governor, Supreme Court, and the General Assembly– further shielding them from oversight and public input. This bill would also exempt them under procurement laws of the state. They would be allowed to buy and sell property in their own name. They would be exempt from oversight when purchasing vehicles for the ADFA. They would also be exempt from having the Attorney General being the attorney of record for the ADFA, essentially allowing them to do whatever they want with outside legal counsel and legal actions. They would be exempt from any rules over outside counsel. The bill includes an emergency clause. This bill is a disaster waiting to happen to allow a bloated, unregulated, and unchecked group of government workers and appointees to act without public oversight or input by the taxpayer funded government and representatives. The potential for money laundering and corruption is limitless with the passage of this bill–using history as our guide. Take a lesson from today’s federal government and the outcry from Arkansans for our own implementation of DOGE — DO NOT TAKE THE OPPOSITE APPROACH — DO NOT PASS THIS BAD BILL.
🟢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.
House City, County, Local:
❌ 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.
🟢 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.
❌ HB1711 by Rep. Unger: Growing Government With New Police Forces in Municipal Port Authorities — OPPOSE
This bill would grow government and spend money we do not have by allowing the creation of new police forces within Municipal Port Authorities. (MPA are created by ordinances of the governing body of the city or town and shall be an instrumentality of the city or town creating the authority.) This bill states that this new police force shall be paid by MPA fees and grants. It does not say what happens if these fees fall short of the funds needed. As currently exposed by Elon Musk and his work with DOGE, our current federal and state governments are now bloated to the point of bankrutcy using “grant” money. In our current environment and economy, grant money should be considered a new term for “tax dollars” and ultimately “tax increases”. This bill defines these law enforcment officers under AR Code §12-9-101 et al.Therefore, it should be assumed that pay and benefits of these officers shall be guided by these statues as well. See https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-12/subtitle-2/chapter-9/subchapter-1/section-12-9-105/
🟢 SB424 by Sen. G. Stubblefield: Public Comment and Increased Transparency in Municipal Improvement Districts — SUPPORT
This good bill would increase transparency by allowing public comment at municipal improvement district board meetings and by providing the agendas prior to meetings in order for the public to know the topics which will be discussed at the meetings.
Senate Public Health:
🟢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.
❌ SB440 by Sen. D. Wallace: Restrictive Residency Requirements to Operate a Funeral Home — OPPOSE
Most of this bill is releated to the regulation of alternative cremation known as alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation, regarding which we have no objection. However, in the bill it changes the law so that each establishment must have a full-time manager who is a funeral director in good standing and resides within fifty (50) miles of the funeral establishment. This requirement may restrict the operation of funeral home establishments to only the population of people within a fifty (50) mile radius. This could increase costs for consumers and cause the potential closure of existing funeral homes.
❌ 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.
🟢 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.
🟢 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.
🟢 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.
Senate Transportation:
❌ SB447 by Sen. J. Petty: Extra Regulations on Alcohol Sales and Deliveries — OPPOSE
This bad bill would place new regulations on alcohol deliveries giving a listing to the government of sensitive information regarding consumers’ names, business address, and other information. It would require new reporting of sizes, types, name brands, tracking information, recipients zip codes. Blanket authority to the Department of Finance and Administration for rule making to enforce this is also granted. This will increase costs and reduce freedom for consumers for these added new regulations.
Senate floor:
❌ 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.
❌ 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
🟢 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.
❌ SB421 by Sen. Hester: New $500 Million Future Tax Increases Through Issuing Public Debt through Bonds — OPPOSE
This bad bill would allow the state to borrow $500 million by allowing the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) to issue that amount in debt through bonds which taxpayers guarantee. The Governor will have final approval over the bonds being issued, with review by the Joint Budget Committee or Legislative Council of the Legislature. If we ever intend to reduce the size of government (or even its growth), existing revenue (without the state borrowing), should be used to fund projects with prioritizing existing tax dollars. This is double dipping, grows government, and ultimately results in increased taxes. Also, note that since 2019 (Asa administration), the Department of Agriculture has greatly expanded its reach and powers by the consolidation of agriculture under the Governor. Since 2023, this ANRC has eliminated three separate commissions, placing their activities now under its authority. See https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-natural-resources-commission/.
