[{"_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",6095691,"mediaKeyId","2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37","parentId",2837125,"title","Only Citizens Vote Act fails in House after extended debate on IDs and access","audioSeconds",1301,"startMs",7704000,"endMs",9005000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37&start=7704&end=9005","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37/thumbnail_7704000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6095691/Arkansas/Only-Citizens-Vote-Act-fails-in-House-after-extended-debate-on-IDs-and-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095691-37c63437900b4e8632ad4697e1c2b543/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135494&Signature=cje1nVNLZZ7yKC7VNWLqaGPiKiZLz8QQ0JZ~7En8OAQehGHvJfDNXkL8Swww3xi~Ya0rKcqzVAEbfolL4YoKGEiC38DXXCZWEjaT1scWJc5e6VRyI9QqczzapcXlSIGTTdiYGU9j80lDMegcD43GBB8-aieo~kshTZx35BY3EAacXusnmEK9nqsLti5BKKh3qLmQzkOHv3~o4jVbEyAwJ1bd5eE2DyR3G0HmLlJDq6JtHd8PyV403WLHay8x-c11j6xTOEy-a6GtbuKqbGFMennRTfMj24FMmEIgNFEhBNQnUuDh7Bq9FXk8uOkX~~gw3Ymo~Mvaw1nAEm22foVUZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","Only Citizens Vote Act fails in House after extended debate on IDs and access

Representative Long presented House Bill 14-22 seeking to distinguish certain state-issued, limited-term identification cards for noncitizens — including a vertical orientation and data-sharing changes between DFA and the Secretary of State — and to restrict those cards from being acceptable for some federal verification (as explained on the floor).

Why it matters: Proponents said the measure would protect the integrity of voter rolls by making limited-term noncitizen IDs more visually distinct and facilitating data-sharing to detect any inadvertent noncitizen registrations. Opponents said the change would single out immigrants, risk confusing poll workers and residents (vertical IDs are used for minors), and could eliminate access to Real ID and federal travel documents for lawful residents who are noncitizens.

Floor debate: Representative Gonzales Worthen and Representative Clowney spoke against the bill, arguing it would harm immigrant communities and could remove Real ID access. Representative Long said the Secretary of State supported the data-sharing aspects and characterized the change as a small administrative step to prevent noncitizen voting. The Secretary of State’s office had provided implementation cost estimates to the sponsor.

Sponsor quote: “I think we would all agree that only citizens should vote,” Representative Long said on the floor in support.

Vote: The House rejected the bill on a recorded vote, 53 yeas, 25 nays, 8 present; the Speaker announced the bill failed on the floor transcript.

Ending: The floor record shows significant opposition rooted in concerns about civil-rights impacts and access to federal identification for lawful noncitizen residents; the bill failed in the House.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Meeting - Mar 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Long’s Only Citizens Vote Act, which would have changed the orientation and data-sharing treatment of limited-term ID cards issued to noncitizens, failed in the House by a recorded vote of 53–25 with eight present.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",16119,"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},6095695,"House approves $50M target water infrastructure program using Security Reserve Fund interest",333,3087000,3420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37&start=3087&end=3420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37/thumbnail_3087000.jpg","/articles/6095695/Arkansas/House-approves-50M-target-water-infrastructure-program-using-Security-Reserve-Fund-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095695-f751fea65c8331085f56a21eb856625d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135494&Signature=Kb5P0wTocFeLKDcG7DJhKATDTynVYH6NJli9HJj7s1fr7YihwmdQvW0fkXBRBd3wEDyA-CKr9ZLvuKuDZWTSYE2fBVd~5-Ifvto1SvcXNSU-twrEdfygt0znAJEaXU-JXzo324dcDbhFPjDDuemkrnEfdgoeqah878wa2HKHAziczCaxgZ6qijDxBoxqWa5~izdeJ3l6ckqdgkkNfRFWsn1D5EORmLq9ccKVS79ELg7HOovKP7MIOw-1JUUMKwoPjx9qV4BVPu9s4PKuPPvhH5ZtRjFnHxaw7Y05XcI~n28UYg5fY4bmTO4pRwT0PFFRHxs6mlUePYKkUjE11AEixw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House approves $50M target water infrastructure program using Security Reserve Fund interest

Representative Vaught explained House Bill 16-81 to create a state program to help address Arkansas’ water and wastewater infrastructure needs. The sponsor said a 2021 Department of Agriculture survey estimated a state need of $5–9 billion and argued that a near-term program is needed to prevent further system deterioration and lost economic opportunity.

Why it matters: The bill establishes a time-limited (10-year) program intended to move projects forward in communities unable to finance capital construction on their own. The sponsor said the program would draw from Security Reserve Fund interest after existing obligations are met and that rules would be set by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ARMC) and approved by ALC.

