All Roll Calls
Yes: 287 • No: 23
ArkansasHB17972025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
Sponsored By: Howard M. Beaty, Jr. (Republican), Ben Gilmore (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Finance authority workers gain state insurance access
Beginning July 1, 2025, Arkansas Development Finance Authority employees and staff can join the state life and health insurance program. This is the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program. The law does not set premium or coverage amounts.
Finance authority gains independence and protects staff
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Arkansas Development Finance Authority operates independently of Commerce and any cabinet-level department. Employees employed before the transfer and kept through it retain at least their existing rank and salary grade. Commerce and Shared Administrative Services must provide information the authority requests for its transfer or mission. The authority may also repay board members for reasonable expenses from board duties. Board members remain unpaid.
Governments gain simpler public bond approval options
Beginning July 1, 2025, Arkansas government units can authorize revenue bonds by letter, besides an order, ordinance, or resolution. The letter must be signed by the governing body's executive head and clearly state the bonds' principal amount and purposes. Refunding bonds need no authorization document. The Natural Resources Commission can issue public-facility revenue bonds under § 15-22-301, an exception to the finance authority's exclusive role.
Finance authority loses one state-land transaction route
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Arkansas Development Finance Authority can no longer use the state-land cash-sale process in § 22-6-601. This removes one legal route for the authority to buy or sell state land. It does not directly change household property rights or benefits.
Bond guaranty disclosures cover recommendations, not applications
Beginning July 1, 2025, staff or committee recommendations to approve bond-guaranty requests become public after preliminary review. They are available for inspection during regular business hours. For a negative recommendation, disclosure applies when the borrower requests a hearing within 30 days after receiving written notice. These public-record requirements cover the recommendations, not the applications or supporting documents.
Finance authority faces fewer rules, keeps audits
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Arkansas Development Finance Authority is exempt from state administrative procedure and purchasing laws. It can carry out listed transactions and exercise its powers without proceedings, notice, or approval unless its governing law requires them. Specified dedicated authority and Student Loan Authority Division cash funds are exempt from state cash-fund rules and purchasing-law public-fund status. The cash-fund exemption does not cover revenue from legislative appropriations. Arkansas Legislative Audit may still inspect and audit the authority, its records, and other data.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Republican • House
Ben Gilmore
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 3:02:00 PM
Yes: 83 • No: 5 • Other: 6
House vote • 4/15/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 3:02:19 PM
Yes: 84 • No: 3 • Other: 6
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 9, 2025 10:43:26 PM
Yes: 33 • No: 1 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Senate Vote - Tuesday, April 8, 2025 10:58:26 PM
Yes: 19 • No: 6 • Other: 3
House vote • 4/1/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, April 1, 2025 3:53:44 PM
Yes: 68 • No: 8 • Other: 14
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1797 is now Act 944
4/21/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
4/16/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
4/15/2025HouseSenate Amendment #2 read and concurred in and the Emergency Clause
4/15/2025HouseSenate Amendment #1 read and concurred in and the Emergency Clause
4/15/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1 & 2
4/14/2025HouseRe-referred to the Committee on STATE AGENCIES & GOVT'L AFFAIRS- HOUSE
4/10/2025HouseReturned from Senate as passed, as amended # 1 & 2
4/10/2025HouseReturned to the House as passed as amended # 1 & 2 .
4/9/2025SenateEMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
4/9/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/9/2025SenateRules suspended.
4/9/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4/9/2025SenateAmendment # 2 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/9/2025SenateRules suspended.
4/9/2025SenateMotion to Expunge the Vote by which HB1797 failed to pass. Motion carried.
4/8/2025SenateMotion for Clincher. Motion failed.
4/8/2025SenateUpon Sounding of the Ballot HB1797 failed.
4/8/2025SenateSounding of the Ballot requested on the passage of HB1797. Five Hands were Seen.
4/8/2025SenateEmergency Clause failed of adoption.
4/8/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/8/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4/7/2025SenateAmendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
4/7/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/7/2025Senate
Bill Text
HB1797 - Introduced
3/14/2025
Act Version
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