Arkansas Law Review

Arkansas Law Notes

We are proud to present the new Arkansas Law Notes online edition. This new online version of Law Notes will continue to focus on Arkansas legal developments but with a greater focus on breaking legal news. For example, the current, launch edition features a column by Professor Howard Brill, "Migrating Lawyers," discussing a recent Arkansas Supreme Court decision. You can expect more perspective on the Supreme Court in future editions, as well as articles and notes from professors, students, and practitioners. This new online format continues the rich tradition of Arkansas Law Notes. You can find its history and submission guidelines here.

Article

Legislative Update from the 94th General Assembly: Arkansas Bills Affecting Pregnant and Postpartum Mothers

Garrett Bannister

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org., the State of Arkansas was swift in restricting almost all abortions in the Natural State. Arkansas’s decision was met with plaudits from its supporters and reproval by its dissenters. In this unchartered legal territory, Arkansas’s 94th General Assembly—the first legislative session in the wake of Dobbs—has passed and proposed several bills that would provide pregnant and postpartum mothers and their children with medical and financial assistance. Specifically, these bills would provide pregnant and new mothers with health screenings, help high school-aged parents graduate, and require insurance coverage for a variety of postpartum health initiatives. This article is not a discussion of Dobbs’ legal or political merits. Rather, it discusses the current and developing legal landscape in Arkansas, examines what these bills aim to accomplish, and flags the areas that may have unanticipated legal consequences.

A Rising Tide: An Argument For Requiring Municipal Liability Insurance For Public Utility Services In Arkansas

Christopher Brown

Municipalities can contribute to sanitary sewer overflows through negligent maintenance, poor design, intrusion on sewer lines, and failure to replace aging sewer systems. Throughout the United States, an aging wastewater system is currently failing and is expected to degrade further, which contributes to sewage backups into residences. Arkansas is one of two states in the United States that prevents a resident from recovering damages from an overflow due to the negligent design or maintenance of sewage utilities by a municipality via statute. This Comment argues for a “middle ground” solution, whereby Arkansas municipalities should be required to obtain liability insurance sufficient to cover damages sustained by their citizens as the result of negligent or reckless maintenance of sewage infrastructure.

Heads up! Arkansas has a new LLC Act

Carol Goforth

This short piece points out some basic information about the Arkansas ULLCA and some of the major changes in Arkansas law applicable to LLCs. While lawyers will obviously need to consult the new statute when actual issues arise, this article should at least provide a "heads up" notice to practitioners with LLCs or their members and managers as clients.