The 2025 legislative session in Arkansas has begun with a flurry of activity, with more than 200 bills introduced by the end of its third day.
In November, the governor presented a balanced budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, and lawmakers are already working through the budget with a detailed review of state agencies’ spending requests. The Joint Budget Committee is also examining a new pay plan for state employees proposed by the governor.
At the opening of the legislative session, the governor outlined a series of priorities that go beyond budget considerations. Among them is a proposal aimed at improving access to higher education. The governor introduced a plan called Arkansas ACCESS, which would allow students to submit a single application and pay one fee to apply to every four-year university and two-year college in the state.
The governor also emphasized the need for reforms in higher education. One of the proposals would make it easier to dismiss tenured professors who are seen as prioritizing ideological indoctrination over education. Additionally, she is pushing to fund college credits for high school students and expand scholarships for those earning associate’s degrees or non-degree certificates.
Other higher education initiatives include proposed changes to the state’s higher education funding formula, at the request of the governor.
Addressing food insecurity, the governor proposed using tax revenue from medical marijuana sales to fund a summer program for children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. She also suggested using the same funding to make school breakfasts free for all students.
Another proposal, the “Good Neighbor Act,” would protect individuals and businesses from liability when donating food to hunger relief programs. The legislation aims to ensure that restaurants and others donating excess food to food pantries are not at risk of legal repercussions.
In addition, the governor is seeking federal approval to restrict the use of food stamps to healthy foods, rather than junk food. She also proposed measures to encourage schools to source food from local farmers and businesses.
The governor introduced a bill that would ban cell phones in schools throughout the day, pointing to a rise in teenage suicide rates linked to unrestricted access to phones and social media. A related proposal, the Social Media Safety Act, would give parents the ability to sue social media companies in state court.
Other proposals include making it easier for property owners to evict squatters from their land and expanding Medicaid access for pregnant women. Legislators will also consider funding for an additional prison unit.
With so many initiatives on the table, the 2025 legislative session is set to be one of action and significant debate.
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