Daily Legislative Update: Friday, January 17, 2025
Friday, January 17, 2025
TODAY AT THE CAPITOL
The General Assembly is in recess until Tuesday, January 21.
STATE CHAMBER/AIA LEGISLATIVE TRACKING
Each legislative session, the State Chamber/AIA carefully tracks bills that may impact business and industry in Arkansas. You can view all the bills we are currently tracking HERE. We added nine bills to our tracking list based on yesterday’s filings:
HB 1150 (Rep. Jeremiah Moore (R) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R))
Prohibits healthcare payors and pharmacy benefits managers from obtaining specific pharmacy permits. Referred to the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1159 (Rep. Jay Richardson (D))
Establishes the Retail Convenience Store Security Act to regulate security measures at retail convenience stores. Referred to the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1164 (Rep. Julie Mayberry (R) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R))
Requires physicians and healthcare providers to offer cognitive assessments to certain patients and mandates insurance coverage for such assessments. Referred to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
HB 1167 (Rep. Lee Johnson (R))
Modifies signature authority for advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants; clarifies that durable medical equipment includes diabetic shoes and inserts. Referred to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
HB 1168 (Rep. Lee Johnson (R))
Provides criminal immunity for healthcare professionals for negligent acts or omissions. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
HB 1171 (Rep. Lee Johnson (R))
Amends the Medicaid Provider-Led Organized Care Act; authorizes abbreviated independent assessments for specific risk-based provider organization beneficiaries. Referred to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
SB 73 (Sen. Blake Johnson (R) and Rep. Howard Beaty (R))
Creates the Access to Credit for Our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act; allows an income tax deduction for certain agricultural loans. Referred to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.
SB 76 (Sen. Blake Johnson (R) and Rep. Trey Steimel (R))
Amends the Arkansas Insurance Code to clarify prohibited practices and fees collected by certain brokers. Referred to the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
SB 77 (Sen. Mark Johnson (R))
Requires Arkansas Medicaid to reimburse for clinic-based physical therapy services. Referred to the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
STATE CHAMBER/AIA LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
The State Chamber/AIA will host its Annual Legislative Reception on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will take place in the tent located in the State Chamber/AIA parking lot. Worried about the cold? No need—our fully heated tent will keep you warm throughout the evening.