March 13, 2019 •
Arkansas Gov. Signs Various Bills into Law
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed several bills into law. Senate Bill 249 increases the fines for violating ethics laws the Arkansas Ethics Commission may levy at violators from $2,000 to $3,500. Senate Bill 256 prohibits an elected state official from […]
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed several bills into law.
Senate Bill 249 increases the fines for violating ethics laws the Arkansas Ethics Commission may levy at violators from $2,000 to $3,500.
Senate Bill 256 prohibits an elected state official from registering as a lobbyist in any jurisdiction while serving as an elected state official and House Bill 1178 amends various sections of law related to competitive sealed bids.
The bills will become effective 90 days after the legislative session adjourns sine die.
March 6, 2019 •
Two Ethics Bills on the way to Arkansas Governor for Signature
Senate Bills 249 and 256 have been passed by the Legislature are on the way to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk. Senate Bill 249 increases the fines for violating ethics laws the Arkansas Ethics Commission may levy at violators from $2,000 […]
Senate Bills 249 and 256 have been passed by the Legislature are on the way to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk.
Senate Bill 249 increases the fines for violating ethics laws the Arkansas Ethics Commission may levy at violators from $2,000 to $3,500.
Senate Bill 256 prohibits an elected state official from registering as a lobbyist in any jurisdiction while serving as an elected state official.
If signed by the governor, the bills will become effective 90 days after the legislative session adjourns sine die.
June 25, 2018 •
Special Election Called for Arkansas House District 45
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has schedule a special election for November 6, to fill the state House District 45 seat vacated by Jeremy Gillam. There will be no special primary and political parties must choose their nominees by party convention. Gillam […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has schedule a special election for November 6, to fill the state House District 45 seat vacated by Jeremy Gillam.
There will be no special primary and political parties must choose their nominees by party convention.
Gillam resigned in order to become the director of governmental relations and external affairs at the University of Central Arkansas.
March 15, 2018 •
Arkansas Special Session Ends with Announcement from Governor
The second extraordinary session of the 91st Arkansas General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 15, 2018. Several bills passed both houses including a bill addressing pharmacy benefit managers’ low reimbursement rates, also known as House Bill 1010. Gov. Asa […]
The second extraordinary session of the 91st Arkansas General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 15, 2018.
Several bills passed both houses including a bill addressing pharmacy benefit managers’ low reimbursement rates, also known as House Bill 1010.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed House Bill 1010 into law at an afternoon press conference.
At the press conference, Hutchinson announced plans to reduce cabinet-level agencies in state government by 50 percent.
March 12, 2018 •
Arkansas Fiscal Session Adjourns with Special Session to Follow
The 2018 Arkansas fiscal session adjourned sine die on March 12. Following adjournment, Gov. Asa Hutchinson formally called a special session to begin on March 13. The special session will address highway funding and pharmacy reimbursement legislation. The adjournment date […]
The 2018 Arkansas fiscal session adjourned sine die on March 12.
Following adjournment, Gov. Asa Hutchinson formally called a special session to begin on March 13.
The special session will address highway funding and pharmacy reimbursement legislation.
The adjournment date has yet to be determined.
February 21, 2018 •
Special Session for Arkansas to Follow Fiscal Session
Gov. Asa Hutchinson stated he is going to call a special session after the ongoing fiscal session concludes. The special session will address pharmacy benefit managers’ low reimbursement rates to pharmacists and a current law preventing Arkansas from qualifying for […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson stated he is going to call a special session after the ongoing fiscal session concludes.
The special session will address pharmacy benefit managers’ low reimbursement rates to pharmacists and a current law preventing Arkansas from qualifying for certain federal highway funds.
Hutchinson has yet to set a date for the special session.
February 20, 2018 •
Special Election Called for Arkansas Senate District 8
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on August 14, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 8 seat vacated by Jake Files. The primary will be May 22 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on June 19. Files […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on August 14, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 8 seat vacated by Jake Files.
The primary will be May 22 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on June 19.
Files resigned after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering.
November 28, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Arkansas Senate District 16
Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16. The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16.
The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer on November 16, 2017.
The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.
November 28, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Arkansas Senate District 16
Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16. The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16.
The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer on November 16, 2017.
The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.
November 27, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Arkansas State Senate District 29
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 29 seat vacated by Eddie Joe Williams. The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13. […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 29 seat vacated by Eddie Joe Williams.
The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.
Williams vacated the seat to become a representative to the Southern States Energy Board.
November 27, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Arkansas State Senate District 29
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 29 seat vacated by Eddie Joe Williams. The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13. […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 29 seat vacated by Eddie Joe Williams.
The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.
Williams vacated the seat to become a representative to the Southern States Energy Board.
November 17, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Akransas State House District 83
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state House District 83 seat vacated by David L. Branscum. The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13. […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state House District 83 seat vacated by David L. Branscum.
The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.
Branscum vacated the seat to become the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development director in Arkansas.
May 4, 2017 •
Arkansas Special Session Adjourns Sine Die
The First Extraordinary Session of the 91st General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 3, 2017. One ethics bill was passed to cleanup legislation passed during the regular session. Four other bills were passed, including a bill regarding the Arkansas […]
The First Extraordinary Session of the 91st General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 3, 2017.
One ethics bill was passed to cleanup legislation passed during the regular session.
Four other bills were passed, including a bill regarding the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson is expected to sign all five special session bills.
March 7, 2017 •
Two Ethics Bills Signed by Arkansas Governor
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed House Bill 1401 and Senate Bill 169 into law. Both bills provide exceptions to the definition of gift. For example, House Bill 1401 excludes nonalcoholic beverages provided to attendees at a meeting of a civic, social, […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed House Bill 1401 and Senate Bill 169 into law. Both bills provide exceptions to the definition of gift.
For example, House Bill 1401 excludes nonalcoholic beverages provided to attendees at a meeting of a civic, social, or cultural organization or group from the definition of gift, as well as food and nonalcoholic beverages provided to participants at a bona fide panel, seminar, or speaking engagement at which the audience is a civic, social, or cultural organization or group.
Senate Bill 169 provides the use of one or more rooms or facilities owned, operated, or otherwise utilized by a state agency or political subdivision of the state for the purpose of conducting a meeting of a specific governmental body is not a gift.
House Bill 1401 is effective immediately and Senate Bill 169 will become effective 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die, or June 9, 2017.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.