The Arkansas Legislature has approved a $6.2 billion budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes a major overhaul of the state's sentencing laws. The budget plan was passed with bipartisan support and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Asa Hutchinson. The budget plan includes funding for education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects, as well as a $100 million increase in funding for the state's prison system. The increase in funding for the prison system is part of a larger effort to reform the state's criminal justice system and reduce the number of people in prison. The sentencing overhaul included in the budget plan is aimed at reducing the number of people in prison for nonviolent offenses and providing more resources for rehabilitation and reentry programs. The plan includes changes to the state's mandatory minimum sentencing laws and expands eligibility for parole and probation. The sentencing overhaul has been praised by criminal justice reform advocates, who say that it will help reduce the state's prison population and save taxpayers money. The plan is also expected to have a positive impact on communities, as it will provide more resources for rehabilitation and reentry programs that can help people successfully reintegrate into society after serving their sentences. The budget plan has been hailed as a major step forward for Arkansas, which has struggled with high rates of incarceration and limited resources for rehabilitation and reentry programs. The plan is expected to have a significant impact on the state's criminal justice system and could serve as a model for other states looking to reform their own sentencing laws. Overall, the Arkansas Legislature's approval of the $6.2 billion budget plan and sentencing overhaul is a positive development for the state and its residents. The plan represents a major investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while also addressing the pressing issue of criminal justice reform. With bipartisan support and the backing of Governor Hutchinson, the plan is poised to have a significant impact on the state's future.