Rep. Brandon Achor

Maddy summarySB 526 proposed to prohibit the retail sale of specific disposable vapor products in Arkansas. It defined a "disposable vapor product" as one with a non-detachable battery that cannot be refilled and is designed for disposal after use. The bill would have banned retailers from selling such products if they originated from a "prohibited foreign party." The Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control could seize non-compliant products, with violations being a Class A misdemeanor, although FDA-approved products were exempt. A 90-day grace period was included for businesses to liquidate existing inventory.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 204 proposes to exempt certain financial gains from state gross income for tax purposes. This exemption would apply to taxpayers whose property is acquired by a government or entity under the right of eminent domain or the threat of condemnation. Essentially, any profit a property owner makes from such a forced sale would not be considered taxable income under this bill.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 140 aims to mandate the use of biosimilar medicines by health benefit plans and require healthcare providers to prescribe them, intending to improve access for patients. The bill includes an exception for "limited distribution drugs," defined as complex, high-cost, or safety-concern medications restricted by manufacturers to specific pharmacies. For these specific drugs, the mandate for biosimilar use would not apply. Additionally, the bill adjusts timelines for certain actions to occur "within a reasonable amount of time" and specifies that involved pharmacies must be accredited.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 95 (SB 95) proposed amendments to the Arkansas Athletic Trainers Act, primarily by clarifying and expanding the definition of "athlete." The bill broadens the term "athlete" to include individuals participating in activities related to recreation, sport, exercise, or tactical duty, in addition to organized athletic or team activities. It also introduces a new definition for "tactical duty," specifying it includes activities associated with law enforcement, military, or rescue services. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "direct supervision" for athletic trainers in a clinical setting by a supervising physical therapist or physician.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 532 proposes to amend the definition of "specialty hospital" within the Arkansas Medicaid program. This change directly affects which hospitals are categorized as specialty hospitals for the purpose of an assessment fee. Currently, the definition includes acute care general hospitals primarily serving children and exempt from Medicare's prospective payment system. The bill would expand this definition to also include hospitals primarily or exclusively focused on treating patients with cardiac, orthopedic, or spinal conditions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 229 proposes to establish a new Department of Financial Services within the existing Department of Commerce. This new department would consolidate the operations of the State Bank Department and the State Securities Department. The bill designates the current Bank Commissioner to serve as the Director of the newly formed Department of Financial Services. This aims to reorganize and combine state oversight of banking and securities activities.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1626, as amended, aimed to prohibit the sale of certain disposable vapor products. The bill's central provision was to ban the sale of disposable vapor products that originate from a "prohibited foreign party," a term defined by referencing an existing legal statute (§ 18-11-802). This measure would have directly impacted retailers selling vapor products and consumers who purchase them. The bill did not pass and died in committee.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided information, HB 1530 aimed to change the definition of "specialty hospital" in the context of the assessment fees paid by hospitals under the Arkansas Medicaid program. The specific details of how the definition would be amended, or the direct impact of this change on hospitals and the Medicaid program, are not available in this text. The bill died in the House Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1969 aimed to improve healthcare access in Arkansas by modifying how hospitals are assessed and reimbursed for Medicaid services. The bill proposed creating a "Graduate Medical Education Expansion Program" to fund eligible hospitals for new medical residency and fellowship positions, intending to increase the number of doctors in training. It also sought to establish a "Hospital Directed Payment Assessment" system, designed to maximize Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals, support their financial stability (especially in rural areas), and enhance patient care. This system would involve specific payments directed through managed care entities and updated definitions related to hospital cost reporting and Medicaid payment limits.

Maddy summaryHJR 1015 was a proposed constitutional amendment in Arkansas that aimed to change how judicial candidates appear on the ballot. If approved, it would have required candidates for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Judge, and District Judge to declare their political party affiliation or independent status. This declared affiliation or independent status would then be printed on the ballot for voters to see. The stated purpose of the amendment was to ensure transparency regarding judicial candidates' affiliations. This amendment would have taken effect on January 1, 2027, if passed.