NEW: Week 5 Conduit Bill Analysis
🟢 HB1438 by Rep. Cavenaugh: Income Tax Credit Equal to Property Tax Payments of a Homestead for Those Aged 65+ — SUPPORT
This bill would provide a income tax credit for individuals over 65 years of age in an amount equal to how much property taxes they pay for their homestead (primary residence). This will provide tax relief for seniors who are continuing to work and provide value and will reduce the amount of money flowing out of the economy and to the government.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda 2/18
❌ HB1440 by Rep. Bentley: Increased Regulation on Massage Therapist Establishments — OPPOSE
This bill would require all massage therapy establishments to register with the state government Department of Health to be able to operate. It would also require registration and disclosure to the government of the principals – ownership/other interest – in the massage therapy establishments. It would require a copy of a business license from a local government. If any changes occur, the massage therapy establishment must update them with the government within ten business days. These increased regulations increase costs to consumers and reduce supply of massage therapists providing services in Arkansas. In recent past Republicans were making a concerted effort to remove burdens and licensing from small business in Arkansas. This bill expands the role of government and bureaucracy in the market place.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 HB1445 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Protection of Short Term Rental Property Rights — SUPPORT
This bill is an effort to protect private property rights of Arkansans who wish to use their property for short term rentals, such as renting out single rooms in their homes or having a property listed on Airbnb or VRBO type platforms. This bill is designed to prevent local government from imposing onerous regulations, fees, and fines on people for utilizing their private property for profit. It should also increase the supply of lodging for people visiting Arkansas and reduce the costs for consumers. See “Arkansas Property Owners Face Opposition in Short-Term Rental Battle”
Status: Passed House Committee on Roll Call Vote
🟢 HB1448 by Rep. Puryear: Protection for Property Owners of Diminished Value Due to Government Action or Delayed Action — SUPPORT
This bill would require local governments to act transparently and in a timely manner if preventing private property from being developed. It would require written notice and action or no action to be taken within 6 months, and if they do not do so then the property shall be released from the reservation and the public body shall pay the private property owner any loss in value to their property by tying it up from being developed. This protects the economic freedom of property owners against slow and inefficient governments.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 HB1472 by Rep. Beaty Jr.: Sales Tax Exemption on Parts to Repair Agri, Timber, and Grain Bin Equipment and Machinery — SUPPORT
This bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption on parts purchased to repair existing agricultural and/or timber equipment and machinery and parts and services purchased to repair a grain bin. This would reduce the tax burden on manufactures who are not the end user of goods and products–thus preventing the taxing of movement rather than ultimate consumption. This type tax exemption prevents double taxation to the ultimate consumer (which is passed on as an increase in costs).
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
🟢 HB1469 by Rep. Beaty Jr.: Sales Tax Exemption for Machinery and Equipment used for Broadband Services — SUPPORT
This bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption on the sale of machinery and equipment used in producing broadband communications services. This tax exemption prevents double taxation to the ultimate consumer (as costs of production is passed on as an increase in costs to the ultimate consumer).
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
🟢 SB217 by Sen. Penzo: No Food Stamps for Candy/Soda — SUPPORT
This bill would prohibit the use of food stamps for candy and soft drinks. This will ensure proper use of taxpayer money towards nutritional food products, which is the intent of food stamps. Specifically it would require DHS to seek a waiver to implement this change.
Status: Referred to Committee
❌ SB219 by Sen. J. Dismang: Making Temporary Tax Permanent — OPPOSE
Although we are not in favor of the legalization of medical marijuana, we are against taxing this product or making this tax permanent. This action only insures the expansion of government and in turn reduces the economic freedom of all Arkansans. To argue that the tax is needed in order to cover the costs to control the effects of the use of this product and its potential for abuse only supports the fact that the expansion of government to control its citizens is an idea which has gone beyond all reason and is out of control.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 SB233 by Sen. Penzo: Income Tax Exemption for Non-Grantor Trusts — SUPPORT
This bill would provide an income tax exemption on non-grantor trusts in Arkansas. This would make Arkansas competitive with other states which do not tax non-grantor trusts. A result would encourage grantors to establish their trusts along with retaining trust assets in this state. This tax exemption would also decrease the expansion of government by reducing tax revenue.
Status: Referred to Committee
❌ SB231 by Sen. Dotson: New Law Enforcement Officers in Office of Arkansas Lottery — OPPOSE
This bill would grow government by creating a new law enforcement officer role within the office the Arkansas lottery. If law enforcement officers are needed to address issues at the Arkansas lottery, existing law enforcement officers should be utilized.
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
❌ SB229 by Sen. J. Boyd: Creates New Government Department of Financial Services — OPPOSE
This bill would grow government by creating a new government department of financial services within the already existing department of commerce. This increases layers of bureaucracy – DOGE would not approve.
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
🟢 SJR13 by Sen. J. Dotson: Allowing Judicial Candidates to Declare a Political Party Affiliation — SUPPORT
This proposed constitutional amendment would allow, but not require, judicial candidates to affiliate with a political party. This would provide greater transparency into what a candidate’s political philosophy and judicial philosophy may be. It would also expose or force liberal activist judges to affiliate with the Democrats and potentially lose their seats in super majority Republican areas in most of Arkansas.
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
🟢 HJR1011 by Rep. S. Meeks: Allowing Non-Appropriation Bills During Fiscal Session — SUPPORT
This proposed constitutional amendment would make it easier to hear non-appropriation bills during a fiscal session. Currently, there must be a 2/3 majority vote of each chamber to allow non-appropriation bills to be heard during the fiscal session. This amendment would allow the filing of non-appropriation bills between seven days before the fiscal session starts and seven days after it has started. Even though we are a proponent of less government and less legislation, there have been times when allowing for the hearing of proposed legislation (like at the time of the Covid crisis), this measure could avoid a special session or allow a hearing of legislation which may not be popular at the time with the Governor but is with a majority of the electorate.