Program design as explained on the floor: Vaught described two funding buckets — an 80% bucket for larger systems (projects would require matching funds and be shovel-ready) and a 20% bucket for very rural systems that would not be required to provide matching funds or be shovel-ready. Projects must be underway within the first year; systems may apply once. The sponsor estimated $50,000,000 as a target allocation but clarified that available funds depend on interest remaining after four existing obligations are met.

Sponsor quote: “This is truly a statewide opportunity to actually move projects forward in our state,” Representative Vaught said.

Vote and next steps: The House approved the bill and the emergency clause on a roll-call vote of 96 yeas, 0 nays. The sponsor said ARMC would administer rules and that no general fund appropriation was used.

Ending: The approved measure directs agencies to start rulemaking and grant administration work in the coming months.","The House approved legislation creating a 10-year program to direct interest from the Security Reserve Fund toward water and wastewater projects, with allocations split to support larger systems (matching required) and small rural systems (no match required).",{"_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},6095700,"House approves Medicaid coverage for high-complexity dental care and anesthesia for medically complex patients",129,4271000,4400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37&start=4271&end=4400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37/thumbnail_4271000.jpg","/articles/6095700/Arkansas/House-approves-Medicaid-coverage-for-high-complexity-dental-care-and-anesthesia-for-medically-complex-patients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095700-06a6a1da7ca0b7d3e33234e4954594b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135494&Signature=aG1orx615jkVa4wCe1NkEnLaDARtBDDuye0PJ5Im-GQ4~K5O0A0Jjn-8eKj1GoX5G-iY0azUpo5ztCCdjNDTF6b7VapaOvwu3t7tj8pmHIYO4HD7ediaQ0aVMZDgLDZQt3weiYd4Hy4DN9yLteFlTQYIggAjINtldvRAvASBV6jRTXisRAvF7TzkspPYOYhj9HrJmFqhdigyxc5ABTOWSoW~87sS0ifnVZGMisVCZ2t5MLpCLSuEWo7eY6Q5SXntwcU1LMSt1ySlM~0gTbMdfvOl840BiSF7MzZ-PzripUBEe3u06HyyTG1TffMT0-Z-jtNi6INKw4hDzFWrq4dy1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House approves Medicaid coverage for high-complexity dental care and anesthesia for medically complex patients

Representative Mayberry told the House that House Bill 12-41 would ensure that Arkansas Medicaid reimburses dental and anesthesia costs for patients with developmental, intellectual or medical complexity who require sedation or general anesthesia to obtain oral health care.

Why it matters: Sponsors and proponents said many medically complex patients and adults with disabilities cannot tolerate routine dental care without anesthesia, and lack of reimbursement and low provider rates have left a gap in care. The bill is intended to expand access, reduce downstream medical complications and train future dentists.

Sponsor and committee discussion: Mayberry said she worked with the Arkansas Dental Association and UAMS to design a limited-cost approach using Lyon Dental School capacity to reduce overhead. She described an upper per-case limit and an estimate that no more than 600 cases per year would qualify; the sponsor stated an estimated state match of about $670,000 on that caseload. Representative Rose and others spoke in support and recounted testimony about families unable to obtain medically necessary dental clearance for other procedures.

Sponsor quote: “We are providing a vitally needed service in the state of Arkansas to this group,” Representative Mayberry said on the floor.

Votes and implementation: The House recorded a roll-call vote of 85 yeas, 1 nay and 4 present and passed the bill. The sponsor and committee said DHS had been neutral after technical refinements; the bill tasks Medicaid/DHS with establishing reimbursement and provider guidance following enactment.

Ending: The bill passed on the House floor and will move to the next steps for implementation and coding through DHS and provider outreach.","After testimony and sponsor discussion, the House passed legislation to require Arkansas Medicaid reimburse dental procedures with sedation/anesthesia for people with developmental, intellectual or medical complexity; sponsor gave a limited fiscal estimate for state match.",{"_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},6095705,"House moves to clarify disabled veterans property tax exemption; bill would limit repeated VA letter requests",434,2890000,3324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37&start=2890&end=3324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37/thumbnail_2890000.jpg","/articles/6095705/Arkansas/House-moves-to-clarify-disabled-veterans-property-tax-exemption-bill-would-limit-repeated-VA-letter-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095705-c23c40d099c34fac6a802a6b738de6eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135494&Signature=aysgE3IzWjvo3KnXciDQEKmrQIhBVcq~nxqkGlF55zQ2LfVpzU4fb0WV160UvI0FDTsZn0oLfb8ewn8bNFTSsM8ElfY~1DyJvOc8XzMvUEI2A4vcTB4LUyB04wn~qapA3pJ9jeFdqeN0nk8nx3dpfyevOlHccK51yXq8ygCSjJMo1fUZcM1cySML6g~1ZEW2Xg0MzMmp5dvPEgpwR-LNMa2aYakp5UvdSAbCUVfXrveDOLbz6BLRoUoDI~SYHBO4rBWKGFjsQ3xZzTrgIvHcH1hBQznzVgkFKbMAqMLxUGn3aUJInzGcM~pL0IbvExKwPJ46noISFx9LCHMVHI~lxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House moves to clarify disabled veterans property tax exemption; bill would limit repeated VA letter requests

