What is the Fiscal Session?
In every even-numbered year, the Arkansas General Assembly meets to pass legislation setting the budget for the upcoming year. This is called the fiscal session. During a fiscal session, the legislature is only allowed to consider bills related to the budget. Bills outside of this scope can be considered, but only with a 2/3 majority vote in both the House and the Senate. Any votes to decide if non-budget bills will be considered have to take place on the first day of the session.
Fiscal sessions can only last for 30 days. If there is a 3/4 majority vote in both the House and Senate, the session can be extended for an additional 15 days. If the general assembly completes their business they can end the session any time.
Keep an eye on the DRA website to see which bills we track and any important updates for the disability community. Be sure to check the General Assembly’s website to keep track of other filed bills, meeting times, and updates.
Important Dates
March 6-8: The budget committee will hear budget requests from all state boards, commissions, and agencies.
March 11: The pre-filing period for appropriations bills begins.
April 10: The first day of the fiscal session.