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2 Things to Know Today: November 16

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1

First Legislative bills filed

The first two bills for the 94th General Assembly have been filed. They are companion bills – one in the House and in the Senate – that are titled: To Create the “Truth in Sentencing and Parole Reform Act of 2023.” Sponsors are Sen. Ben Gilmore and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway.

Rep. Gazaway spoke in the last legislative session about the need for sentencing and parole reform, and he unsuccessfully ran a bill regarding parole eligibility for drivers convicted of killing or seriously injuring workers in work zones. It would have required the convicted person to serve at least half of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. It failed in the House Judiciary Committee. See video of the discussion below.

This is likely part of a broader package focused on prisons and public safety. Elected Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has made public safety a cornerstone of her incoming adminstration. Read her platform here.

Keep up with all bills filed in the 94th General Assembly on our Bills page.

 

2

Arkansas in the 2024 Presidential Election

Unless you’re living under a rock (or blessedly alongside Steel Creek in Newton County), you’re aware that last night Donald Trump announced a bid for president in 2024. That immediately prompted a couple of tweets from current Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.

Expecting to see some travel to the Northeast shortly for Governor Hutchinson.

There’s also been chatter about Incoming Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders as a VP pick. That was only heightened as her father and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee appeared on Fox News lauding Trump’s announcement speech.