We kicked off the week by hosting the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition’s 2025 Kids Count Day at the Capitol. We had more than 150 attendees, including children ranging from preschool-age to teens. Attendees participated in a rally in the rotunda, went to committee meetings, and had lunch with legislators. To top it off, several were special guests as the Arkansas House of Representatives passed HR2016, recognizing February 10, 2025, as Kids Count Day at the Capitol and recognizing the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition for its advocacy on behalf of the children of Arkansas. See photos from the day on our Flickr album. And read news coverage of the event in the Arkansas Advocate.
Of particular concern for Arkansas Advocates this week was the advancement of several bills aimed at making Arkansans’ access to direct democracy more difficult. Senate Bills 207-212 were heard by the Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee, with all but SB212 passing and advancing through the full Senate this week. Many community members testified against the bill, and the committee put the bills to a vote before hearing from quite a few who had signed up to testify, including Arkansas Advocates Community Engagement Director Rebecca Zimmermann. Read about these bills in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Arkansas Advocate and see commentary on the bills by Kwami Abdul-Bey.
Below you will find an overview of bills on AACF’s legislative agenda and that AACF generally either supports or opposes. We are monitoring more bills, listed and frequently updated on our website.
Bills on AACF’s Legislative Agenda
Through conversations with partners, advocates and young Arkansans, and through our own policy research, AACF has identified a series of policies that will improve the well-being of Arkansans. The following bills are in support of our 2025 legislative agenda.
Education, Early Childhood
Scheduled: HB1435 | Rep. Brandon Achor and Sen. Jane English | House Committee on Revenue & Taxation
This bill would provide income tax credits to businesses that financially support the child care needs of their employees. To be eligible for the credit, the business can pay for: reserved slots or tuition and fees at a child care facility, construction or renovation costs for a child care facility to provide services for the business’s employees, or contributions toward an employee’s dependent care savings account. A portion of the overall maximum credit allowed is reserved for small businesses and businesses in rural communities. This bill would also create an income tax credit for licensed child care providers, with a specific allotment for providers located in rural areas. It is scheduled to be heard by the House Committee on Revenue & Taxation at 10am on Tuesday, February 18.
Education, K-12
Stalled in Committee: HB1144 | Rep. Jim Wooten | House Education Committee
This bill would require a private school that accepts a LEARNS Act voucher to be responsible for the same reporting requirements as public schools and public charter schools in Arkansas. This would add an accountability measure to private schools receiving public funds. It failed to pass out of the House Education Committee on Tuesday and is now deferred. Read news coverage on this bill in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Food Security
Passed: SB59 | Sen. Jonathan Dismang and Rep. Zack Gramlich | Senate Education Committee
This bill would require public schools to provide a free breakfast to any student who requests it, even if the student does not qualify for free meals under any federal, state, or local program. It passed the House Education Committee on Tuesday and the full House on Thursday, but it’s headed back to the Senate for concurrence on an amendment before likely hitting the Governor’s desk for signature next week. Find news coverage about this bill on KTHV, KATV, and in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
New: SJR19 | Sen. Mark Johnson | Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee
This amendment would exempt food and food ingredients from the I/8 of one percent sales tax that is currently collected by the state under Arkansas Constitution Amendment 75.
Health
Progressed: SB213 | Sen. Missy Irvin and Rep. Aaron Pilkington |Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee
This Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies bill would change multiple policies relating to pregnancy and postpartum care. It would fast-track Medicaid coverage for pregnant women (presumptive eligibility), unbundle Medicaid coverage for pregnant women, and would authorize Medicaid reimbursement for prenatal and postpartum home visitation care by doulas and community health workers. It would also provide coverage for blood pressure monitors and remote ultrasounds. It passed the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Monday and the full Senate on Wednesday. It will go to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee next. Read about this bill in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Arkansas Advocate and Talk Business & Politics.
Progressed: HB1427 | Rep. Aaron Pilkington and Sen. Missy Irvin | House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee
This is the mirror bill to SB213, described above. It passed the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Tuesday and the full house on Wednesday. It will next go to the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. Read about this bill in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Arkansas Advocate and Talk Business & Politics.
Bills AACF Also Supports
The following bills are not formally on AACF’s legislative agenda, but AACF recognizes they could have a positive impact on Arkansas’s children and families.
Child Welfare
Progressed and Scheduled: HB1292 | Rep. Mary Bentley and Sen. Kim Hammer | House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs
This bill would clarify residency requirements for adoptions in Arkansas. It would also create a new exception to the adoption residency requirements that would allow the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services to waive the residency requirement for a minor in foster care who is 16 or older under certain conditions. It passed the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs on Wednesday. It is scheduled to be heard by the full House at 1:30pm on Monday, February 17.
Progressed and Scheduled: HB1437 | Rep. Matt Duffield and Sen. Alan Clark | House Judiciary Committee
This bill would prohibit Level 3 and Level 4 registered sex offenders to be within 100 feet of a water park or public park. It was filed on Monday and passed the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday. It is scheduled to be heard by the full House at 1:30pm on Monday, February 17.
