New Arkansas laws taking effect January 1, 2026
24 laws take effect January 1, 2026.
Of the 1,202 bills enacted since 2025, 1,191 have an effective date and 11 don't yet (listed below). A law here takes effect that day by its main provisions; parts of a staggered act may take effect on other dates.
Updated Oct 31, 2026 at 11:07 a.m. EDT.
Taxes (8)
HB 1657 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND FOREST MAINTENANCE INCOME TAX CREDIT.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (Sections 1-6).
Sections 1-6: Sections 1-6 of this act are effective for 31 tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
HB 1685 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SALES AND USE TAXES LEVIED ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 19 OF 1958; AND TO EXEMPT GROCERIES FROM STATE SALES AND USE TAXES.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (Sections 1-14).
Sections 1-14: Sections 1-14 of this act are effective on and after January 1, 2026.
Parts of this act take effect on other dates.
HB 1691 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY TO BE EXEMPT FROM TAXATION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR PUBLIC CHARITY ARE EXEMPT FROM PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (Section 2).
Section 2: Section 2 of this act is effective for 18 assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
HB 1809 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO ALLOW FOR PROPERTY OWNED BY A TRUST OR A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO QUALIFY AS A HOMESTEAD FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED VETERANS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (Sections 1 and 2).
Sections 1 and 2: Sections 1 and 2 of this act are effective 5 for assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
HB 1922 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AMEND THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF 2003; TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR RELOCATING CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO THIS STATE; AND TO ENCOURAGE CORPORATIONS TO RELOCATE TO ARKANSAS.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (Sections 1-5).
Sections 1-5: Sections 1–5 of this act are effective for 27 tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
SB 503 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AN EMPLOYER MUST HAVE TO BE MANDATED TO FILE AN ANNUAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING STATEMENT ELECTRONICALLY; AND TO REQUIRE THE ELECTRONIC FILING OF A WITHHOLDING RETURN FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYERS.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (Section 1).
Section 1: Section 1 of this act is effective for tax years beginning on or 15 after January 1, 2026.
Parts of this act take effect on other dates.
SB 530 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND FOREST MAINTENANCE INCOME TAX CREDIT.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (Sections 1-6).
Sections 1-6: Sections 1-6 of this act are effective for 31 tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
SB 567 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AMEND AND MODERNIZE THE LAW CONCERNING THE APPORTIONMENT OF INCOME DERIVED FROM MULTISTATE OPERATIONS; AND TO CHANGE THE METHOD FOR SOURCING OF RECEIPTS FOR SERVICES AND INTANGIBLES.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (act).
This act is effective for tax years 31 beginning on and after January 1, 2026.
Government (5)
HB 1315 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AUTHORIZE A BLOOD TYPE DESIGNATION TO BE PLACED ON A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD.
How we got this date
This act is effective on 19 and after January 1, 2026.
HB 1543 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025.
How we got this date
This subchapter shall be effective on and after January 1, 2026.
HB 1739 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIALS ACT.
How we got this date
This act is effective on and after January 1, 2026.
HB 1896 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO CREATE THE JUNK FEE ELIMINATING ACT OF 2025; TO ABOLISH THE INFORMATION NETWORK OF ARKANSAS; AND TO TRANSFER ANY REMAINING DUTIES OF THE INFORMATION NETWORK OF ARKANSAS TO THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
How we got this date
This act is effective on 11 and after January 1, 2026.
SB 343 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATE-OWNED MOTOR VEHICLES; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC PROPERTY; AND TO AMEND THE AUTOMOBILE AND PICKUP TRUCK ACQUISITION ACT FOR THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (Sections 2 through 8).
Sections 2 through 8: Sections 2 through 8 of this act are effective on and after January 1, 2026.
Parts of this act take effect on other dates.
Finance (2)
HB 1063 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AMEND THE ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM ACT; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITIONS OF "DISABILITY CERTIFICATION" AND "ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL" TO CHANGE DISABILITY ONSET AGE FROM TWENTY-SIX TO FORTY-SIX.
How we got this date
This act is effective on and after January 1, 2026.
HB 1749 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM TRUST DECANTING ACT.
How we got this date
This chapter takes effect on and after January 1, 2026.
Healthcare (2)
HB 1150 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO PROHIBIT A PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER FROM OBTAINING CERTAIN PHARMACY PERMITS.
