The 2025 Arkansas Regular Legislative Session recently came to a close, and it delivered several notable laws, but not all bills signed into law align with our Conservative principles.
Some of these new laws expand government overreach, spend money we don’t have, and burden taxpayers with unnecessary costs.
To review a list of good bills signed into law, click here.
❌ HB1841 by Rep. L. Johnson: New Non-Necessary Government Program/Fund Diverting Tax Revenue
This is yet another special interest bill from the medical community’s 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 fewer services to allow the diversion of tax revenue to this new program.
Signed into Law – Act 1021
❌ SB554 by Sen. C. Tucker: New Government Program for Student Loan Forgiveness for Mental Health Professionals
This new government program would create a student loan forgiveness fund for mental health professionals to help forgive their student loans.
Signed into Law – Act 1022
❌ HB1625 by Rep. Barnett: Government Review of All Home Inspector Insurance Policies
This bad bill would increase government red tape and grow the insurance commission department by requiring all home inspectors to submit to the insurance commissioner their insurance policies for liability, and then requiring the insurance commissioner to determine if their policy meets the legal requirements. This would grow government and would spend money we do not have, as we would need a new workforce to oversee this new regulatory scheme.
Signed into Law – Act 974
❌ SB421 by Sen. Hester: New $500 Million Future Tax Increases Through Issuing Public Debt through Bonds
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 while 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 through 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/ )
Signed into Law – Act 578
❌ SJR15/HJR1014 by Sen. J. Dismang/Rep. Beaty Jr: Creation of Socialism – Corporate Welfare Districts
When you see the words “economic development” used in legislation, brace for a tax increase. At a time when the rest of the country is moving away from socialism, this amendment would increase Arkansas’ current welfare state by creating corporate welfare districts, taking taxpayer money, and redistributing it to government favorites….not only is the government acting in the place of a friendly bank to corporate welfare friends, this amendment hands out permanent tax-exempt status to their chosen participates! This practice has continued to be tried and failed in Arkansas and continues to be ripe with corruption. Previously, the legislature created this same framework with “general improvement districts.” In that scenario, legislators picked which special groups or projects they would direct taxpayer money. Former state legislators still sit in prison today for their abuse of that program. Passage of this amendment would lead to tax increases, more corruption, growing government, and a socialist-corporate welfare program with no limits or guardrails. DOGE to the rescue!?! No help there! Best Advice: Do not allow this on the ballot! See: https://uca.edu/acre/targeted-economic-development-incentives/ and https://www.heritage.org/budget/pages/recommendations/1.370.85.html
Approved by the Governor — on the November 2026 ballot
❌ HB1017 by Rep. A. Collins: Expansion of Taxpayer-Funded Paid Time Off for School Employees with New Babies
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.
Signed into Law – Act 904
❌ HB1312 by Rep. Brooks: Increased Per-Student Funding of Government Schools
This bill would increase the per-student funding of government schools to $8,162 for the 2025-2026 school year and then to $8,371 for the 2026-2027 school year. Additional special funding for non-English speaking students, or those in alternative learning, is also increased. Throwing more money at government education in Arkansas has not worked so far and is less likely to work today.
Signed into Law – Act 909
❌ HB1797 by Rep. Beaty Jr.: Removal of Transparency and Oversight in Arkansas Development Finance Authority
This bad bill would decrease transparency by removing oversight of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and allowing it to act independently, including loaning taxpayer money, issuing public debt paid for by future tax increases on the people, purchasing 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 for 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 the 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.
Signed into Law – Act 944
Senate Vote 1
Senate Vote 2
House Vote
❌ SB437 by Sen. Hester: New Regulations, Fees, and Corporate Welfare for Wind Energy Projects
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. Environmental 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 with less bureaucracy-clearly voiced by the voters. Passing this bill seems again — like its supporters are slow to read the preferences of the voters.
Signed into Law – Act 945
❌ HB1846 BY Rep. S. Meeks: New Government Commission With Per Diem for Meetings to Study Celebrating a Birthday for Government
This really bad bill would create yet another new government commission to spend money, have meetings, and give away per diem for meetings and other activities to study celebrating a birthdate for the 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
Signed into Law – Act 946
❌ SB504 by Sen. Irvin: New Government Program in Healthcare
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 to create an entity to do these things with private funds, only when using taxpayer dollars.)
Signed into Law – Act 727
❌ HB1954 by Rep. Andrews: New Government Registration & Hurting People’s Right to Work as Behavior Analyst
This bill is a continuation of the previously passed HB1245 by a Democrat sponsor to establish a new government registration process for behavior analysts. This bill takes things even further by requiring any person who is a behavior analyst to first register with the government before providing their services. If they do not do so, they can be fined between $500 and $1,000. Additional regulations will be authorized by the Arkansas Psychology Board. This all increases the costs and ultimately decreases access to the public.