For a list of the various agri related boards (usually issuing grants — the gifting of taxpayer dollars) and commissions (usually issuing bonds — the borrowing and lending of taxpayer dollars), see: https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/ )
🟢 SB456 by Sen. J. Petty: Protection of Private Property Rights Against Excessive Zoning/Regulations that Make It Harder to Find Affordable Housing — SUPPORT
This really good bill reins in local governments from creating excessive zoning or other regulatory burdens that increase costs and make it harder for people to find affordable housing. This bill restricts local governments from placing “design” requirements on dwelling units unless they protect the public health or safety or structural integrity of the buildings. Government regulations for specific types of architectural style, building materials, landscaping preferences, and garages would be restricted to only those absolutely necessary. The bill makes clear that these design elements are the rights of the private property owners and any private HOA in which the property is located. The bill also would allow for duplexes to be built in single family home zoned areas or replace single family homes. The bill would also make clear that secondary dwelling units (such as a tiny home) should not be regulated the same as single family homes and property rights over those must not be unduly restricted, such as restricing the renting of tiny homes. Further reforms would provide for more timely action by government on permits, variances, zoning, and other requests for private property use and narrowly tailored restrictions tied only to public safety and not preferential treatment of preferences of a government.
Tuesday, March 18th:
JBC Special Language:
❌ 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.
Senate State Agencies:
🟢 SB410 by Sen. B. King: Transparency in Former Government Employees and Politicians Future Government Benefitting Employment — SUPPORT
This good bill would provide ongoing financial transparency and disclosure from former government employees and elected officials who go to work for government contractors or others who are dependent on taxpayer dollars. The legislation would require reporting by former government employees and elected officials after they leave their government job if they receive money from, go to work for, or otherwise benefit from companies which receive government contracts or other taxpayer dollars. This reporting requirement would be for four consecutive years after the government worker/elected official leaves government employment or office. It does not make this practice illegal but will require disclosure so that the public knows if/when former politicians and government workers continue to benefit from government contractors.
House Public Health:
🟢 HB1751 by Rep. Underwood: Requiring Job Search While Waiting on Welfare Benefits Application Processing — SUPPORT
This bill would require the Department of Human Services to require welfare program applicants to engage in job search requirements while they are awaiting the processing and determination of their welfare benefits. This will ensure people do not stop looking for work as an alternative to getting welfare. This would apply to the Arkansas Work Pays Program and the cash welfare program TANF.
🟢 HB1782 by Rep. Hudson: Banning Consumer Choice In Over the Counter Weight Loss Supplements — SUPPORT
Arkansas and the Federal government have passed many laws meant to protect consumers by placing age requirements on the purchaser of certain products–such as tobacco, alcohol, and even transgender surgeries. In 2005, the Feds placed certain over-the-counter decongestants behind the counter in an attempt to protect public health. The support or opposition to this bill will likely be best determined by what one believes about “over the counter diet-pills”. No doubt this bill would limit consumer choices by banning the sale of OTC diet pills to anyone under 18 years old. It would require ID verification to sale OTC supplements. The Department of Health is given authority to write rules to determine which OTC supplements they want to ban. Violations are a deceptive trade practices violation with additional penalties of $2,000 for a violation. Though it is hoped the DOH will be limiting in its use of this law, Conduit supports this bill strictly on the basis of what it believes about the safety of these specific products and therefore is against the OTC sale of diet pills to those under 18 years of age.
House Education:
🟢 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 parental 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 temporarily 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.
❌ HB1710 by Rep. Vaught: Prohibiting Schools from Publishing Government School Ratings — Oppose
This unconstitutional bill denies private schools their right to Free Speech guaranteed them under the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. It is also a move to reduce competition between two options for education granted to children in Arkansas under the Learns Act. This bill clearly supports government schools over private schools. Its intent seems to prevent parents from making informed choices between government schools and private schools. It specifically prohibits all schools (including private schools) from publishing the legally required school grade ratings of government schools — reports found at https://myschoolinfo.arkansas.gov/SRC. These complicated reports are explained by the Division of Elementary & Secondary Education: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/public-school-accountability/school-performance-and-monitoring/reporting. On its face, the purpose of this bad bill is to protect government schools more than educate children. It also appears to assume government schools are inferior; and their legally required report cards should not be used as a legitimate reason by parents to change schools.
