SB 86 modifies the rules for nonprofit, tax-exempt, or governmentally funded hospitals to hold retail pharmacy permits and introduces new regulations for pharmacy contracting. It would allow eligible hospitals, meeting criteria like a minimum inpatient census and providing emergency care, to hold one retail pharmacy permit at each licensed hospital location. These pharmacies must be located on or near the hospital campus and offer 24/7 access to emergency medications. The bill also prohibits pharmacies from entering contracts with parent entities that create anti-competitive advantages or limit patient choice, with enforcement by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy.
House Bill 1485 proposed to create a new sales and use tax exemption in Arkansas. This exemption would apply to the gross receipts from sales of tangible personal property, digital products, or services. It would specifically benefit the Arkansas Veterans Cemetery Foundation and certain other 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. To qualify, these nonprofits must be registered with the state and established to support veterans' cemeteries, veterans' homes, or facilities administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs within Arkansas.
Senate Bill 12 is a procedural amendment to Arkansas' Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and redistricting communication rules. It primarily updates section numbering in the law (e.g., changing references from "(d)" to "(c)") without altering substantive requirements for public records access or redistricting communications. The bill does not create new policies or directly affect specific groups, as it only adjusts existing legal references. It passed the Senate in March 2025 but died in the House committee in May 2025 without becoming law.
This bill, SB 312, proposes to remove the existing moratorium on adding new beds or expanding capacity within psychiatric residential treatment facilities in Arkansas. Currently, these facilities are prohibited from increasing their bed count. If enacted, the bill would allow psychiatric residential treatment facilities to add new beds or expand their existing capacity, with no cap set on the number of beds. This change would directly affect these facilities and individuals seeking psychiatric residential treatment services.
House Bill 1714 aims to revise the legal definition of a "paid canvasser." The bill expands what qualifies as compensation by including actions taken "as a reward for" in addition to "in exchange for" services. It also broadens the type of value received from "an item of value" to "anything of value" when determining if someone is a paid canvasser. These changes directly affect individuals engaged in canvassing activities and organizations that employ or coordinate them, by altering the criteria for how they are legally classified.
Senate Bill 258, known as the "Arkansas Digital Responsibility, Safety, and Trust Act," aims to establish rules for how companies handle consumer data. The bill, as amended, clarifies definitions for terms such as "identified or identifiable individual" and "targeted advertising." It outlines specific provisions for processing sensitive consumer data and details exclusions for certain entities, including financial institutions and healthcare providers. This legislation, intended to govern digital data practices affecting consumers in Arkansas, is set to become effective on July 1, 2026.
Senate Bill 569 proposed an amendment to Article 5, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution, concerning the ballot titles of proposed measures. This bill would require all ballot titles for statewide, county, and municipal measures to be readable, clear, concise, and not exceed 500 words. This change would directly affect petitioners who submit proposed measures and the election boards responsible for placing these titles on the ballot. The General Assembly would also be authorized to enact laws establishing specific standards for title readability.
Senate Bill 238 amends the Used Tire Recycling and Accountability Act. It requires reporting on the number and category of new small tires sold in Arkansas. The bill mandates that each county establish a minimum of two tire collection centers, which must be regularly monitored and emptied to allow continuous use for waste tire disposal. Additionally, it expands the tire accountability boards from 11 to 13 members by adding two tire retailers appointed by the Governor to oversee used tire programs.
SJR 19 proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution. If approved by voters, this amendment would exempt food and food ingredients from the excise tax currently levied under Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 75. This means that if passed, the state sales tax would no longer apply to most food purchases. This change would directly affect consumers by reducing the cost of groceries and other food items.
Senate Bill 587, also known as the "Parents' Peace of Mind Act," allows residents of long-term care facilities or their representatives to install electronic monitoring devices in their rooms at their own expense. For shared rooms, written consent is required from all roommates or their representatives, and facilities must accommodate residents who do not consent by offering a room change. Facilities cannot refuse admission or remove a resident based on their decision regarding electronic monitoring. The bill mandates posting notices where monitoring devices are in use and establishes penalties for tampering with or destroying these devices.
Senate Bill 507 aimed to require the Arkansas Medicaid Program to cover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for specific beneficiaries. It would have provided ABA coverage for individuals over 21 years old who have an autism diagnosis, participate in the Community and Employment Services Waiver, and have a medical necessity determination from a physician. The bill specified that these services should be delivered based on individual needs, including one-on-one sessions at home and in the community, by qualified professionals. It also stated that ABA services should not be limited to group or clinical settings.
Senate Bill 349 (SB 349) proposes to transition Victim Assistance Coordinators from county or grant-funded employment to state employees under the Auditor of State, effective October 1, 2025. The bill establishes 110 state positions for these coordinators across various grades and appropriates over $5.3 million for their salaries and benefits for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This aims to ensure a consistent and adequate level of victim services statewide, particularly in areas with limited resources. While the state would fund salaries, counties would remain responsible for providing facilities, equipment, and supplies for these services. The Prosecution Coordination Commission would determine the initial allocation of these state-funded positions.