Representative Matthew Cooper presented House Bill 10-72 on March 20, 2025, proposing that a Department of Veterans Affairs letter verifying 100% total and permanent disability need be submitted only once to county tax collectors to establish eligibility for a homestead and personal property tax exemption.

Why it matters: Collectors currently vary in practice — some require annual re-submission of VA verification letters — which sponsors said imposes a recurring burden on veterans who are unlikely to lose a permanent disability designation. The bill seeks statutory clarity to make one submission sufficient, while preserving a process (and criminal penalty) if a person later ceases to qualify.

Details and floor exchange: Cooper cited Arkansas Code 26-3-306 and read a 2010 Attorney General opinion that found a strong textual argument for a one-time verification but said judicial or legislative clarification would be warranted. Cooper said the bill would require the verification letter be submitted only once and would require a taxpayer to notify the county collector if they no longer qualify (for example, if a VA determination changes). In response to questions from Representative Brown and Representative Steimel, Cooper said notarized statements from surviving spouses and notification if a veteran dies or remarries remain part of enforcement; he also noted existing criminal penalties for improperly claiming the exemption and that counties can pursue penalties and back taxes if an exemption was claimed fraudulently.

Sponsor quote: “We owe it to our disabled veterans to help ease this burden. They paid so much to ask for so little,” Representative Matthew Cooper said on the floor.

Ending: The bill sponsor said he and Senate sponsors plan to work with county collectors on remaining concerns and called for a favorable vote. (Vote tally not specified in the public floor transcript excerpt.)","Representative Cooper introduced a bill to require only a one-time Department of Veterans Affairs verification for 100% permanent and total disability property tax exemptions, to ease burdens on veterans and county collectors.",{"_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},6095710,"Votes at a glance: Arkansas House passes wide range of bills on March 20, 2025",7812,2614000,10426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37&start=2614&end=10426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837125-57548624a85d1f89cd6bd1e2e50b7c37/thumbnail_2614000.jpg","/articles/6095710/Arkansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Arkansas-House-passes-wide-range-of-bills-on-March-20-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095710-4337bd4c8059f6d3a1bff2cffc6dd12c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135494&Signature=lcgGMgFlgZPSiLn0hmS9HpIrWN-~PswZFa0XNhufRHfz-qOPlhtCeS-9xxxkjxVy7iwTMdKKvVN0P6hhEjkvcz-NZBmPJ-qDzKfkZWAE0hJcFyxgWEBCu288uuYPdh-xQf66T6IGe70AgoyFflY6-s089wWiT8YrMqkX3NZXjRTsiubIeUAdXY4MacsG7DCGY59pb8mABx3A6GZQRJr6EfoSg3WF4obGrR3gUgyf6WXl0ZTQ-3JXeZCqwVHw~aHDHy2U7Xyb6krzDMIARySmH7dTd64ZTLAQAOc1hYtYfWoR84Zy8JS6bD7uc6jQZQFCwUThYduTVOSGUl1rcb5~RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Votes at a glance: Arkansas House passes wide range of bills on March 20, 2025

The Arkansas House of Representatives on March 20, 2025, debated and recorded final outcomes for a large number of bills spanning taxation, infrastructure, health care, election law and state governance. Most measures passed on voice or recorded roll-call votes; one prominent election measure failed.

Why it matters: The package includes bills that clarify veterans' tax exemptions, expand Medicaid dental coverage for people with complex needs, create a state-funded water infrastructure grant program, and change election timing and transparency rules. Several agency, technical and uniform-code bills also cleared the House, affecting state regulatory and administrative operations.