❌ 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.
House Judiciary:
🟢 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.
🟢 HB1754 by Rep. Gonzales: Protection of Private Property Against Excessive Government Regulations — SUPPORT
This good bill protects property rights. It would restrict local government to only implementing property use restrictions that are demonstrably necessary and narrowly tailored to fulfill a compelling government interest with least restrictive means (applying strict scrutiny) with no reasonable alternatives. It provides a private right of action to enjoin or recover damages for violations of these property rights under the legislation, with a 5-year statute of limitations to bring an action. This protects the economic freedom of Arkansans and use of their property against overzealous local government regulators.
🟢 HB1780 by Rep. Gazaway: Return of Private Property During Criminal Investigations When Not Necessary the Government Seize It — SUPPORT
This bill would ensure that people’s private property is not seized and kept during the pendency of a felony investigation if released by a court order, by the prosecuting attorney who decides not to prosecute, or determines the item is not needed for prosecution. This will allow a person to keep their private property before they are ever convicted of a felony. This is a type of civil asset forfeiture reform that helps protect the economic freedom of Arkansans.
House Rev & Tax:
🟢 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).
🟢 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).
🟢 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.
🟢 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.
🟢 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.
🟢 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.
❌ 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.
❌ 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.
🟢 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/
🟢 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.
🟢 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.
🟢 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.
🟢 HB1715 by Rep. Lundstrum: Cap on Increase in Residential Property Tax Assessments After Sale/Conveyance — SUPPORT
This bill would provide a cap on the increase of the assessed value of residential property after it is sold/transferred. The cap would be five percent (5%) for principal place of residence homestead and ten percent (10%) for principal place of residence non-homestead residential properties. This will save taxpayers money and prohibit excessive increases in assessed values when homes are sold. Please note that Conduit is in favor of reducing these real property taxes rather than simply capping their growth.
🟢 HB1732 by Rep. Vaught: Increase in Tax Deduction for Teachers Classroom Expenses — SUPPORT
This bill would increase the existing tax deduction for teachers for any money they spend for classroom expenses from $500 to $1,000 or from $1,000 to $2,000 for those married, filing jointly. This will ensure teachers are effectively reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses used for their classrooms. Although schools provide teachers with all the necessary items for their classrooms, some teachers wish to go above and beyond for their students. This law further incentivizes this and ensure those teachers are not fully out of pocket for those costs.
🟢 HB1750 by rep. Cavenaugh: Repeal of Franchise Tax on Businesses — SUPPORT
This good bill is one that has been championed by Conduit for many years. It would repeal the annual franchise tax on all businesses incorporated in Arkansas ($150+ per entity). This would save businesses or entities money, especially those who may not operate or receive revenue/profits but still must pay a tax for the pleasure of operating in Arkansas. The franchise tax is referred to by many small business owners as a “nuisance tax” but more correctly as a deterrent to “doing business in Arkansas”.
🟢 HB1775 by Rep. Lundstrum: No Extra Taxation of Private Property for Additional Dwelling Units (Tiny Homes) — SUPPORT
This bill would protect private property owners from being double-taxed with a new and separate assessment on accessory dwelling units such as a tiny home. Residential properties, including any tiny homes on the property, must be assessed under a single tax parcel.
🟢 HB1787 by Rep. Warren: Income Tax Exemption on Retirement Benefits of Law Enforcement & Firefighters — SUPPORT
This bill would exempt from Arkansas income taxes the retirement benefits received by state and local law enforcement officers and firefighters. Conduit opposed the original 2017 bill which exempted from income tax retirement benefits for uniform services primiarily because that bill came with offseting tax increases. This one does not. However, it would be prudent for those filing and supporting this bill (and their legal team) to refer to our Conduit article from 2017 referencing case law and a caution regarding the discriminatory practice of exempting certain groups from taxation. (Also on page 2 of this bill, line 21 appears to be a typo “(v)”.) See https://conduitforaction.org/can-we-also-exempt-teacher-retirement-from-tax-and-other-questions-about-the-governors-tax-plan/#_edn2
❌ 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.
