The Arkansas General Assembly convenes every two years to exchange ideas, engage in debate, and pass legislation that allows our State and region to prosper.  At the time of drafting this article for publication (late April) legislators were winding down their activities for the 93^rd General Assembly. The following are some highlights from the Government Affairs division of the Chamber.

The priorities of the Northwest Arkansas Business community were identified and represented in the Northwest Arkansas Regional Legislative Agenda. Some of those priorities were successfully passed into law this session and some will have to wait until another session. 

Class Protection (SB622)
The top legislative priority of this session was the passage of a Hate Crime Bill that would protect individuals from targeting based on their race, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  Arkansas is one of only three states that does not have a recognized hate crime law.  South Carolina and Wyoming are the other two states that do not have such a law. SB622 was a compromise worked out among Legislative leadership and the Governor, who expressed early on his support for passage of a hate crimes law. Having such a law improves the image of our state and enables the largest employers in Northwest Arkansas to remain competitive in the recruitment and retention of a global workforce.

Tax Measures for Business
Governor Hutchinson touted several tax measures that passed the House and Senate this session. In the closing days of the session the Governor also alluded to an anticipated $600 million state budget surplus that may allow further income tax reductions to be considered when the legislators return in September to address redistricting. The tax package was sponsored by House Revenue and Tax Committee Chairman, Joe Jett. The bills addressing various tax measures for individuals and businesses can be viewed here.

DACA Teacher Certification and Bilingual Education
Representative Meghan Godfrey of Springdale was the sponsor of two important pieces of legislation that dealt with the education system in Arkansas. HB1594 allows residents of Arkansas who are subject to the Federal Government’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy (DACA) to be issued teacher certification in Arkansas. Godfrey also sponsored HB1451 which allows a public school or open enrollment charter school in Arkansas to adopt an approved bilingual program or dual immersion program.  Geovanny Sarmiento, the Chamber’s Vice President for Community Engagement and Inclusion, testified in support of the measure in both the House and Senate Education Committees. Both measures easily passed in both Houses and are now Acts 513 and 663, respectively.

ARHOME Funding Passed
Senator Missy Irvin and Representative Michelle Gray were the sponsors of the Arkansas Rural Health and Opportunities for Me Act (ARHOME). Arkansas’s version of Medicaid expansion, which is part of the overall Medical Services Appropriation, has been known as the Private Option and Arkansas Works in previous sessions. This legislation will enable the State to maintain funding for our rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare for many low-income Arkansans. Passage of this legislation has been a priority of the business community in Arkansas.

Legislative Redistricting Delayed
The United States Census Bureau will not be able to deliver their population count data to the States until September.  The Arkansas General Assembly uses this data to redraw congressional district maps every ten years.  The Apportionment Board, which is comprised of the Governor, Attorney General, and the Secretary of State use this data to draw state House and Senate districts.  Benton and Washington Counties will be picking up additional seats in the legislature based on their growing populations.  The Northwest Arkansas business community will be working with the Apportionment Board in the coming months and is very interested in what these new legislative districts will look like.