SB 385 repeals a requirement that the Rural Services Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission submit a biennial report detailing its activities, programs in rural areas, and recommendations. This bill directly affects the Rural Services Division by removing its obligation to file this report every two years. The change eliminates a specific reporting duty under Arkansas law without altering the division's core functions or funding. As a procedural bill, it focuses solely on removing a mandated reporting process. (This summary is 2 sentences, appropriate for a procedural bill.)
SB 384 repeals a requirement for the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) to submit detailed program fact sheets to the Legislative Council and Arkansas Legislative Audit for each new bond issue. The bill removes the need for ADFA to provide specific details like fees, interest rates, and bond terms after issuing bonds. This change eliminates a reporting burden on ADFA, streamlining their bond issuance process. The bill does not alter bond issuance rules or funding, only the administrative reporting step. (Act 468, effective April 7, 2025)
SB 383 repeals the requirement for designated investor groups under Arkansas' Venture Capital Investment Act of 2001 to submit an annual report to the Governor, relevant legislative committees, and the Arkansas Development Finance Authority. This bill directly affects the designated investor groups that previously had to document their activities, provide audit details, report investment progress, and track tax credit usage. The key mechanism is removing all reporting obligations outlined in Arkansas Code § 15-5-1408, simplifying administrative requirements without altering venture capital investment rules or tax credits.
SB 103 (now Act 425) creates the Pharmacy Nondiscrimination Act, requiring pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to accept any pharmacy or pharmacist willing to meet "relevant and reasonable terms of participation." It directly affects independent pharmacies, pharmacists, and PBMs who contract with insurers. The law defines "reasonable terms" as those consistent with state/federal law, industry standards, and not arbitrarily excluding qualified providers. The bill was enacted quickly after being declared an emergency, becoming law on April 7, 2025.
SB 379 repeals Arkansas Code § 26-18-902(c), which required the Tax Advisory Council to submit an annual report to the chairs of the House and Senate Revenue and Taxation committees. This bill directly affects the Tax Advisory Council by eliminating its mandatory reporting obligation. The key mechanism is the removal of the specific statutory requirement for the council to produce the report. The bill does not create new policies or impact other entities; it solely modifies a procedural requirement. The repeal became effective when Governor signed it as Act 464 on April 7, 2025.
SB 319 clarifies how charging orders - court orders allowing creditors to collect on a member's interest in a limited liability company (LLC) - interact with existing agreements. It specifies that charging orders do not override security agreements (like pledges or assignments) between an LLC member and their creditor, nor invalidate written agreements executed without violating the LLC's operating documents. The bill also ensures members retain exemption benefits applicable to their LLC interests. This directly affects LLC members, creditors, and LLC operating agreements by clarifying legal boundaries around debt collection.
SB 91 prevents local governments (like cities or counties) from setting limits on rental application fees or security deposits for private residential or commercial properties. It directly affects landlords who set these fees and renters who pay them by removing local regulatory authority. The bill amends existing law to state that local units have no power to control these specific charges, except as outlined in a separate provision (§18-16-304). This means landlords can set these fees without local government oversight, and the policy change applies to all private rental properties covered by the law.
SB 403 creates the 2030 Arkansas Complete Count Committee to coordinate statewide efforts for the 2030 U.S. Census. The bill requires the committee to plan and conduct educational outreach programs aimed at increasing community awareness and participation in the federal decennial census. This directly affects all Arkansas residents, as accurate census counts determine federal funding allocations and political representation for the next decade. The key mechanism is the establishment of a dedicated state committee tasked with organizing community engagement initiatives to ensure full participation in the 2030 Census. The bill passed as Act 449 on April 1, 2025.
SB 368 amends Arkansas laws governing mineral, timber, and resource management on state lands. It reduces the Natural Resources Committee membership from nine to eight members by renumbering existing positions (removing the former (E) slot). The bill also updates notification requirements, adding the Arkansas Forestry Commission and Department of Energy and Environment to the list of state agencies that must receive notices about leases and permits for state land resources. These changes affect state agencies involved in land management, leasing, and resource oversight, streamlining committee structure and notification processes without altering resource management policies.
SB 344 transfers Arkansas's Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program from the Department of Health to the Department of Transformation and Shared Services, effective as of April 7, 2025 (now Act 444). The program, which rewards state employees for healthy habits like exercise and nutrition, will now be managed by the new department, including all administrative functions, records, personnel, and funding. State agencies must make the program available to employees by July 1, 2026, and may grant up to three days of paid leave annually for participation. This transfer does not affect existing program rules or standards.
SB 329, now Act 426, creates the Online Marketplace Guarantees Act by defining what constitutes an "online marketplace guarantee." The law requires that such guarantees must be secondary to a business's primary operations and cannot be provided as a state or local government service. It directly affects businesses offering guarantees on online marketplaces by setting clear eligibility rules for these services. The bill focuses on clarifying regulatory boundaries for marketplace guarantees rather than imposing new fees or restrictions.
SB 275 amends Arkansas' liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) regulations to replace specific technical requirements with broader authority for the LPG Board. It eliminates mandatory odorization standards (§15-75-107), safety meeting rules (§15-75-108), and financial statement requirements for multiple permit classes (e.g., §§15-75-308, 309, 311, 316). The bill establishes new training mandates requiring LPG employees to complete board-approved courses for certification, with failure to attend risking suspension. It also repeals outdated container strength standards (§§15-75-401-403) and retail account statement rules (§15-75-407), shifting oversight to the LPG Board’s rulemaking authority. These changes primarily affect LPG businesses, permit holders, and their employees operating in Arkansas.