Senate Insurance & Commerce:
❌ SB432 by Sen. J. Petty: Reduction on the Supply of CPAs Licensed in Other States — OPPOSE
As is common with very bad bills, this bill is sponsored by a CPA legislator acting to limit the number of people who may practice his own licensed profession while giving significantly more power to the board overseeing those currently licensed. This bill is quite concerning as the number of available CPAs, like medical doctors, is quickly vanishing in our state. This bad bill would make it harder for out of state licensed CPAs to provide services to consumers in Arkansas. Instead of a recipriocal recognition of significant equivalency for licensed CPAs, a government board controlled by in-state accountants, would determine if someone can receive services from CPAs licensed in other states.This will decrease the access to accounting services, increase costs, while protecting in-state service providers from competition. This obviously hurts competition and thus the quality of these services — all while hurting the economic freedom of Arkansans. The State Board of Public Accountancy is well known for these type bills, as Conduit recalls opposing one of their bills which attempted to capture a monopoly over the use of the word “accounting”.
Senate City, County, Local:
🟢 SB456 by Sen. J. Petty: Protection of Private Property Rights Against Excessive Zoning/Regulations that Make It Harder to Find Affordable Housing — SUPPORT
This really good bill reins in local governments from creating excessive zoning or other regulatory burdens that increase costs and make it harder for people to find affordable housing. This bill restricts local governments from placing “design” requirements on dwelling units unless they protect the public health or safety or structural integrity of the buildings. Government regulations for specific types of architectural style, building materials, landscaping preferences, and garages would be restricted to only those absolutely necessary. The bill makes clear that these design elements are the rights of the private property owners and any private HOA in which the property is located. The bill also would allow for duplexes to be built in single family home zoned areas or replace single family homes. The bill would also make clear that secondary dwelling units (such as a tiny home) should not be regulated the same as single family homes and property rights over those must not be unduly restricted, such as restricting the renting of tiny homes. Further reforms would provide for more timely action by government on permits, variances, zoning, and other requests for private property use and narrowly tailored restrictions tied only to public safety and not preferential treatment of preferences of a government.
Senate Agri:
❌ SB421 by Sen. Hester: New $500 Million Future Tax Increases Through Issuing Public Debt through Bonds — OPPOSE
This bad bill would allow the state to borrow $500 million by allowing the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) to issue that amount in debt through bonds which taxpayers guarantee. The Governor will have final approval over the bonds being issued, with review by the Joint Budget Committee or Legislative Council of the Legislature. If we ever intend to reduce the size of government (or even its growth), existing revenue (without the state borrowing), should be used to fund projects with prioritizing existing tax dollars. This is double dipping, grows government, and ultimately results in increased taxes. Also, note that since 2019 (Asa administration), the Department of Agriculture has greatly expanded its reach and powers by the consolidation of agriculture under the Governor. Since 2023, this ANRC has eliminated three separate commissions, placing their activities now under its authority. See https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-natural-resources-commission/.
For a list of the various agri related boards (usually issuing grants — the gifting of taxpayer dollars) and commissions (usually issuing bonds — the borrowing and lending of taxpayer dollars), see: https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/ )
House Floor:
❌ HB1713 by Rep. Rose: Government Controlled Ballot Titles for Citizen Initiatives — OPPOSE
This bill would require the ballot titles of initiated measures by the people be at or under an 8th grade reading level. While well-intended to avoid confusion by the public of what a proposed measure may do, this bill effectively creates a chilling effect on free speech and gives government one more tool to control what the people may ultimately place on the ballot. Ironically, the same regulation would not apply to ballot titles referred by the legislature and ballot titles from legislative proposed amendments to the state constitution even though in the past some of these titles could pass for fraudulent in their successful efforts to mislead the public.
🟢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.
🟢 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.
👀 : SB307 by Sen. Dismang —
Senate Floor:
🟢 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.
