NOVEMBER 24, 2024
HOUSE MEMBERS SELECT COMMITTEES
This week, members elected to serve in the 95th General Assembly gathered in the House
Chamber for an Organizational Meeting. Members chose their seats and committees, and
incoming freshmen drew numbers for seniority. You can find the seniority list and lists of
committee memberships at arkansashouse.org.
As we move forward, members have begun filing bills that will be considered during the
upcoming 2025 Regular Session. More than 50 bills have been filed so far in the House. The
proposed legislation addresses topics from maternal health coverage to voter registration. Our
website also includes a link to the recently filed legislation.
There was another big development this week at the Capitol as Governor Sanders presented her
balanced budget proposal to members. The governor's proposal calls for a 2.89% increase in
spending. The governor says her proposal prioritizes education, maternal health, public safety,
and government efficiency.
As Education Freedom Accounts will be available to any student in the state next year, the
governor said she is proposing $90 million in additional funding, plus an additional $90 million
in set aside funding to create a reserve for the program.
The proposed budget also includes $13 million in new Medicaid funding for proposals created by
the Strategic Committee on Maternal Health. The proposal includes $100 million for Medicaid
sustainability.
The proposal includes
$3.15 million in new
funding for the proposed
state employee pay plan
and nearly $50 million
for the Department of
Corrections.
This proposal will be
considered by the 95th
General Assembly
during the 2025 Regular
Session. The session
begins on January 13,
2025.
