Sanders Announces 344 Regulatory Changes to Cut Red Tape

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced the results of her Executive Order, signed February 16, 2026, instructing state agencies to review how Arkansas issues permits, licenses, and other regulatory approvals. Under EO 26-04, 13 state departments identified 344 ways to make those approvals faster, simpler, less costly and burdensome for the people and businesses who need them. 75 of those improvements have since been implemented or are underway.

"We don't grow our economy by putting government in charge and telling everyone what to do; we grow our economy by getting government out of the way and letting entrepreneurs and small businesses do what they do best," said Governor Sanders. "My administration is focused on making government work better for you, and these regulatory changes deliver on that promise: less red tape, faster approvals, and clearer rules. We're giving Arkansans the tools they need to build the businesses and economy our state needs to thrive."

Of the 344 changes, 51 have already been enacted, and 24 are already underway at state agencies. Of the remaining proposed changes, agencies determined that 84 findings need statutory or rule changes from the legislature to go into effect, while an additional 80 findings require changes within departments' internal rulemaking process. Sanders has instructed her agencies to pursue all regulatory changes possible at this time and engage the legislature on future changes during the upcoming legislative session.

13 state agencies are proposing regulatory, statutory, and operational changes: 63 at the Department of Health (ADH), 55 at the Department of Agriculture, 42 at the Department of Education (ADE), 31 at the Department of Human Services (DHS), 30 at the Department of Energy and Environment (E&E), 24 at the Department of Labor and Licensing (ADLL), 24 at the Department of Public Safety (DPS), 15 at the Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism (ADPHT), 15 at the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), 13 at the Department of Corrections (DOC), 12 at the Department of Commerce, 12 at the Department of Veterans' Affairs (ADVA), and 8 at the Department of Inspector General (DIG).

Examples of the types of regulatory changes pursued, as well as some areas they will impact, are below:

• Sales tax permits in a day. The Department of Finance and Administration is moving to electronic verification so that most new sales tax permits are approved within 24 hours instead of about 10 business days.
  

• A health licensing portal built by state staff. The Department of Health built its online Application Portal itself rather than buying one, avoiding a $5.57 million vendor quote and $973,000 a year in subscription fees. Applicants can apply, pay, track their status, and get renewal reminders online, and at least 11 more programs are expected to join.
  

• Insurance licenses in about three days. Beginning November 12, new insurance agents will take their exam before they apply, shortening the average wait for a license from about three weeks to about three days.
  

• One lead agency for wastewater systems. Applicants who once paid two sets of fees and went through two technical reviews by the Departments of Health and Energy and Environment now deal with one lead agency and one shared application, under an agreement put into effect August 1.
  

• Clear deadlines on environmental permits. The Department of Energy and Environment now sends applicants one list of missing items within a set time, and it has removed extra layers of senior-management review from routine coverage under general permits.
  

• Fewer trips to the revenue office. Finance and Administration is expanding online driver's license renewal and adding Electronic Vehicle Registration. Car dealers will send vehicle registration information to the state electronically by the end of this year.

• One screener for early childhood programs. The Department of Education's Natural Start screener shows a family, in five steps, whether it is likely eligible for Arkansas Better Chance, School Readiness Assistance, Head Start, or Early Head Start.

A full list of the proposed regulatory changes is available here.

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