Rep. Zack Gramlich

Maddy summaryAct 624 generally prohibits Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) from holding retail pharmacy permits in the state, directly affecting PBMs, retail pharmacies, and their patients. The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy will identify existing retail pharmacies affiliated with PBMs and notify them of this prohibition by January 1, 2026. Affected pharmacies must then notify their patients and prescribing healthcare providers that they can no longer dispense retail drugs after this date. However, an exception allows for temporary "limited use permits" for PBM-affiliated pharmacies if a rare, orphan, or limited distribution drug is otherwise unavailable to patients in the market. This exception for limited use permits is set to expire on September 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1622 amends the Medicaid Fairness Act, primarily affecting Medicaid providers and recipients. The bill modifies the definition of an "adverse decision" to include the imposition of corrective action plans. It establishes a process for providers to seek administrative reconsideration of an adverse decision with the Department of Human Services. Additionally, providers can appeal to the Office of Medicaid Provider Appeals with the Department of Health, acting either for themselves or on behalf of a recipient.

Maddy summaryHB 1758 amends existing law related to hearing instrument dispensers in Arkansas. The bill specifically modifies the definition of the "practice of dispensing hearing instruments." This updated definition includes conducting and interpreting hearing tests, making recommendations, ordering and selecting suitable instruments, creating earmolds, and providing counseling on the selling, renting, leasing, pricing, delivery, and warranty of hearing instruments. This change clarifies the scope of services provided by licensed hearing instrument dispensers.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 creates a single State Captive Insurance Program to replace fragmented property insurance systems for public schools, state-supported colleges/universities, and state-owned properties in Arkansas. It combines these entities under one program, prohibits the use of public adjusting firms (which the bill states increased premiums), and requires independent reappraisals of higher education properties to ensure proper valuation. The bill also establishes the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage the program and mandates coordination among state agencies for a smooth transition. These changes aim to stabilize insurance costs and improve market competitiveness for these public entities.

Maddy summarySB 463 requires Arkansas public utilities to obtain approval from the Arkansas Public Service Commission before entering settlement agreements that would close or eliminate power plants or transmission assets. The bill directly affects utilities, the Commission, and consumers by mandating that settlements must legally resolve claims, not exceed regulatory costs, and avoid decisions driven by environmental goals rather than law. The Commission must evaluate whether proposed settlements are legally sound, cost-justified for consumers, and based on reasonable legal interpretations before approving or denying them. This creates a new review process to ensure settlements protect consumer interests and comply with state regulations. The bill does not change existing utility operations but adds oversight for specific settlement agreements.

Maddy summarySB 510 allows Arkansas municipalities, counties, the state, and federally recognized tribal nations to enter agreements enabling law enforcement from all these entities to enforce laws on tribal lands within Arkansas. It directly affects tribal nations with federally recognized land in the state and their local, county, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The key provision creates a legal framework for cross-deputization, meaning officers from one jurisdiction can temporarily exercise authority under agreements to enforce tribal, state, and local laws on tribal lands. This bill establishes a formal process for collaboration but does not change existing jurisdictional boundaries or require specific tribes to participate.

Maddy summaryHB 1802 creates a state-funded Talent Recruitment Grant Program to incentivize individuals to relocate to Arkansas. The program provides grants to municipalities and qualifying nonprofits (e.g., for economic development) to offer relocation incentives to individuals who either hold remote jobs paying at least $55,000 annually or accept full-time in-state employment. Grants up to $500,000 per applicant require recipients to cover 20% of program costs and meet 50% of their target relocation goals before receiving final payment. Recipients must report quarterly on participant income, tax impacts, and economic outcomes to ensure accountability.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 29, 2025, as Vietnam War Veterans Day and March 2025 as Vietnam Era Veterans Month in Arkansas. It formally recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of Vietnam War veterans through state-level ceremonial observance. The resolution does not create new laws, programs, or benefits - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. It affects Arkansas residents by establishing official dates for state-level recognition of veterans' service.

Maddy summarySB 227 amends the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, specifically updating provisions related to public meetings. The bill's text provided does not specify the exact nature of these amendments or the concrete policy changes it would implement. It was passed by the legislature on April 7, 2025, and became Act 505 on April 10, 2025. The context lacks details on the specific changes to FOIA or who would be directly affected, so a substantive summary of the policy mechanisms cannot be provided from the given information.

Maddy summaryHB 1636 would phase out Arkansas' soft drink tax by gradually eliminating it based on sales tax collections from soft drink sales. The bill proposed replacing the current tax with a system tied directly to existing sales tax data, ensuring a smooth transition. This change would directly affect soft drink retailers (who collect the tax) and consumers (who pay it). The legislation aimed to replace an outdated tax structure with one aligned to current sales tax reporting practices.