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HB 1958

Creates provisions relating to warning labels for food products containing unsafe chemicals

2026 Regular Session Introduced by LaKeySha Bosley

Arkansas public entities must adopt written policies on technology use, cybersecurity, and AI/automated decisions, require human review for employment decisions, and train staff.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 1958

Summary — HB 1958 (Arkansas, 95th General Assembly, 2025)

Title shown in provided text: "To require public entities to create a policy concerning the authorized use of artificial intelligence."

Note on document inconsistencies: The materials supplied mix multiple, unrelated items (an Arkansas AI bill text, an Illinois appropriation labelled HB1958, and a different bill title about a local restaurant tax). This summary focuses on the Arkansas bill text provided, which amends Ark. Code § 25-1-128 and concerns AI and technology-use policies for public entities. The legislative history in the package is inconsistent; verify final status with the official Arkansas legislative website.

Purpose / Intent

Require Arkansas public entities to adopt written policies governing:
- authorized use of technology resources,
- cybersecurity (per State Cybersecurity Office standards), and
- use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision tools — including human review requirements and employee training.

Key definitions introduced

  • Artificial intelligence: machine-based systems that make predictions, recommendations, or decisions based on human-defined objectives.
  • Automated decision tool: an AI system specifically developed/ marketed or modified to make or be a controlling factor in consequential decisions.
  • Public entity: broadly defined to include state departments, political subdivisions, public school districts, charter schools, institutions of higher education, and certain commissions and agencies (long enumerated list).
  • Technology resources: hardware, software, networks, telecommunications, procedures, training, and public entity email accounts.

Major provisions

  • Amends Ark. Code § 25-1-128(a)–(e) to add AI-specific requirements.
  • Requires each public entity to create:
    • a technology resources policy defining authorized use;
    • a cybersecurity policy based on State Cybersecurity Office standards (with a carve‑out noted for political subdivisions in one clause);
    • an AI and automated decision tool policy that defines authorized AI uses and requires an authorized human employee (or designee) to make any final employment-related decisions regardless of AI recommendations.
  • Requires development of employee training programs covering technology, cybersecurity, and AI/automated decision tool policies (with a stated exception for political subdivisions regarding cybersecurity training).
  • Requires that technology resources and AI/automated decision tool policies for state entities be available to the public on request.
  • Directs the Department of Education, in coordination with the State Cybersecurity Office, to develop model technology and AI policies for state educational institutions and make them public.
  • Mandates prohibitions in policies on uses such as illegal activities, overriding system security, and certain political/lobbying activities (language in the draft is partially fragmented).
  • Requires public entities to adopt disciplinary procedures for violations (provision text is truncated in the supplied document).

Who would be affected

  • All Arkansas public entities as defined (state agencies, departments, public school districts and boards, charter schools, institutions of higher education, political subdivisions).
  • Employees of those public entities who use technology or AI systems.
  • Vendors and contractors supplying AI/automated decision tools to public entities (policies will govern procurement/use and human-in-the-loop requirements).

Procedural / timeline notes & status

  • Introduced: January 22, 2025 (Representative S. Meeks; Senate cosponsor J. English per Amendment S1).
  • Engrossed version dated 4/9/25 included in materials.
  • The top of the provided bill packet indicates status: "Died In Committee." However, the legislative actions included are inconsistent (some entries suggest passage/enrollment in another bill context). Confirm current status from the Arkansas legislative record.

Potential impacts

  • Increased administrative workload and costs for public entities to draft, adopt, and publish new policies and training materials.
  • Greater transparency and oversight for use of AI by state actors; formalized human-final-decision requirement limits fully automated consequential decisions.
  • Possible procurement and operational changes for agencies using automated decision tools to ensure compliance with policies and training requirements.
  • Legal and personnel implications from enforcement and disciplinary provisions (text incomplete in document).

If you want, I can:
- Verify the bill’s current status with the Arkansas Legislature online record; or
- Produce a redline showing exact code changes (based on the provided text) and highlight truncated/missing sections that require confirmation.

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

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