Week 12 Daily Legislative Watchlist

March 31, 2025

Tuesday, April 1st:

Senate State Agencies:
🟢 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 (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.

🟢 SB506 by Sen. M. Johnson: Repeal of FOIA Exemption — SUPPORT

This transparency bill would repeal an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act regarding electronic data information maintained by a disaster recovery system.

❌ 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 to be at or under an 8th-grade reading level. While well-intended to avoid confusion by the public about 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.

🟢 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.

House Public Health:
🟢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 bureaucrat imposing an effective tax increase on Arkansans.

❌ HB1816 by Rep. L. Johnson: Restricting AI Technology Use in Medical Services and Records Management — OPPOSE

This bill would prohibit healthcare providers and healthcare insurers from using “Artificial Intelligence” technology to increase efficiency and save time and money in providing healthcare services or managing medical records. It is our opinion that AI has its place and beneficial uses in most industries, including healthcare. It is also our opinion that healthcare has already gone in the direction of the checklist and one treatment-fits-all all system through government controls. As a result, we agree with this bill that AI should not be used at this time as outlined in this bill. However, we do not believe that the FDA (which is subject to the whims of a current administration) should be the final arbiter as to when its use is appropriate. More time and uses in other industries should clarify AI’s usefulness in the healthcare field.

❌ HB1882 by Rep. Pilkington: Allowing Governor to Create New Medicaid Beneficiary Populations — OPPOSE

This bad bill would allow for the discretionary growth of government by allowing an Arkansas governor to create and approve a new enrollable Medicaid beneficiary population, with the approval of the legislative council (certain select legislative members). Depending on who the Governor is and the makeup of the legislative council at the time, new and costly Medicaid beneficiaries could be approved against the will of the majority of Arkansans and their elected representatives.

❌ 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.

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 First 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.

❌ 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 become 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.

🟢 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 coercion or teacher union activities.

🟢 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.

❌ HB1761 by Rep. D. Garner: Targeting Families and Kids to Make Ineligible or Reduce Funding of Education Freedman Accounts — OPPOSE

This bad bill is an attempt to thwart the overall intent of Educational Freedom Accounts. It would exclude students from full funding whose taxpaying parents earn more than 250% of the federal poverty level (which could be as low as $53,000 annually for a single parent). It would allow for partial eligibility for reduced funds for those making between 250%-400% of the federal poverty level. This bill is simply an attack on kids and families to limit their access to school choice options. This is effectively forcing DEI onto the education freedom account program.

House Judiciary:
🟢 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 the 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 the use of their property against overzealous local government regulators.

House Rev & Tax:
❌ 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 that has proven ineffective at best. The bill provides tax exemptions to businesses located in 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!”

🟢 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 are 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).

🟢 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.

🟢 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 on classroom expenses from $500 to $1,000 or from $1,000 to $2,000 for those married, and 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 ensures 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”.

🟢 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 primarily because that bill came with offsetting 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 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)”.) Seehttps://conduitforaction.org/can-we-also-exempt-teacher-retirement-from-tax-and-other-questions-about-the-governors-tax-plan/#_edn2

🟢 HB1822 by Rep. Underwood: No Tax on Overtime Pay — SUPPORT

This excellent bill would make overtime pay not subject to state income tax, allowing people to keep more of their earned money as well as encouraging work in this state.

❌ HB1828 Rep. Breaux: Sales Tax Exemption for a Specific Entity — OPPOSE

This bill would provide a special sales tax exemption for a named specific entity – Inspiration Point Center for the Arts, Inc. Not only does this likely violate the constitutional restriction against special and local legislation, it is generally bad tax policy to give specific persons special tax breaks rather than consistent tax laws applied equally to all.

Senate Insurance & Commerce:
❌ SB437 by Sen. Hester: New Regulations, Fees, and Corporate Welfare for Wind Energy Projects — OPPOSE

This bill sets up a new regulatory framework for wind energy projects, such as a wind farm, including requiring permits and an application fee of $2,500. The Arkansas Public Service Commission is granted oversight and rulemaking authority to implement this new permitting framework. Several other government commissions/actors will also be involved, creating a complex and costly regulatory process for new wind energy projects. Environment impact studies, wildlife impact assessment, fishery impact, nursery impact, and other costly studies would be required. This framework would seem to make it cost-prohibitive for alternative energy wind projects, keeping traditional energy options only for consumerism; therefore, keeping prices high. Rather than growing government with a new layer of government bureaucracy, why not let the new fresh air of competition and capitalism play out within the wind energy arena in Arkansas, as we enter this new federal administration of less bureaucracy-clearly voiced by the voters. Passing this bill seems again — like its supporters are slow to read the preferences of the voters.

House Rules:
❌ 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 for abolishing the tobacco industry by using school children as examples of those engaging in the 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 the 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

❌ 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 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 discriminates 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 the government but also increase 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 may detest vaping products and the consequences 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. We believe 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

Senate Public Health:
🟢 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 consider various factors 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.

