What happened on Monday, 29 March 2021
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Senator Garner's bill defines fentanyl trafficking as a capital offense to combat drug crisis.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Bill modifies drug fund use to support families of fallen law enforcement officers
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Arkansas Senate committee passes legislation allowing death penalty for sexual assault against minors.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
House Bill 1505 aims to upgrade penalties for fleeing drivers causing serious injury or death.
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Department of Health witnesses told the committee HB1136 would align Arkansas with CDC and Preventive Services Task Force recommendations to screen pregnant women for hepatitis C; officials said roughly 200 pregnancies a year were affected and described screening as cost-saving. The committee approved the bill by voice vote.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Committee reviews Supreme Court interpretations of the Eighth Amendment with Mr. Rosenzweig
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Lawmakers discuss amending strict liability laws on fleeing the scene of accidents.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Committee endorses scholarship amendment prioritizing academic challenge amid funding discussions.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Senator Tucker advocates for House Bill 1651 to eliminate spousal relationship proof for victims.
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
House Bill 1068 was amended and approved to expand the definition of 'originating site' for teletherapy to include a patient's home and to align group-therapy language with CMS guidelines; the amendment and the bill passed by voice vote.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Arkansas Senate committee passes bills to improve adoption procedures and estate planning protections.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Senator Caldwell's bill allows university land sale while ensuring public access.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Senate Judiciary members advanced S.B. 284 to make certain aggravated sexual offenses against children eligible for capital punishment. Supporters described the measure as accountability for the most egregious crimes; defense lawyers warned the change likely conflicts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent and would invite constitutional challenges.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Panel discusses potential unconstitutionality of applying death penalty for non-lethal offenses.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Paul Chapman advocates for temporary driver's licenses to aid Arkansas individuals in crisis.
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Senate Bill 585, amended in committee, directs the Department of Energy and Environment/DEQ to establish a statewide e-waste recovery program with regional collection centers, contractor certification, and potential refurbishing for schools; sponsor and a recycling director cited tons collected and toxic components in landfills.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Senate bill proposes death penalty for serious child sexual assault despite past Supreme Court ruling.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Legislators vote to advance hit-and-run bill despite concerns over strict liability penalties.
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Senate Bill 547, sponsored by Senator Garner, passed on a voice vote to maintain direct sellers' classification as independent contractors; sponsor said the change follows standards used in other states and supports micro-entrepreneurs.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Citizens urge the preservation of Pine Tree for hunting, fishing, and educational purposes.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 1505 to raise penalties for hit-and-run incidents that cause serious injury or death, following emotional testimony from victimss families and a contested legal debate over whether the measure creates a strict-liability felony. The bill passed the committee as offered.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
The Senate Education Committee voted to pass House Bill 16 94, sponsored by Senator Caldwell, a measure intended to prevent a private sale of about 6,300 acres known as Pine Tree and to preserve deed language requiring public use; several local residents testified in favor.
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
House Bill 1460, described as a 'workforce freedom act,' passed the committee to create a uniform state standard for occupational licensing and prevent localities from imposing additional licensing requirements, according to the sponsor. No opposition was recorded in the hearing.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Quick summary of committee votes: House Bill 14 51 (dual-immersion clarification) adopted as amended; Senate Bill 89 (succeed scholarship changes) passed in committee; House Bill 16 94 (Pine Tree land) passed after public testimony; Senate Bill 5 84 (lottery scholarship reform) passed after extended presentation and Q&A.
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee approved SB590 by voice vote after sponsor arguments about executive overreach and testimony from a public-health official warning the measure would remove emergency response flexibility and limit mitigation tools. The sponsor said the bill would end current mask directives and bar future COVID-19 mandates until the crisis passes.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
Senate Bill 5 84, sponsored by Sen. Jim Hickey, was approved by the committee. The bill uses trust funds and a multi-year formula to align scholarship payouts with lottery proceeds and delays new or amended scholarships for at least one year to ensure funding.