Final work day of Arkansas 95th General Assembly marked by flurry of activity
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas House and Senate are both in session and very busy on the last workday of the 95th General Assembly.
Legislators have acted on a number of bills now headed to the governor's desk to become law.
Arkansas legislature set to pass state $6 billion-plus state budget for 2025-2026
Bills passed on Wednesday waiting for the governor's signature include:
Senate Bill 486 would allow someone to sue for up to two years after they encounter someone of the opposite sex in a restroom. The legislation includes protections for people who need assistance and correctional facilities.
Senate Bill 640 empowers the governor to reconstitute the seven-member state library board by removing all its members and appointing a new round of members who will serve staggered terms. Usually, an appointment to the library board is for seven years at staggered intervals.
Senate Bill 217 is the Gov. Sanders-backed bill to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Human Services to exclude candy and soft drinks from SNAP benefits.
Senate Bill 290 to place limits on moratoriums on watersheds passed after it was amended to maintain current protections on the Buffalo River and Lake Maumelle watersheds.
Senate Bill 437 would create the 'Arkansas Wind Energy Development Act' to promote the growth and development of wind energy resources in the state.
Senate Joint Resolution 15 allows the General Assembly to create economic development districts in the state through loans and grants.
Four takeaways from the final full week of the Arkansas 95th General Assembly
Not all bills will make it to the governor's desk.
House Bill 1662, which would prohibit foreign lobbying, failed after three days of votes in the Senate, where it never received a majority.
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