Little Rock, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Jan. 14, 2025 – The 2025 legislative session began Monday, and Jonesboro Right Now has compiled a list of all bills and resolutions filed and prefiled by lawmakers representing Jonesboro and Craighead County.
Prefiling began Nov. 15, 2024. Click on the bill or resolution’s title to view the full legislation.
Prefiled in the Senate:
Sen. Dave Wallace (R-District 19): SB13 was filed Dec. 18, 2024. It aims to provide victims of child sexual abuse to seek civil justice in situations where claims had been previously barred, such as an organization going bankrupt. If passed, the claimant must have been under 18 at the time of injury and it must stem from criminal sexual offense. Claims with no filed criminal charges or convictions at the time of injury are included.
Sen. Dave Wallace (R-District 19): SB14 was filed Dec. 18, 2024, which would amend the Arkansas Unclaimed Property Act to allow for direct payment of unclaimed property to its apparent owner under certain conditions to streamline the process. To be eligible for direct payment, the recipient must be named the apparent owner of the property in a report filed under the Arkansas Unclaimed Property Act, the administrator must reasonably believe the person is entitled to the property and the property must be valued at less than $5,000.
Sen. Dave Wallace (R-District 19): SB18 was filed Dec. 7, 2024, which would amend Arkansas law regarding reports by the Legislative Auditor on improper or illegal practices. If passed, it would expand reporting requirements by requiring prosecuting attorneys to file a disposition report with the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee on unresolved matters by June 30 of each year.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-District 20): SB3 was filed Nov. 20, 2024. It is nearly identical to failed legislation from 2023 that aimed to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public education across the state. SB3 adds a new clause that, if passed, it would not affect any preference given to veterans in public education. If passed, knowingly violating SB3 would be a Class A misdemeanor, which carries up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
More information: Dan Sullivan again proposing legislation to end state minority initiatives – Jonesboro Right Now
Filed During Legislative Session in the Senate:
Sen. Dave Wallace (R-District 19): SB45 was filed Jan. 13. This bill would allow for the creation and issuance of a women veterans special license plate. To receive a plate, a female veteran must present their driver’s license or other applicable ID card, as well as their DD form 214. Renewing the plate would cost $15, with $10 used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to repay expenses related to the creation of the plate and $5 used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund and support educational programs for female veterans. It would also end the issuance of Pearl Harbor Survivor license plates. If passed, it would go into effect Oct. 1, 2025.
Prefiled in the House:
Rep. Frances Cavenaugh (R-District 30): HB1045 was filed Nov. 21, 2024, which would place certain regulations on field burning. These requirements include requiring farmers to report burning to the Department of Agriculture for approval prior to a burn, and a burn must be in compliance with the Arkansas Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines for Row Crop Burning. Anyone in compliance with these regulations would not be held liable in a civil action lawsuit for damage or injury, unless the claimant can prove they suffered damages as a result of negligence on the farmer’s part.
More information: Frances Cavenaugh files bill to regulate crop burning – Jonesboro Right Now
Rep. Dwight Tosh (R-District 38): HB1049 was filed Nov. 21, 2024, which would outline specific conditions under which squatting is considered a crime and establish penalties. If passed, unlawful squatting would be a Class B misdemeanor, which carries up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000. It defines unlawful squatting as another person knowingly residing on another’s property without lawful authority and if the person lacks any documentation proving they own/live on the property.
Rep. Dwight Tosh (R-District 38): HB1050 was filed Nov. 21, 2024, which would separate the offices of the sheriff and tax collector in Poinsett County into two separate offices effective Jan. 1, 2027. It would require that in the 2026 general election, voters must elect a separate sheriff and tax collector, which each required to provide bonds. Compensation and allowances for both offices would be determined by the Poinsett County Quorum Court.
Rep. Jon Milligan (R-District 33), Rep. Johnny Rye (R-District 36), and Rep. Jack Ladyman (R-District 32) did not prefile any bills.
Resolutions:
In the Senate, Sullivan prefiled a resolution on Jan. 7, SR1, that would honor St. Bernards Medical Center for being the first medical facility in the state to open a Life360 home. An identical resolution, HR1003, was filed in the House by Ladyman on Jan. 13. House representatives Cavenaugh, Milligan, Rye and Tosh cosponsored it.
A resolution is not the same thing as a bill, as it does not have the force and effect of law. Resolutions are typically used by the legislature or a single chamber to state its official position on an issue. Upon adoption, it is transmitted to any parties listed in the resolution.
More information: St. Bernards celebrates opening of First Maternal Life360 HOME Program in Arkansas – Jonesboro Right Now