HB 1811 would have required property insurance policyholders to provide proof of deductible payment (such as canceled checks or receipts) before insurers could pay recoverable depreciation on claims. It directly affected homeowners and businesses filing property insurance claims, as well as property insurers handling those claims. The bill’s key provision would have allowed insurers to withhold recoverable depreciation payments until proof of deductible payment was received, and failure to pay deductibles would have been classified as a fraudulent insurance act. The bill was withdrawn on April 14, 2025, and is no longer active.
HB 1670 would create a tax incentive program offering Arkansas income tax credits to licensed medical and counseling professionals who train students in accredited programs. Uncompensated preceptors (those not paid for mentoring) would receive $1,000 per student trained (capped at $10,000 yearly), while compensated preceptors (paid as independent contractors) would get a credit equal to their payment (capped at $6,000 yearly). The bill directly affects physicians, nurses, counselors, and physician assistants who mentor medical, nursing, counseling, or physician assistant students. Note: This bill was withdrawn by its author on April 14, 2025, and did not advance further.
HB 1302 would have required Arkansas newborns to be screened for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a severe muscle-wasting disease, as part of the state's universal newborn screening program. The bill amended state law to add DMD to the list of conditions screened for, aligning with federal screening recommendations. This change would have directly affected all newborns in Arkansas by enabling earlier detection of DMD, potentially leading to faster intervention. The bill was withdrawn by its author on April 14, 2025, and did not become law.
HB 1857 changes how sales tax is collected on motorboat purchases in Arkansas. Instead of motorboat dealers collecting the tax at the time of sale, the bill requires consumers to pay the sales and use tax directly to the state Department of Finance and Administration when applying for a boat's registration certificate. This applies to both new and used motorboats sold by dealers, with specific rules for trade-ins (where tax is based on the net difference in value) and used boats sold by consumers. The bill was introduced in the 2025 Arkansas legislature but was withdrawn by its authors on April 14, 2025, and never advanced further.
HB 1819 would have required Arkansas' State Registrar of Vital Records to work with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to contact mothers when registering their newborns, offering postpartum support and assistance. This would have directly affected new mothers in Arkansas whose infants' births were recorded through the state's vital records system. The bill, which was filed in March 2025 but withdrawn by its author on April 14, 2025, aimed to connect mothers with health resources during the critical postpartum period. The bill did not advance beyond committee referral and is no longer active.
HB 1532 proposes creating the Arkansas Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Health to address challenges faced by Arkansans with rare diseases. The council would consist of 8 members including patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry experts, serving 3-year terms with geographic and demographic diversity. Its key duties include researching treatment barriers (like orphan drug pricing and Medicaid coverage), recommending policy improvements for diagnosis and care access, conducting public surveys, and developing emergency care protocols for rare disease patients. The bill was filed in February 2025, referred to the Public Health Committee, and withdrawn by the author on April 14, 2025, so it has not advanced further.
HB 1057 would allow nonviolent felons who have completed all sentences (including parole or probation) to restore their right to possess firearms. To qualify, a person must have no other felony convictions in another state and must meet specific eligibility criteria outlined in the bill. The bill requires Arkansas to create uniform forms for the restoration process and mandates the Arkansas Crime Information Center to notify the National Crime Information Center when rights are restored. This change would directly affect nonviolent felons who meet these conditions, enabling them to legally possess firearms after fulfilling sentencing requirements.
This is a symbolic House Resolution (not a law) recognizing Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., for its community work. It formally acknowledges the fraternity's history, global membership (over 150,000 members), and community efforts like feeding the homeless, providing scholarships, and supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The resolution has been adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives.
This bill is a symbolic resolution recognizing the Mount St. Mary Academy Belles golf team as the Class 6A state champions. It directly affects the school's team by formally honoring their athletic achievement through a legislative resolution. The bill contains no policy changes, funding, or obligations - its sole purpose is ceremonial recognition. It follows standard legislative procedure for commemorative resolutions, with no substantive impact beyond the acknowledgment.
This Arkansas House Resolution (HR 1109) urges the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Interagency Council on Homelessness to reform federal policies affecting homelessness programs. It specifically requests the repeal of restrictive rules like the Continuum of Care Interim Rule, reduction of administrative burdens from the Homeless Management Information System, and a shift from direct federal funding to block grants for greater state flexibility. The resolution aims to allow Arkansas to tailor housing solutions to local needs rather than adhering to one-size-fits-all federal mandates. It directly affects Arkansas communities experiencing homelessness by seeking to improve how federal funds are allocated and used for housing services. (Note: As a non-binding resolution, it does not change federal law but requests policy adjustments.)
HR 1022 is a ceremonial House Resolution welcoming Dr. Brendan Kelly as President of the Arkansas State University System. The resolution formally expresses the House's welcome upon his appointment, citing his professional background and qualifications, but contains no policy changes or binding provisions. It does not affect any individuals or create new laws, as it is purely a symbolic gesture of recognition. The resolution was adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on April 14, 2025.
This resolution authorizes Arkansas Senator Dismang to advance Senate Joint Resolution 15 (SJR 15) as a third proposed constitutional amendment. It follows Arkansas' Joint Rules requiring two-thirds approval from both legislative chambers to consider a third constitutional amendment, which this resolution satisfies for SJR 15. The bill does not change laws but enables the next procedural step for SJR 15 to be referred to voters. It was adopted by the Arkansas House on April 14, 2025, after being filed on April 9. The resolution directly affects Senator Dismang's ability to pursue SJR 15's consideration.
