Legislators have submitted proposed bills in advance of the 2025 session of the Arkansas legislature

Little Rock, Arkansas – During the 2025 Arkansas legislative session, lawmakers are aiming to advance multiple issues.

The session’s pre-filing commenced on November 20.

Fran Cavenaugh, the Representative for District 30, has pre-filed House Bill 1045. This bill aims to establish specific requirements for individuals intending to conduct a crop residue burn.
Should it be approved, farmers will be required to obtain permission from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture prior to conducting any burning activities.

Dwight Tosh, the Representative for District 38, has taken the initiative to pre-file House Bill 1049, aiming to classify squatting as a criminal offense in Arkansas. The legislation will not impact individuals who possess a lease for the property, have obtained written permission from the property owner to occupy the space, or hold any other legal rights to be present on the property.

District 19 Representative Steven Unger has introduced House Bill 1059, which aims to provide truck drivers living in Arkansas with a complimentary lifetime hunting and fishing license if their information results in the rescue of a victim or the arrest of an individual involved in human trafficking.

Representative Dave Wallace from District 19 has submitted two bills for pre-filing. Senate Bill 14 proposes enabling direct payments to an owner under the Unclaimed Property Act in specific situations. Senate Bill 13 aims to modify existing legislation related to actions initiated by specific victims of sexual abuse, permitting claims for injuries resulting from child sexual abuse to be filed at any time under particular conditions.

Representative Stephen Meeks of District 42 has pre-filed House Bill 1069. If this bill is approved, it would abolish Daylight Saving Time in Arkansas, establishing central standard time as the state’s official time.

Representative Aaron Pilkington from District 45 has submitted Senate Bill 9, known as the Make Arkansas Healthy Again Act. The use of potassium bromate, propylparaben, and erythrosine in foods would be banned.

The session is set to commence on January 15, 2025.