High Priority Bills
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee​
SB143 expands the role of the Arkansas State Police in probation, parole, and post-release supervision, directing $100 million in taxpayer funds toward crime reduction efforts that further entangle law enforcement with community correction. By allowing state police to coordinate with local sheriffs and the Division of Community Correction, the bill increases police involvement in areas traditionally handled by social services. While it prohibits certain abuses, such as no-knock warrants and warrantless searches, it still broadens the surveillance and control of people on probation and parole. Instead of investing in proven community-based solutions like housing, education, and mental health services, this bill reinforces a punitive approach that prioritizes policing over rehabilitation.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
SB313 addresses the backlog of mental health evaluations in Arkansas but does so by creating problematic provisions. The bill allows courts to deem requests for mental health examinations “frivolous” even when there is reasonable suspicion that a defendant may have mental health issues. This risks dismissing legitimate concerns based on superficial judgments and could violate the rights of defendants. Instead of focusing on expanding the capacity of the State Hospital to provide necessary evaluations, the bill shifts blame to defendants and their attorneys, offering a quick fix that doesn’t solve the underlying problem. Additionally, Section 6 introduces further concerns that could undermine due process and the right to proper treatment. The bill’s approach is a cheap, ineffective solution that fails to address the root cause of the issue.
BILL STATUS:
Currently on the Senate Floor.
SB354 allocates up to $750 million from the Development and Enhancement Fund to build a new 3,000-bed mega-prison. Since purchasing land in Charleston on October 31, 2024, state officials have failed to present a clear financial plan, with estimates suggesting the total cost could exceed $1.5 billion when factoring in infrastructure and operational expenses. The Arkansas Department of Corrections is already struggling with severe staffing shortages, raising doubts about the sustainability of the project.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
SB446 opens the door to increased surveillance and privacy violations by expanding the use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) to private individuals, businesses, and landowners. While proponents argue it could improve security, the reality is that it could lead to widespread monitoring of everyday people without proper oversight or regulation. Allowing private entities to collect and store license plate data raises significant privacy concerns, as it opens the possibility of this information being misused, shared, or accessed without consent. The risk of data breaches and misuse of this sensitive information is high, and there are insufficient safeguards in place to protect against these potential harms.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee
SB477 criminalizes the theft of rental equipment, classifying it as a Class D felony. This could result in up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. This bill could lead to unnecessary legal complications and increased costs for businesses and consumers and may criminalize routine rental disputes and expand government intervention into private contracts, setting a troubling precedent for overregulation that could infringe on business autonomy and personal freedoms.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Public Transportation Committee.
HB1284 ensures that driver’s licenses are not unfairly suspended solely due to unpaid court fines without a hearing. This bill prevents financial hardship by allowing restricted driving permits for essential travel, such as work and medical care. It also waives reinstatement fees for dismissed cases.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
HB1535 is a harmful and ineffective bill that focuses on punitive measures like chemical castration rather than addressing the root causes of abuse. Chemical castration is a controversial practice that infringes on bodily autonomy and lacks evidence of preventing future offenses. The bill ignores the need for rehabilitation, therapy, and support for both survivors and offenders. Rather than focusing on retribution, Arkansas should invest in prevention, education, and restorative justice to create lasting solutions that prioritize healing and community well-being.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in Senate Judiciary Committee.
