SB 76 amends Arkansas insurance law to regulate fees charged by licensed property and casualty insurance agents and brokers. The bill requires brokers to clearly disclose any additional fees on customer invoices and limits total fees plus commissions to 20% of the policy's gross premium. It specifically exempts fees related to surplus lines brokers who refer risks to specialized brokers. This law directly affects insurance brokers and agents in Arkansas by standardizing fee transparency and capping their combined compensation structure.
SB 18 is a procedural bill that adds Representative Gazaway as a sponsor of the original legislation. It does not change substantive reporting requirements but modifies the bill's sponsorship record. The bill passed the Arkansas legislature on February 4, 2025, and was signed into law as Act 20 on February 6, 2025. This amendment affects the bill's official record but does not alter the Legislative Auditor's reporting process for improper or illegal practices.
SB 70 modifies Arkansas insurance law to require insurers to provide earlier notice when raising premiums by 25% or more for short-term policies (12 months or less). Insurers must now mail notices to agents at least 60 days before renewal and to policyholders at least 30 days before renewal - expanding previous notice periods from 30 to 60 days for agents and 10 to 30 days for policyholders. This applies specifically to renewal policies with significant premium increases, directly affecting insurers and policyholders in Arkansas. The bill focuses solely on adjusting notification timing, not on changing premium amounts or coverage terms.
SB 68 allows veterinary technicians, technologists, and specialists in Arkansas to provide emergency animal care at locations other than their supervising veterinarian's office, based on an emergency call. The bill amends licensing rules to permit supervising veterinarians to authorize these professionals to travel to a patient's location during emergencies while maintaining the vet's ultimate control over animal care. This change directly affects veterinary support staff who previously required the supervising vet to be physically present at the care location. The law modifies supervision requirements to enable faster emergency response without altering the veterinarian's responsibility for reviewing all medical records.
HB 1135 allows Arkansas residents to obtain a digital version of their state identification card (in addition to the existing digital driver's license option) through a mobile app. It sets a $10 fee for this service, which must be paid at the time of application or renewal, and requires the digital ID to display the user's current license status (valid, expired, etc.). The law specifies that digital IDs can be used by both public and private entities for any purpose requiring a physical ID, but does not replace the physical card. This bill directly affects Arkansans with valid driver's licenses or state ID cards who choose to use the digital option.
SB 61 authorizes licensed veterinarians in Arkansas to provide telemedicine services (via phone or video) for pet and livestock care, directly affecting pet owners and veterinary practices. It defines "small animals" (e.g., cats, dogs) and "large animals" (e.g., cattle), requiring veterinarians to establish a client relationship within 7 days for small animals or 21 days for large animals after emergency telemedicine consultations. The bill sets standards for remote care, including prohibitions on using telemedicine for emergency referrals without later formalizing the relationship. This law, enacted as Act 18 on February 6, 2025, creates a clear regulatory framework for veterinary telemedicine in Arkansas.
SCR 1 is a procedural resolution that adopts the official rules governing the operations of Arkansas' 95th General Assembly. It establishes standard procedures for joint sessions, bill presentation between chambers, engrossment (final formatting), enrollment (official recording), and signing of bills. The resolution also sets specific deadlines for introducing appropriation bills and retirement system legislation. As a procedural measure, it directly affects how the House and Senate conduct their business but does not create new policies or impact external stakeholders. The resolution was enacted on February 4, 2025, after approval by the Governor.
HB 1005 expands tuition waiver eligibility for Arkansas National Guard soldiers and airmen to include vocational training programs leading to a postsecondary certificate or credential, not just degree programs. It directly affects eligible Arkansas National Guard members who wish to pursue shorter-term career-focused education instead of traditional four-year degrees. The key change modifies eligibility requirements to explicitly include "postsecondary credential or certificate" programs under the existing tuition-free education benefit. This policy change, enacted as Act 14 on February 3, 2025, ensures Guard members can access free tuition for vocational certifications at state-supported colleges.
HB 1006 redesignates Arkansas' Fourteenth Judicial District as a "Division A" district specifically for prosecuting attorneys. This change requires the district's prosecuting attorney to work full-time instead of part-time, addressing a burdensome caseload. The bill includes an emergency clause stating immediate action is necessary for efficient justice administration. It directly affects the Fourteenth Judicial District's prosecuting attorney position and became effective upon the governor's approval as Act 15 on February 3, 2025.
SB 53 appropriates $75,000 each for county clerks, circuit clerks, county treasurers, and county collectors, and $125,000 for county coroners to fund their continuing education and certification programs during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds, managed by the Auditor of State, will cover program maintenance and operation to support professional development for these local officials. The bill requires compliance with state fiscal laws and budgetary procedures for fund disbursement.
HB 1133 allows Northwest Technical Institute to appoint a president with industry experience instead of requiring an education background. The bill directly affects the institute's leadership selection process, aiming to accelerate filling a critical leadership vacancy. It adds an emergency clause stating the institute's role in training the state's technical workforce requires immediate action to avoid delays. The emergency status means the law takes effect upon gubernatorial approval or if the bill becomes law without a veto. This change streamlines leadership hiring to ensure uninterrupted workforce development.
HB 1050 (Act 12) separates the offices of sheriff and tax collector in Poinsett County, Arkansas, effective January 1, 2027. The bill requires Poinsett County voters to elect both positions separately in the 2026 general election, with each official taking office on January 1, 2027. It mandates that both officers provide bonds for their duties and receive compensation set by the Poinsett County Quorum Court within state-defined limits. This bill directly affects Poinsett County residents and county government operations by creating two distinct elected roles previously held by one person.
