Week 12 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details Below):
OPPOSE
SB346 – Undermining FOIA in Law Enforcement – OPPOSE
SUPPORT
SB337 – Reinstating Cigarette Border Tax Pricing – SUPPORT
HB1644 – Reducing Regulations on Childcare Facilities and Workers – SUPPORT
Bill Details
SB337 – Reinstating Cigarette Border Tax Pricing – SUPPORT
By: Sen. Cecile Bledsoe (R – Rogers)
This bill would reinstitute the border tax rates for border cities for the purchase of cigarettes. The lower tax rate will be applied if a border city in another state has a lower tax rate, and thus a lower total price for cigarettes. This will reduce revenue by over $2 million annually at the state and local levels of government.
SB346 – Undermining FOIA in Law Enforcement – OPPOSE
By: Sen. Jason Rapert (R – Conway)
This bill would allow law enforcement agencies to outsource fulfilling FOIA requests for items like dash cam footage, body cam footage, and 911 call footage and then charge for fulfilling that request. It would limit FOIA requests to only 3 hours of free time to be subject to FOIA. It would allow an unlimited amount to be charged for FOIA requests. This change will put a chilling effect on FOIA requests, as those making such request will not know cost of the request or be sure they are able to pay for the request.
HB1644 – Reducing Regulations on Childcare Facilities and Workers – SUPPORT
By: Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville)
This bill would help deregulate the childcare industry. Related children would be defined to also include those children known for six months, and thus would not count against caps on childcare facilities for number of children in their care. It also lowers the education requires to be a director, worker, and/or volunteer in a childcare facility which would allow more people to seek jobs in the industry. Hopefully this bill will help lower prices and provide more choices for consumers seeking childcare services.
Week 11 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
HB1734 – Immunity for Law Enforcement at Private Colleges – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to House Education Committee
SUPPORT
SB534 – Quarterly Reports for AR Home (Medicaid Expansion) Program – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Public Health/Welfare/Labor Committee
SB535 – Protecting Private Information Involving Nonprofit Organizations – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
SB562 – Converting Paper Filings to Electronic Filings for Candidates for Office – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
SB574 – Liability Sharing Organization Recognized as Motor Vehicle Insurance – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Transportation Committee
SB580 – Virtual Schooling Allowed for Barber/Cosmetology – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Education Committee
SB583– Voter Fraud Hotline and Prosecution by Attorney General – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
HB1737 – Excluding Delivery Charges from Sales and Use Tax – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1817 – Section 179 Depreciation at State Level – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Revenue and Tax Committee
Week 10 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
SB410 – Changing Name of Obamacare Medicaid Expansion – OPPOSE
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Passed House Public Health Committee
SB494 – Immunity from Lawsuits for Campus Police Departments – OPPOSE
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); In House Judiciary Committee
SUPPORT
SB483 – Repeal of the Throwback Rule (Taxes) – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Revenue and Tax Committee
SB498 – Challenged Election Results to State Election Commission – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
SB522 – Reducing Individual Income Taxes to Zero Percent – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred Senate Revenue and Tax Committee
SB525 – Returning Franchise Tax Filings to Secretary of State – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Passed House Committee
HB1667 – Universal Licensing Recognition for Military Spouses – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
Week 9 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
SB351 – Regulating Ride-Share Companies at Airports – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee (The bill has been amended to require ride-share companies to charge, collect, and remit the rental vehicle sales tax.
