Daily Legislative Update: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 – Day 16
TODAY AT THE CAPITOL
A full schedule of committees met this morning at 10:00 a.m. The House and Senate will convene at 1:30 p.m. To view bills, committee schedules, agendas, and watch live streams, visit www.arkleg.state.ar.us.
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. This bill will be considered as a Special Order of Business in the House Judiciary Committee this. We support this bill.
HB 1133 – Rep. Steve Unger (R)
Seeks to authorize the Northwest Technical Institute to appoint a president with an industry background. This bill received a Do Pass recommendation yesterday from the Senate Education Committee and is on this afternoon’s Senate Calendar. We support this bill.
HB 1116 – Rep. David Ray (R) and Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R)
This legislation proposes to provide income tax and withholding exemptions for certain remote and mobile employees and nonresidents, ensuring the state remains competitive in attracting modern, flexible work arrangements. This bill is on this morning’s agenda in the House Revenue & Taxation Committee. We support this bill.
HB 1066 – Rep. David Ray (R)
This bill seeks to increase the standard deduction, providing tax relief to residents by reducing the amount of income subject to taxation. This bill is on this morning’s agenda in the House Revenue & Taxation Committee.
SB 60 – Sen. Ricky Hill (R) and Rep. Brian Evans (R)
This bill seeks to prohibit a digital asset mining business from being located within a thirty-mile radius of a military facility. This bill is on this morning’s agenda in the Senate City, County and Local Committee.
TOMORROW AT THE CAPITOL
HB 1159 – Rep. Jay Richardson (D)
This bills would create the Retail Convenience Store Security Act and regulate/require certain security measurers at retail convenience stores. This bill is on Wednesday’s agenda in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. We oppose this bill.
HB 1177 – Rep. Matt Brown (R) and Sen. Blake Johnson (R)
This bill seeks to amend the Arkansas Franchise Practices Act and clarify the applicability of the Arkansas Franchise Practices Act. This bill is on tomorrow’s agenda in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
YESTERDAY AT THE CAPITOL
SB 70 – Sen. Jimmy Hickey (R) and Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R)
Seeks to amend the law concerning standards for insurance policies and to revise insurer notice requirements for premium increases. The bill passed in the Senate yesterday 35-0 and has been assigned to the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. We support this bill.
TRACKED BILLS
We have added 14 bills to our tracking list based on yesterday’s filings.
HB 1236 – Rep. Joey Carr (R) and Sen. Breanne Davis (R)
Would allow public school employees to be released from contracts upon written request by a specified date. Referred to House Education Committee.
HB 1237 – Rep. Jay Richardson (D) and Sen. Justin Boyd (R)
Seeks to prohibit medical professionals from soliciting injured individuals and establishes penalties for violations. Referred to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1238 – Rep. Frances Cavenaugh (R) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R)
Seeks to authorize mortgagors to recover fees under certain statutory foreclosure circumstances. Referred to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1239 – Rep. Andrew Collins (D)
Would amend the Public School Funding Act of 2003 to introduce a new funding category for special education. Referred to House Education Committee.
HB 1243 – Rep. Kendon Underwood (R) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R)
Seeks to increase transparency in campaign finance, amend reporting rules and protects election integrity. Referred to House State Agencies Committee.
HB 1250 – Rep. Matt Duffield (R)
Seeks to create a sales tax holiday for disaster-preparedness supplies to encourage readiness. Referred to House Revenue and Taxation Committee.
HB 1269 – Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R)
Seeks to create the Momnibus Act to improve maternal health in Arkansas. Referred to House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
HB 1271 – Rep. Les Warren (R) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R)
Would clarify the priority of mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens in construction loans. Referred to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1272 – Rep. Les Warren (R) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R)
Would require abandoned property vacated by counties or municipalities to be conveyed with adjacent real estate. Referred to House City, County and Local Affairs Committee.
HB 1273 – Rep. Les Warren (R)
Seeks to ensure liens from certificates of indebtedness are not superior to purchase money mortgages. Referred to House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1274 – Rep. Les Warren (R) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R)
Would authorize title companies to pay real property taxes in conjunction with issuing titles. Referred to House City, County and Local Affairs Committee. (01-27-25).
SB 103 – Sen. Clint Penzo (R) and Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R)
Would create the Pharmacy Nondiscrimination Act, requiring pharmacy benefit managers to accept willing providers. Referred to Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
SB 104 – Sen. Clint Penzo (R) and Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R)
Seeks to amend the Arkansas Pharmacy Benefits Manager Licensure Act to protect patient access to medications. Referred to Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
SB 131 – Sen. Joshua Bryant (R) and Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R)
Would confirm laws related to property tax assessment for persons with disabilities or those aged 65 and older. Referred to Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.