Committee clears several technical and noncontroversial bills; votes at a glance
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee voted to pass a package of technical and narrowly focused bills, including amendments to liability for dirt‑bike use on private property, a title‑19 recodification, and an approval to allow certain minor settlements to be placed in 529 plans.
The committee handled a set of technical or noncontroversial items and approved them by voice vote.
Dirt‑bike liability and access: Representative Justin Gonzales presented a technical correction bill to add dirt bikes to existing code provisions that protect private property owners who host off‑road events and to define “dirt bike” in state law. Jacob Hyatt (rider/economy witness) described community economic benefits when sanctioned races occur in small towns and said the change clarifies liability for landowners. The committee adopted the bill and passed it by voice vote.
Title 19 recodification (House Bill 1508): Representative Shepherd and code‑revision staff described HB 1508 as a technical recodification and reorganization of Title 19 of the Arkansas Code. The measure reorganizes treasury fund chapters, adds subtitles to improve readability, and transfers material to more appropriate titles. Sponsors said no substantive legal change was intended; the committee voted to pass.
Minor‑settlement investment options (529 plans): Representative Ashley Hudson presented HB 1527 to add Arkansas 529 (Arkansas Brighter Future/college savings) plans as an approved investment option for court‑approved minor settlements. Hudson said the change gives courts an additional, interest‑bearing option for minors’ funds when approving settlements. The committee adopted and passed the measure by voice vote.
All three items passed on voice votes during the same session; the committee recorded no substantive public controversy or opposition on the floor for these measures during the hearing.
