Senate News

  • As of May 7, a Real ID Will Be Needed for Access to Federal Facilities

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – Beginning on May 7, Arkansas residents will need to produce a “Real ID” in order to board a domestic flight, enter a federal building or visit a military base. If you don’t have a Real ID, you must present additional forms of identification along with your driver’s license. On May […]

    02 Apr 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Legislature Votes to Clarify Meaning of Medical Emergency During Pregnancies

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The legislature has approved and sent to the governor a bill that clarifies the meaning of a medical emergency when the life of a pregnant woman and her unborn children are threatened. House Bill 1610 defines a medical emergency as a condition which complicates the medical condition of a pregnant […]

    26 Mar 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Legislature Approves Sweeping Changes in Higher Education

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate passed legislation with far-reaching changes in how state-supported colleges and universities divide state aid, and how students qualify for scholarships. One of the most noticeable changes will be in how much is awarded the first year to students who qualify for an Academic Challenge Scholarship. Now, students receive […]

    19 Mar 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Senate Passes Additional $100 a Year Property Tax Credit

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate has approved a property tax cut that will save Arkansas homeowners $56 million every year. The tax reduction is in Senate Bill 263, which will take effect in 2026. It raises the homestead property tax credit by $100 to $600 a year. The credit is currently $500. About […]

    12 Mar 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Senate Approves Package of Bills to Regulate Signature Gathering for Ballot Issues

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate has approved a package of bills with tougher regulations for the signature-gathering process by which citizens can place issues on statewide ballots. In recent years the legislature has passed numerous new laws to prevent voter fraud and protect election integrity. The Secretary of State, the top election official […]

    05 Mar 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Senate votes to Transfer Oversight of AETN, Library Board to Education Department

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate approved legislation to transfer the powers of the state Library Board to the Education Department. The same bill transfers the authority of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission to the Education Department. The measure is Senate Bill 184. It passed in the Senate by a vote of 23-to-8 and […]

    26 Feb 2025 Weekly Updates
  • The Republican Women’s Legislative Caucus will hold a press conference at 1:00 pm in the Old Supreme Court Room

    Download DOC   February 26, 2025 Senate Information Office: 501-682-5954   The Republican Women’s Legislative Caucus will hold a press conference at 1:00 pm in the Old Supreme Court Room  to announce their agenda for the 2025 session.   Legislators will provide details about legislation to address these issue:   – reforms in the state […]

    26 Feb 2025 Announcements
  • Senate Approves Major Investment in Improved Maternal Care

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate approved legislation to improve maternal health care in Arkansas, especially in areas where existing medical services are lacking. Also, a bill to provide a free breakfast every day to all students continued to breeze through the legislature and should soon be sent to the governor for her signature. […]

    20 Feb 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Senate Votes to Provide All Students Free Breakfast Every Day

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate voted to provide all public school children with a free breakfast, regardless of their income, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Also, the Senate passed legislation to restrict students’ cell phone use during the school day. State budget officials estimate that it will cost $14.7 million a year […]

    13 Feb 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Senate votes to Abolish Preferential Programs in State Government

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The Senate passed legislation to prohibit discrimination and preferential treatment in state government, public schools and state-supported institutions of higher education. The written intent of Senate Bill 3 is “to prohibit discrimination by public entities on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.” The bill allows people […]

    05 Feb 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Legislature Begins 2025 Regular Session

    Download DOC January 17, 2025 LITTLE ROCK – The 2025 legislative session got off to a fast start. By the end of the session’s third day more than 200 bills had been introduced. In November the governor presented a balanced budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The legislature’s Joint Budget Committee has already begun […]

    22 Jan 2025 Weekly Updates
  • Arkansas Receives $17 Million Grant for Maternal Health

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The timing could not have been better for the good news Arkansas just received. A $17 million federal grant to improve maternal health care was formally announced a few days before the beginning of the 2025 legislative session. Improving maternal health care is high on the legislature’s list of priorities […]

    15 Jan 2025 Uncategorized