Arkansas statehouse week 5 review: Fluoride, babies and cell phones

Catch up quick: Key takeaways from this week include

• Five of six Senate bills that would change the state's citizen-led petition process — partly by tightening requirements on canvassers — advanced through committee and the Senate. The sixth, which would've created a law enforcement agency within the Secretary of State's office, failed.
• A Northwest Arkansas Senator's attempt to repeal state law requiring fluoride in water systems failed in committee.
• Both chambers approved identical bills known collectively as the "Healthy Moms, Health Babies Act" that would provide some reforms to Medicaid.
• The House approved an amended version of SB142 which would ban students from using cellphones and other devices during the school day at public schools. The bill returns to the Senate to approve the amendment.
• A bill that would require public and open-enrollment charter schools to include a video produced by an anti-abortion organization in health classes beginning in fifth grade was pulled by its sponsor for amendments.

A few bills filed from the past week that we're watching:

HB1445 would prohibit local governments from restricting properties from being used as short-term rentals like Airbnbs. The bill allows local governments to require short-term rentals to register with the local government.

SJ13 would allow voters to decide whether candidates for Arkansas Supreme Court justice, court of appeals, circuit judge or district judge will be allowed to declare a party affiliation. The positions are currently nonpartisan.

HB1436 would prohibit food processing plants operating slaughterhouses from being within two miles of a church, public school or densely populated residential area.

HB1437 would ban sex offenders from water parks, swimming areas or children's playgrounds at public parks.