Signed into Law – Act 869
❌ HB1965 Rep. McCullough: New Government Program to Subsidize Certain Food
This Democrat-sponsored bill would create a new government program within the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to send money to government-selected food retailers in government-defined underserved communities. The government would “partner” with a nonprofit organization to funnel the money to pay staff to oversee the program. Administrative costs are similar to the costly administrative costs the federal Department of Government Efficiency has uncovered under Elon Musk. The money could also be used for “equity investments,” which is code for DEI initiatives, a top project of the left that President Trump, Governor Sanders, and other top Republican officials have peeled back in new administrations. This convoluted legislation would legalize corruption and funneling of taxpayer monies to Democrat pet projects, donors, and leftist activists under the guise of “healthy living” for “poor people”. This is a scam.
Signed into Law – Act 870
❌ HB1898 by Rep. Painter: New Regulatory Division in DFA
This bill would create a new government regulatory division framework and staff in the Department of Finance and Administration (the state’s version of the “IRS”). It would create a new government position of regulatory administrator to maintain oversight over the alcohol beverage control division, the Arkansas Tobacco Control, the Racing Commission, and the newly created Regulatory Enforcement Division of DFA. It would authorize new government staff positions to conduct investigations related to tobacco, alcohol, medical marijuana, and gambling. These staff positions would be newly authorized law enforcement officers. When not monitoring legislation, the author of this analysis has had no significant number of professional dealings with DFA and has done so for decades. When DFA shows it can handle its current responsibilities in a vastly improved manner, then, and only then, should that department be burdened with the work of such important matters as this bill would impose on it. Making it larger with added responsibilities will not suddenly turn DFA into a different creature.
Signed into Law – Act 837
❌ HB1440 by Rep. Bentley: Increased Regulation on Massage Therapist Establishments
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 principal – ownership/other interest in the massage therapy establishments. It would require a copy of a business license from the local government. If any changes occur, the massage therapy establishment must update 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 the 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.
Signed into Law – Act 629
❌ HB1416 by Rep. L. Johnson: Allowing Municipal & “Volunteer” Fire Departments to Levy Taxes on Persons Who Do Not Live in their Municipality
This bill would allow municipal fire departments to levy a tax (called “dues”) on people who do not live in their municipality or an area with a volunteer fire department. However, AR Code Sec 14-284-406(b)(2) allows the municipality to not respond to the fire outside their municipality when, in the opinion of the proper municipal authorities, its municipal property or fire classification rating would be jeopardized. There is no provision in this bill for a refund of dues when the municipal fire department does not respond to a fire outside its city limits.
Signed into Law – Act 673
❌ SB577 by Sen. Petty: Working to Keep Local Sales & Use Taxes From Expiring to Ensure High Tax Rates
This bad bill (filed by Legislators elected to represent taxpayers, not lobbyist groups for cities, counties, and economic development projects) would work against the interests of taxpayers by having state government employees (DFA) track and advise all local governments 120 days in advance before their sales and use taxes expire (along with giving them the specific requirement to extend same). This bill increases the size and workforce of the DFA while assuming that these local governments, which have no problem passing these taxes, may not be qualified to keep up with them adequately to maintain the tax burdens imposed. The outcome of this bill will help ensure higher tax rates stay in place.
Signed into Law – Act 720
❌ SB361 Sen. Dees: New Corporate Welfare Program with Future Tax Increases / Public Debt Authority
This bad bill is filled with approximately 20 pages of new law to create a new “industrial development authority” to create corporate welfare programs within the industrial industry. It will allow local governments 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.
Signed into Law – Act 576
❌ SB498 by Sen. J. Petty: Repeal of Transparency in Driver Services Public Records
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 a listing of any motor vehicle accidents and any convictions for driving violations, and a 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.
Signed into Law – Act 581
❌ HB1713 by Rep. Rose: Government Controlled Ballot Titles for Citizen Initiatives
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.
Signed into Law – Act 602
❌SB252 by Sen. Dismang: Abolishing Tobacco and Vaping Products in Arkansas Through Regulation & Bureaucracy
This omnibus bill would regulate the tobacco and vaping industry to death and could result in the abolishment of 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 abolishment of 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
Signed into Law – Act 590
❌ HB1802 by Rep. Warren: New Government Program to Subsidize Certain People
This bad bill provides a means by which up to $500,000 per year of Arkansas tax dollars may be given to entities that will attempt to recruit people to move to Arkansas (who supposedly already have a job). This new government giveaway of tax dollars seems to be in line with many new socialist ideas from this General Session. We repeat, the waste, fraud, and abuse exposed by DOGE at the federal level only seems to have given many the idea that they need to get in on the money grab of government dollars. The government calls these programs “economic development,” but will only spend money we do not have, increase dependency on government, and increase the size and scope of government. This is another bad bill disguised as “economic development” and nothing more than an economic welfare program. See: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/23-7425335 and https://arkansaseconomicregions.org/districts/capdd/
Signed into Law – Act 606
❌ SB264 by Sen. Irvin: New Government Healthcare Group to Further Empower Special Interests
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 are not needed.
