Senate News

  • U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Arkansas Drug Discount Law

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas won a long and hard-fought legal battle against large pharmaceutical manufacturers when the United States Supreme Court let stand a lower court ruling in the state’s favor. The decision means that Act 1103 of 2021 is constitutional and remains in effect. “This is a big win for Arkansas’s drug […]

    18 Dec 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Division of Community Corrections Supervises 70,000 Parolees and Probationers

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The state Department of Correction has been in the news recently because of its efforts to build additional prison space, in order to improve public safety. Much less public attention has been paid to the Department’s agency that supervises parolees and people on probation, even though Arkansas has many more […]

    11 Dec 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Senate Chooses Leadership and Committee Assignments for 95th General Assembly

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The state Senate held its traditional organizational meeting to name its leaders and choose committee assignments. Senator Bart Hester of Cave Springs (Benton County) had previously been elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate for the 95th General Assembly. On January 13, the first day of the 2025 legislative session, […]

    04 Dec 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Governor Proposes Balanced State Budget for Fiscal 2026

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The governor proposed a balanced budget for legislators to consider during the 2025 session when they set spending levels for state government agencies. Arkansas operates under a balanced budget, but the governor’s proposal is important because it outlines her spending priorities for Fiscal Year 2026. We are now in the […]

    27 Nov 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Senator Missy Irvin praised Booth’s service as director of the Game and Fish Commission

    Senator Missy Irvin of Mountain View, co- chairman of the Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, praised Booth’s three-and-a-half years of service as director of the Game and Fish Commission. “Austin Booth was an excellent director who initiated and implemented a clear, long-term strategic vision for the Arkansas Game & Fish” Irvin said.  “He wasn’t just a visionary. […]

    21 Nov 2024 News Releases
  • Governor Unveils New Pay Plan for State Employees

     Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – The governor unveiled a new pay plan for state employees that she will present for legislative approval during the 2025 regular session. At the announcement of the pay plan, she said it was the fulfillment of a promise she made when campaigning for office. Bringing salaries more in line with […]

    20 Nov 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Legislators Explores Options for Holding Down Insurance Costs

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas legislators have been hearing from constituents about the rising costs of homeowners insurance premiums, so during the 2025 session they will explore numerous options for holding down rate increases. At a recent meeting of the Senate and House Committees on Insurance and Commerce, top officials of the Arkansas Insurance […]

    13 Nov 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Legislators Approve Bonuses for Nurses at Long-Term Care Facilities

    Download DOC             LITTLE ROCK – Direct care nurses who work at long-term facilities operated by the state are eligible for a bonus of $5,000. … Continue reading

    06 Nov 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Arkansas Tourism Continues to Flourish

    Download DOC             LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas tourism industry continues to flourish and is soon to surpass $10 billion in economic impact, acc… Continue reading

    30 Oct 2024 Weekly Updates
  • Legislators Grapple With Rising Costs of Medicaid

    Download DOC LITTLE ROCK – During budget hearings and continuing through the regular session that begins in January, legislators will tackle the diff… Continue reading

    23 Oct 2024 Weekly Updates