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
🟢 HJR1012 by Rep. R. Scott Richardson: Freeze Property Assessments If No Substantial Change or Conveyance – Keeps Taxes Level — SUPPORT
This proposed constitutional amendment would protect property owners against increases in their property taxes unless there is susbtantial change to the property or a new conveyance has occured. This would ensure that property that is not developed, improved, or transferred would not be subject to an increase in tax on the mere increase in the values of real property in general. This amendment would stop the ever increasing tax on real estate ownership in areas where values increase. As a result, government will not grow (and individual freedoms shrink) simply because real estate values increase. This amendment could be improved if it specifically defined “substantial change,” “new construction,” and “substantial improvement” –as we have seen local governments determine a property is significantly improved when new kitchen cabnets and counter tops were installed–which we know is not a substantial improvement to real property. We also acknowledge that even though we would prefer assessments to decrease when values decline, it is unlikely that adding language to reduce the tax when values decline would be cost effective once the regular re-appraisal apparatus is disassembled within counties. (When that scenario occurs, another law change would likely be in order.)
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
❌ SJR15/HJR1014 by Sen. J. Dismang/Rep. Beaty Jr: Creation of Socialism – Corporate Welfare Districts — OPPOSE
When you see the words “economic development” used in legislation, brace for a tax increase. At a time when the rest of the country is moving away from socialism, this amendment would increase Arkansas’ current welfare state by creating corporate welfare districts, taking taxpayer money and redistributing it to government favorites….not only is the government acting in the place of a friendly bank to corporate welfare friends, this amendment hands out permanent tax exempt status to their chosen participates! This practice has continued to be tried and failed in Arkansas and continues ripe with corruption. Previously, the legislature created this same framework with “general improvement districts.” In that scenerio legislators picked which special groups or projects they would direct taxpayer money. Former state legislators still sit in prison today for their abuse of that program. Passage of this amendment would lead to tax increases, more corruption, growing government, and a socialist-corporate welfare program with no limits or guard rails. DOGE to the rescue!?! No help there! Best Advice: Do not allow this on the ballot! See: https://uca.edu/acre/targeted-economic-development-incentives/ and https://www.heritage.org/budget/pages/recommendations/1.370.85.html
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
❌ SJR17 by Sen. Dotson: Requiring 3/4 Vote by Both Chambers of Arkansas Legislature to Pass Tax Increases — OPPOSE
Currently (and deleted in this SJR17) the AR Const Art 5 §38 states: “None of the rates for property, excise, privilege or personal taxes, now levied shall be increased by the General Assembly except after the approval of the qualified electors voting thereon at an election, or in case of emergency, by the votes of three-fourths of the members elected to each House of the General Assembly. [As added to Art. 5 by Const. Amend. 19.].” The proposed SJR17 would delete the current requirement that (except in an emergency) the people vote on a tax increase. This taxpayer bill of rights (which moves closer to a cap on government growth) is laudable but fails to go far enough in slowing the growth of government. Conduit has held a consistent position through the years that an ideal Taxpayer Bill of Rights in Arkansas should require that: 1) Growth in government expenditures should be limited to inflation plus population growth; 2) Any revenue collected over the limit goes immediately back to the taxpayers, and all tax increases have to be approved by a vote of the people; 3) When transferring government programs the overall limit must be reduced down accordingly; and 4) Supermajority vote of legislature or popular vote of the people to change the limit or raise/change any taxes. See comments on HJR1005 and https://conduitforcommerce.org/containing-government-growth/
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
🟢 HJR1015 by Rep. Lundstrum: Partisan Judicial Election — SUPPORT
This proposed constitutional amendment would require judicial candidates to affiliate with a political party. This would provide greater transparency into what a candidate’s political philosophy and judicial philosophy may be. It would also expose or force liberal activist judges to affiliate with the Democrats and potentially lose their seats in super majority Republican areas in most of Arkansas.
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/18
Week 4 Conduit Bill Analysis
🟢 HB1371 by Rep. Wardlaw: Repeal of Regulation to Receive Commercial Driver License — SUPPORT
This bill would remove a regulation on those seeking to get a commercial drivers license. Currently the government mandates any application for a commercial drivers license must complete a human trafficking prevention course. This would decrease government regulations and increase personal freedoms and make it easier for people to get their commercial drivers license.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1372 – HB1376 by Rep. Pilkington: Government Favoritism for New Businesses Over Existing Arkansas Businesses — OPPOSE
Economic Development is taking tax dollars from profitable businesses which pay taxes and giving them to businesses which the government favors and decides should receive the profits of their competition. This is redistribution of wealth to a favored government business. The purpose of these bills on their face may seem noble unless we already expect economic development dollars to go to “new business” by definition. When we realize that is not the case, these bills disclose additional concerns. Also, for the legislature to use the term “encourage” rather than “shall” seems to make these bills merely for show and expose a timid legislature when it comes to the powerful Economic Development Commission–created with taxpayer dollars.
Status: Passed House Committee, On Agenda for 2/10
❌ HB1416 by Rep. L. Johnson: Allowing Municipal & “Volunteer” Fire Departments to Levy Taxes on Persons Who do Not Live in their Municipality — OPPOSE
This bill would allow municipal fire departments to levy a tax (called “dues”) on people who do not live in their municipality or an area with a volunteer fire department. However, AR Code Sec 14-284-406(b)(2) allows the municipality to not respond to the fire outside their municipality when in the opinion of the proper municipal authorities, its municipal property or fire classification rating would be jeopardized. There is no provision in this bill for a refund of dues when the municipal fire department does not respond to a fire outside its city limits.