HB1630 would change the law so that someone involved in a low-level drug offense—such as possession of a small amount of a controlled substance—could be charged with capital murder if a death occurs, even if they had no direct intent to kill. This bill expands the scope of capital punishment and could lead to excessive prosecutions, punishing people for deaths they did not intend or directly cause.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
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HB1871 mandates incarceration for people who “repeatedly violate the terms of their probation or suspended sentences.” The bill’s emphasis on mandatory incarceration for repeated probation violations will exacerbate mass incarceration and place an undue burden on the state’s prison system. This approach fails to address the root causes of probation violations, such as mental health issues, substance abuse, or socioeconomic challenges. Instead of prioritizing punishment, they advocate for investing in rehabilitation, diversion programs, and community-based solutions that can more effectively address the needs of individuals while reducing recidivism.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SB144 authorizes the state to fund, construct, expand, or improve jail facilities in the eight counties that contribute the most to the prison population—or in neighboring counties with local approval. It also establishes “close-to-home” partnerships, allowing counties to build or expand jails to house people awaiting transfer to state prisons. Rather than addressing the root causes of overcrowding, this bill expands incarceration capacity, placing financial burdens on counties and deepening Arkansas’s reliance on imprisonment over rehabilitation and sentencing reform. This bill deepens Arkansas’s reliance on imprisonment rather than addressing the root causes of overcrowding.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Children and Youth Committee​
S340 eliminates fees and costs previously imposed on juveniles and their families in the justice system. It removes charges for services like probation, court-appointed counsel, and mental health treatment and establishes a presumption of indigence to ensure access to legal services. The bill also voids existing financial encumbrances related to juvenile court cases and redirects any savings to youth services. This bill helps remove financial barriers for children and their parents.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in House Judiciary Committee.
SB375 would create a new criminal offense called "capital rape." This bill seeks to impose the death penalty for a crime that does not result in death, a position previously ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Kennedy v. Louisiana (2008). In addition to being unconstitutional, this bill raises concerns about the ethical implications of expanding capital punishment.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate Education Committee
SB451 criminalizes youth, undermines education, and expands punitive mental health interventions. By classifying juvenile detention centers as treatment facilities and removing requirements to work with local schools, it threatens detained students’ education and reintegration. The bill allows broad discretion to remove students from school and place them in restrictive settings, raising concerns about due process, racial and disability-based disparities, and the expansion of institutionalization over community-based support. Instead of investing in school-based mental health services, SB451 accelerates the school-to-prison pipeline under the guise of treatment.
BILL STATUS:
Currently Awaiting Committee Assignment
SB566 seeks to allocate $250 million in taxpayer funds to expand, improve, or construct state and county correctional facilities under the guise of addressing prison overcrowding. Rather than investing in proven alternatives such as mental health care, rehabilitation programs, and community-based solutions, this bill prioritizes incarceration over meaningful reform. SB566 represents a continuation of failed tough-on-crime policies that disproportionately harm marginalized communities while doing little to enhance public safety. Instead of building more cages, Arkansas should invest in real solutions that prevent incarceration in the first place.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
HB1504 makes it illegal to manufacture, modify, sell, transfer, or operate robotic devices or uncrewed aircraft equipped with weapons. However, this bill allows defense contractors under government contracts, law enforcement, and accredited bomb squads to use weaponized drones and robots, raising ethical and civil rights issues, as they could lead to a detachment from accountability in the use of force, increase surveillance capabilities without oversight, and potentially escalate violent encounters.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Public Transportation Committee.
HB1569 imposes harsh penalties on commercial vehicle operators without valid licenses, including fines, vehicle impoundment, and felony charges for causing injury or death. It also restricts certain visa holders from driving and fines motor carriers up to $10,000 for providing vehicles to ineligible operators. This bill disproportionately targets non-citizens and may harm workers, businesses, and the economy, imposing excessive penalties for minor infractions. It’s an overreach that punishes individuals and companies without addressing underlying issues in the transportation system.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
HB1655 criminalizes transporting or sheltering undocumented individuals, making each act a separate felony offense. This bill promotes racial profiling, targets humanitarian aid, and fuels mass incarceration. It punishes community support and deepens fear among immigrant communities rather than addressing systemic immigration issues.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate State Agencies Committee.
SJR6 funnels revenue from medical marijuana and casino gaming into the Arkansas State Police and the Division of Community Correction, reinforcing a system that prioritizes policing and surveillance over true public safety. This measure directs resources toward law enforcement instead of addressing the root causes of harm—poverty, lack of healthcare, and inadequate housing. Rather than increasing police funding, these funds should be invested in community-led initiatives, mental health services, education, and economic support systems that actually prevent crime. Expanding police budgets under the guise of "crime reduction" only perpetuates cycles of incarceration and state violence rather than creating real safety.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate State Agencies Committee.
SB212 creates the Document Validity Division within the Secretary of State’s office to investigate the authenticity of documents related to elections and initiatives. The division is granted significant law enforcement powers, including the ability to issue subpoenas, compel witnesses, and declare documents invalid if found fraudulent. This could lead to invalidating petitions or election-related submissions. The division's broad powers may intimidate people involved in the petition process, deterring civic participation and undermining democracy. Rather than expanding government authority, resources should focus on promoting transparency and encouraging public involvement in the democratic process.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Joint Budget Committee.
SB341 allocates $140,000 to support the Administrative Office of the Courts in managing fees, expenses, and costs associated with juvenile cases. This funding is essential for maintaining the effective functioning of juvenile courts, which handle sensitive and critical matters related to young people. By providing the necessary financial resources, the bill ensures that the courts can continue to serve juveniles and their families in a timely and efficient manner without relying on fines and fees passed on to children and their families.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee.​
SB426 is a harmful, anti-immigrant bill that unfairly targets undocumented individuals with harsher penalties and increased surveillance. It forces local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE, undermining community trust and making immigrant communities less safe. By threatening to withhold funds from localities that don’t comply, it strips power from local governments. Instead of criminalizing immigrants, Arkansas should focus on real public safety solutions that support all residents, not fuel fear and division.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee
SB461 increases transparency and accountability in Arkansas prisons by requiring quarterly reports on solitary confinement. The Department of Corrections and other facilities must provide data on demographics, duration, health incidents, and reasons for segregation. By shedding light on these practices, SB461 ensures policymakers and the public can address concerns about the humane treatment of incarcerated individuals.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
HB1057 amends Arkansas law to permit the restoration of firearm possession rights to individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies. Under the proposed legislation, these individuals would become eligible to regain their firearm rights ten years after completing their sentence, provided they have not committed any additional offenses during that period.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.
HB1515 dangerously expands the Governor’s power to deploy the Arkansas National Guard for vague "security" and "essential military operations," creating a militarized response to staffing shortages instead of addressing systemic workforce issues. By allowing Guard members to fill roles in military justice proceedings and critical state functions, the bill risks due process violations, executive overreach, and the erosion of civilian control. It diverts resources from true emergencies, undermines long-term workforce solutions, and sets a precedent for further militarization of state institutions.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate State Agencies Committee.
HB1574 imposes unconstitutional restrictions on political speech by prohibiting non-residents from working as paid canvassers, making it significantly harder for citizen-led initiatives to reach the ballot. By requiring canvassers to be both residents and domiciled in Arkansas, the bill creates unnecessary barriers for grassroots movements that rely on canvassing to engage voters. Its vague domicile requirement, based on an arbitrary standard of intent to remain, invites confusion and selective enforcement, threatening the validity of petitions and limiting democratic participation. This legislation serves only to suppress public involvement in the initiative and referendum process.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in House State Agencies Committee.
HB1667 amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1967, specifically redefining what constitutes a "public meeting." The bill states that public meetings include gatherings of more than two members of any state or local government body that receives or spends public funds, except for grand juries. This change will allow smaller groups of officials to meet without being subject to transparency and government accountability under FOIA.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate State Agencies Committee.
SJR18 seeks to amend the Arkansas Constitution to state that only citizens can vote in state elections. This measure could also disenfranchise immigrants who are not yet citizens but have lived and contributed to the community for years and impose administrative burdens by complicating voter registration and identification processes, potentially causing confusion and errors. While intended to clarify voter eligibility, it could unintentionally exclude individuals who are legally entitled to vote and create unnecessary obstacles for the state's election system.