SB418 – Increased Fees for State Parks Use – OPPOSE
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Referred to House State Agencies
SUPPORT
SB379 – Legislative Oversight over Emergency Declarations – SUPPORT
STATUS: Signed into Law – Act 379; Senate Vote; House Vote
SB453 – Special Election Reform (Retry) – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
HB1354 – Prohibiting Gifts from Lobbyists to Cabinet-Level Department Secretaries – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Rules Committee
HB1367 – E-Notary Allowed – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House State Agencies
HB1642 – Child Support Cooperation in Public Housing – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed out of House City County Local Committee
Week 8 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
HB1517 – New Electronic Voter Registration – OPPOSE
STATUS: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Referred to Senate Committee
SUPPORT
SB192 – Political Freedom for Public Employees – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee
SB194 – Allowing Photographing of Public Records – SUPPORT
STATUS: Signed into Law (Senate Vote Breakdown); (House Vote Breakdown);
SB195 – Private Foundations with Government Purpose Subject to FOIA – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee
SB196 – Attorney’s Fees Awarded for Getting Public Records During Litigation – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed the Senate (Vote Breakdown); In House State Agencies Committee
SB197 – Civil Asset Forfeiture Changes to Criminal Proceedings – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
SB301 – Returning of Fees Paid for Violations of COVID19 Orders – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Vetoed by Governor; Senate Vote to Override Veto Succeeds, House Vote to Override Veto Fails.
HB1512 – Promoting Work in Food Stamps – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Sent to Governor
Week 6 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
SJR9 – Legislative Rulemaking Authority Over Courts) – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
SUPPORT
SB295 – Welfare Program Integrity – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Referred to House Public Health/Welfare/Labor Committee
HB1439 – Volunteer Health Care Act Expansion to Therapists – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Referred to Senate Public Health/Welfare/Labor Committee
HB1447 – Special Election Reform for Tax Elections – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1460 – Workforce Freedom – Uniform Licensing Rules Across the State – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Referred to Senate State Agencies
HJR1019 – Election of Judges on a Partisan Basis – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House State Agencies
Week 5 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
SB217 – Promoting Election Fraud Opportunities – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
SB230 – Unlimited Assistance by Third Party Persons in Voting– OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
SUPPORT
SB231 – Stripping Felons of State Retirement Benefits – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Retirement
SB252 – Prohibiting an Office in China for Economic Development – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Failed in House Committee
There are special interests’ groups, including Tyson Foods, Farm Bureau, the Governor’s office, and AEDC, who oppose this bill and were successful at first in killing it in committee with the “No” votes of Senators Cecile Bledsoe, Jane English, Breanne Davis, and Clark Tucker. Senators Trent Garner, Bob Ballinger, and Jason Rapert supported the bill.
HB1368 – Special Election Reform – SUPPORT
STATUS: Failed AGAIN on House Floor. Clincher Motion Adopted. Vote Breakdown:
Republicans Voting “No”:
Stan Berry
Frances Cavenaugh
Craig Christiansen
Bruce Coleman
Bruce Cozart
Carol Dalby
Marsh Davis
Gary Deffenbaugh
Brian Evans
Charlene Fite
Lanny Fite
Michelle Gray
Delia Haak
David Hillman
Joe Jett
Lee Johnson
John Maddox
Ron McNair
Johnny Rye
Stu Smith
Les Warren
Danny Watson
Jim Wooten
Republicans Refusing to Vote:
Ken Bragg
Les Eaves
Jack Fortner
Spencer Hawks
Lane Jean
Matthew Shepherd (*Speaker)
Dwight Tosh
HB1371 – School Choice Tax Credit Scholarships – SUPPORT
STATUS: Failed on House Floor (Vote Breakdown)
HB1428 – Repeal of Arkansas Works, Transition to Medicaid Fee for Service – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Public Health Welfare Labor Committee
HB1431 – Increased Sales Tax Exemption for Used Cars – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Tax and Revenue Committee
HB1416 – Work from Home Freedom – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Referred to Senate City/County Committee
HB1403 – Reducing the Top Income Tax Rate – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Revenue and Tax Committee
SJR3 – Allowing the State to be Sued – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
Week 4 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
None this week.