🟢 SB2 by Sen. Penzo: To repeal the statewide fluoridation program and to remove the mandate for water systems.

🟢 SB217 by Sen. Penzo: To require DHS to request a waiver to exclude candy and soft drinks from eligible foods under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (SNAP)

❌ 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 the supply of massage therapists providing services in Arkansas. In recent past, Republicans were making a concerted effort to remove burdens and licensing from small businesses in Arkansas. This bill expands the role of government and bureaucracy in the marketplace.

🟢 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.

🟢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.

🟢 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.

❌ SB554 by Sen. C. Tucker: New Government Program for Student Loan Forgiveness for Mental Health Professionals — OPPOSE

This new government program would create a student loan forgiveness fund for mental health professionals to help forgive their student loans.

House:
🟢 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.

🟢 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.

❌ 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 allowing 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 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 the 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 be 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.

❌ 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.

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

This bill is 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.

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

❌ SB498 by Sen. J. Petty: Repeal of Transparency in Driver Services Public Records — OPPOSE

This bill would provide a new freedom of information exemption regarding driver and vehicle public records. It would also repeal a requirement for those who request such, to furnish a certified abstract of the operating record of drivers including listing of any motor vehicle accidents and any convictions for driving violations and record of any vehicles registered in a person’s name. Driving and operation of a specific vehicle on the roads is a public license granted by the state and unless declared confidential by law, should continue to be a matter of public record.

🟢 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.

🟢 HB1716 by Rep. Cavenaugh: Prohibition on Assessing Taxes on Taxpayer When Already Decided They Do Not Owe The Tax — SUPPORT

This bill would prevent the Department of Finance and Administration from assessing a sales tax on a taxpayer after the taxpayer has already established they do not owe the tax by a court order, tax appeals commission, or office of hearings and appeals. A change in the law or change in material use by the taxpayer are exceptions to this common sense and fair application of the law. (It is a shame on our DFA that this must be codified to stop this type of actions by DFA.)

Monday, March 31, 2025

House Education:
❌ SB504 by Sen. Irvin: New Government Program in Healthcare — OPPOSE

This is yet one more bill providing an opportunity for taxpayer money to be given to a new government-private partnership, such as we hear about daily in the news from the DOGE’s discovery of waste, fraud, and abuse. This bill, sponsored by one of healthcare’s own senators, would create a new government program to provide funding for special interests in healthcare for medical students, funded by state taxes. (These bills seen this session continue to state that funding is from federal, state, or private funding as though we should delight in the idea of the private funds aspect when reviewing these bills. It is not necessary to pass a law in order to create an entity to do these things with private funds, only when using taxpayer dollars.)

🟢 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 teaching 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 the internet, online portals, and virtual schools used in teaching, this bill could be improved by requiring teachers to provide parents with all actual materials intended to be taught to their students in advance of teaching rather than waiting for a request for same by parents.

Senate Judiciary:
🟢 SB549 by Sen. G. Leding: Refund of Government Costs and Fees In Criminal Cases When Defendant Acquitted, Case Dismissed, or Decline to Prosecute — SUPPORT

This good bill would require that the court costs and fees in criminal cases must be refunded to a defendant if that defendant is eventually acquitted, their case is dismissed, or the prosecutor declines to prosecute the case. This protects the economic freedom of innocent Arkansans, protecting them from having to pay and lose their money when they are adjudicated and not found guilty of a crime.

Senate Revenue & Tax
🟢HB1716 by Rep. Cavenaugh: Prohibition on Assessing Taxes on Taxpayer When Already Decided They Do Not Owe The Tax — SUPPORT

❌ SB502 by Sen. Crowell: Requiring Form 1099 Filed with State DFA — OPPOSE

This bill would require that taxpayers submit their federal form 1099 non-employment income disclosures to the state Department of Finance and Administration. Those with more than 1,000 form 1099s would be required to file electronically. Additional burdens on the AR taxpayers is unwarranted, as the state already requires filing with its return, info on the federal tax return.

🟢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 bring the tax structure in line with the exemption for personal property taxes.

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.

❌ SB498 by Sen. J. Petty: Repeal of Transparency in Driver Services Public Records — OPPOSE

House Insurance & Commerce
❌ 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.

❌ 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.

❌ HB1868 by Rep. L. Johnson: New Tax on Firefighter Services — OPPOSE

This bad bill would create a new tax on insurance providers to pay a tax for the amount of time firefighting services are provided at a property. This will increase costs and premiums for those with homeowners insurance that covers fires. Most firefighter agencies are already funded with taxpayer dollars to operate and provide public services, so creating a new additional tax for these existing services is double taxation, violating the economic freedom of Arkansans.

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

❌ 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 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.

❌ 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.

🟢HB1836 by Rep. Lundstrum: Video Recordings of Government Meetings Required — SUPPORT

This good transparency bill would require government meetings to video record the meetings and then publish them to the public.

