Daily Legislative Update: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Photo by Will Newton/Arkansas House of Representatives
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – Day 87
LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE
The Senate will convene at 1:00 p.m., and the House will convene at 1:30 p.m.
Committees are now following irregular meeting schedules. For the latest updates, visit www.arkleg.state.ar.us, where you can find committee schedules, agendas, and live streams.
**CALL-TO-ACTION**
ASK STATE SENATORS TO OPPOSE HB 1150
HB 1150 – Rep. Jeremiah Moore and Sen. Kim Hammer
This bill seeks to restrict pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from obtaining specific pharmacy permits.
This bill received a “Do Pass” recommendation yesterday from the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee and awaits consideration on the Senate floor.
HB 1150 is a dangerous experiment, untested by any other state in the nation. The immediate, known impact of the bill includes the closure of dozens of retail pharmacies, suspension of home delivery prescription drug programs, and restricted access to specialty pharmacies.
This government mandate would interfere with employer healthcare decisions, increase prescription costs, and eliminate essential pharmacy services. By banning pharmacies affiliated with PBMs, this bill would:
- Shut down 35 retail pharmacies, disrupting thousands of patients’ lives by forcing them to find a new pharmacy.
- Suspend home delivery prescription programs, forcing patients to wait longer and pay more.
- Restrict access to specialty pharmacies, limiting options for patients with complex conditions like heart disease and autoimmune disorders.
- Impose government interference into the private market, dictating decisions best left to businesses and employers.
Arkansas employers and employees will bear the burden of these disruptions through higher costs, fewer choices, and reduced healthcare benefits.
Please contact state senators today and urge them to vote NO on HB 1150.
Call 501-682-6211 to leave a message.
**CALL-TO-ACTION**
ASK STATE REPRESENTATIVES TO OPPOSE HB 1930
HB 1930 – Rep. Jeff Wardlaw and Sen. Justin Boyd
This bill is on today’s House calendar.
HB 1930 proposes mandating minimum reimbursement levels for healthcare providers in Arkansas. Although the bill intends to address low reimbursement rates, the language in this bill would cause a significant increase in healthcare costs for employers, employees, and self-funded health plans, including those operated by private businesses and nonprofit organizations.
This is a thinly disguised tax increase.
If enacted, HB 1930 would have broad and costly consequences across the state:
- Employers and employees could see a 30% increase in insurance premiums, according to one in-state insurance provider—amounting to approximately $1,200 to $1,500 more per covered individual each year.
- A family of four would see an annual premium increase between $4,800 and $6,000. Employers would face the decision of how much of the increase to absorb.
- These increases could result in benefit cuts, including ending health insurance coverage.
- Private businesses and nonprofits would be forced to absorb higher costs, making it harder to provide affordable coverage to their employees.
State employees, including public higher education employees are protected from the increases.
Rather than strengthening the healthcare system, HB 1930 risks undermining it by making Arkansas less competitive for business investment, job creation, and talent retention. While the State Chamber/AIA supports improving access to healthcare, a state-level cost shift to private entities and their employees is not the right approach.
Please contact your state representative and urge them to oppose HB 1930.
Call 501-682-6211 to leave a message.
AT THE CAPITOL: A SYNOPSIS OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Bills on Floor Calendars Today
HB 1797 – Seeks to amend the law concerning the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and a portion of the Arkansas Code resulting from Initiated Act 1 of 2000; and to declare an emergency. This bill failed in the Senate last night, but the vote was expunged, and it can be reconsidered by the Senate. We support this bill, which is part of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s legislative package.
SB 258 – Known as the Arkansas Digital Responsibility, Safety, and Trust Act, this bill seeks to address technology privacy and artificial intelligence (AI). This bill failed 3-11 last night. However, the vote was expunged, and it can be reconsidered by the Senate. We oppose this bill.
SB 390 – Creates an apprenticeship program. This bill received a “Do Pass” recommendation on Monday by the House Education Committee and is on today’s House calendar. We support this bill.
SB 567 – Seeks to amend and modernize the law concerning the apportionment of income derived from multistate operations and to change the method for sourcing of receipts for services and intangibles. This bill received a “Do Pass” yesterday from the House Revenue and Taxation Committee and awaits consideration on the Senate floor. We would like to see this bill amended to address a problem for a specific group of businesses.
SB 568 – Seeks to amend the law concerning taxes applicable to lithium extraction and development; provide a sales and use tax exemption for lithium resource development; and amend the severance tax on lithium. This bill received a “Do Pass” recommendation yesterday from the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and awaits consideration on the Senate floor. We support this bill, which is part of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s legislative package.
SB 615 – Amends energy regulations to address non-export facilities and prohibit discrimination against them. This bill failed on the Senate floor yesterday 17-12. However, the vote was expunged, and it can be considered again.
Bills on Committee Agendas Today
HB 1442 – Seeks to place additional restrictions on pharmacy contracting, potentially increasing costs for businesses and consumers. Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. We oppose this bill.
HB 1900 – Seeks to amend the law regarding information provided to royalty owners related to deductions and to amend the law concerning sanctions for non-compliance related to information provided to royalty owners. House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee. We oppose this bill.
