Rep. Zack Gramlich

Maddy summarySB 100 amends Arkansas Medicaid rules to allow physician assistants (PAs) to be recognized as primary care providers under the program, but only with written authorization from their supervising physician. This change requires PAs applying to be recognized as primary care providers to submit a signed, dated authorization from their supervising doctor. The bill directly affects PAs seeking Medicaid provider status and expands access to primary care for Medicaid patients in Arkansas. It does not automatically grant PA recognition but adds a specific authorization requirement to the application process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1561) is a technical amendment to remove all references to "the State of Qatar" from existing state laws. It deletes phrases like "or the State of Qatar" or "from the State of Qatar" from 17 different sections of the code, correcting outdated or erroneous text. The bill does not create new policies, affect any individuals or groups, or change legal requirements. It was passed by both chambers and became law as Act 473 on April 8, 2025, solely to update legal references.

Maddy summarySB 99 allows physician assistants (PAs) in Arkansas to delegate specific non-complex medical tasks, such as administering certain drugs, to non-licensed staff members. This affects PAs and their office-based support staff who perform routine tasks under the PA's direct supervision. The bill requires that delegated tasks must not require specialized medical judgment, be performed only within the provider's office, and not misrepresent the staff as licensed healthcare professionals. It also maintains that the PA remains fully responsible for all delegated work and prohibits delegation of anesthesia or transfer of supervisory duties. The law was enacted as Act 437 on April 7, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 135 changes election rules for public school districts in Arkansas when their annual property tax rate remains unchanged. It requires county election commissioners to automatically include the unchanged tax rate on the ballot for all qualified voters in the district during odd-numbered years, eliminating the need for a separate election. This affects school districts and voters, as they will now vote on the existing tax rate without additional procedural steps. The bill streamlines the process by removing prior requirements for a special election when rates stay the same. It focuses solely on administrative adjustments to election procedures, with no new tax rates or financial impacts.

Maddy summarySB 409 prohibits financial services providers from refusing to do business with or terminating relationships with agricultural producers solely based on their status as such. It defines "agricultural producer" to include those growing crops, raising animals, or producing livestock/dairy products. The bill requires Arkansas' Treasurer to publish a list of financial providers found to discriminate against agricultural producers, after giving them 45 days' notice and a 30-day window to prove they are not discriminating. This list will be posted online, with the process involving an ESG Oversight Committee and requiring agricultural producers to consent to sharing financial data if they report discrimination.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 amends the definition of "homestead" to increase the maximum acreage eligible for a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and minor dependent children from 80 to 160 acres. This change directly affects qualifying veterans and their families by expanding the land size they can own while still receiving the tax exemption. The key provision modifies the acreage threshold in existing law, allowing more property to qualify under the exemption program. The bill was enacted as Act 407 on March 25, 2025, making this change effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 1620 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to pay Arkansas-licensed pharmacies and pharmacists promptly for "clean claims" (claims processed successfully without errors or missing documentation). It directly affects all Arkansas pharmacies and pharmacists who bill PBMs for prescription drugs, ensuring stable cash flow for operations and patient care. Key mechanisms include defining "clean claims" as real-time processed claims with approved payments, setting clear timelines for claim receipt (e.g., electronic claims on transfer date), and prohibiting post-payment audits that delay payments. The law also expands the Pharmacy Audit Bill of Rights to cover Medicaid program audits and clarifies that PBMs cannot use prescription validation requests to withhold payment after a claim is approved.

Maddy summaryHB 1610 is a technical amendment to Arkansas' Human Life Protection Act and Unborn Child Protection Act, clarifying existing medical exception language. It removes redundant phrases like "in the judgment of the physician" and replaces them with simpler terms such as "judgment" throughout the statutes. This change streamlines how medical professionals can cite exceptions for abortions when the mother's health is at risk, directly affecting healthcare providers and patients navigating the current abortion restrictions. The bill, now Act 387, became law on March 20, 2025, without altering the core prohibitions on abortion.

Maddy summarySB 317 prohibits Arkansas public institutions of higher education from engaging in specific activities with "prohibited foreign parties." It directly affects universities and colleges receiving state funding by banning them from conducting agricultural research under contract or selling agricultural products (including seeds) with such entities. The bill defines "prohibited foreign parties" but does not specify which entities qualify. This policy change restricts certain financial and research transactions between Arkansas colleges and designated foreign entities, without altering broader academic collaboration rules. The bill passed as Act 351 on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 307, now Act 373, creates the "Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025" to support energy infrastructure investments. It requires the Arkansas Public Service Commission to consider strategic investments in natural gas and electric generation when setting utility rates, allowing companies to recover costs for approved projects. The bill mandates refunds to customers for imprudently incurred costs and sets new requirements for utility infrastructure projects to ensure grid reliability during extreme weather. It directly affects investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities operating in Arkansas by changing how they recover infrastructure costs through rate cases. The legislation declares an emergency to expedite these energy infrastructure developments.