Animal cruelty rules, stricter seat belt law sought in proposed legislation

Bills filed Wednesday (Jan. 14) in the 87th General Assembly include the following:

SB 77
The proposed bill would make certain acts of cruelty to a dog, cat or horse a felony. (Link here for more details on this legislation.)

SB 78
This proposed bill would make the state’s mandatory seat belt law a primary offense.

SB 59
The bill would create a new circuit judgeship in the Fourth Judicial District (in Northwest Arkansas).

SB 85
The proposed bill would allow lower to age 16 the ability to donate blood. However, the 16-year old would need parental consent.

There were numerous bills filed that allow for the appropriation of state funds for the various and numerous state agencies and boards. The Wednesday filings included a $202,236 appropriation request for the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors.

These proposed bills were among 39 posted on the Arkansas Legislature Web site as of 515 p.m. There were no bills filed by legislators representing portions of the Fort Smith region.

Link here for more information on bills filed Jan. 14.