TODAY AT THE CAPITOL

Senate Education Committee met this morning at 10 a.m. and the Senate Transportation Committee will meet after the Senate adjourns this afternoon. 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.

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 is on this afternoon’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 is on this afternoon’s Senate calendar. We support this bill.

TOMORROW AT THE CAPITOL

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 was defeated Thursday in the Senate City, County and Local Committee but is on Tuesday’s committee agenda.

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 this afternoon’s Senate Calendar.

SB 1277 – Rep. Zachary Gramlich and Sen. Justin Boyd

Seeks to amend payment for corrective action regarding petroleum storage tanks and to allow third-party consultants of owners and operators to be paid directly for corrective action. This bill is Tuesday’s agenda in the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.

WEDNESDAY 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 is expected to be considered in the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday morning. We support this bill that is designed to increase transparency and bring fairness to the calculation of damages in litigation.

PENDING BILLS

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.

NEWLY TRACKED BILLS

We added six bills to our tracking list based on recent filings.

HB 1351 – Rep. Jon Eubanks and Sen. Justin Boyd

Regulates vision benefit managers and amends the Vision Care Plan Act of 2015 and the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act.

HB 1352 – Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Blake Johnson

Amends various laws related to actions concerning certain foreign entities.

HB 1353 – Rep. Jon Eubanks

Regulates vision benefit managers; amends the Vision Care Plan Act of 2015 and the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act.

HB 1354 – Rep. Brandon Achor and Sen. Kim Hammer

Regulates pharmacy benefit managers; amends laws concerning the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program and certain health benefit plans. (Shell bill)

HB 1366 – Rep. Denise Ennett

Creates an income tax credit for qualified storm shelters.

SB 169 – Sen. Clarke Tucker and Rep Jimmy Gazaway

Makes technical corrections to the Arkansas Constitution; amends Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51.