Status: Referred to Committee
❌ HB1436 by Rep. Steele: Government Prohibitions & Slaughterhouses & Food Processing Plant in Certain Locations — OPPOSE
This bill would prohibit companies who operate a slaughterhouse together with their food processing plant to be located in certain areas within a city. This will create less opportunities for these companies to find locations to open/operate, thus increasing costs for them which will be passed along to consumers of the food. This decreases economic freedom and increased government regulations.
Status: Filed
❌ SB179 by Sen. J. Boyd: New Government Program for Funneling Money to Insurance Companies Instead of General Revenue — OPPOSE
This is another bill which grows government, increases taxes, interferes with the free market in favor of big business and is filed by Republicans. It will increase taxes up to $12 million annually by creating a new government program to siphon off otherwise available general revenue funds that could be used to cut taxes or fund already existing necessary government functions. The new government program would divert taxpayer dollars back to insurance companies that the government picks and chooses for certain rebuilding projects. This bill grows government and spends money we do not have and is effectively a tax increase.
Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/11
🟢 SB181 by Sen. Sullivan: Work Experience Allowed to Qualify for Government Job Instead of Mandatory Degree — SUPPORT
Rather than another attempt to make government better, this bill is an example of time to ask, “Why do we still have government libraries?” The free market is much more equipped to handle this job of providing libraries if effective, wanted, used, and needed. With that note aside, this bill would allow a person to use their work experience to qualify for a government job as a regional library director instead of a specific government mandated degree program. This should allow more supply of applicants for the position, thus increasing the quality and competition for these jobs.
Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/11
🟢 SB189 by Sen. A. Clark: Authorizes the Sale of Ivermectin for Human Use Without Requiring a Prescription or Consultation With a Healthcare Professional — SUPPORT
This bill is a good start for medical and health freedom in Arkansas. This bill expands medical freedom in the state, allowing Arkansans to make their own decisions regarding their health. SB189 cuts out big pharma gatekeeping and does not require the waiting period for a prescription of Ivermectin. The bill challenges the FDA’s control over alternate treatments, which means more choices and fewer restrictions for Arkansans.
Status: Referred to Committee; On agenda for 2/10
🟢 SB200 by Sen. K. Hammer: No Sales Tax on Rented Educational Materials — SUPPORT
This bill would provide for a sales tax exemption on the rental of educational materials. Currently, the exemption only applies to purchased items. This should save taxpayers a minimum amount of money. However, in the spirit of school choice which is now declared the law in Arkansas, it is time that this bill includes private schools.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 SB204 by Sen. Penzo: No Tax on Government Seized Property — SUPPORT
This bill would make clear that if/when a government seizes a taxpayer’s private property through eminent domain and is paid by the government, any gains above their basis when they first purchase the property is not taxable.
Status: Referred to Committee
❌ SB207 – SB211 by Sen. K. Hammer: Making it Harder to Pass Initiatives and Ballot Measures — OPPOSE
Here we go again! These series of bills will make it harder to pass citizen initiatives and ballot measures put up for a vote by petition by the people. Some of the new regulations would require people collecting signatures to read entire portions of the proposed legislation, read aloud names and addresses of people signing, separately confirm information from people signing the petition outside of what is written on the petition such as requiring viewing of photo ID, and otherwise making it easier to disqualify signatures collected to place items on the ballot for a vote. This undermines the individual and possible economic freedoms of the people to pass laws and make changes to their government.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ SB212 by Sen. K. Hammer: New Government Department with New Law Enforcement Officers — OPPOSE
Again, unbelievably, this government growth, freedom repressing bill is filed by a Republican! To make it worse, the sponsor of the bill has declared his candidacy for election of Secretary of State in 2026! This bill would create a new government department to administer new government regulations under SB207-211 (if passed) within the office of Secretary of State. It would allow/create a type of law enforcement officer within the Secretary of State’s office. Named the “Document Validity Division” this Orwellian named division would oversee the process of working to disquality citizen petitions to place items on the ballot for a vote of the people for changes in their government. Broad government powers are granted to these “document validators” including issuing subpoenas, compelling witness attendance, collecting evidence, and requiring the production of documents and correspondence that the government deems relevant to their inquiry. This bill grows government and reduces the freedoms of the people to make changes to their government and is an example that legislators can stay focused on the government as the answer–for too long! https://www.kait8.com/2025/01/07/arkansas-senator-hammer-announces-campaign-secretary-state/
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
🟢 SJR9 by Sen. King: Ending Qualified Government Immunity – You Can Sue the Government For Hurting You — SUPPORT
This proposed constitutional amendment would remove the constitutional prohibition on the government being sued within our court system. Known as qualified government immunity, the state has little to no incentive to avoid lawsuits if they can always dismiss them for simply being the government. This bill would increase the incentive for government actors to follow the Constitution, be more cautious in their actions toward citizens–by giving citizens the opportunity to sue the government if the government causes them harm.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ SJR12 by Sen. C. Tucker: Rigging Primary Elections to Ensure Big Government Politicians Are Elected — OPPOSE
This proposed constitutional amendment has been filed for many years now by Sen. Clark Tucker. The change would overhaul the election system in Arkansas by replacing our current primary and general election systems with a single jungle primary, similar to California’s. This jungle primary (or ranked choice voting) would pit all candidates from all parties against one another. The two top vote getters would advance to a runoff, with the candidate with the most votes winning the seat. It would allow for Democrat and liberal voters to have an oversized influence over picking candidates and ultimately representatives of our government. It is a bad bill that would grow government and silence opposition. (see https://www.heritage.org/election-integrity/report/ranked-choice-voting-bad-choice )
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
Week 3 Conduit Bill Analysis
🟢 HB1224 by Rep. Nazarenko: Adds Massage Therapists to Automatic Out of State Occupational Licensure Act — SUPPORT
This bill would add massage therapists to the automatic out-of-state licensure act. This will make it easier for out-of-state physicians to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices and/or higher quality services.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1237 by Rep. J. Richardson: Prohibiting Free Speech of Medical Professionals to Help Prospective Patients — OPPOSE
This bill would violate the free speech rights of medical professionals to provide information to the public, including people recently injured, about medical services they may provide to benefit people. This violates the individual rights of Arkansans from both free speech and from the government censuring what information they may receive that could benefit them.
