All Roll Calls
Yes: 129 • No: 0
ArkansasHB16382025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
TO MODERNIZE REFERENCES TO THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES; AND TO AMEND ARMED FORCES AND UNIFORMED SERVICES LISTINGS TO INCLUDE THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE.
Sponsored By: Steve Crowell (Republican), Stetson Painter (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
18 provisions identified: 16 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Space Force gains state tax exemptions
Arkansas’s military income-tax exemptions now expressly cover qualifying Space Force pay and benefits. Retired Space Force members also qualify for the exemption covering eligible retirement and disability benefits. The pay exemption’s updated definitions also cover state National Guard service and eligible NOAA and Public Health Service commissioned officers. Tax savings depend on the income or benefits covered; the supplied provisions state no dollar limit.
Military attorneys trigger court case pauses
A lawsuit must pause after written notice to the parties and court when a party’s reserve-component attorney receives qualifying active-duty orders. Orders must come under written authority of the President or Arkansas Governor. The pause covers active duty plus at least 15 days before and 30 days after, unless the attorney or party requests less. It applies even with other attorneys; specified rulings entered in violation after notice are void and unenforceable. Dependency-neglect cases are excluded, but qualifying service members retain federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections.
Military members gain legal process coverage
Wartime claim-deadline protections now expressly include Space Force members and any state’s National Guard. When the United States is at war with another nation, covered deadlines pause during the war and six months afterward. Eligible debt or property claims can be filed within one year after that combined period ends. A separate habeas-corpus custody provision now names the Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard alongside the Army and Navy. That provision covers custody based on a legal military enlistment or service agreement.
Military voting rules include Space Force
Arkansas election law now expressly includes the Space Force in its uniformed-services definition. If the federal military and overseas absentee-voting definition differs, Arkansas uses that federal definition as it existed January 1, 2025. This determines coverage under election rules tied to uniformed-service status.
Space Force gains military driving exemptions
Space Force members are exempt from state operator-license requirements when driving for a military purpose, not for general civilian driving. During emergencies, Arkansas’s finance department can authorize highway use without vehicle license fees for Space Force- or Coast Guard-supervised vehicles. That fee relief requires an agreement or permit and proper military supervision.
Space Force officers can certify documents
People serving in or with the U.S. Armed Forces, and their dependents, can acknowledge legal documents before qualifying officers anywhere. The officer list now includes active commissioned Space Force officers ranked second lieutenant or higher. Officers serving in or with the armed forces can also take oaths of office before those Space Force officers.
Space Force veterans gain special plates
People who establish prior Space Force service can apply for a special plate with a “U. S. Veteran” decal. Retired Space Force members can also apply for the applicable retired-member plate. Retirees must present Space Force retirement orders. These provisions state no plate fee or fee waiver.
Space Force families gain hardship-grant access
Military Family Relief Trust Fund grants now expressly include covered Space Force reserve members and their families. The program also serves Arkansas National Guard members and families. Eligibility considers family need, pay grade, military-versus-civilian pay differences, or other signs of financial hardship. The provision sets no grant amount and does not guarantee an award.
Military license holders gain exam relief
Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard veterans receive a 10% credit on qualifying state licensing exams. They must give the examining body an original or certified copy of an honorable discharge. The exams must be for professional, trade, or employment licenses or permits; this credit does not reduce exam fees. Insurance licensees are exempt from continuing education during covered active military duty, including Arkansas National Guard state active duty.
Military medical workers gain licensing relief
Commissioned uniformed-service medical or surgical officers, including Space Force officers, are exempt from barber licensing while properly doing professional duties. Coast Guard dental or medical officers are exempt from dental licensing for duties in Arkansas. Air Force surgeons are exempt from the physician licensing chapter while performing their duties. Military dietitians, including Space Force and National Guard members, are exempt from dietitian licensing for service-related work. Retired Air Force and Coast Guard medical officers employed on ships or aircraft may obtain narcotic drugs, subject to applicable law, only for scientific or medicinal use within their work or official duties.
Space Force children gain school protections
The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children now includes the Space Force. Its existing education protections extend to children in Space Force families. The law changes the covered service list, not the compact’s remaining eligibility requirements.
Space Force employees gain military leave
Public employee military-leave rules now expressly include Space Force service. NOAA and Public Health Service commissioned officers qualify when properly assigned to duty with the armed forces. Eligible licensed and classified Arkansas public-school employees retain 15 days of leave per fiscal year, plus necessary travel time. That school leave covers qualifying military training or official duties, including covered Space Force reserve service.
Space Force service counts toward pensions
Covered Space Force reserve service now counts under existing public employee, state police, and teacher retirement service-credit rules. A separate public employee prior-service rule requires public employment immediately before involuntary service and reemployment within six months after discharge. Applicants must apply with proof, and that credit is available without charge. Qualifying work must precede July 1, 1957, for state, municipal, or school employees, or July 1, 1959, for county employees.
Space Force gains official-duty weapons exceptions
Arkansas weapons-law definitions now include regular and reserve Space Force members and any state’s National Guard. Members on official duty qualify for specified handgun exceptions involving minors or school property and a lawful-purpose presumption. People helping them qualify when acting at their direction or request. Restrictions on making, repairing, transporting, or selling listed weapons do not apply when those activities serve authorized military or law enforcement representatives.
Space Force gains state military roles
Arkansas military-affairs definitions now include regular and reserve Space Force components; the armed-forces definition also includes any state’s National Guard. Prior active-list commissioned Space Force service counts toward eligibility for the state militia’s property and finance officer position. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens and Arkansas residents. The Governor can place organized militia units under a Space Force commander responsible for defending an area within Arkansas.
Stolen-valor law now covers Space Force
Arkansas’s stolen-valor law now expressly includes regular and reserve Space Force service. Its armed-forces definition also includes the other listed military branches and any state’s National Guard. The change extends the statute’s service coverage without creating a household payment.
Military parent coverage expands and changes
The deployed-parent custody and visitation law now includes Space Force parents and families. Its remaining eligibility requirements stay in place. A separate parent-related law includes regular and reserve military components, the Space Force, and any state’s National Guard. That separate definition no longer lists military auxiliaries or Arkansas armed forces as their own categories.
Military workers gain protections, coverage changes
The Military Service Protection Act now covers qualifying Space Force service. Coverage includes current honorable service or an honorable discharge within six months before the alleged discrimination. Separate job and reemployment rights apply to U.S. Armed Forces members called to active state duty. That rule no longer separately lists the armed forces or militia of Arkansas or another state.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Steve Crowell
Republican • Senate
Stetson Painter
Republican • House
Cosponsors
David Ray
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/7/2025
Senate Vote - Monday, April 7, 2025 5:51:19 PM
Yes: 34 • No: 0
House vote • 4/2/2025
House Vote - Wednesday, April 2, 2025 3:15:15 PM
Yes: 95 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1638 is now Act 508
4/10/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
4/8/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
4/7/2025HouseReturned from the Senate as passed.
4/7/2025HouseReturned to the House as Passed.
4/7/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/7/2025SenateRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the calendar.
4/2/2025SenateReceived from the House.
4/2/2025SenateRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/2/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/1/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/18/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
3/18/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
3/18/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on JOINT COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
3/3/2025HouseFiled
3/3/2025House
Bill Text
HB1638 - Introduced
3/3/2025
Act Version
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