House Bill 1990, as amended, proposed a study concerning baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts offered at state-supported institutions of higher education. The bill directed the Division of Higher Education to conduct this study. It aimed to gather information on the applicability of liberal arts courses, the necessity of these courses for degrees, and the use of public funds. The study would also examine the number of students taking these courses and their impact on job placement and earnings after graduation.
House Bill 1897, titled the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Reform and Efficiency Act of 2025, seeks to update laws governing towing and storage companies and the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board. As amended, the bill ensures that towing companies receive written notice and a hearing before the board can take disciplinary action against them. It modifies notice requirements for owners of removed implements, machinery, or abandoned vehicles, allowing notice through publication in a newspaper or posting on a website. The bill also clarifies that cargo owners are responsible for ensuring their retrieval entity is insured and liable for any damage during cargo retrieval, and it adjusts certain criminal penalty classifications.
House Bill 1664, as amended, modifies "Quincy's Law" regarding investigations of alleged child abuse under the Child Maltreatment Act. It grants a parent, guardian, or custodian accused of abuse the right to request a second medical opinion for the child and an examination to rule out specific underlying medical conditions that might mimic abuse symptoms. Additionally, the bill provides parents, guardians, or custodians the right to receive medical records for a child who has been removed from their custody or is in the custody of the Department of Human Services. These additional examinations would be paid for by the alleged offender, insurance, or Medicaid.
House Bill 1354 aims to regulate Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) concerning health benefit plans for state government and public school employees in Arkansas. The bill prohibits state and public plan sponsors, such as municipalities and public colleges, from contracting with PBMs that utilize standardized national contracts with pharmacies for services. Instead, PBMs contracting with these public plans must adhere to Arkansas-specific rates, terms, and conditions. This measure ensures that PBM practices for public health benefit plans comply with state law, directly affecting how these entities manage prescription drug benefits.
The provided text is Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1813, not the full bill itself. This bill aims to adopt the Fair and Efficient Transmission Compact.
The amendment modifies specific language within the proposed compact, affecting definitions related to electricity load and long-range transmission. It also revises sections concerning the composition and reporting duties of a Council, which would prepare annual reports and provide guidance on transmission infrastructure. Furthermore, the amendment frequently changes prescriptive language (e.g., "shall") to more permissive terms (e.g., "should," "may") regarding the compact's principles and recommended policies for transmission line development and utilization. Without the original bill text, the full scope of the compact's provisions cannot be detailed.
House Bill 1803 authorizes the placement of a monument on the State Capitol Grounds. This monument is intended to recognize and honor Maurice Lee “Footsie” Britt.
House Bill 1896, known as the "Junk Fee Eliminating Act of 2025," abolishes the Information Network of Arkansas (INA). All of INA's authority, duties, records, and personnel are transferred to the Division of Information Systems. This legislation directly affects state agencies and local governments that previously relied on INA for services, such as processing criminal history information and collecting court-ordered fines electronically. A key provision removes INA's previous authorization to charge transaction fees for electronic court fine payments, effectively eliminating that specific charge.
HB 1763 amends Arkansas's Human Trafficking Act of 2013. It creates a new criminal offense for the "unlawful use of a communication device during the commission of a human trafficking offense." This applies to individuals who knowingly use any communication device, such as phones or mail, to commit or facilitate a human trafficking felony. Each instance of using a communication device in this manner constitutes a separate offense, which is classified as a Class C felony.
HB 1751 requires individuals applying for benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to engage in job search activities. This obligation is specifically mandated for the period while their application for TANF assistance is being processed. The bill integrates job-seeking efforts into the application phase for those seeking these welfare benefits.
House Bill 1872 (now Act 693) amends the law concerning fees that county sheriffs in Arkansas may collect for their services. The bill primarily allows sheriffs to charge a fee for *attempting* to serve certain legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, and court notices, set at $30.00. It also updates the fee schedule for a range of other services provided by sheriffs, including serving various writs, executing certificates of purchase, and advertising elections. This legislation directly affects county sheriffs and individuals or entities that utilize their services for legal and administrative processes.
House Bill 1619 establishes administration fees under the Arkansas Medicaid Program for immunizations and monoclonal antibodies that protect infants and toddlers from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease. It mandates Medicaid to reimburse providers at a rate equal to 100% of the state's Vaccines for Children Program maximum administration fee for these specific treatments. Additionally, the bill grants civil immunity to individuals and entities involved in prescribing or administering these RSV protections to eligible patients. This immunity does not apply to actions that are grossly negligent, reckless, willful, or not performed with good faith and reasonable care.
HB 1931, now Act 694, establishes a framework for developing a Recidivism Reduction System within the Department of Corrections. This system is intended to help prevent individuals released from prison from committing new crimes. The bill specifically requires the Department of Corrections to conduct and submit a feasibility study to the Legislative Council, detailing how such a system could be implemented. It also includes an emergency clause, allowing the act to take effect immediately upon becoming law.
