Arkansas Legislature

Little Rock Republican to seek Senate District 32 seat Little Rock Republican Bob Thomas announced Friday that he will seek election next year to the seat now held by departing state Sen. Will Bond, D-Little Rock. by Michael R. Wickline

Benton lawmaker calls off run for 2nd term in state House State Rep. Jasen Kelly, R-Benton, said Tuesday that he is not seeking reelection next year -- a month and a half after he announced intention to run for his second two-year term in the state House of Representatives. by Michael R. Wickline

54 House members in favor of expulsion of Arkansas representative A majority of Arkansas' representatives plan to vote to expel Rep. Mickey Gates from the state House of Representatives next month, they said in interviews last week. by Hunter Field, John Moritz, Michael R. Wickline

Age now 19 to buy cigarettes in Arkansas The minimum age to buy tobacco in Arkansas rises today. by Hunter Field

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.

Helena's Richey resigns from House seat State Rep. Chris Richey, D-West Helena, has submitted his resignation from the state House of Representatives, effective at 5 p.m. today. by Michael R. Wickline - June 30, 2020

State Senate Republicans ask Arkansas governor for business owner legal protections, special session Most of the Arkansas Senate Republicans have signed a letter to Gov. Asa Hutchinson asking the Republican governor to issue an executive order and call a specia... by Michael R. Wickline - May 19, 2020

Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd re-elected House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, was unanimously re-elected by his colleagues on Friday to serve as speaker-designate for the 93rd General Asse... by John Moritz - April 24, 2020

$5.89B state budget advances The Arkansas General Assembly on Thursday completed action on the state's general revenue budget of $5.89 billion for the coming fiscal year to wrap up its fisc... by John Moritz, Michael R. Wickline - April 17, 2020

Arkansas House, Senate OK budget bills, wrap up fiscal session The Arkansas House and Senate on Thursday completed action on identical versions of the state’s proposed $5.89 billion general revenue budget for the coming fis... by Michael R. Wickline - April 16, 2020

Sen. Jimmy Hickey elected Arkansas Senate president pro tempore The state Senate on Thursday elected Sen. Jimmy Hickey, R-Texarkana, over Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, to be the Senate president pro tempore from 2021-202... by Michael R. Wickline - April 16, 2020

Arkansas legislature OKs '21 budget; virus’s economic hit forecast to leave $212M unfunded The Arkansas House and Senate on Wednesday approved identical versions of the state's proposed $5.89 billion general revenue budget for the coming fiscal year. by John Moritz, Michael R. Wickline - April 16, 2020

Arkansas lawmakers give initial approval to budget plan Arkansas lawmakers on Wednesday gave initial approval to the state's budget as they near the end of the session in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. by The Associated Press - April 15, 2020

Republicans choose Sen. Bart Hester as Senate president pro tempore nominee The Senate Republicans have selected Sen. Bart Hester of Cave Springs as their nominee to be the next Senate president pro tempore from 2021-2023, Hester said F... by Michael R. Wickline - April 10, 2020

Open-meetings law change put forward The Joint Budget Committee on Thursday approved a proposal to change the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act to allow cities and counties to hold open public me... by Michael R. Wickline - April 10, 2020

Tax exemption for farmers proposed The Joint Budget Committee on Thursday approved a proposal to exempt from state income tax the payments to farmers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's mar... by Michael R. Wickline - April 10, 2020

Committee rejects closing Arkansas' economic development office in China The Joint Budget Committee on Wednesday rejected a proposal by Sen. Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, that would force the state Department of Commerce to shut down th... by Michael R. Wickline - April 10, 2020

In State of State address, gov says economic condition ‘uncertain,’ but character strong; lawmakers start fiscal session Governor Asa Hutchinson continued his tradition of opening the Arkansas Legislature’s biennial fiscal session Wednesday afternoon with a State of the State Addr... by John Moritz - April 8, 2020

State cuts forecast by $200M+ for net general revenue in next fiscal year Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s administration on Thursday cut its forecast for net general revenue available to state agencies in the next fiscal year by nearly $206 mil... by Michael R. Wickline - April 2, 2020

2nd Arkansas lawmaker tests positive for covid-19 State Rep. Vivian Flowers, D- Pine Bluff, tested positive for covid-19 on Wednesday night. She is the second state lawmaker to test positive. by John Moritz - April 2, 2020