HB 1745, now Act 604, requires commercial drivers in Arkansas to possess valid U.S. work authorization (such as a work visa or Employment Authorization Document) and demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to read traffic signs, converse with the public, respond to officials, and complete vehicle records. It directly affects commercial motor vehicle operators in Arkansas who must meet these requirements to legally drive. Violations carry fines up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses. The law creates specific offenses for operating without required work authorization or English proficiency.
HB 1743 amends Arkansas's 1997 Feed Law to update administrative details and clarify inspection fees for feed manufacturers and distributors. It revises definitions (like "official sample" and "board") to consistently reference the Department of Agriculture, and adjusts fee requirements: a $0.30 per ton inspection fee applies to commercial feeds, with a $10 minimum fee for quarterly reports on small-volume distributions (25-34 tons or less). These changes directly affect businesses manufacturing, distributing, or labeling commercial feed within Arkansas, requiring them to pay fees and file reports as outlined. The bill focuses on administrative clarity and fee structure updates, with no new policy changes to feed safety standards.
HB 1794 creates new exemptions from continuing education requirements for certain experienced real estate licensees in Arkansas. Specifically, it allows salespersons, associate brokers, principal brokers, and executive brokers who meet strict criteria (including being 72+ years old, holding an active license for 25+ consecutive years, having no disciplinary actions in 5 years, and no delinquent education requirements) to apply for exemption during license renewal. The bill establishes a formal application process requiring written proof of these qualifications to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission. Exemptions may be revoked if disciplinary action occurs after approval, and denied applications can be appealed. This directly affects long-tenured, low-risk licensees who qualify under the specified conditions.
HB 1241 requires Arkansas Medicaid to cover dental and anesthesia costs for complex oral health care requiring sedation for individuals aged 18+ who need high-complexity dental procedures. It sets specific reimbursement limits: $3,750 per treatment episode and a $5,000 annual cap per person, excluding discounts or rebates. The law applies to accredited dental schools and academic medical centers providing these services. This policy directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries needing specialized dental care and the healthcare providers who serve them.
HB 1468 amends Arkansas law to clarify that certain legal claims against home improvement and residential building contractors do not apply when the Arkansas Attorney General enforces consumer protection laws under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (§ 4-88-101 et seq.). Specifically, it excludes mediations and consumer actions initiated by the Attorney General for civil enforcement of that Act from the bill's requirements. This change directly affects the Attorney General's office and contractors when the state pursues enforcement actions. The amendment ensures the Attorney General can use standard legal processes without being subject to the bill's specific claim rules during consumer protection cases. The bill passed as Act 558 on April 14, 2025.
HB 1062 (now Act 565) amends school disciplinary procedures to require school staff conducting conferences about student removals for violent behavior to determine if a behavioral threat assessment is necessary. It specifically modifies conference protocols to address cases where students are removed from classrooms due to violent conduct, adding this assessment step to the process. The bill excludes certain facilities (Division of Youth Services schools, contracted facilities, and the Arkansas Correctional School District) from these requirements. The law applies directly to school staff handling student disciplinary cases involving violence, focusing on procedural changes rather than new protections. This is a procedural update to existing school discipline rules, not a broad policy change.
HB 1713, now Act 602, requires ballot titles for citizen-initiated measures to be written at or below a specific grade-level reading standard. This law directly affects voters and initiative proponents by mandating that ballot titles use simple, accessible language to improve public understanding. The key mechanism sets a standardized readability threshold (using a "Grade Level formula" per the amended bill) for all such titles. The bill was passed quickly with an emergency declaration and is now law, aiming to make ballot measures clearer for all voters.
HB 1470 repeals Arkansas Code § 19-11-269, which required state agencies to submit IT procurement plans for review by the Office of Intergovernmental Services before spending over $100,000 on information technology contracts or cooperative IT purchases. This change directly affects state agencies that purchase or contract for IT products or services exceeding $100,000. The bill removes a pre-approval step for these transactions, streamlining the procurement process without creating new requirements. As a procedural repeal, it does not alter IT spending limits or introduce new policy. (This bill became Act 582 on April 14, 2025.)
HB 1296 (now Act 556) requires health insurers to cover healthcare services provided through mobile units, such as community health vans or temporary clinics. This law directly affects health insurance plans and providers offering mobile services by mandating that these services be included in standard coverage, removing a previous exclusion for mobile care. The bill amends coverage definitions to ensure mobile unit services are treated the same as in-person care under health benefit plans. It passed both chambers in April 2025 and became effective upon enactment.
HB 1788 amends Arkansas' Health Care Consumer Act by increasing the processing time for healthcare provider applications from 60 to 90 days. This change directly affects healthcare providers seeking licensure or renewal in Arkansas, as it extends the timeframe for state agencies to review applications. The bill, now Act 571 after becoming law on April 14, 2025, modifies a procedural requirement under the existing act. The amendment was passed by both legislative chambers in April 2025 and signed into law, with no other substantive policy changes to provider requirements.
HB 1774 amends Arkansas' Fair Housing Commission membership structure, increasing it from seven to thirteen voting members. The bill specifies that seven members must be appointed by the Governor (with Senate confirmation), three by the House Speaker, and three by the Senate President Pro Tempore. It adds detailed professional requirements for some members, such as five years' experience as real estate brokers, homebuilders, mortgage brokers, or bankers, while ensuring consumer representatives (including those with disabilities and elderly advocates) are included. The commission must maintain geographic diversity across Arkansas' congressional districts and elect a chair, meeting quarterly. This change took effect after the bill became Act 562 on April 14, 2025.
SB 167 amends the specific deadlines for school districts or public schools to submit requests to transfer between districts. It directly affects school administrators and district officials who must meet these revised submission dates. The bill changes the calendar for when such transfer requests are due but does not alter the requirements or processes for the transfers themselves. This is a procedural adjustment to administrative timelines only.
