Page 15 - D Pine Bluff News Today

House Speaker Matthew Shepherd talks up the substitute hate crimes bill that passed Monday. A watered-down substitute for a hate crime bill passed the House Monday, leaving Arkansas still among the only three states without meaningful legislation to protect commonly targeted groups. The House passed Senate Bill 622 with 65 yes votes, 26 nos and five lawmakers voting present. The bill already has Senate approval, and now heads to the governor’s desk. Governor Hutchin...

Credit Arkansas House By a close voice vote, which was denied the chance for a roll call, the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday advanced Senate Bill 622. It could be voted on by the House as early as Monday. Under the legislation, Arkansans convicted of a felony involving violence who are found to be seeking out victims because they are members of a "recognizable and identifiable group or class," must serve at least 80% of their sentences. However, the bill does not use the term "hate crime...

State Senate confirms appointment of Dr. Jose Romero as Secretary of Health AR Senate confirms appointment of Dr. Jose Romero as Secretary of Health By Region 8 Newsdesk | April 8, 2021 at 2:13 PM CDT - Updated April 8 at 6:21 PM LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) - The State Senate on Thursday voted 25-8 to confirm the appointment of Dr. Jose Romero as Arkansas Secretary of Health after a debate on the Senate floor. Romero was appointed last year as interim secretary of health by Gov. Asa Hutchinso...

Arkansas committee passes basic habitability standards for renters, but more battles ahead Arkansas committee passes basic habitability standards for renters, but more battles ahead Caleb Alexander-McKinzie, an advocate for renters, speaks up for minimal habitability standards in Arkansas. Lawmakers on the House Insurance and Commerce committee narrowly passed a significantly amended bill Wednesday that would insure most rental properties in the state meet minimal sta...

Lawmakers head back to Capitol Monday, with many issues still left on the plate There are several key issues on the agenda this week at the Capitol, including the debate over the Stand Your Ground bill. (Source: ABC/NBC) By Region 8 Newsdesk | February 21, 2021 at 3:22 PM CST - Updated February 21 at 3:22 PM LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) - The winter weather that hammered the state of Arkansas kept lawmakers away from the state Capitol last week. However, warmer temperatures have unthawed ma...

Unlikely coalition defeats Arkansas stand your ground bill (for now) Unlikely coalition defeats Arkansas stand your ground bill (for now) The sponsors of a stand your ground bill fail to make their case. Brian Chilson Gun safety advocates and gun rights groups make for the most awkward of bedfellows. But these diametrically opposed camps briefly joined forces Tuesday to defeat a dog of a bill loathed by people across the political spectrum. T...

PPP tax help bill heading to House committee this week A bill that would seek to provide tax certainty to small businesses and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is on the agenda this week for a key House committee. (Source: ABC/NBC) By Region 8 Newsdesk | January 31, 2021 at 2:44 PM CST - Updated February 7 at 2:39 PM LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) - A bill that would seek to provide tax certainty to small businesses and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is on the agend...

Rep. Vivian Flowers, D-Pine Bluff, was named Legislator of the Year by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators at its recent conference.

Arkansas legislature starts week 2 of new session with bills The Stand Your Ground bill as well as several key pieces of legislation will be part of this week’s work at the State Capitol, as lawmakers finished a busy first week. (Source: ABC/NBC) By Region 8 Newsdesk | January 17, 2021 at 3:40 PM CST - Updated January 18 at 6:45 AM LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) - The Stand Your Ground bill as well as several key pieces of legislation will be part of this week’s work at the State Cap...