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Little Rock staff summarizes bills under watch at state legislature
Summary
City legislative staff briefed the board on several state bills and resolutions the city is tracking, including measures affecting capital appropriations for DHS, firearm-possession restoration for nonviolent felons, short-term rental regulation, and proposed limits on government contracting with lobbyists.
City legislative staff provided an update to the Board of Directors on Feb. 11 summarizing state bills and constitutional resolutions the city is monitoring during the legislative session.
Staff began with House Bill 1034, described as a capital improvement appropriation for the Department of Human Services division that oversees aging, adult and behavioral health services; staff said they were monitoring the bill for possible impacts on the State Hospital but did not expect an effect so far. Staff said they are working with House Bill 1057’s author on an amendment addressing concerns raised by Chief Hilton regarding firearm possession restoration for some nonviolent felons.
Other bills staff mentioned included House Bill 1121 (repealing the law on transfer of tax-forfeited lands to state institutions), House Bill 1130 (permitting for residential construction and housing improvement zones), House Bill 1148 (the Arkansas Bridal Act concerning certain images captured by unmanned aircraft systems; staff said they worked with the bill author on amendments to protect city employees), and House Bill 1149 (vegetable garden protection, where staff said they are seeking language to preserve code-enforcement authority).
Staff reported monitoring House Bill 1352 (foreign-entities actions), House Bill 1445 (prohibiting certain restrictions on short-term rental regulation, which staff called a concern), and House Joint Resolution 1006 (a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit governmental bodies from using state or local funds to hire lobbyists; staff said the city is opposed). On the Senate side, staff mentioned Senate Bill 3 (under review), Senate Bill 91 (prohibiting local regulation of certain rental application fees; staff said the city opposes maintaining flexibility), Senate Bill 182 (continuing operations under prior appropriation until a new appropriation is adopted), and a newly filed Senate Joint Resolution 15 concerning economic development districts and bond rules that the city said it supports.
“Very happy to announce we were actually able to work with the bill author to create some amendments to this bill so that our employees would not be subject to any type of prosecution,” staff said regarding HB1148.
Why it matters: Several bills could affect municipal operations, financing, procurement and planning authority. Staff identified bills the city supports, opposes, or is monitoring and said city attorneys and staff are engaging with bill authors where possible.
What’s next: Staff will continue tracking the listed bills and report back as they progress through committee and floor action.