Status: Passed Committee; Failed House Floor
🟢 HB1243 by Rep. Underwood: Increased Transparency in Financial Disclosure of Local Elections — SUPPORT
This bill would increase transparency in local elections by requiring candidates for school district, city council, mayor, etc. to file with the county clerk financial disclosure reports similar to those required for state legislative candidates. This will increase the information to the public as to who is funding candidates’ campaigns for office and provide it in a more timely manner, including a pre-election 10-day report.
Status: Amended & Re-Referred to Committee
❌ HB1245 by Rep. Clowney: New Occupational Licensure Regulations for Behavior Analysts — OPPOSE
This bill failed during the 2023 session and is filed again to create new regulations for a new government defined subset of workers defined as behavior analysts. It creates a government mandate on registration and creates a fine for people who do not sign up with the government and pay a fee. This decreases economic freedom, grows government, and increases fees paid to government
Status: Passed House; On Senate Agenda for 2/10
🟢 HB1250 by Rep. Duffield: Sales Tax Holiday for Disaster Preparedness Supplies — SUPPORT
This bill would create a sales tax holiday for a sales tax exemption on disaster preparedness items. This would be similar to the tax holiday for retail during back to school sales. The tax holiday would occur the first weekend of November (Saturday – Sunday). This will save taxpayers money and lead to a little less money going to government.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
🟢 HB1253 by Rep. L. Johnson: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Licensure Compact — SUPPORT
This bill would add Arkansas to the interstate emergency medical services (EMS) personnel compact, making it easier for EMS licensees in other states to obtain licensure and regulatory approval in Arkansas. This will make it easier for out of EMS licensees to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices and/or higher quality services.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1268 by Rep. Unger: Future Tax Increase With Expansion of Government Retirement to Transit Authorities — OPPOSE
This bill would put in place a future tax increase to pay for the ongoing obligations of the government retirement program by adding public transit authorities to the public employees retirement program. This spends money we do not have and thus violates the economic freedom of Arkansans.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 HB1305 by Rep. Andrews: Increased supply of Teachers for Children — SUPPORT
This bill would provide a government school teaching license to be issued to individuals who a government school district deems provides educational value through teaching their students for a period so hired. This will increase the supply and could improve the quality of teachers who teach children in Arkansas schools.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1312 by Rep. Brooks: Increased Per-Student Funding of Government Schools — OPPOSE
This bill would increase the per-student funding of government schools to $8,162 for the 2025-2026 school year and then to $8,371 for the 2026-2027 school year. Additional special funding for non-English speaking students, or those in alternative learning are also increased. Throwing more money at government education in Arkansas has not worked so far and is less likely to work today.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1348 by Rep. Warren: Unsustainable Expansion of Dependent Child Government Retirement Benefits Past Age 18 — OPPOSE
This bill would put an unlimited expansion for dependent children survivor benefits for government retirement funds to extend to age 23 instead of 18 (however not affecting those physically and mentally incompetent). Currently, the extension to competent 23 year olds only occurs if the survivor child dependent is in school. This 5-year blanket increase (from 18 to 23) is a future tax increase and spends money we do not have – these benefits should end when the child becomes a legal adult at age 18.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 SB119 by Sen. Penzo: Establishes Interstate Medical Licensure Compact — SUPPORT
This bill would add Arkansas to the interstate medical licensure compact, making it easier for medical licensees in other states to obtain licensure and regulatory approval in Arkansas. This will make it easier for out of state medical service providers to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices, and/or higher quality services.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10
🟢 SB121 by Sen. Penzo: Adds Physician Assistants to Automatic Out of State Licensure Act — SUPPORT
This bill would add physician assistants to the automatic out of state licensure act. This will make it easier for out of state physicians to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices, and/or higher quality services.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 SB122 by Sen. Penzo: Adds Physicians to Automatic Out of State Licensure Act — SUPPORT
This bill would add physicians to the automatic out of state licensure act. This will make it easier for out of state physicians to conduct business and provide healthcare services to consumers in Arkansas, thus increasing the supply and creating more competition for services, providing lower prices, and/or higher quality services.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10
❌ SB135 Sen. J. Boyd: Avoiding Elections to Approve Property Taxes — OPPOSE
This bill would allow avoidance of an election by taxpayers to determine/approve tax rate assessments by a government school district if the property assessment tax rates for the school district remain unchanged from year over year. It is logical to conclude that there would also be no requirement for posting the proposed budget as required by AR Code Sec 26-80-102 if this bill is passed. This bill robs the people of their right to vote to approve or disapprove their tax rate. This is an affront to the economic freedom and basic fundamental rights of Arkansans to have representation before taxation. The bill was wrongly referred to the Education committee instead of the State Agencies committee which handles election legislation.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10
❌ SB139 by Se. J. Boyd: Violation of Private Contracting Rights — OPPOSE
This bill would place a blanket prohibition on private contracts between private people regarding covenants not to compete with physicians. It would void any covenant’s not to compete for any restrictions that fall within the scope of practice of a physician, effectively banning all covenants not to compete if a person is a licensed physician. This is an action similar to what was taken by the Biden Administration in 2024.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10
❌ SB168 by Sen. Rice: Adds New Barriers to Get Massage Therapy License – Government Test — OPPOSE
This bill adds unwanted regulations except by those wanting to eliminate competition! It would add a government mandated, created, and administered test for those seeking a massage therapy license. It would require 100 questions, and people must get a 70% to pass and receive their license. This is an added regulation to make it harder for people to work as a massage therapist and is but another law which would deprive the consumer of making their own choices regarding their own health or use of personal services.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/10
Week 2 Conduit Bill Analysis
❌ HB1168 by Rep. L. Johnson: Criminal Immunity for Healthcare Professionals Who Hurt or Kill Patients – OPPOSE
This bill would provide criminal immunity for “healthcare professionals” who negligently hurt or kill their patients. It would extend to facilities including hospitals, rehab hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, surgical facilities, ambulances, hospice care facilities, home health agencies, and kidney dialysis centers. The sponsor of the bill is a hospital/ER doctor. Therefore, this bill should be considered a bill filed for the self-interest of the sponsor rather than the interst of the citizens of Arkansas. This sponsor is also a past supporter of transgender surgeries for children. This bill violates individual freedoms and decreases incentives for the healthcare industry to exercise prudent caution in caring for patients.
