Matthew Shepherd

Senate Bill 246 proposes changes to higher education funding and restrictions on compelled beliefs, aiming to prevent discrimination and promote free idea exchange.

The Arkansas House of Representatives has advanced a resolution that would extend the length of this year’s legislative session until April 30 and allow lawmakers to reconvene later in the year for redistricting duties. Under the resolution, the session would be able to recess earlier, if the House and Senate agree on a date.

Speaker of the House Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, said Thursday (March 18) that the session’s expected April 9th recess and May 3rd sine die will likely be extended. He told members at the end of the day’s House session and elaborated to reporters in his end of the week press conference.

A coronavirus outbreak in the Arkansas Legislature has grown by two, pushing the number of lawmakers who have caught the disease in the past week and a half to nine.