How we got this date
This act is effective on and after January 1, 2026.
HB 1943 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS IN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO EMPOWER BENEFICIARIES WITH INFORMATION.
How we got this date
This act shall be effective on January 1, 2026.
Housing (2)
HB 1503 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON THE REGULATION OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (act).
A policy, regulation, or ordinance in effect on or after January 7 1, 2026
SB 366 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES ACT; AND TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES PROGRAM FUND.
How we got this date
This act is effective on and after January 1, 2026.
Agriculture (1)
HB 1594 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO CREATE A FARMER SALES TAX IDENTIFICATION CARD; AND TO RELIEVE A SELLER OF SALES TAX REMITTANCE LIABILITY UPON GOOD FAITH ACCEPTANCE OF A FARMER SALES TAX IDENTIFICATION CARD.
How we got this date
This act is effective on and after January 1, 2026.
Crime (1)
SB 521 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT; AND TO EXTEND THE TIME PERIOD AFTER COMPLETION OF TRAINING FOR WHICH REIMBURSEMENT IS REQUIRED.
How we got this date
This act is effective on and after January 1, 2026.
Education (1)
HB 1766 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RESPOND, INNOVATE, SUCCEED, AND EMPOWER (RISE) ACT.
How we got this date
The date of the act's main provisions (Section 1).
Section 1: Section 1 of this act is effective January 1, 2026.
Parts of this act take effect on other dates.
Immigration (1)
HB 1974 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO PROHIBIT STATE ENTITIES FROM EMPLOYING UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS; TO ESTABLISH THE E-VERIFY REQUIREMENT ACT; AND TO REQUIRE STATE ENTITIES TO USE E-VERIFY TO CONFIRM EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.
How we got this date
This act shall be effective on and after January 1, 2026.
Wages (1)
HB 1582 · 2025 Regular SessionStated
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND ENCOURAGE CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES LAW.
How we got this date
This act is effective on and after January 36 As Engrossed: H3/6/25 H3/17/25 HB1582 3 03-17-2025 12:14:07 CRH064 1, 2026.
Enacted, but not yet dated (11)
These laws' texts tie their dates to something outside the legislative record (Contingent), or not enough is recorded yet to give one (Unresolved). They may take effect January 1, 2026 too; the record doesn't say.
Show all 11
- HB 1185ContingentTO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS.Compact statute is enacted into law in the seventh Member State
- HB 1217ContingentTO ESTABLISH THE INTERSTATE MASSAGE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS.Compact statute is enacted into law in the seventh Member State
- HB 1253ContingentTO ADOPT THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS.Compact comes into effect on the date the compact statute is enacted into law in the tenth member state
- HB 1712ContingentTO ESTABLISH THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT IN THIS STATE.Compact statute enacted into law in the seventh Member State
- HB 1807ContingentTO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT HELD FOR RESALE AND USED FOR RENTAL OR CHARTER; AND TO CLARIFY THE PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT HELD FOR RESALE AND USED FOR RENTAL OR CHARTER.First day of the calendar quarter following the effective date of this act
- SB 101ContingentTO ESTABLISH THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT LICENSURE COMPACT.Compact comes into effect on the date it is enacted into law in the seventh Participating State
- SB 111ContingentTO ESTABLISH THE DENTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST COMPACT.Compact comes into effect when enacted into law in the seventh Participating State
- SB 119ContingentTO ESTABLISH THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT.Enactment of the Compact into law by at least seven states
- SB 533ContingentTO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS BY THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO CONTROL BOARD; AND TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS LAW TO ALLOW REGULATION AND PURCHASE OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS.Certification of the Attorney General that a final judgment in Bio Gen LLC v. Sanders upholds Acts 2023, No. 629, or Congress delegates authority to states to regulate or ban hemp-derived products, or amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 or the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to exclude intoxicating cannabinoids
- SB 591ContingentTO PROHIBIT RACE-SELECTION ABORTION IN THIS STATE; AND TO CREATE THE RACE DISCRIMINATION BY ABORTION PROHIBITION ACT.Attorney General certifies that Arkansas is enjoined from preventing abortions except to save the life of the pregnant woman, or that the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act or Unborn Child Protection Act have been repealed or amended to allow abortions.
- SB 614ContingentTO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS.Section 1 effective only if SB227 of the Ninety-Fifth General Assembly is enacted and becomes an act