Arkansas Senate approves income tax rate reductions in 27-6 vote on House Bill 101

The Arkansas Senate approved House Bill 101, a measure to reduce income tax rates for individuals, trusts, estates and corporations, by a vote of 27 yeas to 6 nays and ordered the enrolled bill returned to the House.

Senator Dismang, the Senate sponsor, described the measure as part of a multiyear strategy to lower income taxes that began in 2013 and said the bill would provide targeted relief to Arkansas families. "I believe providing $1,600 to a family making $65,000 a year is a significant savings for those families," Dismang said in closing remarks in favor of the bill.

Senator Fred Love said he would oppose the bill and urged colleagues to pursue larger relief for low- and middle-income Arkansans, arguing the measure would deliver limited benefit to most residents. "This tax bill really ... will only provide about $50 to the average Arkansan," Love said, urging lawmakers to consider more substantial options as prices for gas and groceries rise.

Senator Sullivan said broader relief proposals should be introduced as legislation so they can be debated and enacted through the normal process. After debate concluded, the secretary called the roll and the presiding officer announced the final tally as 27 yeas and 6 nays; the presiding officer directed the enrolled bill be returned to the House.

The vote followed a short morning-hour business agenda; no amendments to the bill were recorded on the Senate floor during debate. The Senate also received notice of the passage and return of Senate Bill 1 from the House but took no separate floor action on that enrolled bill during the morning hour.

The Senate concluded its business and later held a series of farewell tributes for departing members before adjourning sine die.