everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Republican Sponsorship
Public Safety

SB159

To Amend The Law Concerning Administration Of Local Police And Fire Pension And Relief Funds.

Failed

Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 159 is a legislative proposal intended to amend existing Arkansas statutes regarding the administration of local police and fire pension and relief funds. The text of the bill serves as a placeholder, formally declaring its purpose to revise current laws governing these retirement and relief systems. The bill does not contain specific operational, financial, or structural changes at this stage, but establishes the legislative intent to address how these local funds are managed and administered. It is designed to move through the 95th General Assembly to potentially refine oversight, funding, or benefit distributions for public safety personnel pensions.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are local police officers and firefighters enrolled in these pension and relief funds, as well as the administrators and local government boards responsible for managing these retirement systems. If the subsequent amendments improve fiscal solvency or administrative efficiency, the long-term stability of retirement benefits for public safety personnel would be bolstered.

Who Might Suffer?

Because the bill text is currently a broad authorization to amend the law without specific details, it is difficult to identify specific entities that would be negatively impacted. However, if the eventual amendments involve increased regulatory requirements, increased administrative oversight, or changes to funding contribution requirements, local government municipalities or taxpayers might be negatively impacted by increased financial or administrative burdens.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us