[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6121319,"mediaKeyId","2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f","parentId",2703215,"title","Committee advances bill to allow state access to limited‑term ID data, and to make license format more visible","audioSeconds",1904,"startMs",1804150,"endMs",3708795,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f&start=1804&end=3708","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f/thumbnail_1804150.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121319/Arkansas/Committee-advances-bill-to-allow-state-access-to-limitedterm-ID-data-and-to-make-license-format-more-visible","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121319-f3a20db76047532d009080272ab2cbe7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195106&Signature=MGfa7X9qB1uD3Fi8KzcGi39ATrYoqBI7zV31axNcvQgNPnoHFAk9l-H8hWnwtwfUAY2-uX4FPPPjTtTsBqZ6PTDDP1aJIhBWBKXTnM4RrDUTqrB3HLNB7ibzuKqPvUqXk7ywEIW4dJfi6KhzbN3YuKmvEXBjU-XHISyAr0eMtC~M4VuuKb8KFSYqnncky-UQZeM4UAvIk2ZT~LsYqFYHexvT9yO~~0PD2VLsXlQj~cRMFbr0VHuWcTnb8XhRkzzkuAef~dbgWMZ4TCjy1Up2pSYTG8tXnhIaTFMat4HufttLaZA~OZNiQKKID2FCBz8bScbzuAoLz3EcYpdln5tk0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Wayne Long presented House Bill 1422, which the sponsor described as an effort to let the Secretary of State query DFA data on limited‑term (noncitizen) driver's licenses and to require those limited‑term cards to be more visually distinct — printed in a vertical (portrait) format so poll workers can identify them more easily.

Long told the committee DFA data show tens of thousands of limited‑term licenses are in circulation and that those cards, combined with a Social Security number and a state ID, provide the documents someone would need to register to vote only if they falsely mark themselves a citizen. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to access DFA data to cross‑check whether holders of limited‑term licenses are registered to vote.

The Secretary of State’s office told the committee it currently lacks access to DFA data and has struggled to find a reliable method to check citizenship for registered voters. The office said federal SAVE data and other sources tried previously were not suitable for Arkansas's needs. Act 441 of 2023 required the Secretary of State to pursue methods to check citizenship, but officials said the state remains constrained without DFA access.

Witnesses for and against the bill differed sharply. Mireya Rythe, executive director of Arkansas United, said her organization has accompanied immigrant residents through naturalization and voter‑registration processes and had not observed noncitizens attempting to register; she warned making IDs visually distinct could deter immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking services, or participating in public life. Marisela Garcia of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families said data sharing and automatic list checks risk wrongful actions because immigration and work authorization status is fluid and encoded differently on Social Security documents; she also warned of unintended legal consequences for migrants if enforcement followed data matches.

Representative Long said early versions of the bill included license suspension for some findings but that those provisions were removed before the committee hearing. He and the Secretary of State emphasized that the bill’s purpose is to identify potential mismatches so officials can follow up, give affected people notice and an opportunity to explain their status, and remove ineligible voters only after due process.

Committee members asked how the vertical format would be implemented and whether existing limited‑term cardholders would need to obtain new cards before renewal; Long said the change would take effect at renewal and would not immediately require replacements. The Secretary of State said the vertical format matches an existing layout used for under‑21 cards and would be feasible to adopt at renewal, but DFA cautioned in testimony (through opponents) that changing card format could create real‑ID complications and operational costs.

