April 14, 2025 | Day 92 of Session
The Arkansas Legislature is racing to wrap up by Wednesday, April 16, with major items left to finish: the state budget, constitutional amendment referrals, and final bills. Here's where things stand as lawmakers prepare for adjournment.
The House State Agencies Committee will hear SJR11, sponsored by Sen. John Payton (R-Wilburn) and Rep. Matt Duffield (R-Russellville). It would:
Affirm that the right to keep and bear arms includes ammunition, accessories, and components
Define this right as a “natural, fundamental, and individual right”
Specify lawful purposes: common defense, hunting, recreation, and more
Already passed the Senate 28–7; awaiting House action
The Senate is set to consider HJR1018 by Rep. David Ray (R-Maumelle), which passed the House 82–6. It would:
Replace existing language that “any person may vote”
Clarify that only U.S. citizens may vote in Arkansas elections
Maintain current qualifications: citizenship, residency, age, registration
Mirrors constitutional amendments adopted in 14 other states
👀 More resolutions may still be filed before the deadline for placing constitutional amendments on the 2026 ballot.
Lawmakers are finalizing the Revenue Stabilization Act, which aligns with Governor Sanders’ FY2026 proposal:
$6.49 billion general revenue
$182.5 million increase over FY2025
$299.5 million projected surplus
🎓 Education Freedom Accounts (school vouchers):
From $97.4M → $187.4M
🏛️ Department of Corrections:
From $434.8M → $483M
🏘️ County Jail Reimbursements:
From $25.7M → $34.8M
$90M: Children’s Educational Freedom Account
$100M: Medicaid Sustainability Fund
A key unresolved issue: how to move forward with prison construction.
Lawmakers previously approved $330M for a new 3,000-bed facility in Franklin County
SB354 would authorize an additional $750M, but has failed 5 times to reach the 27-vote threshold in the Senate
Without it, SB633, which transfers $250M in reserve funds, is unlikely to advance
🗣️ Speaker Brian Evans (R-Cabot):
“I feel like we’re getting close to landing the plane right on time as we’ve planned out.”
Would allow the Sanders administration to reapply for Medicaid expansion under a potential Trump presidency. Covers ~231,000 low-income adults.
Would prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, officers, or practices in local governments.
Would:
Ban addictive feeds for minors
Ban notifications from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Block targeted advertising to users 16 and under
Requires state agencies to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank” in official materials.
Would eliminate the 0.125% sales tax on groceries, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Raises the classroom expense deduction for qualifying teachers from $500 to $1,000, starting in 2025.