Senate News

Legislature Helping Child Facilities Cope with Coronavirus Closings

At the beginning of this year, there were more than 2,000 licensed child care programs in Arkansas. They had slots for 194,000 children.

By mid-April, about half the facilities had closed. Although most have been able to re-open, as of early October at least 20 had closed permanently

State Colleges and Universities Report Fall Semester Enrollment

Enrollment has dropped at many state-supported colleges and universities because of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Legislature to Redraw Congressional Districts

The legislature is preparing to convene again on September 29, to redraw boundaries of the four Congressional districts in Arkansas.

Legislators Support Expansion of Broadband Networks

Arkansas legislators continue to support a statewide expansion of broadband service as quickly as possible, especially in areas where there is no Internet at all and in places where the technology is obsolete.

Federal Appeals Court has ruled in favor of the state Education Department

A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of the state Education Department, and against four south Arkansas school districts that want to be exempt from the state school choice law.

New Census Shows 3.3 Percent Population Growth in Arkansas

The number of people who live in Arkansas increased by about 95,600 over the past 10 years, a growth rate of 3.3 percent that brought the state’s population to more than three million people.

Legislative Council Approves $145 Million in Emergency Funding for Hospitals and Nursing Homes

The Arkansas Legislative Council approved a funding request of more than $245 million to help hospitals and nursing homes recruit and retain staff, and to cope with extraordinary expenses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The money comes from a massive federal act known as the American Rescue Plan.

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 […]

Legislature Affirms Declaration of Public Health Emergency

Legislators gathered at the Capitol in Little Rock to affirm the governor’s declaration of a public health emergency for 60 days.

Legislation Requires Antidotes to Accompany Opioid Prescriptions

Act 651 of 2021 mandates that when a physician prescribes opioids, the physician must also prescribe naloxone, a drug that can quickly reverse the effects of an overdose.