87th General Assembly in Recess After 88 Days

LITTLE ROCK – Lawmakers have recessed the 87th General Assembly in Little Rock after 88 calendar days with the adoption of the state’s spending plan for the next fiscal year. The passage of the Revenue Stabilization Act is always one of the last items approved. This year’s primary funding bill sets priorities for $4.4 billion in general reven...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Thursday, Apr 9, 2009

Budget dominates as session draws to an end

LITTLE ROCK – The regular session of the 87th General Assembly will move closer to adjournment with the passage of the Revenue Stabilization Act and the General Improvement Fund. Lawmakers expect to adjourn April 9 but could return on May 1, if necessary, to consider the override of any vetoes or make corrections. More often than not, adjourn...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Apr 3, 2009

Lottery is now law, new revenue report throws slight kink in session

LITTLE ROCK – The first state lottery tickets could be sold this fall now that legislation implementing the games has been approved by the 87th General Assembly and signed into law. The first scholarships funded by lottery revenues will be awarded for the fall semester of 2010. The final passage and signing of identical lottery bills – House Bil...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009

Lawmakers nearly done with lottery, ring up grocery-tax cut

LITTLE ROCK –Both chambers are nearly done with their work to set up the state lottery and the college scholarship program that will be funded by lottery revenues, and another 1 percent cut in the state sales tax on groceries has been signed into law. In closing out the 10th week of the session, the House also gave final approval to House Bil...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Mar 20, 2009

Expansion of children’s insurance wins House approval

LITTLE ROCK – Expanding the state’s health insurance program for children capped the Arkansas House of Representatives’ ninth week of work, and lawmakers are nearing a vote on bills establishing the structure of the state lottery and the scholarship program that will be funded by lottery revenues. The expansion of the ArKids First insura...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Mar 13, 2009

Teen-driving restrictions, trauma system win approval in House

LITTLE ROCK – A bill establishing a statewide trauma system has received final approval from lawmakers at the same time they’ve approved several bills aimed at reducing traumatic injuries, especially those sustained in car crashes. Senate Bill 315, which was presented in the House by Hot Springs Rep. Gene Shelby, an emergency room physician, ...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Mar 6, 2009

Lawmakers tighten seatbelt law, study scholarship ideas

LITTLE ROCK – Lawmakers stiffened the state’s seatbelt law, made a move toward ending the state’s participation in the Electoral College, and unveiled draft legislation for lottery-funded scholarships during the General Assembly’s seventh week in session. Senate Bill 78, which was presented in the House by Rep. Fred Allen of Little Rock, make...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Feb 27, 2009

Lottery, Clinton visit highlight 6th week of session

LITTLE ROCK – A draft of a bill outlining the structure of the state lottery drew members’ attention during the sixth week of the 87th General Assembly’s regular session in Little Rock. Up next: a similar draft setting up scholarship programs to be funded by the lottery. Arkansas voters approved a lottery last fall, and it has been lawmakers’...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Feb 20, 2009

Cell Phone Restrictions, Tobacco Tax Clear Both Chambers

LITTLE ROCK – Two bills restricting the use of cell phones while driving will soon be signed into law, along with a tax on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to pay for a wide-ranging healthcare plan. House Bill 1119, by Rep. Allen Kerr of Little Rock, prohibits drivers under 18 from using a cell phone and requires drivers who are 18 to 20 to ...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Feb 13, 2009

Tobacco-Tax Hike Clears House, Will Fund Trauma Network, Other Health Programs

LITTLE ROCK – Needing 75 votes for success, sponsors of a wide-ranging healthcare package got exactly that number in the House of Representatives to raise tobacco taxes to pay for the programs. House Bill 1204, by Rep. Gregg Reep of Warren, would raise the state tax on cigarettes by 56 cents a pack, (currently, 59 cents), and the wholesale ta...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Feb 6, 2009

Animal-cruelty Law Tops Lawmakers’ Week

LITTLE ROCK – The third week of the 87th General Assembly’s regular session in Little Rock saw the passage in the House of an animal-cruelty bill and two bills that restrict the use of cell phones while driving. The animal-cruelty bill is now in the hands of the governor, soon to be signed into law. Senate Bill 77 allows felony charges to be ...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009

Lawmakers Head Into the Third Week of Their Regular Session

LITTLE ROCK -- As lawmakers head into the third week of their regular session, they can point to progress being made on bills that would criminalize cruelty to animals, return our presidential primary election to its traditional date in May, and enhance penalties for violating a protection order. Also during the week, it was decided...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Jan 23, 2009

87th General Assembly convenes, prepares to answer state’s challenges

LITTLE ROCK – With the state and nation facing tough economic times, the 87th General Assembly has convened in regular session in Little Rock amid the challenges of continuing, and improving, vital services counted on by Arkansans. All 100 members of the House and 35 members of the Senate were sworn into office on the session’s opening day, J...
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Posted under "House Weekly Session Updates" Friday, Jan 16, 2009