Signed into Law – Act 483
❌ SB366 by Sen. J. Boyd: Replacement for SB179 – New Government Program to Funnel Taxpayer Money to Insurance Companies
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.
Signed into Law – Act 427
❌ SB432 by Sen. J. Petty: Reduction on the Supply of CPAs Licensed in Other States
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 reciprocal 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 access to accounting services, and 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 types of bills, as Conduit recalls opposing one of their bills which attempted to capture a monopoly over the use of the word “accounting”.
Signed into Law – Act 428
❌ HB1245 by Rep. Clowney: New Occupational Licensure Regulations for Behavior Analysts
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 the government.
Signed into Law – Act 432
❌ SB388 by Sen. Crowell: Repeal on Reporting Foreign Government Economic Development Offices
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.
Signed into Law – Act 447
❌ HB1268 by Rep. Unger: Future Tax Increase With Expansion of Government Retirement to Transit Authorities
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.
Signed into Law – Act 450
❌ HB1574 by Rep. Vaught: Prohibiting Employment of Non-Arkansas Residents for Canvassing
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, increase costs and wages to potential employers, and severely limit the ability of regular Arkansans to place ballot initiatives before the voting public.
Signed into Law – Act 453
❌ SB382 by Sen. Crowell: Repeal of Transparency in Arkansas Development Finance Authority Capital Access Fund
This bad bill would reduce transparency regarding the monies in the Capital Access Fund under the Arkansas Development Finance Authority.
Signed into Law – Act 466
❌ SB207 by Sen. K. Hammer: Making it Harder to Pass Initiatives and Ballot Measures
Here we go again! This series of bills will make it harder to pass citizen initiatives and ballot measures put up for a vote by petition by the people. Some of the new regulations would require people collecting signatures to read entire portions of the proposed legislation, read aloud names and addresses of people signing, and separately confirm information from people signing the petition outside of what is written on the petition such as requiring viewing of photo ID, and otherwise making it easier to disqualify signatures collected to place items on the ballot for a vote. This undermines the individual and possible economic freedoms of the people to pass laws and make changes to their government.
Signed into Law – Act 218
❌ SB208 by Sen. K. Hammer: Making it Harder to Pass Initiatives and Ballot Measures
SB208 would require a canvasser to request a photo identification before obtaining a signature.
Signed into Law – Act 240
❌ SB209 by Sen. K. Hammer: Making it Harder to Pass Initiatives and Ballot Measures
SB209 would disqualify signatures collected by canvassers if the secretary of state finds “by a preponderance of evidence” that they violated state law collecting the signatures.
Signed into Law – Act 273
❌ SB210 by Sen. K. Hammer: Making it Harder to Pass Initiatives and Ballot Measures
SB210 would require potential signers to read the ballot title of the petition or have it read aloud to them in the presence of a canvasser. It would also make it a misdemeanor for a canvasser to accept a signature from people who have not read the ballot title or had it read aloud to them in the presence of a canvasser.
Signed into Law – Act 274
❌ SB211 by Sen. K. Hammer: Making it Harder to Pass Initiatives and Ballot Measures
SB211 would require a canvasser to submit an affidavit before signatures can be counted.
Signed into Law – Act 241
❌ HB1493 by Joint Budget Committee: Extra Funding for University Capital Improvement Projects
This bill would provide additional funding beyond the general appropriations to government colleges and universities for capital improvements, which ultimately means tax increases. The results yielded from current funds spent on education in Arkansas do not reflect that more money is the answer to our poor performance. Universities should utilize existing funding and budgets for any needed capital improvements rather than an additional appropriation of funds.
Signed into Law – Act 298
❌ SB245 by Joint Budget Committee: Extra Funding for University Capital Improvement Projects
Similar to HB1493, this bill would provide additional funding beyond the general appropriations to government colleges and universities for capital improvements, which ultimately means tax increases. The results yielded from current funds spent on education in Arkansas do not reflect that more money is the answer to our poor performance. Universities should utilize existing funding and budgets for any needed capital improvements rather than an additional appropriation of funds.
Signed into Law – Act 258
❌SB139 by Sen. J. Boyd: Violation of Private Contracting Rights
This bill would place a blanket prohibition on private contracts between private people regarding covenants not to compete with physicians. It would void any covenants not to compete for any restrictions that fall within the scope of practice of a physician, effectively banning all covenants not to compete if a person is a licensed physician. This is an action similar to what was taken by the Biden Administration in 2024.
Signed into Law – Act 232
❌ SB59 by Sen. Dismang: Free Daily Breakfast to all Government School Students Regardless of Income Eligibility
This is an unfunded mandate requiring all government schools to provide all students who request breakfast to receive one daily for free, regardless of their income levels or eligibility for free/reduced meals. The bill first directs taxpayer dollars sent to D.C. to be used for the program, then taxpayer dollars sent to Little Rock to cover everything else. While a nice notion to provide all students with free meals, this once more places the government in the role of parent, expanding the role of government by taking over the duties of parents, and spending money we do not have, thus violating the economic freedom filter principles.
Signed into Law – Act 123
