Bill
HB 1638
Arkansas HB 1638 adds the U.S. Space Force to state statutes, ensuring Space Force members and veterans receive existing benefits and exemptions and updated language.
Note on document inconsistency
- The materials you provided are a mixture of texts bearing the label “HB 1638” from different jurisdictions and with different subject matters. The primary document (Document 5 / DFA1 and Amendment H1) concerns an Arkansas bill to modernize statutory references to the United States Armed Forces and to add the United States Space Force to various state statutes. Other excerpts in your package appear to be unrelated material (e.g., an Illinois-controlled substances bill) and a mixed legislative action log. This summary focuses on the Arkansas HB 1638 content contained in Document 5.
Purpose and intent
- To update Arkansas law to: (1) include the United States Space Force among the listed Armed Forces/uniformed services; and (2) modernize language (e.g., replacing “branch” with “regular” in many places) so members and veterans of the Space Force and their reserve components are eligible for existing state benefits and to clean up World War II–era wording.
Key provisions and statutory changes
- Adds “United States Space Force” to definitions and lists of the United States Armed Forces/uniformed services across multiple Arkansas Code sections, so Space Force personnel are explicitly included in:
- Criminal statutes (e.g., stolen valor, weapons-related provisions).
- Licensing and licensing exemptions.
- Motor vehicle/driver services provisions (authority to operate vehicles registered in other states; inclusion in DMV-related categories).
- Income tax exemption and retirement/disability benefit references (the fiscal statement notes potential eligibility but no change in tax rules).
- Education-related provisions (Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children; leaves of absence for school employees called to military duty).
- Election-related definitions for “uniformed services.”
- Special license plate eligibility and related DMV items.
- Amendment H1: largely technical edits that replace the word “branch” with “regular” in multiple statutory references and make other cleanup edits (several line/section-specific substitutions are listed).
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: members and veterans of the United States Space Force (active, regular and reserve components) and their families — by clarifying their eligibility for existing state programs, exemptions, and benefits that previously named other armed forces.
- State agencies: Department of Finance & Administration (AIRS), Driver Services/Motor Vehicle (DMV), Office of Motor Vehicle, and tax administration — will need to update forms, computer systems, decals, and employee guidance.
- Taxpayers: no direct change to tax obligations; Space Force members may see reduced state tax liability if entitled to exemptions already in law.
Fiscal and implementation impact
- DFA fiscal statement: no ongoing fiscal impact to state revenue; taxpayers see no direct filing changes. Administrative costs:
- AIRS/DSMV system modifications — estimated $28,000.
- DMV decal design/inventory for a Space Force decal — estimated $480.
- Additional work required to update computer programs, tax forms, guidance, and educate department staff and tax community.
- Time required: “adequate time” for implementation per DFA.
Procedural / status notes
- The metadata you provided lists the bill’s status as “Died In Committee” (introduced Dec. 16, 2024). The Document 5 materials include an engrossed Amendment H1 dated 3/18/2025 and multiple committee/floor actions that appear inconsistent or from other jurisdictions. Because the record is mixed, verify the official final status and enactment history with the Arkansas legislative records (or the relevant state legislature) for authoritative confirmation.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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