Daily Legislative Update: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Photo by Will Newton/Arkansas House of Representatives
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 – Day 23
* * * CALL TO ACTION* * *
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 on tomorrow’s agenda 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.
Please call or text your State Senator and ask them to vote FOR HB 1204.
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TODAY AT THE CAPITOL
A full schedule of committee meetings met at 10:00 a.m., and the House and Senate will convene at 1:30 p.m. To view committee schedules, agendas, and live streams—including live coverage of the House and Senate—visit www.arkleg.state.ar.us.
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 last week in the Senate City, County and Local Committee but is on today’s committee agenda.
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 today’s agenda in the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
TOMORROW AT THE CAPITOL
HB 1159 – Rep. Jay Richardson
This bills would create the Retail Convenience Store Security Act and regulate/require certain security measures at retail convenience stores. This bill has been amended and is on tomorrow’s agenda in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. We oppose this bill.
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 is scheduled to be part of a special order of business on February 12 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 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 passed the House yesterday 98-0. 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 passed Senate yesterday 34-0. We support this bill.
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 passed the Senate yesterday 31-0.
NEWLY TRACKED BILLS
We added 20 bills to our tracking list based on recent filings.
HB 1367 – Rep. Les Warren
Would amend the Arkansas Title Insurance Act and regulate access to public records by a title agent and a title company. Referred to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1369 – Rep. David Ray
Addresses the establishment of the maximum campaign contribution limit by the Arkansas Ethics Commission and amends portions of law resulting from initiated acts. Referred to House State Agencies Committee.
HB 1371 – Rep. Jeff Wardlaw
To repeal the requirement for the completion of a human trafficking prevention course for the issuance of a commercial driver license. Referred to House Public Transportation Committee.
HB 1372 – Rep. Aaron Pilkington and Sen. Kim Hammer
To encourage the award of economic development funding to new businesses and businesses established within the previous five years. On tomorrow’s agenda in the House Agriculture, Forestry, Economic Development Committee.
HB 1373 – Rep. Aaron Pilkington and Sen. Kim Hammer
To encourage the award of workforce development funding to new businesses and businesses that have been in operation for less than five years. On tomorrow’s agenda in the House Agriculture, Forestry, Economic Development Committee.
HB 1374 – Rep. Aaron Pilkington and Sen. Kim Hammer
Concerning a report by the Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission on contracts awarded to businesses in operation for less than five years. On tomorrow’s agenda in the House Agriculture, Forestry, Economic Development Committee.
HB 1375 – Rep. Aaron Pilkington and Sen. Kim Hammer
To require a report concerning funds supporting programs for individuals starting new businesses or businesses established within the previous five years. On tomorrow’s agenda in the House Agriculture, Forestry, Economic Development Committee.
HB 1376 – Rep. Aaron Pilkington and Sen. Kim Hammer
To encourage state agencies to award a portion of state contracts to Arkansas businesses that have been in operation for less than five years. On tomorrow’s agenda in the House Agriculture, Forestry, Economic Development Committee.
HB 1377 – Rep. Aaron Pilkington and Sen. Kim Hammer
To require a report concerning economic development funding supporting organizations or programs for new businesses or businesses established within the previous five years. On tomorrow’s agenda in the House Agriculture, Forestry, Economic Development Committee.
HB 1381 – Rep. Trey Steimel and Sen. Blake Johnson
Concerning an insurer’s right to subrogation and reimbursement for medical and hospital benefits. On tomorrow’s agenda in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1383 – Rep. Jack Ladyman
To amend the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund Act and to modify the amount of the payment for corrective action. Referred to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
HB 1385 – Rep. Cameron Cooper and Sen. John Payton
To amend the law concerning the Oil and Gas Commission and to require the Oil and Gas Commission to notify members of the General Assembly concerning certain permits. It is on tomorrow’s agenda in the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee.
HB 1386 – Rep. Frances Cavenaugh and Sen. Joshua Bryant
To amend the law concerning the assessment of property, to amend the law concerning substantial improvements to real property and to amend the method of valuation for real property under Arkansas Constitution. Referred to House Revenue and Taxation Committee.
HB 1388 – Rep. DeAnn Vaught
To amend the services to which sales tax applies, to exempt certain storage services from sales tax and to exempt the service of furnishing accommodations by a tourist camp or a tourist court from sales tax.
SB 179 – Sen. Justin Boyd and Rep. Lee Johnson
To establish the Strengthen Arkansas Homes Act and to create the Strengthen Arkansas Homes Program Premium Tax Fund. Referred to Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
SB 183 – Sen. Jim Dotson
Concerning standardized assessments for college admission purposes. Referred to Senate Education Committee.
SB 184 – Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Wayne Long
To transfer the powers and duties of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the State Library Board to the Department of Education. Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee.
SB 185 – Sen. Jim Dotson and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway
To amend the Arkansas Computer and Electronic Solid Waste Management Act. Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee.
SB 186 – Sen. Joshua Bryant and Rep. Richard Womack
To amend the law concerning financial statements required to be submitted by a licensee of the Contractors Licensing Board. Referred to Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
SJR 9 – Sen. Bryan King
A constitutional amendment permitting the state of Arkansas to be sued as a defendant in state court to enforce constitutional rights or as otherwise provided by law. (Shell bill) Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee.