Arkansas Legislature

Tax measure narrowly gets Arkansas Senate's OK The Arkansas Senate on Wednesday narrowly approved legislation that would provide about $97 million a year in income tax cuts targeted largely for low- and moderate-income Arkansans, paid for by tax increases on tobacco products. by Michael R. Wickline

Bill to change how Arkansas farms get permits draws EPA review Federal environmental regulators are reviewing an Arkansas Senate bill that would change how hog farms and other farms are permitted, concerned that it might have implications for the Clean Water Act and the state's implementation of that act. by Emily Walkenhorst

Bill calls for 5-year test run on private school vouchers in central Arkansas Lawmakers late Wednesday filed governor-backed legislation to create a pilot private school voucher program in Pulaski County. by Hunter Field, Cynthia Howell

Down syndrome curb on abortions advances On the eve of World Down Syndrome Day, the Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would prohibit abortions from being performed solely because the unborn child was diagnosed with the genetic disorder. by Jeannie Roberts

LIVE FEED: Arkansas legislators + Democrat-Gazette reporters on Twitter Follow along to see the latest posts from Arkansas' representatives and senators, plus updates from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Capitol bureau.

Bill to change symbolism of Arkansas flag fails again; proposals to redesignate star not dead, 2 say A second attempt this session to redesignate a star on the Arkansas state flag so that it no longer commemorates the Confederacy failed Wednesday, though two la... by John Moritz - March 21, 2019

Senate backs study of prisons in state The Legislative Council would be required to conduct a study that includes an assessment and audit of the state Department of Correction under legislation that ... March 21, 2019

Alcohol-possession districts bill gains The Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would allow certain cities to create designated entertainment districts in which they set reasonable standards... March 21, 2019

Shotgun as official firearm gets salute in Arkansas Senate The Senate on Wednesday approved legislation to designate the shotgun as the official state firearm. March 21, 2019

Corporate franchise tax shift gets nod The Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would shift the administration and collection of the corporate franchise tax from the secretary of state to th... March 21, 2019

Committee favors water bill increase Water bills would go up by a dime a month to pay for required testing and upgrades at the state's Department of Health under a bill supported Wednesday by a leg... March 21, 2019

Inmate-competency bill OK'd in House The House passed 90-0 a bill to revise the state's method of determining the competency of death row inmates, a bid to comply with a recent state Supreme Court ... March 21, 2019

Tax exemption on used cars advances The House on Wednesday voted to exempt from used cars up to $7,500 from state sales tax. March 21, 2019

Panel likes bill requiring at least 40 minutes of recess for Arkansas elementary students The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday supported a bill that would require public schools to provide at least 40 minutes of recess to elementary students e... March 21, 2019

Panel backs bill on low reading scores The Senate Education Committee unanimously supported Wednesday a bill that would require state involvement in school districts where students perform poorly in ... March 21, 2019

Barber agency shift doesn't make cut A bill that would place barbers under the same regulatory agency as cosmetologists failed to clear the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor on W... March 21, 2019

School spankings ban clears Arkansas House The Arkansas House voted Wednesday to ban spanking of disabled students in public schools. March 21, 2019

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Arkansas General Assembly Day 53

Governor Asa Hutchinson Swearing in Ceremony