On Thursday, the House approved HB1681, a bill that aims to establish the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. The program would create a $50 million matching grant system to improve water and sewer infrastructure. Of this, 80% of the funding will be allocated to "shovel-ready" projects, while the remaining 20% is reserved for small towns and rural water systems serving fewer than 1,200 customers, even if those projects are not yet ready to begin. The grants will be funded by interest earnings from state funds.
The House also passed HB1745, which requires Canadian and Mexican commercial driver license holders to have U.S. work authorization in order to operate commercial motor vehicles within the state. HB1072 was passed as well, clarifying the requirements for determining eligibility for property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, their surviving spouses, and minor dependent children.
Additionally, the House passed HB1684, which introduces the Parents and Teachers Helping Students Succeed (PATHS) Act. This bill ensures that parents have access to all information related to their child’s education at the enrolled school and permits them to review teaching materials, instructional resources, and lesson plans upon request. HB1782 was approved, aiming to prohibit the sale or distribution of over-the-counter diet pills to anyone under 18.
HB1241 was also passed, ensuring that the Arkansas Medicaid Program will reimburse dental and anesthesia costs for high-complexity oral health care. Furthermore, HB1789 was passed, restricting local governments from issuing identification cards to individuals who cannot prove lawful presence in the U.S. HB1679, which revises the Arkansas Anatomical Gift Act, was also approved; it clarifies who can modify or amend an anatomical gift upon the death of a donor and requires reporting from procurement organizations. Finally, HB1695 was passed to clarify the foreclosure process for dilapidated or unsafe properties subject to municipal liens.
The House will now take an extended recess and will reconvene on Monday, March 31.
