All Roll Calls
Yes: 223 • No: 0
ArkansasHB18082025 Regular SessionHouse
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS; AND TO CREATE THE BILL OF RIGHTS FOR FIREFIGHTERS.
Sponsored By: Andrew Collins (Democratic), Clarke Tucker (Democratic)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Optional discipline safeguards for Arkansas municipal firefighters
The law creates a discipline framework that Arkansas municipalities may adopt, fully or partly, by ordinance; statewide adoption is not required. The framework requires procedural safeguards before formal discipline that could cost a firefighter their job, rank, pay, benefits, or status. Except in urgent circumstances, firefighters must receive written charges a reasonable time before an action risking pay, benefits, or status. Formal proceedings require signed charges listing the alleged conduct, date, time, witnesses, and rules or laws violated. Firefighters facing disciplinary charges get a hearing before the fire chief and may bring someone they choose. Questioning must occur at a reasonable location, with one questioner at a time, reasonable length, and reasonable breaks. At the start, investigators must explain the investigation, their identities and authority, and who else is present. Questioning must be fully recorded; firefighters may also record it and bring one witness—an attorney or an uninvolved department member. Threats, harassment, promises, and rewards cannot induce answers, though immunity from prosecution may be offered. Refusing to participate cannot support punishment or an adverse conclusion, except when the firefighter is on duty or fully compensated under applicable overtime, state, and federal law.
Privacy and political protections for municipal firefighters
The law sets out workplace protections for Arkansas municipal firefighters that municipalities may adopt, fully or partly, by ordinance. These protections bar required disclosure of firefighters’ or household members’ property, income, assets, debts, or spending for promotion or assignment. They protect firefighters’ choice to join or avoid political activity while off duty and not acting in an official role. They also bar punishment or threats of punishment for using rights under this framework. Other legal remedies remain available; the framework does not replace them.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Andrew Collins
Democratic • House
Clarke Tucker
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Wade Andrews
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/10/2025
House Vote - Thursday, April 10, 2025 2:39:43 PM
Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 2
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Senate Vote - Tuesday, April 8, 2025 10:12:34 PM
Yes: 34 • No: 0
House vote • 3/31/2025
House Vote - Monday, March 31, 2025 2:16:49 PM
Yes: 95 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1808 is now Act 686
4/16/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
4/10/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
4/10/2025HouseSenate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.
4/10/2025HouseReturned to Senate as passed, as amended # 1
4/9/2025HouseReturned to the House as passed as amended # 1 .
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.
4/7/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1
4/3/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE - SENATE
3/31/2025SenateReceived from the House.
3/31/2025SenateRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
3/31/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/20/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
3/20/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
3/20/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass as amended 1
3/19/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- HOUSE
3/17/2025HouseFiled
3/17/2025House
Bill Text
HB1808 - Introduced
3/17/2025
Act Version
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