Arkansas public entity AI/ADS policy mandate (Act 848, 2025)
Arkansas Act 848 (HB 1958) — All Public Entities Must Adopt AI Policy
Arkansas · Ark. Act 848 of 2025 (HB 1958), amending Ark. Code Ann. § 25-1-128; eff. August 5, 2025
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- August 5, 2025
- Applies to
- All Arkansas public entities including state agencies, school districts, counties, cities, and other government bodies
- Enforced by
- Internal to each public entity; no centralized enforcement agency specified
Arkansas Act 848 (HB 1958), approved April 17, 2025 and in effect since August 5, 2025, requires every public entity in Arkansas, including state agencies, school districts, colleges, and cities and counties, to adopt a written policy on the use of artificial intelligence and automated decision tools. Each policy must spell out how AI may be used and must require a human employee to make any final decision, whatever the AI tool recommends. Employees must be trained on the policy, state entities must make their policy available to the public on request, and each entity must set up a disciplinary procedure for violations. The policies must also bar using public technology and AI to lobby or push personal political opinions to elected officials, to break the law, or to get around security controls. The bill passed 93-0 in the House and 35-0 in the Senate.
Who is protected: Arkansas residents interacting with any state or local government agency using AI/automated decision tools
Legal detail
Arkansas Act 848 (HB 1958, 2025) amends Ark. Code Ann. § 25-1-128 to require each public entity (state departments, constitutional offices, political subdivisions, school districts, charter schools, institutions of higher education, and others listed) to create an artificial intelligence and automated decision tool policy that (A) defines authorized use and (B) requires an authorized human employee or designee to make any final decision regardless of what the AI or automated decision tool recommends. Adds definitions of "artificial intelligence" and "automated decision tool" (a system specifically developed or modified to make, or be a controlling factor in, consequential decisions). Requires employee training on the policy; public availability upon request for state entities; Department of Education, with the State Cybersecurity Office, to develop model policies for educational entities; required prohibitions (personal political opinions to elected officials, lobbying on personal opinions, illegal activity, overriding security); and a disciplinary procedure for violations. No emergency clause; effective August 5, 2025. No civil penalty or outside enforcement agency.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | April 17, 2025 |
| Citation | Ark. Act 848 of 2025 (HB 1958), amending Ark. Code Ann. § 25-1-128; eff. August 5, 2025 |
| Topics | government use of AI · automated decision-making |
| Bill text | AR Arkansas public entity AI/ADS policy mandate (Act 848, 2025) — official record (arkleg.state.ar.us) |
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