SUMMARY: House Bill 1422, the “Only Citizens Vote Act,” aims to implement additional checks to identify and remove non-citizens improperly registered to vote in Arkansas. The bill proposes issuing different driver’s licenses to non-citizens and requires the state’s Department of Finance and Administration to provide a list of non-citizens with Arkansas licenses to the Secretary of State. The list will be compared to voter rolls, and non-citizens found on the rolls would be removed. Opponents argue the bill imposes unnecessary costs, and the Washington County Director of Elections states it wouldn’t affect poll worker duties.

The DMV would also send a list to the Secretary of State’s office to check against voter polls.

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SUMMARY: The Little Rock city board has voted not to renew its $188,000 contract with ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system introduced in 2018 aimed at combatting crime. Board member Virgil Miller argued for the renewal, citing the system’s ability to notify police of outdoor gunfire quickly and enhance community safety. In contrast, director Andrea Hogan Lewis stated that while the technology can help solve crimes, it does not prevent them. The senior vice president of ShotSpotter’s parent company expressed disappointment over the decision. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. emphasized the city’s commitment to holistic crime prevention strategies despite the contract’s termination.

The gunshot detection system spread all over Little Rock will soon be turned off. This comes after directors voted not to renew the contract with ShotSpotter.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Tom Cotton are introducing the Focus on Learning Act to study the impacts of smartphone usage in K-12 classrooms. This legislation mandates the U.S. Surgeon General to analyze how cell phone use affects students’ mental health, educational outcomes, and academic performance. Following Virginia’s ban on smartphones in schools, eight states have enacted similar restrictions, with fifteen more proposing legislation. The bill proposes a $5 million annual budget for a five-year pilot program, emphasizes communication systems for emergencies, and allows exceptions for students needing devices for disabilities or translation. Findings will be reported to Congress.

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