Status: Withdrawn by Author
❌ HB1190 by Rep. Vaught: Income Tax Exemption for Government Teachers: – OPPOSE
This bill would exempt from AR income tax the first $50,000 of teacher pay earned by government school teachers (K-12). Although the bill may result in an AR revenue loss of approximately $60 million ($1558 per taxpayer times < 40K teachers), it remains as a carve out for a specific class of taxpayer–which is usually bad income tax policy. This bill is especially bad in that it does not include all Arkansas teachers (excluding private school teachers). Most tax cuts are good. But this one would be an attempt to place government school teachers in an even greater economic advantage than those who choose to teach in private school–which also causes this bill to resemble one which is an attempt to undermine and weaken “school choice” in Arkansas.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1192 by Rep. Pilkington: Prohibiting Tobacco Products by Any Person on Government School Property – OPPOSE
This bill would prohibit and potentially criminalize the possession or use of any tobacco products in or on real property, personal property, or otherwise of a government school. It would also levy fines against parents whose children who are caught with tobacco products while at school up to $1,000, and give the money to the local police department. This bill not only discreminates against student violators vs adults but prohibits the otherwise legal possession of a legal product by free people on government property, thus diminishing the individual freedoms of Arkansans. These fines not only increase revenues flowing to government but also increases government bureaucracy needed to enforce this bill. This is a simple example of how an increase in the size and scope of government proportionately reduces individual freedoms.
Status: Referred to House Rules Committee
❌ HB1216 by Rep. Long: Tax Exemptions for Businesses in Opportunity Zones – OPPOSE
Though an admirable idea, this is a government (taxpayer) sponsored Economic Development plan which has proven ineffective at best. The bill provides tax exemptions to businesses located in a opportunity zones, including income tax, corporate franchise tax, and the elective pass-through entity tax . Though it will result in less money flowing to state government, it would forego the better most effective economic growth plan of providing tax incentives across the board rather than to an ineffective group. See “WHY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH OPPORTUNITY ZONES NEVER WORK!”
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
🟢 HB1217 by Rep. Nazarenko: Interstate Massage Therapy Impact — SUPPORT
This bill would pass “the massage therapy licensure compact” with other states to allow increased reciprocity with licensed massage therapists from other states to be licensed in Arkansas. This would increase the supply of providers to the public and could lower or maintain prices for consumers.
Status: Filed
🟢 HB1219 by Rep. R. Scott Richardson: Body-Cameras Required for Police — SUPPORT
This bill would require law enforcement officers to record all official interactions between law enforcement officers and the public while the law enforcement officer is on duty. It would require training and implementation by December 31, 2026. Rule-making authority to state agencies overseeing law enforcement officers is given. This increases transparency among law enforcement actions taken against the public and in turn may protect the individual freedoms of Arkansans as well as the law enforcement officers themselves.
Status: Withdrawn by author
🟢 SB82 by Sen. J Payton: Reduction of Sales tax on Used Vehicles — SUPPORT
This bill would further reduce the sales tax on used motor vehicles and trailers. Used motor vehicles sold for less than $10,000 would not be subject to Arkansas state sales tax. Trailers or semitrailers sold for less than $4,000 would not be subject to Arkansas state sales tax. Used motor vehicles sold for between $10,000 and $15,000 will see a reduced sales tax rate.
Status: Referred to committee
🟢 SB89 by Sen. English: Increased Transparency for School Boards — SUPPORT
This bill would require school boards to provide agendas of regular and special meetings no later than 24-hours prior to the holding of each regular or special meeting and to also provide the names and email addresses of the school board members. This should provide better and timely transparency regarding school board matters and activity, allowing the public to be better informed as well as the school board members as well.
Status: Amended; Referred to Committee; On Agenda 2/10
🟢 SB90 by Sen. English: Increased Public Input at School Board Meetings — SUPPORT
This bill would require school boards to provide opportunities for the public to give comment for at least three minutes per meeting. This will increase public input and transparency in local school boards, assisting both sides in improved communications.
Status: Amended; Referred to Committee; On Agenda 2/10
🟢 SB91 by Sen. Penzo: Protecting Private Property Owners from Local Government Rent Control Regulations — SUPPORT
This bill would expand the prohibition against “rent” control programs by local governments in that it is expanded to rental application fees and rental deposits for private residential or commercial property. This would further protect the economic freedom of Arkansans against further control by local governments.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
🟢 SB101 by Sen. Penzo: Physician Assistant Licensure Compact — SUPPORT
This bill would pass the physician assistant licensure compact with other states to allow increased reciprocity with licensed physician assistants from other states to get licensure in Arkansas. This would increase the supply of providers to the public, and could lower or maintain prices for consumers.