The bill drew many detailed questions about accuracy, due process, the risk of wrongful purges and the broader impacts on immigrant communities. Representative Long closed by saying the measure was designed to be a targeted check, not a punishment, and he moved the measure. After discussion and a roll call, the committee approved HB 1422.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs Mar 19, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Wayne Long brought House Bill 1422 to give the Secretary of State access to DFA data on limited‑term driver's licenses and to require limited‑term IDs be printed in a vertical format to aid poll workers in identifying noncitizen IDs.","taxTitle","STATE AGENCIES & GOVT'L AFFAIRS- HOUSE, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",21186,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6121324,"Committee approves bill to centralize local campaign reports on Secretary of State portal",1684,64390,1749360,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f&start=64&end=1749","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f/thumbnail_64390.jpg","/articles/6121324/Arkansas/Committee-approves-bill-to-centralize-local-campaign-reports-on-Secretary-of-State-portal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121324-99ba73774ba6d2e695c40de1828a186b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195106&Signature=nUm9cCIaacW5sw7N1KUadCB6SWyX1gaXYITKsHQTS2697Kr4nJ~HWfEM024D6TsgL5zjgNdHj11XtuVxMg9CCRxDzWt~w9u4hk2IzjjYEycWqmdlypOQL-zFP4Y3-R80bGmCLPciaYVwiCssZtHWWO3WnoGq92emFd72PbxP2AGHExm~wH~r8sCzdgqu-6dD6SNnDvjWixg6NiYAzNXnqd5f3meXdUgC-YykO0AAYenEp810GHevczztWYNpvnNDA-GI4tM9jVe27g1I9J4a-URuKG2HXNHOA34VUbgMn6rTiB6sgjQEu6nEUbK0B7rHtr~U0a-vl6MlJaSgxy6nXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Hawk brought House Bill 1707 to the committee to require that locally elected officials file election reports using the Secretary of State’s online portal, joining how state officials currently file.

The measure’s sponsor said the change would create “a centralized transparency location” so any Arkansan, the Ethics Commission or other oversight bodies could access campaign finance reports without traveling to county clerks’ offices or submitting formal public‑records requests.

Supporters told the committee the Secretary of State’s office can add titles for local posts (city council, quorum court, school board, sheriff) so candidates select the proper title when filing. Josh Bridges, assistant director of elections for the Secretary of State, told the panel the office can make the technical change but estimated a one‑time system upgrade cost of $50,000 that the office says it can absorb in its budget.

County election officials said the portal would ease public requests. Lisonbee Kane, election coordinator for Saline County, said her office fields many requests during election season and that a single portal would make reports available “in a very timely and efficient manner.” Kane told the committee Saline County scans and stores reports now and would need a designated staff person during busy seasons to manage any extra workload if clerks were asked to upload scanned documents on behalf of candidates.

Ethics and filing differences drew questions from committee members. Grama Sloane, identified in testimony as Director of the Arts and Ethics Commission, said county/municipal/school board candidates currently file a maximum of two reports per election (a 10‑day pre‑election report and a final report), while state and district candidates file more frequently (quarterly in non‑election years and monthly in election years) and also must meet reporting triggers. Committee members noted the current reporting trigger for additional filings is $500 in receipts or expenditures; Sloane confirmed a final report is always required even if the $500 threshold is not met.

Several members asked about training and customer support for local officials and candidates. Bridges and Representative Hawk said the Secretary of State’s office and county clerks would provide training and help; Representative Hawk said kiosks in local Secretary of State offices and county clerks’ assistance should make the transition manageable for small‑town candidates.

After public testimony and questions from committee members about workload and implementation, Representative Underwood moved to pass the bill. The committee approved the measure by voice vote; the chair recorded the motion as passed and closed the item.

The committee advanced HB 1707 to the next stage; proponents said the bill is meant to improve access and save time for county offices and the public while opponents had questioned implementation details and training needs.","Representative Hawk brought House Bill 1707 to the committee to require that locally elected officials file election reports using the Secretary of State’s online portal, joining how state officials currently file.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6121304,"Votes at a glance: key actions from the House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs committee",10288,240,10288335,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f&start=0&end=10288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f/thumbnail_240.jpg","/articles/6121304/Arkansas/Votes-at-a-glance-key-actions-from-the-House-State-Agencies-Governmental-Affairs-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121304-5a2775d38ebcc35e585eed29149ace5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195106&Signature=K3p-GcUFR9iTM4hL6HaspJ378WC~Koe6YNEqVvR4YZKDf43o0J6IcGRJ7cNo1HzaJfJJmSWwCkeJ~sCoqXijHb5xSc~Jn0mC3Ld1KrDjCOLc8HIjIPAtVKehmy3aCw5ZdyIPmqCoeV3T0ydcon4UPf4CXTwOxbZY-LCN~Zu0a0Bs4JL-~moyITtmrTUWbsSneEKDKuj7s3I~j9SeEiZPbz86u2JfB5bPB5a6qzEDbGkExl4zRQLSZsTvZpjzrIhCi-TkOBwZO9ftHpe1lNS6TG-3S62X4OQel~bRz-y9bOCGwrjuouBk3lFeDx28vTY-qEzTC71wNIZQuvvFP58wPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs committee considered and recorded outcomes on multiple bills during the session. Below are the key measures the committee voted on, the result reported on the hearing record and a one‑line summary of the bill.

