Bills we're watching in the Arkansas General Assembly Share Updated: 6:21 PM CST Jan 8, 2021 Share Updated: 6:21 PM CST Jan 8, 2021 As the Arkansas General Assembly begins its 2021 legislative session, several bills have already been filed. Here are just a few of the ones we're watching:HB1020: Hate crimes legislationWould increase the penalty for certain offenses committed against a person due to the person's attributes. The leader of the state Senate has predicted the measure won't pass, despite a push by the governor and major corporations.HCR1003: End the COVID-19 public health emergencyWould put an end to the governor's public health and disaster emergency that gives him authority to create rules aimed at slowing the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Asa Hutchinson has extended the declaration through the end of February.HB1007: Law Enforcement Integrity Act of 2021Would create a searchable database of law enforcement officers who commit abuses of police power or violations of a person's civil rights. This was a recommendation of an Arkansas task force on law enforcement.SB6: Arkansas Unborn Protection ActWould ban abortion at any stage of pregnancy except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency. Some of Arkansas' current abortion laws are on hold pending legal arguments. SB6 explicitly calls on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.SB24: Stand Your GroundWould eliminate the "duty to retreat" before using physical force in nearly all circumstances.Follow this link to learn how a bill becomes a law in ArkansasFollow this link to learn how to contact your lawmakers