❌ HB1846 BY Rep. S. Meeks: New Government Commission With Per Diem for Meetings to Study Celebrating a Birthday for Government — OPPOSE

This really bad bill would create yet another new government commission to spend money, have meetings, give away per diem for meetings, and other activities to study celebrating a birthdate for state government. This spends money we do not have, increases the size and scope of government, and increases dependency on government — violating every element of the Conduit economic freedom filter. For a reminder of the vast number of agencies, commissions, etc already financed with taxpayer dollars currently assigned by the legislature to celebrate AR history (and birthday), review the following: See: https://www.arkansasheritage.com/about-us/strategic-plan See: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/department-of-arkansas-heritage-4327/ See:https://www.arkansasheritage.com/about-us/mission

🟢HB1867 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Prohibiting Game Wardens on Private Land Without a Warrant or Probable Cause — SUPPORT

This good bill would prohibit a game warden from entering onto the private property of a person without a warrant or without probable cause of an injured/distressed wildlife, an emergency situation, an accident, or imminent threat to public safety that requires immediate intervention. This will protect the private property rights of Arkansans against blanket authority granted to game wardens (government actors) to enter private property. Private causes of action are provided against game wardens who violate this law, and any arrests or property seized in violation of this law would not be admissible/valid.

🟢HB1883 by Rep. Long: 4th Amendment Protections Against State Governments Supporting Federal Government Investigations — SUPPORT

This good bill would prohibit state entities from assisting, participating with, or providing material support or materials to federal government agencies in the collection or use of a person’s electronic data or metadata unless that person gave informed consent or it is subject to a valid search warrant. This will protect those interests and rights to privacy of information that may be required to be given to a state agency but that a federal agency may otherwise not be allowed to access or have without due process protections subject to the 4th Amendment.

House 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.

❌ 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

🟢HB1845 by Rep. Holcomb: Allowing for Digital Vehicle Titles and Liens — SUPPORT

This good bill will allow utilization of technology to provide electronic vehicle titles, liens, and odometer disclosures. This could help save money, time, and increase transparency.

🟢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.

❌ HB1841 by Rep. L. Johnson: New Non-Necessary Government Program/Fund Diverting Tax Revenue — OPPOSE

This is yet another special interest bill from the medical community’s personal legislator which could benefit him and his donors. It adds another layer to government health care, adding a new government program/fund that will divert tax revenue to emergency medical services agencies. It is bad policy to pass laws that benefit a small group of special people rather than general laws of general applicability. It will hurt the economic freedom of Arkansans as they will have to pay more or receive less services to allow the diversion of tax revenue to this new program.

❌ 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

Out of respect for the sponsor, we gave this bill a second look. But unfortunately on second review, we still read this bill as changing clear law for qualifications for licensing (and even fees) to the discretion of a board. Instead of a recipriocal recognition of significant equivalency for licensed CPAs, this bill provides for a government licensing board controlled by in-state accountants which would determine if someone may receive services from CPAs licensed in other states. Even though it is conceivable that this could increase access, it may also decrease access to accounting services, increase costs, while protecting in-state service providers from competition–depending upon the discretionary decisions of this Board. Without a clear path to licensing, it hurts competition and thus the quality of these services–all while hurting the economic freedom of Arkansans. To recite an experience with another competition crushing bill, Conduit recalls opposing a bill from the State Board of Public Accountancy 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.

❌ 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 floor:
❌ SB448 by Sen. J. Petty: Levying of Special Assessments and Diverting of Special Assessment Financing and Administration to Third Parties for Profit — OPPOSE

This bill is a re-do of the new PACE (property assessed clean energy financing) law passed last session which provided a means to finance and collect payments on energy saving improvements to real property. This re-do bill appears to limit the type of property available for this program. In the initial 2023 PACE legislation, residential property was included. This bill appears to exclude such, limiting residential to only those with at least five (5) or more dwelling units. The bill also appears to expand the type improvements which may be financed and basically overhalls the entire 2023 legislation authorizing these districts. It is expected that these financing districts could prove to be very complicated and certainly would complicate and burden any government entity which engaged in authorizing them. This bill appears to be a new financing vehicle for commercial real property owners and should be considered a new means to finance improvements to real property which involves the issuance of bonds and the government as a particpant in the collection of payments. The original bill stated that it was expected to reduce monthly utility bills. That statement has been deleted from this updated version. It is believed that the original bill would eventually prove a negative for the public and would eventually fall out of use. Therefore, we see no reason that government should be involved with a partnership to collect payments owed to a third party financing party, especially when it seems obvious that the original intent of these PACE projects has been removed. See: https://www.solarreviews.com/

❌ SB440 by Sen. D. Wallace: Restrictive Residency Requirements to Operate a Funeral Home — OPPOSE

Most of this bill is related 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

🟢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 work for government contractors or others 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.

🟢SB479 by Sen. K. Hammer: Voter Integrity for Voter Assistance to Disabled Voters — SUPPORT

This voter integrity bill would require that persons helping disabled people to vote, be someone over 18 and have a valid voter ID. The name of the person assisting would also have to be disclosed

❌ 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.