HB 1118 is a technical correction to Arkansas law regarding the Arkansas Fire and Police Pension Review Board's management of premium taxes. It amends a single line in the statute to clarify that the Board "may" manage these taxes (correcting a grammatical error in the original text). The bill does not change pension benefits, tax rates, or eligibility for firefighters and police officers. It was passed quickly as a procedural amendment and became Act 151 on February 25, 2025.
SB 180 exempts providers in Arkansas' Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) from needing a separate home healthcare service license. This applies to PACE providers already licensed under the Arkansas Medicaid Program who deliver services as part of their participants' care plans. The bill amends state law to specifically exclude PACE providers from home healthcare licensing requirements, recognizing they are not home healthcare service providers. This change removes an unnecessary regulatory burden for these providers, aligning licensing rules with their existing role in delivering comprehensive elderly care.
HB 1196 separates the roles of sheriff and tax collector in Montgomery County, Arkansas, effective January 1, 2027. The bill requires Montgomery County voters to elect both positions separately in the 2026 general election, with each officer taking office on January 1, 2027. Both officials must post bonds and receive county-determined compensation within state-set limits, as approved by the Montgomery County Quorum Court. This law, now Act 160, directly affects Montgomery County residents and county government operations by ending the combined office.
HB 1287 amends the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act to define "downcode" (when insurers or payers reduce payment amounts below what a healthcare provider billed) and requires all healthcare payers to notify providers when they downcode a claim. This directly affects hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers who receive payments from insurance companies or government programs like Medicaid. The key provision mandates clear, timely written notice to providers whenever a payment is downcoded, ensuring transparency about reduced reimbursements. The law aims to simplify billing disputes by establishing a clear definition and notification requirement, reducing confusion over payment adjustments.
HB 1315 (now Act 147) allows individuals to voluntarily have their blood type added to their driver's license or state ID card. The bill places responsibility on applicants to ensure the accuracy of this information when submitting it and to request corrections if needed. It does not require blood type to be added, nor does it change how the state handles medical information. The law became effective January 1, 2026, following passage by both legislative chambers in February 2025.
HB 1181 (now Act 138) is a technical amendment to clarify that certified nurse midwives only need a valid license to obtain hospital admitting privileges, removing the redundant phrase "accredited" from existing law. This change directly affects certified nurse midwives seeking hospital privileges by aligning the legal requirement with standard licensing practices. The bill does not create new policy or expand scope of practice - it simply corrects outdated language in the statute. As a procedural amendment, it was enacted without substantive debate and became law on February 25, 2025.
HB 1119 shortens the deadline for political subdivisions (like cities and counties) to pay into the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System from 10 to 5 days after the due date. If payments are late, the state treasurer must withhold all state funds owed to the subdivision until the debt and interest are paid. The bill also transfers administration of these payments from the retirement system to the Department of Finance and Administration, effective July 1, 2025, to improve financial management.
HB 1060 (now Act 134) requires Tennessee public schools to revise curriculum content about government systems. It mandates teaching students how communist and autocratic systems have failed historically, while reinforcing lessons on the resilience of the U.S. constitutional republic. The bill directly affects K-12 schools and students in Tennessee by adding specific instructional requirements to social studies courses. Key provisions include amending existing curriculum standards to include these new teaching points, with the 2026-2027 school year as the effective implementation timeline. The policy change focuses on mandated classroom content, not advocacy or political outcomes.
HB 1412 clarifies Arkansas' authority to regulate pipeline safety for transporting hazardous liquids or carbon dioxide. It requires the Oil and Gas Commission to obtain state certification, create rules aligning with federal Department of Transportation standards, and enforce those rules after certification. The bill directly affects pipeline operators transporting these materials by establishing a clear process for state oversight. It does not create new safety requirements but formalizes how Arkansas will implement existing federal pipeline safety standards. (Act 150, passed February 2025)
This bill allows Arkansas healthcare providers (including doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics) to use digital medical records instead of paper. It eliminates the requirement for physical copies, mandates that electronic records remain readable, backed up, and secure, and confirms electronic records are valid for patient requests, court evidence, and insurance audits. The law aligns with federal privacy rules like HIPAA but does not override them.
HB 1075 prohibits local governments (like cities or counties) from regulating the sale or use of lawn care devices (such as leaf blowers or lawn mowers) or imposing taxes or fees on them. The law specifically bans local sales and use taxes on these devices but allows governments to enforce noise ordinances or purchase devices using specific energy sources. This bill, now Act 146, took effect February 25, 2025, after passing the Arkansas legislature. It directly affects homeowners, landscapers, and local governments by preventing localized restrictions on common lawn equipment.
HB 1353 regulates vision benefit managers and amends Arkansas' Vision Care Plan Act and Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act. It prohibits insurance contracts from automatically reducing vision benefits solely due to other coverage (e.g., multiple vision plans), requiring such reductions to follow Insurance Commissioner-approved rules instead. The bill defines key terms like "covered materials" (e.g., lenses, frames) and "vision benefit manager," while banning agreements that force providers to charge more for non-covered services than their standard rates. This directly affects Arkansans with vision insurance plans and eye care providers, ensuring fairer billing practices for covered vision care services and materials. The bill passed in February 2025 and became Act 142.