HB 1955 – Seeks to repeal the Shielded Outdoor Lighting. House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
HB 1956 – Creates the Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act. House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
SB 462 – Provides for re-entering convicted persons to obtain a certificate of employability which will then provide some protection to employers for alleged “negligent hiring.” Senate Judiciary Committee. We join the Arkansas Society of Human Resource Managers (ARSHRM) in support of this bill.
SB 571 – Seeks to amend the law concerning municipal building and zoning regulations; and to prohibit a municipality from enforcing building and zoning regulations on county property. House City, County and Local Committee.
SB 596 – Seeks to amend the law regarding energy and establish a state energy policy. Also regulate retirement of dispatchable electric generation facilities. Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
SB 610 – Amends the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025. House Insurance and Committee.
SB 613 – Creates an election procedure to determine fluoridation policies for public water systems. This bill passed the Senate yesterday 27-7 and is on today’ agenda in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
Tomorrow at the Capitol
The Senate State Agencies Committee has recommended three joint resolutions for consideration to be referred to the 2026 General Election Ballot. The Senate will vote to determine which of these three joint resolutions will be referred to the ballot. They will vote on them in the following order, and the first one to pass will become their choice.
- SJR 11- An amendment to the Arkansas constitution to provide that the citizens of the state of Arkansas shall have the right to keep and bear arms for their common defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use, and for any other lawful purpose; providing that the right to keep and bear arms includes without limitation the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components; and providing that the right to keep and bear arms is a natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed.
- SJR 13 – A constitutional amendment to allow a candidate for Supreme Court justice, Court of Appeals judge, circuit judge, or district judge to declare his or her party affiliation or independent status when running for judicial office.
- SJR 15 – A constitutional amendment concerning economic development in Arkansas; authorizing the General Assembly to create economic development districts to promote economic growth. Senate State Agencies Committee. We support this joint resolution, which is part of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s legislative package.
HJR 1018 – The Citizens Only Voting Amendment. This is the House’s recommended ballot referral, which needs Senate approval.
HB 1706 – Prohibits ranked choice voting. Senate State Agencies Committee. We support this bill.
HB 1800 – Seeks to amend disclosure laws requiring reporting of foreign spending in political activities. Senate State Agencies Committee. This bill has been amended to our satisfaction, so we support this bill.
HB 1852 – Establishes a right to repair for certain agricultural equipment. Senate Agriculture and Economic Development Committee.
HB 1970 – Amends the law on pre-payment of sales tax by increasing the threshold for retailers required to prepay. House Revenue and Taxation Committee. This bill would benefit small retailers.
HB 1971 – Modifies requirements for information provided by the Department of Finance and Administration to cities and counties. House Revenue and Taxation Committee. We’ve proposed an amendment to this bill.
SB 537 – Establishes the Earning Safe Reentry Through Work Act, allowing individuals on probation, parole, or post-release supervision to earn time credits through employment. House Judiciary Committee. We join ARSHRM in support of this bill.
SB 560 – Seeks to decrease the unemployment insurance base contribution rate, increase the administrative assessment rate to increase funding for the state’s skilled workforce and amend the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Training Trust Fund. House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. We support this bill, which will provide much needed additional funds to the DWS Training Trust Fund at no cost to employers.
Yesterday at the Capitol
HB 1656 – Seeks to make changes to existing royalty contracts. This bill received a “Do Pass as amended” recommendation in the Senate Agriculture and Economic Development Committee yesterday. We oppose this bill.
HB 1807 – Amends the sales tax exemption for aircraft held for resale and used for rental or charter and clarifies eligibility for the exemption. This bill assed the House yesterday 89-1 and has been assigned to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. We support this bill.
HB 1922 – Seeks to amend the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003; create an income tax credit for relocating corporate headquarters to Arkansas; and encourage corporate relocations to the state. This bill passed the House yesterday 67-18 and has been assigned to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. We support this bill, which is part of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s legislative package.
SB 322 – Allows third parties to review plans and perform site inspections. This bill passed the House yesterday 80-10. We support this bill.
SB 456 – Seeks to limit/eliminate local zoning authorities. This bill was referred to interim study by the sponsor on the Senate floor yesterday.
Newly Tracked Bills
SB 626 – Sen. Missy Irvin and Rep. Lee Johnson
To require fair and transparent reimbursement rates; to ensure parity of healthcare services; and to amend the billing in the Best Interest of Patients Act. Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
Pending Bills We Support
HB 1750 – Repeals the franchise tax. House Revenue and Taxation Committee. We support this bill, which is part of our tax package.
To view the status of each of the bills we support, click HERE.
Pending bills we oppose
HB 1754 – Seeks to limit/eliminate local zoning authorities. House Judiciary Committee. We oppose this bill.
SB 556 – Seeks to prohibit surface discharge of wastewater into a watershed. Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. We oppose this bill.
SB 557 – Seeks to amend law concerning water permits and discharge of wastewater, to authorize denials of applicants that have a history of no-compliance and to prohibit certain discharge of wastewater. Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. We oppose this bill.
To view the status of each of the bills we oppose, click HERE.