TODAY AT THE CAPITOL

The House and Senate are in recess until 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 3. Today is the deadline to file retirement bills that impact state government.

NEXT WEEK 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 awaits consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee. We support this bill that is designed to increase transparency and bring fairness to the calculation of damages in litigation.

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 awaits consideration on the House floor. 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 awaits consideration on the Senate floor. We support this bill.

SB 2 – Sen. Clint Penzo and Rep. Matt Duffield

This bill seeks to repeal the statewide fluoridation program and remove the mandate for water systems to maintain a fluoride content. This bill awaits consideration in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. We oppose this bill.

SB 141 – Sen. Brian King

This bill seeks to eliminate funding to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. It awaits consideration in the Senate State Agencies Committee. We oppose this bill.

YESTERDAY AT THE CAPITOL

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

This bill sought to prohibit a digital asset mining business from being located within a thirty-mile radius of a military facility. This bill was defeated yesterday in the Senate City, County and Local 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 received a Do Pass recommendation yesterday from the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.

NEWLY TRACKED BILLS

We added nine bills to our tracking list based on yesterday’s filings. We are now tracking a total of 180 bills. The House has filed 350 bills and the Senate has filed 168 bills. Combined bill and resolution filings total 575.

HB 1316 – Rep. Fred Allen

Seeks to mandate coverage for lung cancer screenings. Referred to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1319 – Rep. Cindy Crawford and Sen. Justin Boyd

Would provide an exemption from state sales tax for disabled veterans, spouses of disabled veterans, and surviving spouses of disabled veterans. Referred to the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

HB 1329 – Rep. Jack Ladyman

Seeks to amend Arkansas law concerning committees of the General Assembly and to reorganize the standing committees and the subject matter of interim committees of the House of Representatives. This bill was filed as a shell bill, which means it has no content. Referred to the House Journal Committee.

HB 1330 – Rep. Jack Ladyman

Would amend the Arkansas Code concerning certain committees of the General Assembly and to amend Arkansas law pertaining to the Joint Committee on Energy and the Joint Interim Committee on Energy. (Shell bill) Referred to the House Journal Committee.

HB 1333 – Rep. Ashley Hudson and Sen. Jamie Scott

Seeks to mandate coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services. Referred to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

HB 1335 – Rep. Les Warren

Would create the Every Arkansan Retirement Plan Opportunity Act. (Shell bill) Referred to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.

SB 146 – Sen. Steve Crowell and Rep. Jeremiah Moore

Would amend the definition of "recreational purpose" as used in relation to the liability of a property owner who makes land available to the public for recreational purposes. Referred to the Senate Agriculture and Economic Development Committee.

SB 149 – Sen. Jane English

Seeks to amend the public school funding amounts under the Public School Funding Act of 2003. Referred to the Senate Education Committee and is on Monday morning’s committee agenda.

SB 165 – Sen. Jim Dotson and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway

Would amend the law concerning competitive sealed proposals under the Arkansas Procurement Law. Referred to the Senate State Agencies Committee.