Status: Referred to Committee
Week 1 Conduit Bill Analysis
❌ HB1009 by Rep. A. Collins: To Allow Pregnancy to Be a Qualifying Event for Automatic Enrollment in Medicaid – OPPOSE
This bill would create “presumptive eligiblity” for Medicaid for any pregnant woman in Arkansas and immediately enroll them in Medicaid and cover services for prenatal care. This would increase the Medicaid rolls without prior proper screening to ensure the Medicaid program is limited to those who are truly needy and not based on a specific class of people (pregnant women). Medicaid would potentially foot the initial bills of any and all medical services provided to any pregnant woman in Arkansas.
Status: Amended & Engrossed
❌ HB1012 by Rep. A. Collins: To Establish a New Population of Persons Eligible for Medicaid Coverage for “Family Planning” Services (Code – ABORTION Services) – OPPOSE
This bill would create a new population of eligible persons for Medicaid coverage not otherwise eligible based solely on income (no work requirements or other criteria to be eligible are included) of 200% of the federal poverty level to receive taxpayer funded “family planning services”. Family Planning Services are not defined but have long been used as code for “Abortion Services” – see Planned Parenthood. The bill would also force the state Department of Human Services to seek additional taxpayer funding at the federal level for additional support of this new government program within Medicaid.
Status: Amended & Engrossed
❌ HB1015 by Rep. A. Collins: New $300 Per Child State Income Tax Credit – OPPOSE
We are not supportive of increasing this child credit to $300 under the terms as written. This bill would cause the credit to be refundable, meaning it would give cash directly to persons who do not pay taxes. We are supportive of this tax credit if this bill is amended to remove the refundability aspect to ensure the credit only goes towards offsetting taxes owed by those who actually pay taxes in at least that amount. Also as written, the credit would be limited to single persons making up to $100K, or couples making up to $200K.
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11
🟢 HB1016 by Rep. A. Collins: Sales Tax Exemption for Diapers, Breastfeeding Products, and Tampons — SUPPORT
We generally support all tax cuts and therefore support this tax cut. However, we are not a fan of carve outs, and this bill would create a new sales tax exemption (state sales tax only) for products including: tampons, diapers, breastfeeding equipment and products, certain grooming and hygiene products, baby bottles, and certain over- the-counter drugs. This would save some taxpayers money, but is highly targeted to a specific subset of items rather than an across the board sales tax cut.
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1017 by Rep. A. Collins: Expansion of Taxpayer Funded Paid Time Off for School Employees with New Babies — OPPOSE
This bill would increase government spending by expanding paid maternity leave to 12-weeks off for women who have a child, adopt a child under one, or became a foster parent of a child under one. This would be for ANY school employee, not just education personnel, as is currently the standard. It would cover 100% of that person’s paid leave through the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1024 by Rep. A. Collins: Repeal of Collective Bargaining Ban for Taxpayer Funded Government Employees — OPPOSE
This bill would repeal the current ban on collective bargaining for taxpayer funded government employees. Collective bargaining is basically legalized unionization protections to allow them to negotiate contracts or other terms of employment between an employer and employee. This is generally accepted in the private sector. However, many states have banned this for taxpayer funded government employees to avoid collusion between elected officials, government workers, and taxpayer funded unions to result in the taxpayers paying inflated wages or benefits outside what the market may otherwise provide through forced collective bargaining protections for the government employees.This repeal would lead to higher costs to taxpayers without any recognizable benefits in return.
Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17
❌ HB1025 by Rep. A. Collins: Making It Nearly Impossible to Fire Bad Taxpayer Funded Government Teachers — OPPOSE
This bill would make it even harder to fire bad taxpayer funded government teachers, protecting their jobs and pay even if it is not in the best interests of the children being taught at that government school. It is already very difficult to fire a bad teacher “for cause” that is not arbitrary, capricious, or discrimnatory, and this new law would raise that standard to “just and reasonable cause” and would lower the requirement that teachers adhere with strict compliance to the school districts policies to a lower standard of “substantial compliance”. The bill states the law would not provide “tenure” to government teachers as it does not guarantee lifetime employment, but it effectively will do just that. This will lead to lower quality teachers and lower quality education for Arkansas children. It will also take away local control from local school districts to make their own determinations on personnel decisions. This bill only helps bad teachers and harms everyone else, including the taxpayer paying for the bad teacher.
Status: Referred to Committee, On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1035 by Rep. A. Collins: Increasing Voter Fraud Through Online Voter Registration — OPPOSE
This bill would increase voter fraud through a new online voter registration program. The law would FORCE election officials to register anyone who signs up online if they submit the form within 30-days of an election, and they provide a current driver‘s license number or the last four digits of a social security number. No additional screening or security is provided in the text of the bill. When big government politicians keep losing elections, instead of changing their policies to reflect what the people want, they try to change the rules to cheat and win elections, which is what this bill does.
Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17
❌ HB1038 by Rep. A. Collins: Increasing Voter Fraud Through No-Excuse Absentee Voting — OPPOSE
This bill would increase voter fraud by allowing any person’s ballot to be cast by absentee vote for any reason or no reason at all. This will allow ballot harvesters and ballot thieves, preventing the actual voter from potentially voting in person later in the election period, such as waiting until the actual election day. This appears to be a change in the rules to provide a better opportunity to cheat and steal elections.
Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17
❌ HB1041 by Rep. A. Collins: Government Censorship of Free Speech Using Technology to Harm Politicians Reputations — OPPOSE
This bill would violate a person’s Right of Free Speech protected under the First Amendment. It would ban free people from engaging in speech that would harm the reputation of politicians if the politician did not agree with how they are being portrayed. Specifically it would apply to speech made using technology, such as artificial intelligence, to create memes, videos, or other items in which someone says something the government does not like. This would harm the rights of people to engage in political speech against their government, and protect political incumbents and governments against speech with which they disagree.
Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17
❌ HB1043 by Rep. A. Collins: Government Censorship of Free Speech in Judicial Elections — OPPOSE
This bill would require government registration, disclosure of private people’s information and create a target on people who engage in speech that discusses judicial candidates for the Arkansas Court of Appeals or Arkansas Supreme Court. Specially it would create a new “noncandiate disclosure committee” requirement by anyone who engages in speech regarding candidates for office, even when that person is not advocating for or against either of the candidates but rather providing information on candidates positions, past rulings, financial support, or otherwise. This type bill has previously been referred to as targeting “dark money” and has been run for several sessions now, since people are less likely to elect liberal judges.
Status: Amended & Engrossed; On Agenda for 2/17
🟢 HB1048 by Rep. C. Cooper: Increased Freedom for Sale of Goat/Sheep Milk — SUPPORT
This bill would allow the sale of raw goat, sheep, and whole milk at places other than just the farm where the milk is produced, allowing greater access to consumers who wish to buy this product and increasing markets to producers.
Passed House; Passed Senate Committee, On Agenda 2/17
🟢 HB1049 by Rep. Tosh: Criminalizing Unlawful Squatting — SUPPORT
This bill would further protect private property rights against unlawful squatters by making such squatting a criminal offense – a class B misdemeanor. Specifically, if a person enters onto the premises of another person, resides there for any time period, and does so unlawfully, and cannot produce evidence of having a deed to the property, a lease agreement, or evidence of payment of rent, they can be charged with a crime.
Passed House; Passed Senate Committee, On Agenda 2/17
🟢 HB1065 by Rep. Ray: Removal of Cap on Standard Deduction Increases Year over Year — SUPPORT
This bill removes the cap, currently set at 3%, by which the standard deduction against individual income tax may increase year over year. This would allow for situations when and/or if inflation rises higher than 3% in a year, then the standard deduction would be allowed to increase by the same rate of inflation. The measurement would also refine the inflation measurement to be of the rate of inflation in the West South Central Division of the South Region rather than All Urban Consumers, which should produce a more localized and accurate rate of inflation for Arkansas.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/18
🟢 HB1066 by Rep. Ray: Increase in Standard Deduction for Income Tax — SUPPORT
This bill would increase the standard deduction for income tax from the current rate of $2,200 (began in 2015) to a rate of $4,400 beginning in 2026. This would save money for taxpayers.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1068 by Rep. McElroy: Expansion of Taxpayer Funded Government Retirement to Metropolitan Port Authority Employees — OPPOSE
This bill would grow government and spend money we do not have by adding all metropolitian port authority employees to the taxpayer funded government retirement system. This would increase ongoing obligations to a new group of people who have already benefitted from taxpayer funded salaries and benefits for decades. It is an unfunded debt liability that will only grow as government grows and at some point may only be covered by increased taxes.
Status: Referred to Committee
❌ HB1073 by Rep. Ennett: Creation of New Task Force — OPPOSE
This bill would create a new “advanced energy jobs” task force. No new task forces are needed in Arkansas. Standing committees of the legislature are already set up to address any issues or specific topics. In the past, the primary purpose of a task force was to provide cover for the pre-determined plan of the executive branch. However, they also provide opportunities for legislators to get extra pay and per diem for traveling to the task force meetings, which usually seem unproductive and duplicative of the legislatures’ standing committees and subcommittees.
Status: Passed Over In Committee
🟢 HB1081 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Repeal of Increased Funding for Professional Learning Communities — SUPPORT
This bill would decrease the additional funding for the development and administration of professional learning communities. This would cut $16.5 million and allow those funds to be better used for core functions of government.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
🟢 HB1134 by Rep. Unger: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact — SUPPORT
Generally, this bill would create a compact with other states which have passed this law to have a more streamlined licensing and regulation of advanced practice registered nurses. This should allow for greater access to care for the public by increasing the supply of APRNs who could work in Arkansas from other states or in multiple states.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 HB1139 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Protection of Religious Moral Education Courses without Hurting Students Attendance — SUPPORT
This bill would allow courses to be taught in religious, moral instruction by independent entities of a government school, and such attendance at the course cannot be counted against the the student. This protects the religious freedom of students and parents who wish to learn such content without being treated poorly by the government school through the docking of their attendance.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1141 by Rep. R. Scott Richardson: Prohibiting Free Speech in Elections if using Government Defined “Deep Fakes” — OPPOSE
This bill would attempt to ban speech that the government considers deceptive or injures a politician’s running for office, or otherwise influence the results of an election. Specifically, it would ban what the government would define as “deep fakes” that show something other than what actually occurred. This bill tries to exclude satirical items or changes to the brightness/contract of a politician’s photo. The definition is overbroad and places a chilling effect on free speech. Political speech has traditionally and by law been the most protected speech in our land. The people should be able to engage in political speech, even if that speech makes fun of politicians and hurts their chances to be re-elected.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/11
❌ HB1144 by Rep. Wooten: Government Overreach Regulatory Requirements on Private Schools — OPPOSE
This bill would place burdensome government regulations on private schools which accept payments from children’s educational freedom accounts. This bill seems designed to hurt private schools. It should be noted that the sponsor of the bill and its supporters are against school choice and want to force all kids into one size fits all government schools, even if it is in the best interests of the child to go elsewhere.