SUPPORT
HB1254 – APRN as Primary Care Provider within Medicaid Program – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Referred back to House Public Health Committee
HB1231 – Rejecting the 1619 Project in Public Schools – SUPPORT
STATUS: Withdrawn by Author
HB1227 – No Minimum Wage While Off Duty for Truck Drivers – SUPPORT
STATUS: Signed by the Governor, Now Act 91
SB208 – Updated “Meeting” Definition for FOIA; Updated Groups Subject to FOIA – SUPPORT
STATUS: Heard in Committee Meeting; No Vote Taken
SB205 – Transparency for the Rainy-Day Fund – SUPPORT
STATUS: Signed by Governor. Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown), Passed House (Vote Breakdown),
HB1316 – Phasing Out and Ending the Soft Drink Tax – SUPPORT
STATUS: WITHDRAWN BY THE AUTHOR
SB186 – No Collaborative Practice Agreement for APRNs after 1,000 Hours – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
Week 3 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
HB1030 – Ensuring Increases in Gas Tax Revenue – OPPOSE
STATUS: WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
HB1038 – Internet Sales Tax on Delivery Charges – OPPOSE
STATUS: WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
HB1045 – Defines Cigarette Paper to Include Vaping Products – OPPOSE
STATUS: WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
SB141 – Granting Power Over Election Changes to the Secretary of State During an Emergency – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee
SUPPORT
HB1211 – Religious Freedom Protected During Emergencies – SUPPORT
STATUS: Signed by the Governor, Now Act 94
HB1215 – Full Practice Authority for Nurse Midwives – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Re-referred to House Public Health Committee
SB153 – Waiving of License, Permit, and Filing Fees for New Businesses – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Referred to House Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
SB176 – Allowing Pharmacists to Treat Certain Health Conditions – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
Week 2 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see bill Details HERE):
OPPOSE
HB1139 – FOIA Exemption for Funeral Home Investigations – OPPOSE
STATUS: Withdrawn by the Author
SB132 – Corporate Welfare Appropriation of $75 Million – OPPOSE
STATUS: In Joint Budget Committee
SUPPORT
HB1112 – Voter Integrity in Provisional Ballots – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed the House (Vote Breakdown), Passed the Senate (Vote Breakdown); SIGNED by Governor – Act 249.
HB1157 – Increased Deduction for Teacher Expenses – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1160 – Sales Tax Exemption for Used Cars Increased – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1189 – No Special Interest Pay for Government Workers – SUPPORT
STATUS: In State Agencies Committee
HB1190 – Cost of Living Adjustments for Standard Deduction – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Revenue and Tax Committee; Heard but no Vote Taken
HB1191 – Increase of Standard Deduction – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1198 – Amending Supervision Requirements for Nurse Anesthetists – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Sent to Governor
SB117 – Hybrid Car $100 Fee Removed – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Transportation Committee
Week 1 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see bill Details HERE):
OPPOSE
SB2 – Massive Tax Increase for Redistribution of Wealth Scheme – OPPOSE
STATUS: In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee
SB10 – Redistribution of Wealth through EITC – OPPOSE
STATUS: In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee
SUPPORT
SB9 – Repealing of Car Wash Water Usage Tax – SUPPORT
STATUS: Heard in Committee, No Vote Taken. In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee
SB15 – Emergency Powers Duration Limited – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Senate Judiciary Committee
SB17 – Liability Immunity Against COVID19 Lawsuits – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Senate Public Health Committee
SB23/HB1055 – Self-Regulation for CO-OP Organizations – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred for Interim Study
HB1011 – Repeal of Income Taxes for Those Making Under $22,000 – SUPPORT
STATUS: In House Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1063 – Expansion of Telemedicine to Phone Calls – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Passe Senate Committee
HB1064 – Price Transparency for Medical Services – SUPPORT
STATUS: In House Insurance and Commerce Committee
HB1066 – Beer Shipping Direct to Consumers – SUPPORT
STATUS: In House Rules Committee
HB1068 – Expanded Telemedicine Use – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed the House (Vote Breakdown), Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Sent to Governor
