11-02-2025
Arkansas statehouse week 4 review: School cellphone ban, video mandate
Today closes the fourth week of the 95th General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature.
Why it matters: Lawmakers hash out proposed changes to state law during the regular session.
We're keeping an eye out for the most impactful potential changes — particularly in issues like education, health care and how national politics will influence Arkansas' Republican-dominated legislature.
Catch up quick: Key takeaways from this week include
The Senate approved SB142 which would ban students from using cellphones and other devices during the school day at public schools. The House Education Committee also passed the bill Thursday.
The Senate also approved SB59, which seeks to ensure all children at public schools receive free breakfast.
HB1204, which would limit the recovery of damages for past necessary medical care, treatment or services to the costs actually paid by or on behalf of a plaintiff, cleared the Senate and will move to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' desk.
The House approved SB3 on Thursday, which would end the state's affirmative action programs. It now advances to the governor's desk.
Of note: On Thursday, the House passed HB1180, "The Baby Olivia Bill," which would require public and open-enrollment public charter schools to include a 3-minute video produced by an anti-abortion organization to health and safety courses beginning in the fifth grade.
Speaking against the bill, Rep. Ashley Hudson (D-Little Rock), called the video "propaganda."
It now moves to the Senate.
A few bills from the past week:
SB189 would authorize Ivermectin for human use to be sold without a prescription.
SJR10 proposes a constitutional amendment to be voted on by the state's electorate to create the Department of Government Efficiency.
HB1424 would require state-funded health insurance programs including Medicaid to cover obesity treatments.
