Daily Legislative Update: Thursday, January 23, 2025
Thursday, January 23, 2025 – Day 11
TODAY AT THE CAPITOL
Only four committees were scheduled to meet this morning at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The House and Senate convened at 11:00 a.m. with light agendas. To view the full schedule of meetings, agendas, and video links, visit www.arkleg.state.ar.us.
SB 70 – Sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Hickey (R) and Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R), this bill is on today’s agenda in the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee. It seeks to amend insurance policy standards and revise insurer notice requirements for premium increases. We support this bill.
YESTERDAY AT THE CAPITOL
SB 5 and SB 6, sponsored by Sen. Brian King (R), were not considered yesterday in the Senate Judiciary Committee as amendments are currently being drafted. SB 5 aims to establish the criminal offense of prescription drug harm or homicide, while SB 6 proposes the creation of the criminal offense of vaccine harm. We oppose these bills.
SB 58, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R) and Rep. Jon Eubanks (R), was defeated in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. This bill aimed to remove the prohibition on nonprofit, tax-exempt, or governmentally funded hospitals from holding a licensed pharmacy permit for the sale of retail drugs.
HB 1058, sponsored by Rep. Steve Unger (R) and Sen. Joshua Bryant (R), was withdrawn by the sponsor in the House State Agencies Committee. The bill sought to amend laws regarding ethics and conflicts of interest for police officers and employees, and to prohibit public employees from providing advance notice of required inspections to entities.
NEWLY TRACKED BILLS
Each legislative session, the State Chamber/AIA carefully tracks bills that may impact business and industry in Arkansas. Yesterday, we added seven bills to our tracking list:
HB 1190 – Rep. DeAnn Vaught (R)
Seeks to create an income tax exemption for teachers. Assigned to the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.
HB 1193 – Rep. Frances Cavenaugh (R)
Would require an insurer to include a lienholder on payments made under an insurance policy. Assigned to the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1203 – Rep. Kendon Underwood (R) and Sen. Ben Gilmore (R)
Seeks to prohibit the Department of Finance and Administration from charging a fee to obtain a sales tax permit. Assigned to House Revenue and Taxation Committee.
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. Assigned to House Judiciary Committee. We support this bill.
HB 1205 – Rep. Mary Bentley (R) and Sen. John Payton (R)
Seeks to amend the independent inspections of a modular building for code compliance. Assigned to the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
SB 89 – Sen. Jane English (R)
Seeks to amend the information that a school district shall provide electronically with respect to its school district board of directors. Assigned to Senate Education Committee.
SB 90 – Sen. Jane English (R)
Would require members of the public to be afforded the opportunity to present public comment at each meeting of a school district board of directors meeting. Assigned to Senate Education Committee.