• HB 1707 — Approved (voice vote). Requires local elected officials to file campaign/election reports on the Secretary of State’s website; estimated one‑time IT upgrade ~$50,000 (Secretary of State testimony).

• HB 1422 — Approved (roll call). Authorizes Secretary of State access to DFA data on limited‑term (noncitizen) IDs and requires limited‑term cards be printed in vertical format at renewal; roll‑call taken and passed.

• SB 227 — Approved. Clarifies Arkansas open‑meetings law by defining “deliberation” and providing bright‑line guidance for permissible communications outside of public meetings; drafted by an AG working group with stakeholder input.

• HB 1549 — Approved. Creates a centralized cybersecurity office to coordinate cabinet‑level agency cyber defenses, monitoring and an incident response team; agency testimony noted use of existing resources and the need for consistent practice.

• HB 1803 — Approved. Adds a commemorative bust of Maurice “Mo” Bridal (name in bill record) to the capitol collection (donation‑funded; no state construction appropriation).

• SB 353 / SB 271 (election/calendar technical bills) — Approved. Changes and standardizes primary and fiscal session dates and corrects duplicate certification deadlines for school board candidate certification (technical/administrative changes).

• SB 409 — Approved. Farmer Protection Act: extends nondiscrimination and notice provisions to agricultural producers and creates a public list of financial institutions deemed to discriminate (parallels earlier protections for other industries).

• Additional agency and technical bills — Approved. Committee advanced several agency transfers and technical corrections (examples: transfer of an employee wellness program to Transformation and Shared Services, election‑posting timing updates, long‑term care voting assistance clarification).

Several bills in the hearing generated substantive testimony, while a number of technical and agency bills were advanced with limited discussion. Members requested follow‑up on implementation details (IT costs, data‑sharing agreements, training plans) where the committee record notes further work will be done before statewide rollout or implementation.","The committee voted on several bills during the session; this roundup lists each measure with its outcome and the primary effect as recorded on the hearing record.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6121309,"Committee advances bill to centralize state cybersecurity functions under a single office",910,5795804,6706670,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f&start=5795&end=6706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f/thumbnail_5795804.jpg","/articles/6121309/Arkansas/Committee-advances-bill-to-centralize-state-cybersecurity-functions-under-a-single-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121309-e56a90aa1b408a41dc7bf17aa30eb20b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195106&Signature=Kd~AzFZ7-cVbNZRpWdgsaJs21Q3UlUKZrWmL1S~DFyKaOinXLPNJWL~FsSebAAb0b1cTPE5kvoC12TKwusQg0K8aG9W13MdMVXWzrczuzZVNAzCOvd6S9LtvKDnOWJETx4ffdqBv8bX4vUrw3uNw30psO5YlYKp4ZrVjzvxdBxOhDjREb540OBLPUQ~AO5Pzf6x1t~Hrx9vD0HrUKgbTuttHJt2Ol84BqnVneB~67reEJfEVtCP7TrMC0sjLy4WAmumPaNC7r0fUzR4HemUHTt0P2IxkRc0~9qat2WQCOP8qEZ8wT2N-WoK3xk2ZI0a6QssjxF2aJwQkxydMPyQtOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Scott Richardson presented House Bill 1549, described as the \"Cybersecurity Act of 2025,\" proposing a centralized state cybersecurity office to align cyber functions across cabinet‑level agencies. Richardson said the office would oversee active monitoring, incident response, governance, compliance and training, and would align with prior work and the governor’s Arkansas First initiative.

Gary Vance, identified as the state cybersecurity officer (TSS), testified in support and told the committee the state faces malware, ransomware and broad attack risks and that while policies exist, practices and maturity vary among agencies. Vance said the bill is intended to create consistent standards, use existing agency cyber staff in a collaborative working group and deploy a cyber response team to assist agencies after incidents.

