Senate Bill 557 amends Arkansas law concerning water permits and wastewater discharge, affecting permit applicants, retail developers, and local officials. It authorizes the Division of Environmental Quality to deny wastewater permits to applicants with a history of environmental noncompliance, making denial mandatory if there are five or more noncompliance events within five years. The bill also prohibits certain wastewater discharges into ephemeral or intermittent streams and requires mail notification to residents near proposed new or modified permit facilities. Additionally, it mandates the Division of Environmental Quality to establish a method for local officials to receive immediate technical support during sewage or storm water emergencies.
Senate Bill 110 proposes to allow Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) or Certified Nursing Assistants who provide in-home services to beneficiaries in the Arkansas Medicaid Program to perform additional care and duties. This authorization is contingent on the CNA being appropriately trained for the specific skill and the beneficiary or their representative consenting to the care. The bill specifies that these provisions do not apply to CNAs working in inpatient settings or skilled nursing facilities. To implement these changes, the Department of Human Services would be required to seek any necessary federal waivers or Medicaid state plan amendments.
Senate Bill 117 aims to establish a legal framework for naturopathic physicians in Arkansas. It seeks to create the Naturopathic Physician Practice Act, which would mandate the licensure of naturopathic physicians in the state. To oversee this process, the bill also proposes the creation of the Arkansas State Board of Natural Medicine. A key provision of the bill requires all applicants for licensure to undergo state and federal criminal background checks, with specific criteria for disqualification and a waiver process for certain offenses.
SB 321 amends Arkansas' State Administration of Justice Fund law to change the order of funding priority when the fund balance is insufficient. It directs that available funds must first cover: court reporters' costs, the Arkansas District Judges Council's executive director, the Trial Court Administrator Fund, and county juror reimbursements. This bill directly affects court operations and funding for judicial support services across Arkansas. The bill passed the Senate in March 2025 but died in the House Judiciary Committee on May 5, 2025, without becoming law.
HB 1994 amends the law concerning self-service storage facilities in Arkansas. It requires operators of these facilities to notify an occupant if their leased storage space is "compromised." A space is considered compromised if it has been forcibly accessed, property has been taken, or it has been damaged to allow unauthorized access. Operators must contact the occupant by telephone, email, or regular mail within five business days of having actual knowledge that the space was compromised. The bill specifies that it does not impose responsibility on the operator for the occupant's personal property or create a duty to determine if a space has been compromised.
Senate Bill 593 seeks to regulate Pharmacy Services Administrative Organizations (PSAOs) and amend provisions related to Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) within Arkansas. The bill requires PSAOs to register with the State Insurance Department and submit annual reports detailing their contracts with pharmacies and PBMs. It also mandates that PSAOs disclose any ownership ties to drug manufacturers or retailers. Additionally, PBMs would be required to offer Arkansas-specific amendments to their national contracts with PSAOs to ensure compliance with state laws.
Senate Bill 622 sought to remove a current restriction on tire retailers in Arkansas. Previously, retailers were prohibited from charging any fees other than a specific rim removal fee when a customer purchased the service of removing a tire from its rim. This bill would have repealed that prohibition, potentially allowing tire retailers to charge additional fees for this service. It also clarified that only one of two specific fees (rim removal or commercial generator fee) should be charged for tire rim removal related to a replacement tire sale, preventing duplicate charges for customers.
SR 52 is a Senate Resolution that officially recognizes the Bryant High School Hornets boys' basketball team as the Class 6A state champions. It commemorates their achievement in winning the state championship on March 15, 2025.
Senate Resolution 58 recognizes the Arkadelphia High School Badgers football team as the 2024 Class 4A state champions. This resolution commends the team, coaches, and managers for their achievement in winning the state championship game.
Senate Resolution 59 recognizes April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in Arkansas. It encourages citizens, community agencies, and businesses to increase their participation in supporting families to prevent child abuse and strengthen communities.
Senate Bill 453 proposes to centralize various responsibilities within the Arkansas Department of Agriculture under the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. The bill redefines the "State Apiarist" as the Secretary and transfers the authority to determine emergencies for bovine disease rules to the Secretary. It also designates the Secretary to directly act as the State Forester, assuming the duties and qualifications previously held by that position. This consolidates oversight for areas like beekeeping, livestock, and forestry administration directly under the Secretary's office.
SB 468 proposed to change existing law regarding the fluoridation of public water systems. The bill would have allowed voters within a county to decide whether to permit or prohibit water fluoridation in their local area. This mechanism would have enabled residents to directly vote "for" or "against" water fluoridation. The bill specified that the circuit clerk would manage these county-level elections.
