Good Bills Make Progress Late In Legislative Session
The 2015 Regular session of the Arkansas General Assembly is winding down. There is still good legislation being considered. Here are three bills that have made progress in recent days.
SCHOOL CHOICE
HB1552 (Representative Doug House) would give vouchers for students with disabilities to go to a private school with an individualized education program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Representative House’s bill helps students gain access to needed programs through school choice.
The bill sailed through the House of Representatives with 90 “yes” votes. It was then approved by the Senate Education Committee on Friday, March 27 and now the bill goes to the full Senate for consideration and, hopefully, approval.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1552
RESTORING CAPITAL GAINS TAX RELIEF
HB1402 (Representative Matthew Shepherd) would reinstate the capital gains tax exemptions. The 2015 legislative session began with the promise of tax relief for middle income taxpayers. That promise was fulfilled, but before the bill was passed, it was amended to offset some of the revenue loss by taking away capital gains tax relief. Representative Shepherd’s bill will restore the capital gains relief and make the 2015 session about true tax relief and not about shifting tax burdens to other taxpayers.
Representative Shepherd deserves special credit because it appears he went around legislative leadership in to introduce and promote this tax relief bill. We applaud him and his constitutes who understand Arkansas deserves a real economic engine by giving economic freedom a chance.
On Wednesday, March 25th, HB1404 was passed by the House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate. Next, the bill will be considered by the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1402
FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS – LOSER PAYS
SB761 (Senator Jim Hendren) addresses the problem of frivolous lawsuits. If the court that dismisses a frivolous lawsuit would require the losing party to pay costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the other party. The bill discourages frivolous lawsuits and helps small business.
On Friday, March 27 the bill was approved by the Senate and was transmitted to the House of Representative where it will be considered by the House Judiciary Committee.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2015/2015R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=SB761