Arkansas Bills

died · Arkansas · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 1122: TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING REPORTS OF IMPROPER OR ILLEGAL PRACTICES.

HB 1122 amends Arkansas law to clarify and strengthen the process for investigating improper financial practices by public officials. The bill requires the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee to refer cases of noncompliance to the Attorney General or local prosecuting attorney, who must complete investigations within 45 days and notify about potential criminal charges within 5 days. It grants the Attorney General subpoena power to obtain records from public servants and financial institutions, and designates all records gathered under this law as confidential, exempt from public disclosure under Arkansas' Freedom of Information Act. This bill directly affects state and local government officials, the Attorney General's office, and prosecuting attorneys.

died · Arkansas · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 1052: TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS DISEASE IMMUNIZATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

HB 1052 would require health insurance plans in Arkansas to cover respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization for infants under eight months old, using a specific antibody treatment, without cost-sharing like deductibles or copayments. This mandate applies to all health benefit plans, including Medicaid and the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me Program, starting January 1, 2026. The bill also directs state agencies to create implementing rules by that date to ensure compliance.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Arkansas · House May 10, 2024

HCR 1002: TO RECOGNIZE THE ARKANSAS COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS FOR THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF CREATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITIZENS OF ARKANSAS AND CONTINUOUS SUPPORT OF WOMEN ARTISTS IN ARKANSAS.

HCR 1002 is a House Concurrent Resolution that formally recognizes the Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts for thirty-five years of service. The resolution highlights the group's achievements, including organizing over twenty traveling art exhibitions, providing free displays to the public, and offering educational resources and financial awards to women artists in Arkansas. This document serves as an official acknowledgment of the committee's contributions rather than enacting new laws or funding.

failed · Arkansas · Senate May 10, 2024

SR 11: TO AUTHORIZE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NONAPPROPRIATION BILL TO REQUIRE A DIGITAL ASSET MINING BUSINESS TO PAY A FEE FOR EXTRAORDINARY ELECTRICAL ENERGY USAGE.

This bill authorizes a new state law that requires digital asset mining businesses in Arkansas to pay fees to the Department of Energy and Environment for consuming unusually large amounts of electricity. The fee structure charges between $25,000 and $100,000 annually depending on how many megawatts of power the business uses in a single month. Companies must submit estimates of their energy usage before starting operations and provide accurate records by the end of each year, with penalties for false reporting. Revenue generated from these fees is split among state agencies to fund oversight, monitoring for fraud, and energy-related concerns.

died · Arkansas · Senate May 10, 2024

SB 21: AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR.

SB 21 allocates funding for the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission's 2024-2025 fiscal year to cover salaries and operating expenses. The bill establishes specific maximum numbers of employees and sets salary rates for various roles, including directors, game wardens, biologists, and IT staff. This legislation directly impacts the commission's ability to hire and retain personnel needed for wildlife management, law enforcement, and public education. Although the bill passed the Senate, it did not receive approval from the House and did not become law.