Summary of recorded actions and vote tallies (as recorded on the House floor transcript):

- House Bill 17-45 (work authorization for certain commercial drivers): Passed — 93 yeas, 1 nay, 1 present. (Transcript: Representative Hock explained the bill.)
- House Bill 17-57 (rail property/penalty changes): Passed — 90 yeas, 6 nays.
- House Bill 16-91 (exemption clarification for motor vehicles used exclusively by charities): Passed — 96 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 12-41 (Medicaid reimbursement for high-complexity dental and anesthesia care): Passed — 85 yeas, 1 nay, 4 present.
- House Bill 16-79 (organ procurement / donor consent reporting and bedside revocation): Passed — 88 yeas, 3 nays, 2 present.
- House Bill 15-25 (agricultural impact remediation agreements for renewable energy sites): Passed — 87 yeas, 0 nays, 8 present.
- House Bill 16-81 (state water infrastructure program; emergency clause): Passed — 96 yeas, 0 nays; emergency clause also approved.
- House Bill 17-41, 17-42, 17-43, 17-44 (Department of Agriculture technical/cleanup bills): Passed — recorded tallies ranged from unanimous to near-unanimous (95–93 yeas with 0–1 nays as recorded on the floor).
- House Bill 15-62 (termination of oral farm lease notice): Passed — 95 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 17-72 (vegetable garden protection): Passed — 90 yeas, 0 nays, 3 present.
- House Bill 13-20 (crisis stabilization units and insurer payment): Passed — 96 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 13-21 (step therapy limits for certain ventilators): Passed — 94 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 18-14 (technical correction to public utility code): Passed — 95 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 17-36, 17-46 (UCC updates / bar package): Passed — 95 yeas, 0 nays each.
- House Bill 17-37 (Transmitting Utility Act — fiber optic): Passed — 92 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 15-19 (shared hiring/contracting authority for Dept. of Commerce): Passed — 95 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 17-94 (real estate continuing education exemptions): Passed — 90 yeas, 0 nays, 2 present.
- House Bill 14-67 (money services act / Bitcoin kiosk language): Passed — 94 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 15-57 (State Technology duties / governance): Passed — 92 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 18-02 (talent recruitment grant program): Passed — 72 yeas, 7 nays, 11 present.
- House Bill 16-95 (clarify municipal lien foreclosure process re: neglected properties): Passed — 78 yeas, 5 nays, 9 present.
- House Bill 17-85 (county depository board membership technical change): Passed — 95 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 17-60 (jurisdiction re: assessment adjustment petitions for disabled/65+): Passed — 92 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 17-89 (restrict local government funding for certain ID cards): Passed — 70 yeas, 17 nays.
- House Bill 17-07 (candidate reports filed via Secretary of State portal / emergency clause): Passed (bill and emergency clause approved; recorded by voice; numerical tally not specified in transcript).
- House Bill 14-22 (Only Citizens Vote Act / driver ID orientation and data-sharing): Failed — 53 yeas, 25 nays, 8 present.
- House Bill 15-49 (Cybersecurity Act of 2025 / central incident coordination): Passed — 92 yeas, 0 nays.
- House Bill 18-03 (placement of monument honoring Maurice 'Footsie' Britt on Capitol grounds): Passed — 95 yeas, 0 nays, 1 present.
- House Bill 17-74 (Arkansas Fair Housing Commission membership): Passed — 89 yeas, 1 nay.
- House Bill 12-43 (campaign finance transparency adjustments): Passed — 91 yeas, 0 nays.
- Senate Bill 4-24 (municipal improvement district transparency): Passed — 94 yeas, 0 nays, 1 present.
- Senate Bill 3-53 (standardize primary/election dates and fiscal session timing): Passed — 89 yeas, 0 nays, 3 present.
- Senate Bill 4-09 (Farmer Protection Act — financial services nondiscrimination): Passed — 82 yeas, 10 nays.
- Senate Bill 2-93 (move polling-site requirements): Passed — 90 yeas, 2 nays.
- Senate Bill 2-99 (long-term care absentee voting witness requirement): Passed — 87 yeas, 0 nays, 1 present.

Notes on transcript coverage and missing tallies: Where the public transcript did not include a numerical roll call for a particular final action, the entry above records the outcome as stated on the floor and marks numerical tallies as “not specified” when the transcript does not supply them. Several short resolutions recognizing groups or individuals were adopted by voice vote earlier in the session; those are not recited here individually but were recorded in the official journal.

What to watch next: Several bills passed with emergency clauses or funding implications (HB16-81 water program, HB12-41 Medicaid dental up to specified limits) that will trigger implementation steps requiring agency rules or intergovernmental coordination.

Ending: The House adjourned to Monday, March 31, 2025; committees and agencies will handle follow-up implementation and any required rulemaking or appropriation procedures.","The Arkansas House of Representatives considered and voted on dozens of bills March 20, 2025, approving a mix of policy, technical and funding measures and rejecting one high-profile election measure. Key roll-call tallies are listed below.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Only Citizens Vote Act fails in House after extended debate on IDs and access

House approves $50M target water infrastructure program using Security Reserve Fund interest

House approves Medicaid coverage for high-complexity dental care and anesthesia for medically complex patients

House moves to clarify disabled veterans property tax exemption; bill would limit repeated VA letter requests

Votes at a glance: Arkansas House passes wide range of bills on March 20, 2025