Several new laws go into effect Wednesday in Arkansas
![[UNVERIFIED CONTENT] Designed in the Neo-classical style, the Arkansas State Capitol building...](https://gray-ky3-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PP5G6SSYSNPCLFMMVMXPSVJVQM.jpg?auth=f1157c6dac10081bafbb22639ad75bb05addeb93e51370eb360c94ae5a43cbe1&width=800&height=450&smart=true)
The changing of a calendar not only means the changing of a year, but several new laws that will take effect in the Natural State.
According to a post on the Arkansas House of Representatives website, there are several new laws that will take effect Jan. 1.
*One of the new laws is Act 182, which lowers the state’s top income tax rate from 6.9% to 6.6%. The top rate is also set to drop to 5.9% in 2021.
*Act 869 creates the Online Insurance Verification System. Officials said the new system will allow officers, during a traffic stop, to see real-time information as to whether or not a vehicle is insured.
*Act 774 also requires the Department of Finance and Administration to put space on individual tax forms for a taxpayer to designate more than one account for direct deposit on a tax refund.
*Act 564 - requires the annual publication of the county budget and annual financial report of a county.
*Act 653 - would prohibit state funding for human cloning and destructive embryo research.
*Act 866 - would prohibit a business that is subject to a business closure order by the Department of Finance and Administration from contracting or doing business with the state.
