News Releases

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. […]

Press Release from Senator Missy Irvin on Attorney General’s Opinion (2023-059)

This week the Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin submitted an Opinion (2023-059) to clarify the laws concerning Arkansas School Board Association’s policies concerning previous legislation I had written.

The laws the legislature created were very clear in their purpose and intent.  It was brought to my attention that a school board had a policy mirroring a federal model that would violate those laws.  Therefore, I sought the Attorney General’s opinion.

Press Release from Senator Missy Irvin on Attorney General’s Opinion (2023-059)

Statement of Senator Jason Rapert regarding Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade

Statement by Senator Jason Rapert regarding ruling by Judge Kristine Baker

Statement by Senator Jason Rapert regarding ruling by Judge Kristine Baker, 

Christmas in the Capitol will be December 6

Legislators and other elected officials are gathering gifts for children in state custody, which they will present during a “Christmas in the Capitol” celebration at noon on December 6 in the Old Supreme Court Room of the State Capitol.

Statement from Senator Missy Irvin, Senate Education Committee Chair

Statement from Senator Missy Irvin, chair of the Senate Education Committee:

“I am so pleased to learn that all the parties have come to an agreement that will allow Mr. Nick Smith, Jr. the eligibility to play basketball during his senior year of high school, and I commend his parents for being strong advocates for their son.”

Statement from Senator Missy Irvin, Senate Education Committee Chair

Joint Statement from President Pro Tempore Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr. and Speaker Matthew Shepherd

(PDF of Joint Statement) NEWS RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT FROM SENATE PRO TEMPORE HICKEY AND HOUSE SPEAKER SHEPHERD Little Rock, Arkansas (August 13, 2021) – Arkansas Senate Pro Tempore Jimmy Hickey and Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd released the following statement Friday afternoon regarding McClane, et al v. State of Arkansas, et al : “Today we jointly […]

Legislative Black Caucus Choose Officers for 2021-2022

Legislative Black Caucus Choose Officers for 2021-2022

Democratic Caucus Calls for Stronger Response to Covid-19

The Arkansas Senate Democratic Caucus is calling for the state to take stronger actions to protect all Arkansans from Covid-19, save lives, and limit the economic fallout due to the pandemic.

Senators Request CARES Act Funding for Senior Citizens Centers

A bipartisan group of 14 senators have requested that the CARES Act Steering Committee allocate $20 million in federal relief funding for senior citizens centers across Arkansas.

Press Conference on Coronavirus

Senate Information Office: 501-682-5954

LITTLE ROCK – Health Department officials will join members of the legislative Committees on Public Health, Welfare and Labor for a press conference about the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, at 1 p.m. Monday, March 9, in the Old Supreme Court Room of the state Capitol.

Senator Missy Irvin of Mountain View is chair of the Senate Committee on Public Health, and Representative Jack Ladyman of Jonesboro of the House committee will be available, as will Dr. Nathaniel Smith, the state Secretary of Health.

They will outline the steps that state government is taking to keep the public updated and how to find the most recent information. Also, they will outline what protocol businesses should follow when staff need time off from work.

Arkansas Senate Senator Hendren Releases Draft of Vaping Bill

Vaping would be restricted just as smoking cigarettes is restricted, it would be taxed like tobacco products and its marketing to minors would be prohibited under legislation drafted by Senator Jim Hendren of Gravette, the President Pro Tempore of the Arkansas Senate.

State Senate Wins 2019 Efficiency Award, one of Digital Government Transformation Awards Presented by Information Network of Arkansas

The Arkansas state Senate won the 2019 Efficiency Award, one of the Digital Government Transformation Awards presented by the Information Network of Arkansas and state leaders who are working to make government more transparent.

Arkansas Senate Live Streaming Grows in Popularity

Transparency in government is a growth industry, if you analyze the number of people who watched the Arkansas Senate during the 2019 legislative session.

Sen. Trent Garner requests $50 million for veterans services

Download DOC September 3, 2020 Senate Information Office: 501-682-5954 LITTLE ROCK – Senator Trent Garner of El Dorado and five Senate colleagues have request $50 million in CARES Act funding for services to help veterans cope with health issues worsened by the coronavirus pandemic. The funds would go to the state Veterans Affairs Department, which […]