Arkansas House approves package of bills; debates accessory dwelling units and university raffles

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas House of Representatives approved a broad set of bills on March 6, 2025, including legislation to expand accessory dwelling units (House Bill 15 03) and a bill authorizing university-run sports raffles (House Bill 16 34), while also advancing measures affecting agriculture enforcement, public-records management and pension coverage for port employees.

The ADU bill, House Bill 15 03, was presented by Representative Clowney as a response to statewide housing shortages and passed on a 67-19-7 vote. "ADUs offer a powerful way to address the housing shortage that we know is facing us," Representative Clowney said during floor remarks, describing accessory dwelling units as a way to increase housing supply while allowing homeowners to house family members or earn rental income.

House Bill 16 34, the Arkansas Sports Raffle Act, drew extended debate about constitutional limits and the role of private vendors. Representative Hawk said, "This bill would allow for Arkansas universities in the state to be able to hold raffles for fundraising efforts for NIL scholarships to general support of sports teams or the maintenance and construction of facilities at their said university." After floor discussion and questions about safeguards, the House passed the bill, including the emergency clause, by a vote of 79-7-4.

Other bill…