TODAY AT THE CAPITOL

Some select committees met at 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. The House and Senate convene at 11:00 a.m. To view bills, committee schedules, agendas, and live streams, visit www.arkleg.state.ar.us.

SB 70 - Sen. Jimmy Hickey and Rep. Robin Lundstrum

Seeks to amend the law concerning standards for insurance policies and to revise insurer notice requirements for premium increases. The bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the House Insurance and Commerce Committee yesterday and is on today’s House Calendar. We support this bill.

SB 58 – Sen. Jonathan Dismang and Rep. Jon Eubanks

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 received a Do Pass as amended recommendation in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee yesterday and is on today’s Senate Calendar to adopt the amendment. We support this bill.

SB 60 – Sen. Ricky Hill and Rep. Brian Evans

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

SB 10 – Sen. Bryan King

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 today’s agenda in the Senate City, County and Local Affairs Committee.

SB 133 – Sen. Justin Boyd and Rep. Howard Beaty

Seeks to amend the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). To define “central bank digital currency” in the UCC and modify the UCC definitions of “money” and “deposit account” This bill is on today’s agenda in the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1049 – Rep. Dwight Tosh

Would amend Arkansas law concerning criminal offenses and criminalize unlawful squatting. This bill is on today’s agenda in the House Judiciary Committee.

YESTERDAY AT THE CAPITOL

HB 1204 – Rep. Jon Eubanks and Sen. Missy Irvin

Seeks to establish recovery of damages for necessary medical care, treatment or services rendered. This bill passed in the House yesterday by a vote of 71 to18. It will move to the Senate next week. We support this bill that is designed to increase transparency and bring fairness to the calculation of damages in litigation.

Thank you to all representatives who supported this bill.

If you asked a representative to support, please be sure to say thank you. Click HERE to view the House vote.

TRACKED BILLS

We added 16 bills to our tracking list based on yesterday's filings.

Healthcare-Related Bills

HB 1295 – Rep. Lee Johnson and Sen. Missy Irvin

Establishes the Healthcare Cost-Sharing Collections Act. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1296 – Rep. Lee Johnson and Sen. Missy Irvin

Mandates coverage for healthcare services provided in mobile units. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1297 – Rep. Lee Johnson and Sen. Missy Irvin

Regulates the use of artificial intelligence, algorithms, and automated technologies by healthcare insurers. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1298 – Rep. Lee Johnson and Sen. Missy Irvin

Modifies benefit payments for certain healthcare providers under health benefit plans. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1299 – Rep. Lee Johnson and Sen. Missy Irvin

Prohibits healthcare insurers from recouping payments for services more than one year after the initial payment. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1300 – Rep. Lee Johnson and Sen. Missy Irvin

Amends the Prior Authorization Transparency Act. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1301 - Rep. Lee Johnson and Sen. Missy Irvin

Revises exemptions and requirements under the Prior Authorization Transparency Act. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1309 – Rep. Ryan Rose and Sen. Missy Irvin

Modifies laws regarding breast cancer examination coverage and cost-sharing requirements. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1314 – Rep. Lee Johnson and Sen. Missy Irvin

Revises audit regulations for healthcare providers and establishes the Arkansas Medical Audit Bill of Rights Act. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

Education-Related Bills

HB 1305 – Rep. Wade Andrews and Sen. Jim Dotson

Allows the State Board of Education to issue teaching licenses to individuals who do not meet traditional or alternative licensure requirements under certain conditions. Assigned to the House Education Committee.

HB 1312 – Rep. Keith Brooks

Adjusts public school funding allocations under the Public School Funding Act of 2003. Assigned to House Education Committee.

SB 142 – Rep. Tyler Dees and Sen. Jon Eubanks

Establishes the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act, amending public school discipline policies regarding student use of personal electronic devices. Assigned to House Education Committee

Tax & Economic Incentives

HB 1303 – Rep. Lane Jean and Sen. Matt Stone

Creates the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Incentive Act, including tax credits and exemptions for sustainable aviation fuel production. Assigned to House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Real Estate & Consumer Protection

HB 1308 – Rep. Trey Steimel and Sen. Blake Johnson

Regulates unfair practices in residential real estate repair contracts, including solicitation by contractors and tree trimmers. Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee

Institutional & Government Funding

HB 1307 – Rep. Mindy McAlindon

Amends the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (2006). Assigned to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

SB 141 – Sen. Bryan King

Eliminates state funding for the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. Assigned to Senate State Agencies.