Democracy and Voting Rights
Scheduled: SB12 | Sen. Bryan King | Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs
If this bill passes, the communications of the Board of Apportionment (the committee that draws legislative districts) will be included specifically as subject to Arkansas’s Freedom of Information Act. It is scheduled to be heard by the full Senate at 1:30pm on Tuesday, February 17.
Education, K-12
Progressed and Scheduled: SB89 | Sen. Jane English | Senate Education Committee
This bill would require school districts to publicly post on their website the names and email addresses of members of the school board, agendas of regular and special board meetings at least 24 hours before the meeting, and minutes of regular and special board meetings within 24 hours of the meeting. It passed the Senate Education Committee on Monday, the full Senate on Tuesday, and the House Education Committee on Thursday. It is scheduled to be heard by the full House at 1:30pm on Monday, February 17.
Progressed and Scheduled: SB142 | Sen. Tyler Dees and Rep. Jon S. Eubanks | Senate Education Committee
This bill would require every public school district and open-enrollment public charter school to adopt a policy prohibiting the use of cell phones by students during the school day, except during an emergency. The policy would be required to allow exceptions for students with disabilities, if the use of a personal electronic device is included on their IEP or 504 Plan. It would require the districts to post their policies on their websites and submit them to the Arkansas Department of Education for approval. It picked up an amendment on the House side on Monday, passed the House Education on Tuesday and the full House on Thursday. It is scheduled in the Senate Education Committee at 10am on Monday, February 17, for the amendment to be considered. Read coverage on this bill in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Progressed: SB206 | Sen. Steve Crowell and Rep. Rebecca Burkes | Senate Education Committee
This bill would triple the amount of literacy tutoring grants provided to public schools on behalf of eligible students. The current amount is $500 per student, and this bill would increase it to $1,500 per student. It passed the Senate Education Committee on Monday and the full Senate on Tuesday. It is now with the House Education Committee, pending fiscal impact.
Equity
Adopted: HR1024 | Rep. Tracy Steele | House Management Committee
This resolution recognizes support from the House of Representatives to celebrate Black History Month in February 2025 and the contributions made by African Americans in Arkansas throughout history. The resolution passed the House Management Committee on Monday and was adopted by the full House on Wednesday.
Health
Delivered to the Governor: SB77 | Sen. Mark Johnson | Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee
The bill will require Medicaid to reimburse for physical therapy provided in clinic-based settings. It will direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal approval to implement this change. It passed the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Tuesday and the full House on Wednesday. It has been delivered to the Governor for her signature.
Progressed: HB1255 | Rep. Jeremy Wooldridge and Sen. Breanne Davis | House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee
This bill would amend Medicaid’s coverage of continuous glucose monitors, allowing beneficiaries to obtain these devices either through a pharmacy with a prescription or via a verified provider with a written order. It passed the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Tuesday and the full House on Wednesday. It will go to the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee next.
Bills AACF Opposes
The following are bills we believe would be harmful to our state, our state’s children and their families, and our state’s most vulnerable individuals.
Democracy and Voting Rights
Progressed and Scheduled: HB1222 | Rep. David Ray and Sen. Kim Hammer | House Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs
This bill would allow the Arkansas Attorney General to reject a proposed ballot measure based on whether he or she determined the proposed measure would violate the United States Constitution or federal law. Historically, the AG has only provided opinions and guidance on the topic. It passed the full House on Monday and the Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs on Thursday. It is scheduled to be heard by the full Senate at 1:30pm on Monday, February 17. Find news coverage on this bill in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Progressed and Scheduled: SB207 | Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Kendon Underwood | Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs
This bill would require that canvassers collecting signatures for a ballot measure inform individuals before signing that petition fraud is a class A misdemeanor. It passed the Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs on Tuesday and the full Senate on Wednesday. It is scheduled to be heard by the House Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs 15 minutes upon adjournment of House (in the afternoon) on Monday, February 17. Read about this bill and others in Talk Business & Politics.
Progressed and Scheduled: SB208 | Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Kendon Underwood | Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs
This bill would require that canvassers request and review a photo ID before allowing a voter to sign a ballot measure petition. It passed the Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs on Tuesday and the full Senate on Wednesday. It is scheduled to be heard by the House Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs 15 minutes upon adjournment of House (in the afternoon) on Monday, February 17. Read about this bill and others in Talk Business & Politics.
Progressed: SB209 | Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Kendon Underwood | Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs
This bill would disqualify all signatures collected by a canvasser, including legitimate signatures, if a canvasser is found to have violated Arkansas law or the Arkansas constitution while collecting signatures for a petition. It passed the Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs on Tuesday. While it passed the full Senate on Wednesday, the emergency clause attached to the bill (which would allow the law to go into effect immediately upon passage, if it passes) failed. The emergency clause went back to the full Senate on Thursday, which again failed to pass; however, they expunged the vote, so it is still possible the emergency clause could pass. Read about this bill and others in Talk Business & Politics.
