Ark. Code Ann. § 27-19-408: Court review

(a) Any order or act of the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a de novo petition of review in the circuit court of the district in which any party of interest resides.

(b) The filing of a petition of review shall not operate as an automatic stay of any order or act of the secretary.

(c) A determination shall be made by the circuit judge on the issue of whether a stay should be granted.

(d) The circuit judge is vested with the jurisdiction to determine whether the petitioner is entitled to a license or whether the act or order of the secretary should be affirmed, modified, or reversed.