Status: Referred to Committee; On Agenda for 2/4
❌ HB1159 by Rep. J. Richardson: Government Mandated Employment and Security Measures for Convenience Stores — OPPOSE
This bill would place government mandates on private businesses to require a certain number of employees working at specific times within a convenience store. It would also mandate types of security cameras the private businesses must use, types of safes, lighting outside the store, forced speech on signage of how much money is in their safe, regulations on how signs may be displayed in the store, install height measures at store entrances to measure people’s heights, mandate how much cash the store can have at a certain time, mandate employment training, mandate silent alarms installation, and force the businesses to be locked from 9pm to 6am and only transact business through a trapdoor or window. This is government overeach that would cost small businesses and overregulate free enterprise if passed.
Status: Pulled down in Committee
🟢 SB57 by Sen. C. Tucker: Increased Tax Credits for Political Contributions — SUPPORT
This bill would increase the annual tax credit to those who donate to individual political candidates from $50 per person to $100 per person. This would result in less money flowing to government.
Status: Referred to Committee
❌ SB59 by Sen. Dismang: Free Daily Breakfast to all Government School Students Regardless of Income Eligibility — OPPOSE
This is an unfunded mandate requiring all government schools to provide all students who request a breakfast to receive one daily for free, regardless of their income levels or eligiblity for free/reduced meals. The bill first directs taxpayers dollars sent to D.C. to be used for the program, then taxpayer dollars sent to Little Rock to cover everything else. While a nice notion to provide all students with free meals, this once more places the government in the role of parent, expanding the role of government by taking over the duties of parents, and spends money we do not have, thus violating the economic freedom filter principles.
Status: Passed the Senate; Referred to Committee 2/11
🟢 SB61 by Sen. Hill: To Allow Veterinary Telemedicine — SUPPORT
This bill would authorize and allow veterinary telemedicine. Telemedicine for humans has been allowed for years, but past efforts to allow veterinary telemedicine have been defeated by special interests who make more money with limited access and supply of vets. This will increase the supply and options that farmers, ranchers, or others could have in getting care for their animals and livestock as well as create new opportunities for the veterinary profession to provide services to their customers.
Status: Passed Senate; Passed House Committee
🟢 SB62 by Sen. B. King: Repeal of Private Option – Arkansas Works – Arkansas HOME Obamacare Medicaid Expansion Program – Transition to Traditional Medicaid Expansion — SUPPORT
This bill would shift the current Arkansas HOME (previously called the Private Option and Arkansas Works) medicaid expansion program from paying Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and other insurance providers directly for premiums for health insurance to a pay for service model within Medicaid. This Obamacare government welfare program is for able-bodied, working age adults who do not work or pay income taxes. It is the only program in the country to keep the insurance premium model because insurance companies get rich off the premiums, regardless of whether or not the insurance is used and would instead only cost taxpayers when services are actually rendered. The healthcare industry donates large sums to Arkansas state legislators to keep the system going as-is rather than what would be best for taxpayers. When this same repeal effort was proposed last legislative session, it was proposed to save taxpayers possibly over $200 million annually.
Status: Referred to Committee
❌ SB64 by Joint Budget Committee: Appropriation for Government Television — OPPOSE
There should not be state television. This clearly expands government. This appropriation gives them over $11 million.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 SB68 by Sen. Hill: Allowing Vet Techs to Respond to Emergency Calls Without Vets at that Location — SUPPORT
This bill would allow vet techs to respond to emergency calls and practice with indirect supervision from their associate vets in an emergency call situation to care for an animal. This reduces regulation and would allow for common-sense responses to help secure and preserve animals and property of Arkansans.
Status: Passed Senate; Passed House Committee
❌ HJR1005 by Rep. Long: Constitutional Amendment to Require 3/4th Vote for Raising Taxes/Fees and 2% Cap on Budget Increases Year over Year — OPPOSE
This proposed constitutional amendment would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot if passed. The amendment is good in many respects, but because it does not go far enough, we oppose it. The proposal would require a 3/4ths vote of both chambers of the state legislature to pass any tax/fee that is new, increasing rates, extensions, or otherwise a change in law causing a gain to the state in next tax/fee revenue. There would be a cap on the state budget of a 2% increase year over year. For any revenues received above the allowed budget cap, funds would be distributed to (1) Catastrophic Reserve Fund then (2) Budget Stabilization Trust Fund. Since the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund can be tapped by the legislature as they see fit, there is no real advantage to this cap. If there is to be a real cap on government spending, then any remaining balance should be “refunded” through reductions of income tax rates and sales and use tax rates rather than merely placed in a separate fund to be used as needed. This bill is labeled the “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” but is not exactly like simlarly named proposals, such as that proposed by Conduit for Commerce beginning in 2013 (see https://conduitforcommerce.org/containing-government-growth/). This is an example of why a bill should be read beyond its title.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 HJR1006 by Rep. B. McKenzie: Stopping Taxpayer Funded Government Lobbying — SUPPORT
This proposed constitutional amendment is long over-due. It would prohibit the use of taxpayer money to be used to lobby to grow government. It prohibits government actors from hiring lobbyists which then lobby on behalf of the government actor. This would include a prohibition on using tax money going to organizations who then lobby on behalf of the organization, such as public sector membership organizations. This would include all government actors at the state, county, or local level. This would not prohibit actual government employees within a government body to engage in lobbying, including registering as a lobbyist.
Status: Referred to Committee
🟢 SJR1 by Sen. B. King: Constitutional Amendment to Require 3/4th Vote to Change the Freedom of Information Law — SUPPORT
This proposed constitutional amendment would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot. It would require that any changes to access to public records or access to public meetings by the state legislature be subject to a vote of 3/4ths of both chambers to make the change. This would apply to any potential changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. This is a good proposal that would protect against changes which undermine transparency in government.
Status: Referred to Committee