Progressed: SB210 | Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Kendon Underwood | Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs
This bill would require canvassers to read the ballot title of a measure out loud to a voter or observe a voter read the ballot title before allowing them to sign a ballot measure petition. Just like SB209, it passed the Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs on Tuesday. While it passed the full Senate on Wednesday, the emergency clause attached to the bill (which would allow the law to go into effect immediately upon passage, if it passes) failed. The emergency clause went back to the full Senate on Thursday, which again failed to pass; however, they expunged the vote, so it is still possible the emergency clause could pass. Read about this bill and others on Talk Business & Politics.
Progressed and Scheduled: SB211 | Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Kendon Underwood | Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs
This bill would require canvassers to file an affidavit with the Secretary of State’s office before the signatures they collected could be counted and would prevent them from collecting additional signatures after a campaign had submitted signatures to the Secretary of State’s office until the Secretary of State’s office determined the campaign met certain requirements. It passed the Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs on Tuesday and the full Senate on Wednesday. It is scheduled to be heard by the House Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs 15 minutes upon adjournment of House (in the afternoon) on Monday, February 17. Read about this bill and others on Talk Business & Politics.
Stalled in committee: SB212 | Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Kendon Underwood | Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs
This bill would create a “Document Validity Division” — a law enforcement agency of the Secretary of State that would be tasked with reviewing documents, subpoenaing witnesses, collecting evidence, and more related to elections generally and ballot measures specifically. It was heard by the Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs on Tuesday, but it did not receive enough votes to pass. It is now on the Deferred Bills list on the committee agenda, but it can be brought again before the committee at a later date.
New: HJR1017 | Rep. David Ray and Sen. John Payton | House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee
If this proposed ballot measure were approved by the General Assembly, it would be placed on the 2026 ballot for voters’ consideration. The measure would add that for a ballot measure to pass and become law, in addition to receiving a majority of votes overall, it would also need to receive a majority of votes in a majority of counties.
Education, K-12
Scheduled: HB1180 | Rep. Mary Bentley and Sen. Clint Penzo | House Education Committee
This bill would require public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools to teach, beginning in 5th grade, human growth and development as it relates to pregnancy and human development inside the womb, to include a three-minute-minimum, high-definition ultrasound video and the “Meet Baby Olivia” animated video, developed by Live Action. It was heard by the Senate Education Committee on Monday, but it did not have enough votes to pass. It is scheduled to be heard again by the Senate Education Committee at 10am on Monday, February 17.
Passed: HB1215 | Rep. Mary Bentley | House Education Committee
This bill would change the 2023 school bathroom bill that targeted transgender youth. This bill would allow a coach to visit student athletes in a locker room, changing room, shower room, or restroom that is designated for a sex different from the coach’s, provided other parameters are met. Instead of adding more exceptions to this law, we maintain that the whole section, ACA 6-21-120, should be repealed. It passed the Senate Education Committee on Monday and the full Senate on Thursday. It will go next to the Governor for her signature.
Equity
Delivered to the Governor: SB3 | Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Mary Bentley | Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee
This bill will prohibit state agencies from providing programs targeted toward historically excluded groups, including on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin but specifically excludes veteran status in matters of state employment, public education, or state procurement. This will result in the elimination of scholarships to Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Americans who commit to teaching in the Delta; as well as university retention programs for Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American students, faculty, and staff. It will also prevent programs designed to recruit more diverse staff in state government. This bill will also allow a person to bring a civil action if the person believes his or her rights have been impacted as it relates to discrimination or providing preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in matters of state employment, public education, or state procurement. It passed the Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee with an amendment from the House on Tuesday and the full Senate on Wednesday. It was delivered to the Governor for her signature on Thursday.
Scheduled: HB1422 | Rep. Wayne Long and Sen. Mark Johnson | House Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs
This bill would require the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration to prepare a monthly report with the names and identifying information of anyone who has a driver’s license in addition to a valid nonimmigrant visa or entry into the United States and deliver it to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State would then verify if any person were listed in the voter rolls of the state, and that person would be removed from the voter rolls and their license would also be suspended. This bill would also require DFA to modify the driver’s license of a person with nonimmigrant status to be printed vertically and to clearly state on its face “Non-Citizen.” It is scheduled to be heard by the House Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs 15 minutes upon adjournment of the House on the afternoon of Monday, February 17.
Food Security
New: SB217 | Sen. Clint Penzo and Rep. Mary Bentley | Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee
This bill would require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to request a waiver that would allow Arkansas to exclude from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment for candy and soft drinks as defined in A.C.A. Title 26 of the Arkansas Code, §26-52-103, “Taxation.”
Health
Stalled in committee: SB2 | Sen. Clint Penzo and Rep. Matt Duffield | Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee
This bill would repeal Arkansas’s statewide fluoridation program. It would eliminate rules governing fluoride concentrations, equipment, recordkeeping, and related procedures. It was heard in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Wednesday, but it did not get enough votes to pass the committee. Find news coverage on this bill in Talk Business & Politics and the Arkansas Advocate.
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