Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a series of bills into law on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, addressing a wide range of issues, including education, criminal justice, tax relief, and public safety.
Among the newly signed legislation is HB1489, which adds nitrogen gas as an approved method of execution, and SB300, which creates the criminal offense of organized retail theft.
Additionally, HB1581 expands the definition of sex offenses to include human trafficking, and SB301 establishes an enhanced penalty for theft of cargo.
Education-focused bills include SB246 and HB1512, both of which create the Arkansas ACCESS Act to improve education policy.
The governor also signed HB1477, allowing open-enrollment public charter schools to participate in the Arkansas Teacher of the Year program, and HB1496, which ensures Arkansas students are taught by qualified teachers.
On the tax front, SB263 increases the homestead property tax credit, and SB200 exempts leased textbooks and instructional materials from the gross receipts tax.
Several appropriations bills were also signed, including SB334, SB335, and SB337, which provide funding for capital improvement projects in the Department of Education and other state agencies.
The governor’s office stated that more details on the implementation of these new laws will be released in the coming weeks.