TODAY AT THE CAPITOL

A full schedule of committees met this morning at 10:00. The House and Senate will convene at 1:30 p.m. To view bills, committee schedules, agendas, and live streams, visit www.arkleg.state.ar.us.

* * * CALL TO ACTION* * *

HB 1204 – Rep. Jon Eubanks (R) and Sen. Missy Irvin (R)

Seeks to establish recovery of damages for necessary medical care, treatment or services rendered. This bill received a Do Pass recommendation yesterday in the House Judiciary Committee. It is on this afternoon’s House Calendar.

We support this bill, which is designed to increase transparency and bring fairness to the calculation of damages in litigation.

Please call or text your state representative and ask them to vote FOR HB 1204.

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SB 70 – Sen. Jimmy Hickey (R) and Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R)

Seeks to amend the law concerning standards for insurance policies and to revise insurer notice requirements for premium increases. The bill is on today’s agenda in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. We support this bill.

HB 1159 – Rep. Jay Richardson (D)

This bill would create the Retail Convenience Store Security Act and regulate/require certain security measures at retail convenience stores. This bill is on today’s agenda in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. We oppose this bill.

HB 1177 – Rep Matt Brown (R) and Sen. Blake Johnson (R)

This bill seeks to amend the Arkansas Franchise Practices Act and clarify the applicability of the Arkansas Franchise Practices Act. This bill is on today’s agenda in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

SB 58 – Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R) and Rep. Jon Eubanks (R)

This bill seeks to remove the prohibition on nonprofit, tax-exempt, or governmentally funded hospitals holding a licensed pharmacy permit for the sale of retail drugs. This bill is on today’s agenda in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. We support this bill.

SB 5 – Sen. Bryan King (R)

Seeks to add the criminal offense of prescription drug harm or homicide. This bill is on today’s agenda in the Senate Judiciary Committee. We oppose this bill.

SB 6 – Sen. Bryan King (R)

Seeks to create the criminal offense of vaccine harm. This bill is on today’s agenda in the Senate Judiciary Committee. We oppose this bill.

TOMORROW AT THE CAPITOL

HB 1116 – Rep. David Ray (R) and Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R)

This legislation proposes to provide income tax and withholding exemptions for certain remote and mobile employees and nonresidents, ensuring the state remains competitive in attracting modern, flexible work arrangements. This bill is on tomorrow’s agenda in the House Revenue & Taxation Committee. We support this bill.

SB 60 – Sen. Ricky Hill (R) and Rep. Brian Evans (R)

This bill seeks to prohibit a digital asset mining business from being located within a thirty-mile radius of a military facility. This bill is on tomorrow's agenda in the Senate City, County and Local Committee.

SB 10 – Sen. Bryan King (R)

Seeks to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 and regulate the impact on water usage and the electric grid by blockchain networks and digital asset mining. This bill is on tomorrow’s agenda in the Senate City, County and Local Affairs Committee.

YESTERDAY AT THE CAPITOL

HB 1133 - Rep. Steve Unger (R)

Will authorize the Northwest Technical Institute to appoint a president with an industry background. This bill was approved by the Senate 35-0 yesterday and has been sent to the Governor. We support this bill.

TRACKED BILLS

We added ten bills to our tracking list based on yesterday's filings.

HB 1277 – Rep. Zachary Gramlich (R) and Sen. Justin Boyd (R)

Amends payments for corrective action regarding petroleum storage tanks and allows third-party consultants of owners and operators to be paid directly for corrective action. Referred to the House Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee.

HB 1282 – Rep. Jay Richardson (D) and Sen. Justin Boyd (R)

Addresses the unauthorized practice of law. Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 1288 – Rep. Lee Johnson (R)

Amends the Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act and requires healthcare insurers to make certain retroactive payments to providers upon credentialing.

HB 1289 – Rep. Steve Unger (R)

Amends duties of the Arkansas Waterways Commission and establishes an Arkansas Waterways Commission Police Force.

HB 1290 – Rep. Lee Johnson (R)

Mandates coverage for mental health wellness examinations and establishes the Arkansas Support of Mental Health Wellness Examinations Act.

HJR 1008 – Stephen Meeks (R)

Proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning the taxation of personal and real property. Referred to House State Agencies Committee.

SB 133 – Sen. Justin Boyd (R) and Rep. Howard Beaty (R)

Amends the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and defines "central bank digital currency," modifies UCC definitions of "money" and "deposit account." Referred to the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.

SB 136 – Sen. Justin Boyd (R) and Rep. Zachary Gramlich (R)

Creates the Right to Try Individualized Investigational Treatment Act and ensures patient access to individualized investigational treatment. Referred to the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee.

SB 139 – Sen. Justin Boyd (R) and Rep. Zachary Gramlich (R)

Clarifies that a covenant not to compete agreement is unenforceable for certain licensed medical professionals.

SB 140 – Sen. Justin Boyd (R) and Rep. Brandon Achor (R)

Mandates the use of biosimilar medicines under health benefit plans. Requires healthcare providers to prescribe biosimilar medicines and improves access to biosimilar medicines.