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HB 1944

Appropriation; Jackson Redevelopment Authority to assist with infrastructure, public safety and economic development projects.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Earle Banks and 7 co-sponsors

Creates an Arkansas EMS Foundation specialty license plate with $25 design-use remitted monthly to the Foundation and $10 to DFA, plus renewal remittances.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1944

Summary — HB 1944 (Arkansas, 95th General Assembly, 2025)

Status: Died in Senate committee (Sine Die adjournment, 2025-05-05)
Introduced: January 17, 2025
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Vaught; Sen. J. Boyd (cosponsor via amendment)
Subject area: Special motor vehicle license plates (amendment to Special License Plate Act of 2005)

Note: The legislative file provided contains extraneous/erroneous text from an unrelated Illinois bill (also numbered HB1944). This summary covers the Arkansas bill text and legislative history.

Purpose / Intent

To authorize a new Arkansas EMS Foundation special license plate, establish fee and remittance rules for issuance and renewal, and repeal the existing Grand Lodge of Arkansas special license plate statute.

Key provisions

  • Adds Arkansas Code § 27-24-1433 to create an "Arkansas EMS Foundation" special license plate.
    • Plate design: prepared by the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) in consultation with the Arkansas EMS Foundation.
    • Plates will be numbered consecutively.
  • Issuance and fees on initial registration:
    • Motor vehicle owner must pay the regular registration fee plus:
    • $25 design‑use contribution — remitted monthly to the Arkansas EMS Foundation and to be used exclusively to promote and support the Foundation.
    • $10 handling/administrative fee — deposited into the State Central Services Fund for benefit of DFA’s Revenue Division; credited to the division as supplemental funds and not considered direct revenue.
    • DFA follows existing issuance cost procedures under § 27-24-1404(c)(1)(A).
  • Renewals and replacements:
    • The special plate may be renewed annually or replaced following § 27-24-1405 procedures.
    • Renewal fees collected under § 27-24-1405(b)(2) for these plates must be remitted monthly to the Arkansas EMS Foundation.
  • Repeal:
    • Repeals Arkansas Code § 27-24-1428, which previously authorized a Grand Lodge of Arkansas special license plate. The repealed section had similar fee structure ($25 design contribution to the Grand Lodge, $10 handling fee) and required presentation of a current Masonic dues card.

Who is affected

  • Arkansas EMS Foundation — would receive dedicated design‑use and renewal fee remittances.
  • Grand Lodge of Arkansas / Arkansas Masons — loss of its statutorily authorized special plate (and associated remittances) if repeal takes effect.
  • Department of Finance and Administration / Revenue Division — responsible for designing/issuing plates, collecting fees, and remitting funds; handling fee allocation specified.
  • Motor vehicle owners — especially EMS supporters who may opt for the new specialty plate and pay the additional fees.

Fiscal impact (as specified)

  • $25 per issuance goes to the Arkansas EMS Foundation (monthly remittance).
  • $10 per issuance retained in State Central Services Fund to benefit DFA’s Revenue Division (supplemental credit; not counted as direct division revenue).
  • Renewal fee remittances to the Foundation are required monthly under the cited renewal statute.

Procedural history (selected)

  • Filed: 2025-01-17
  • Amendment No. 1 (adding Sen. J. Boyd as cosponsor) adopted: 2025-04-07 (bill ordered engrossed)
  • Passed House (third reading): 2025-04-08; transmitted to Senate 2025-04-09
  • Referred to Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs committee; bill died in Senate committee at Sine Die adjournment (2025-05-05)

Notes

  • The bill text closely mirrors the prior statutory schema for specialty plates (design consultation, consecutive numbering, fee remittance mechanics).
  • Repeal of the Grand Lodge plate eliminates a membership‑conditional plate (previously required proof of Masonic dues).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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