Arkansas House Bill HR1094

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/25
• Refer: 3/19/25
• Report Pass: 3/31/25
• Passed: 4/10/25

Caption

To Raise Awareness Of The Issue Of Food Insecurity; To Acknowledge School Breakfast Month In Arkansas; And To Work Toward A Solution To The Issue Of Food Insecurity In Arkansas.

Impact

The resolution outlines a proactive approach by encouraging collaboration among various stakeholders, including hunger relief organizations, businesses, and health care groups. It also calls for Arkansas House members to engage with their communities by visiting local food pantries and schools during School Breakfast Month. These actions are designed to foster a deeper understanding of food insecurity and to facilitate the development of policies aimed at alleviating the issue. The legislative intent is clear: by raising awareness and promoting interaction with the affected communities, there is an opportunity to create more effective solutions.

Summary

House Resolution 1094 (HR1094) is a resolution proposed in the Arkansas General Assembly aimed at raising awareness about food insecurity within the state. It highlights the alarming statistics indicating that Arkansas is ranked number one in the U.S. for food insecurity. The resolution discusses the adverse effects of food insecurity, particularly among families and children, linking it to negative health outcomes and educational challenges, such as lower test scores and higher absenteeism in schools. HR1094 underscores the need for a concerted effort to combat this pressing issue.

Contention

While HR1094 is primarily an awareness-raising effort, it touches on policy development concerning food assistance and nutrition programs for public school children, including the potential implementation of universal breakfast initiatives. This aspect may lead to discussions around funding and resource allocation for such programs, which can be controversial among legislators, especially concerning budget constraints. As such, although the resolution seeks consensus on addressing food insecurity, the implementation of suggested solutions will likely encounter varying degrees of support and opposition based on budgetary priorities.