BILL STATUS:
Currently on the House Floor.
SB227 amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1967, expanding the definition of a public meeting to include formal gatherings of governing bodies, whether in person or via electronic means, explicitly covering state agencies, political subdivisions, and boards supported by public funds. This bill also ensures that members can participate electronically while maintaining transparency and public access and empowers circuit courts to nullify official actions taken in violation of open meeting laws,
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Joint Budget Committee.
SB350 seeks to expand drug task forces, funneling millions of dollars into law enforcement operations that only perpetuate the cycle of criminalization. This bill will lead to further over-policing, particularly of marginalized communities, and fails to offer any meaningful solutions to the drug crisis. The War on Drugs has long proven to be a failure, and this legislation will only deepen the harm it has already inflicted. Rather than investing in more law enforcement, Arkansas should be redirecting funds toward programs that offer real solutions, like rehabilitation, mental health services, and prevention.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SB442 authorizes the forfeiture of assets used in human trafficking. This broad asset seizure could result in property being taken without proper due process or clear evidence of involvement in trafficking. Additionally, the creation of the offense of harboring an endangered runaway child risks criminalizing people who may be trying to protect children in difficult circumstances, potentially penalizing those who provide shelter to vulnerable minors without the intent of exploitation. This could lead to individuals being unjustly prosecuted for actions that are motivated by compassion, rather than addressing systems that are truly responsible for the exploitation.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee
SB462 establishes a Certificate of Employability for individuals with felony convictions, allowing the Division of Correction and circuit courts to formally recognize rehabilitation and workforce readiness. By reducing employment barriers, this bill could help formerly incarcerated individuals secure stable jobs, decreasing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration. SB462 not only benefits those seeking a second chance but also strengthens communities and the state’s economy.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in House Rules Committee.
HB1192 seeks to prohibit the possession of tobacco, tobacco products, and e-cigarettes by public school students and imposes fines on their parents or guardians for violations. While the intent of the bill may be to discourage underage tobacco use, this bill penalizes parents for their children's actions by imposing excessive fines, disproportionately impacting low-income families. Instead of focusing on education and prevention, the bill takes a punitive approach that does little to address the root causes of youth tobacco use.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.​
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HB1526 allows the Arkansas Department of the Military to form public-private partnerships (PPPs) for recruitment, retention, and other National Guard activities. It permits accepting private funds, services, and property while allowing private entities to use military resources at no cost if it benefits military operations. The bill grants broad authority to the department’s secretary to manage partnerships and financial contributions, raising concerns about oversight, potential conflicts of interest, and the risk of private influence over military affairs.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
HB1615 allows government and private entities to deny services based on “religious or philosophical” beliefs about gender, sex, and marriage. It enables discrimination in foster care, professional licensing, marriage services, and housing, limiting protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. The bill shields those who refuse services from government action, undermining civil rights under the guise of religious freedom.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee.
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HB1789 unfairly targets undocumented individuals by restricting local governments from issuing identification cards to those without proof of lawful U.S. presence. This bill would deny residents access to essential services and create unnecessary barriers for marginalized communities, further isolating them. Rather than promoting inclusion, the bill would increase discrimination and undermine local efforts to support all residents, regardless of immigration status. Instead of restricting access, Arkansas should focus on fostering equitable access to resources and protections for everyone in the community.
BILL STATUS:
Currently in the House State Agencies Committee.
HJR1002 is a necessary step toward fully abolishing slavery in Arkansas by removing the constitutional exception that allows involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. While slavery is often thought of as a relic of the past, this loophole has allowed forced labor to persist within the criminal punishment system. By eliminating this exception, Arkansas would align itself with fundamental human rights principles and ensure that no individual—regardless of their incarceration status—is subjected to involuntary servitude. Similar efforts have been passed in other states, reflecting a growing recognition that forced labor should have no place in a just society.