Arkansas lawmakers have filed a series of proposed legislation ahead of the 2025 legislative session covering a wide range of topics. Some of the key bills filed include the Restore Roe Act, which aims to repeal Arkansas’ near-total abortion ban, a bill to end affirmative action statewide, and a bill to eliminate mandatory fluoridation of drinking water. Additionally, proposed legislation includes expanding Medicaid coverage for new mothers to one year postpartum and addressing education-related matters such as rolling back existing state laws and repealing performance-based incentives for public and charter schools.
One bill, sponsored by Rep. Chad Puryear, seeks to provide immunity for certain gun deaths at sporting events. Another bill filed by Rep. Andrew Collins would ban the practice of conversion therapy in Arkansas, while another bill aims to ensure that incarcerated people are compensated for work. Furthermore, proposals are also being put forward to change the way Arkansas draws state legislative and Congressional district boundaries through a Citizens’ Redistricting Commission.
The proposed legislation covers a wide range of social, health, and education issues that could have significant implications for the state of Arkansas. With a mix of bipartisan and party-specific proposals, it remains to be seen which bills will gain traction and be successful in the legislative session. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has also formed a task force to improve maternal health and is considering options to address the state’s maternal mortality rate, which ranks last in the nation.
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