Committee members asked whether the proposal required hiring new staff or replacing agency roles. Vance and Richardson said initial implementation would rely on existing agency cybersecurity resources and liaisons; the bill provides for functional reporting and coordination rather than immediate large‑scale hiring. Members asked about support for municipalities and counties; witnesses said the office would be positioned to share standards and, where necessary, provide assistance.

Representative Richardson characterized the bill as the next step after prior session work to develop cybersecurity standards for the state and said the measure improves resilience, incident response and centralized oversight. After discussion the committee voted to pass the bill.","House Bill 1549 would create a centralized cybersecurity office to align cabinet‑level cybersecurity efforts, add active monitoring, incident response capability and support for agencies; the committee moved the bill after agency testimony said the state’s attack surface is growing and practice—not policy—needs more consistent implementation.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6121314,"Committee advances bill to define ‘deliberation’ and clarify Arkansas open‑meetings law",2295,3484235,5779525,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f&start=3484&end=5779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703215-df7aeff62f30321d17b81e7c61f7bb9f/thumbnail_3484235.jpg","/articles/6121314/Arkansas/Committee-advances-bill-to-define-deliberation-and-clarify-Arkansas-openmeetings-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121314-645f09b8ebc6ba3aca75868e5c2aa523/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195106&Signature=aa5BxKpZjLYynHEgmjdYef03FtegAW0zZKj2Wn5KY0Uv1uIx6PxJNW5bAkL48qnpMsICg4JiTVyToit2dFzbpyE9IR3Lex-9pT6Xd0AM2684iJOU9REBnAS95luOdpld4HJPOjrDCuy41eintXjmHsjFOuFLpGaPQkbnLGPa2rlon5BHvNlXC5hre0aS7NS8Rsrems994uZ8r16g6vNeVLRbszLxdZAjLqQG~DesEMbl~MV99aPepcMi2nqXnA359Wlo1QWMMwO9wDC8xSU8ORJBv4VeH7KMeb-orpM9sGAnb464oH6y16-P7Bcq0wSswFtnrUaXfqVrtOzaohjDxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Clark Tucker presented a working‑group bill drafted with the Attorney General’s office, press association and local government groups that would add a statutory definition of “deliberation” and clarify what governing‑body members may discuss outside a public meeting.

Tucker told the committee the proposal is intended to make public‑meeting rules transparent for both the public and elected officials. The bill defines “deliberation” to include decisions, support or opposition, and inquiries about how members will vote on an item on which official action “will foreseeably be taken.” The bill specifies that background or non‑decisional information may be shared outside a public meeting but that any discussion that qualifies as deliberation must occur publicly so the public can see the reasons behind official decisions.

Supporters included representatives of the Arkansas Municipal League, the Association of Counties, the Press Association and public‑interest witnesses. Jimmy Caven and Joey McCutchen told the committee the measure reflects extensive stakeholder work and town‑hall feedback showing officials and the public want clear “guardrails” to prevent secret or serial deliberations outside public meetings. Members of the attorney general’s working group, including FOIA expert Ryan Owsley, helped craft the definition and procedural language, Tucker said.

Committee members tested hypotheticals; sponsor and supporters said the bill does not criminalize ordinary social interactions (attending sporting events, casual comments) but bars coordinated, pre‑decision conversations in which members seek or disclose how they will vote. The bill retains a court remedy (a court may invalidate action taken after an illicit deliberation) and does not materially expand criminal penalties beyond existing law.

Supporters said counties, municipalities and school boards participated in drafting the bill and that the measure passed the Senate by a wide margin. After discussion the committee voted to pass the bill.","Sen. Clark Tucker’s FOIA working‑group bill (Senate Bill 227) would define deliberation, clarify what governing‑body members may discuss outside meetings and add administrative notice changes; proponents said the law brings clarity and fairness, and major local government associations backed the measure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill to allow state access to limited‑term ID data, and to make license format more visible

Committee approves bill to centralize local campaign reports on Secretary of State portal

Votes at a glance: key actions from the House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs committee

Committee advances bill to centralize state cybersecurity functions under a single office

Committee advances bill to define ‘deliberation’ and clarify Arkansas open‑meetings law