HB 1250 would have created an annual sales tax holiday in Arkansas for specific disaster-preparedness items, exempting them from sales tax during the first weekend of November. The bill defined four categories of exempt items: fastening supplies (like tarps and ropes), food-related supplies (such as bottled water and ice), general supplies (including batteries and generators), and safety items (like smoke detectors and first-aid kits). This exemption would have directly affected Arkansas residents purchasing these items during the designated tax-free period. The bill was introduced on January 27, 2025, but was withdrawn by the author on March 5, 2025, and did not become law.
HB 1520 would have required Arkansas' Department of Finance and Administration to respond to written legal opinion requests within 90 days for new opinions or 45 days for renewals (if no legal changes occurred). It directly affected the Department of Finance and Administration, setting strict deadlines for issuing or renewing legal advice as required by law. The bill aimed to streamline administrative processes but was withdrawn by its author on March 4, 2025, before becoming law. This was a procedural bill focused on internal agency timelines, not substantive policy changes.
HB 1521 aimed to repeal specific tax incentives in Arkansas that were deemed unused, underused, or unfunded, including programs for research at colleges and universities (Arkansas Code § 15-3-110), Centers for Applied Technology (§§ 15-3-130-135), public roads improvements, and equipment donations to educational institutions. The bill targeted provisions requiring state funding for research projects, technology development, and incentive programs that had not been actively utilized or lacked allocated resources. It was introduced on February 18, 2025, referred to the Revenue & Taxation committee, but withdrawn by the author on March 4, 2025, before further action. This repeal effort focused solely on eliminating existing, inactive tax provisions without creating new policies or affecting current taxpayers.
HB 1570 would require coroners and law enforcement officers to collect and secure narcotic drugs found on a deceased person to prevent misuse. The bill mandates that collected drugs must be destroyed within 30 days - either through a court order or by sending them to the Arkansas Department of Health for disposal. It excludes prescription drugs already in the care of hospitals or hospice providers, which are handled under existing healthcare disposal rules.
HB 1034 is a funding bill that appropriates capital improvement funds for the Department of Human Services' Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for fiscal year 2025-2026. It provides state resources for physical infrastructure projects like building repairs, renovations, or facility upgrades within these specific service divisions. The bill was introduced in the 95th General Assembly, passed committee with an added cosponsor, but was withdrawn by the author on February 26, 2025. As a purely fiscal measure, it does not create new policies or directly affect residents, but authorizes spending for facility maintenance.
HB 1425 would have abolished Arkansas' Fire Protection Licensing Board and transferred all its duties, records, and funds to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. The bill amended multiple state codes to replace references to the "Licensing Board" with the "Services Board" in provisions about fire extinguisher licensing, standards, and enforcement. This was a procedural change to consolidate oversight under one board, affecting fire protection professionals and businesses requiring licensing. The bill was withdrawn by its author on February 20, 2025, and never became law.
HB 1170 requires Arkansas' Department of Human Services to review reimbursement rates for substance abuse treatment and prevention services funded through a state block grant. The review must analyze all service costs to determine if current rates adequately cover providers' expenses. The department must report findings to the House and Senate health committees by December 31, 2025. Note: This bill was withdrawn by its author on February 20, 2025, and is no longer active.
HB 1294 would have allowed licensed ambulance services in Arkansas to order durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs) or outpatient services (such as physical therapy) for patients without requiring a physician referral, coordinated through their medical director. It also would have required health insurance plans to cover these services when ordered by ambulance staff. The bill specifically amended ambulance service regulations (Arkansas Code § 20-13-108) and insurance coverage rules (Arkansas Code § 23-79-2703) to implement these changes. However, the bill was withdrawn by its author on February 20, 2025, and did not become law.
HB 1172 would have amended Arkansas' Medicaid Fairness Act to ensure Medicaid providers can appeal enforcement actions by the state. It added definitions clarifying that "enforcement action" includes any decision affecting a provider's compliance with Medicaid rules and required that adverse actions (including those with direct monetary consequences) follow specific appeal procedures. Key provisions mandated 48 hours' notice for routine monitoring visits, required agencies to rule on reconsideration requests within 30 days (with violations automatically vacated if not decided on time), and allowed administrative appeals after reconsideration denial. The bill was withdrawn by its author on February 20, 2025, and did not become law.
HB 1453 proposed amendments to Arkansas' Horizontal Property Act to clarify and regulate property owners' associations (POAs). The bill defined "property owners' association" as an incorporated nonprofit organization and expanded the definition of "co-owner" to include POA members. It required POAs to establish bylaws covering administration, meeting procedures, fee structures, and financial transparency, including annual reports to members. Additionally, the bill mandated audits for POAs receiving state funding or providing services typically handled by local governments.
HB 1432 amends the Domestic Abuse Act of 1991 to clarify when courts must dismiss protection order petitions due to lack of jurisdiction. It directly affects courts handling domestic violence protection cases and petitioners seeking orders. The bill specifies that dismissals must occur when a court lacks jurisdiction over the petition, eliminating ambiguity in existing procedures. This is a procedural clarification without creating new rights or penalties, focusing solely on streamlining court processes for protection order petitions.
HB 1420 proposed multiple changes to Arkansas' insurance regulations. It amended rules for the state workers' compensation insurance plan (requiring commissioner approval for delegated administration), updated attorney bond requirements for reciprocal insurers, and repealed two existing laws: the Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool Act and minimum mental health benefits standards for group health policies. The bill also updated coverage requirements for alcohol and drug dependency treatment, mandating a minimum $6,000 annual benefit for policies exceeding $6,000 in total coverage. Note: This bill was withdrawn by its authors on February 18, 2025, and did not become law.
