Dear Fayetteville,
I hope you all had a restful and fun-fiilled Spring Break! We had the week off too, and time at home with my family has me refreshed and ready to take on the last few weeks of legislative work in Little Rock.
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Act 313: Expanding Affordable Housing Options
I'm proud to share that my affordable housing bill has officially been signed into law as Act 313.
This new law makes it easier for Arkansans to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—small, independent living spaces like garage apartments or backyard cottages. ADUs enable homeowners to more fully utilize their property’s potential, while also helping to tackle the housing shortage by offering additional housing options for seniors, young people, and those priced out of the traditional market.
Affordable housing was a focus of mine this session for a few reasons:
- First and foremost, we are, put simply, at crisis levels when it comes to housing. I’ve heard too many stories from too many families who are struggling with this most fundamental necessity. This session, I was committed to doing whatever it took to put more roofs over more heads.
- Second, once I started my policy research, it quickly became clear that it was an area in which there was some room for bipartisan agreement. With Democrats in the super-minority, any bill has to have more Republican than Democratic support to become law. So, if I want a bill to pass, it has to be in a subject area with potential Republican buy-in. Affordable housing is one of those areas.
This bill ultimately passed with broad support from both sides of the aisle. A huge thanks is owed to its Senate sponsor, Senate President Pro Temp Bart Hester (R - Cave Springs) for being a passionate and vocal champion of the legislation.
It wasn’t easy, but it’s work that will matter. And it’s a great example of what we can accomplish when we focus on solutions that serve all Arkansans.
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Act 416: Honoring Firefighters and Their Families
Another piece of legislation I introduced – this one honoring firefighters’ families for their service – was recently signed into law. Now Act 416, this law ensures that firefighters who die from certain occupational cancers will be recognized as having died in the line of duty. It mirrors a previous bill I ran that dealt with line-of-duty disability benefits.
This means that surviving spouses will now receive the full benefits owed to families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.
It’s the least we can do for families who have given everything to keep us safe. This law is a long-overdue step in honoring the dedication, bravery, and sacrifice of our firefighters.
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So grateful to both Kim Christensen and Amy Morrison, both of whom lost their husbands to line-of-duty cancers, for their sacrifices and their continued advocacy to help so many other families like theirs. They are pictured here with me and Matthew Stallings, President of Local No. 34 of the Int'l Assocation of Fire Fighters.
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Standing Against an Anti-Trans Bill
But, it isn’t all good bills, of course.
The past few weeks have also brought some deeply troubling bills, including anti-trans HB1668, which came before the House Judiciary Committee. The proposal sought to impose civil liability on anyone who assists a child in “socially transitioning”—whether by affirming a new name, haircut, or clothing.
This bill, brought forward by an out-of-state anti-trans activist, was as extreme as it was unconstitutional. It claimed to “protect the bond between parent and child” while actually threatening teachers, counselors, and even supportive family members with lawsuits for showing compassion.
During committee, I and several of my colleagues raised serious concerns—some of which you can watch here. The Attorney General’s office ultimately agreed, testifying that the bill would be indefensible in court. Shortly after, the bill’s sponsor pulled it down.
This was an important win for LGBTQ Arkansans—but we’re staying vigilant, as an amended version could return later this week.
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Looking Ahead: Session Nears Its End
We are currently scheduled to adjourn on April 16. In these final weeks, we know more challenges lie ahead—including a vote to fund the controversial Franklin County prison and more harmful bills targeting immigrants and LGBTQ Arkansans.
But there’s still reason for hope. I have a few more bills still in motion, and I look forward to sharing updates as they advance.
As always, please feel free to reach out with any concerns or questions. Your input helps guide my work and keeps me grounded in the values we share. If you want to be in touch directly, the best way to reach me—especially during session—is by text at (479) 445-5337.
It’s been a tough session—but also a meaningful one. The passage of both Act 313 and Act 416 is proof that hard work, thoughtful policymaking, and persistence can pay off.
Please let me know how I can best serve you. It’s an honor to have the chance to.
Love,
Nicole
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