City staff reviews state bills that would affect Little Rock operations

City staff presented a legislative tracking update at the March 4 Board meeting, outlining state bills and resolutions that could affect Little Rock operations and staff responsibilities.

Susan, who compiled the tracking sheet, reviewed multiple measures and explained the city’s current posture: monitoring several bills, working with the Arkansas Municipal League on others, and negotiating technical amendments in some cases. She flagged police concerns on a proposal to restore firearm possession rights to certain nonviolent felons and said the city had worked with the author. She also said the city helped amend a bill addressing unmanned aircraft imagery — the transcript identifies House Bill 1148 — to exempt city employees who might accidentally capture restricted images.

Selected items Susan discussed: • House Bill 1057 — would amend law concerning possession of a firearm by certain persons and to permit restoration of the right to possess a firearm to a nonviolent felon (staff: "We are still working on this bill. Police have some concerns over this, and we are working with the bill author."). • House Bill 1075 — would bar local regulation of the sale or use of certain lawn‑care devices and prohibit local taxes or fees on those devices; staff said this bill has passed the legislature and been sent to the governor. • House Bill 1148 — Arkansas Bridal Act addressing images captured by unmanned aircraft systems; staff said the city secured amendments to protect city employees from accidental exposure and is comfortable with the bill as amended. • House Bill 1149 — vegetable garden protection (municipal league working on amendments). • House Bill 1445 — restrictions on local regulation of short‑term rentals (municipal league involvement). • House Bills 1448 and 1510 — territorial jurisdiction issues (municipal league working with the city). • House Bill 1481 — anti‑ATF commandeering act; police have concerns. • House Bill 1503 — municipal regulation of accessory dwelling units; staff and the municipal league have concerns. • House Bill 1504 — criminalizes weaponized robotic or uncrewed aircraft systems; police expressed concerns about legitimate operational needs. • Senate Bill 102 — now Act 115, increases screening requirements for paid canvassers (background checks by sponsors). • Senate Bill 91 — would restrict local authority over rental application and deposit amounts; staff is monitoring. • Senate Bill 227 — FOIA amendments concerning public meetings; city attorney will review potential impacts. • Senate Bill 248 — FOIA changes concerning personnel records; staff is monitoring. • Senate Bill 297 — concerning municipalities electing council members and required ordinance filing; the city attorney has indicated this bill does not apply to Little Rock. • Senate Joint Resolution 15 — a proposed constitutional amendment on economic development districts; the city said it is monitoring and in support.

Susan offered to provide follow-up information and said staff would continue coordinating with the municipal league and legal counsel on bills with operational impact.

Board members asked specific follow-ups, including whether the municipal league had talked with a sponsor on HB1503; staff said the league was actively engaged. Director Webb asked about HB1503 and the municipal league’s engagement; staff confirmed the league had spoken with the sponsor.