Summary — HR 1016 (Arkansas House Resolution)
Title: To recognize February 10, 2025, as Kids Count Day at the State Capitol, and to recognize the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition for its advocacy on behalf of the children of Arkansas.
Status: Read and adopted (House). Introduced February 5, 2025. Reported enrolled May 24, 2025.
Main purpose and intent
HR 1016 is a ceremonial House resolution that:
- Proclaims February 10, 2025, as "Kids Count Day" at the Arkansas State Capitol; and
- Formally recognizes the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition for its advocacy on behalf of Arkansas children.
The resolution is intended to honor and highlight the coalition’s work raising awareness of child well‑being and supporting grassroots advocacy.
Key provisions
- Official recognition of February 10, 2025, as Kids Count Day at the State Capitol.
- Formal recognition of the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition for its advocacy efforts.
- Directs that, upon adoption, a copy of the resolution be provided to the membership of the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.
There are no statutory changes, appropriations, regulatory mandates, or new legal obligations created by this resolution.
Who is affected
- Arkansas Kids Count Coalition — explicitly recognized. The resolution cites coalition details (membership and activities).
- Children and child‑service advocates in Arkansas — beneficiaries of increased visibility and recognition of advocacy work.
- State House administrative staff — tasked with providing a copy of the resolution to the coalition.
The resolution does not create enforceable rights or duties for state agencies, nor does it allocate funding.
Notable facts about the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition (as recited in the resolution)
- Founded in 1996 and staffed by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.
- Membership described as 26 organizations and 104 individuals statewide.
- Cited progress: child poverty cited as having declined from 1 in 4 children in 1996 to 1 in 5 today (as stated in the text).
- 2024 activity: hosted 14 events in eight towns and online, with 442 total attendees.
- The coalition’s stated activities include educating advocates, supporting grassroots lobbying, and working on mental health, hunger alleviation, and other child‑wellbeing issues.
Legislative timeline and sponsors
- Filed/introduced: late January / February 5, 2025 (filed Jan 27; introduced Feb 5 in House).
- Read and adopted: February 10, 2025 (notation: READ AND ADOPTED).
- Placed on calendars / adopted again: May 23, 2025; reported enrolled May 24, 2025.
- Sponsors/cosponsors include Representatives T. Shephard and Barnett, with Nancy Mace listed as a primary sponsor and multiple cosponsors from the House delegation.
Impact
This is a nonbinding, symbolic resolution intended to:
- Publicly acknowledge and support the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition and its work;
- Raise visibility for child‑wellbeing issues at the State Capitol on a designated day.
It carries no budgetary consequences or changes to law.
