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HB 1909

TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SERVICES ONLY FOR CITIZENS ACT; AND TO REQUIRE VERIFICATION OF CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Wayne Long

House Bill 1909 requires citizenship verification for public assistance in Arkansas, impacting non-citizens and increasing administrative costs by $3.2-$6.9 million.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 1909

Summary of House Bill 1909: Public Services Only for Citizens Act

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1909, titled the Public Services Only for Citizens Act, was introduced to establish requirements for verifying citizenship and residency for individuals seeking public assistance in Arkansas. The bill aimed to ensure that only U.S. citizens residing in the state could access federal, state, or local public benefits.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant changes to existing laws regarding public assistance:

  1. Verification Requirements:

    • State agencies and political subdivisions would be required to verify that applicants for public benefits are U.S. citizens and residents of Arkansas.
    • Applicants aged 18 and older would need to provide documentation to prove their citizenship and residency.

  2. Documentation:

    • Acceptable documents for citizenship verification included:
      • Certified birth certificates
      • Certificates of naturalization
      • Other government-issued documents.
    • For residency verification, applicants could provide:
      • Utility bills
      • Bank statements
      • State-issued identification cards.

  3. Penalties:

    • Individuals found to be receiving benefits without valid citizenship status could face prosecution for theft of public benefits.
    • The state could recover any benefits improperly received as a debt.

  4. Reporting:

    • State agencies would be required to report annually on the outcomes of the verification process to the Legislative Council and the Governor.

  5. Implementation Timeline:

    • The bill stipulated that changes to forms and systems for verification would be made upon the first reprinting or updating of relevant materials.

Impact

  • Affected Groups: The bill would primarily impact individuals applying for public assistance, particularly non-citizens or those unable to provide the required documentation.
  • Administrative Costs: The fiscal impact analysis estimated that implementing the verification process could cost between $3.2 million and $6.9 million, with significant costs associated with additional clerical and caseworker staff, mailing costs, and system upgrades.
  • Staffing Needs: The bill anticipated the need for additional clerical and caseworker staff to manage the increased workload from verification processes.

Legislative Status

  • Introduced: March 31, 2025
  • Committee Action: The bill was read and referred to the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor but ultimately died in committee on May 5, 2025, at sine die adjournment.

This summary provides an overview of House Bill 1909, highlighting its intent, key provisions, potential impacts, and legislative status. The bill aimed to tighten eligibility for public assistance based on citizenship and residency verification, reflecting ongoing discussions about public benefits and immigration policy.

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

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