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SB 4 Arkansas Senate · 2026 Fiscal Session

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - LICENSING AND REGULATION BOARDS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

This bill amends state law to set stricter requirements for foreign-trained physicians seeking medical licenses in Arkansas. To qualify, a doctor must have a full-time job offer in a medically underserved area and meet specific criteria, including holding an active foreign license, practicing medicine for four years, and passing a credentialing exam. The legislation directly impacts international medical graduates by adding these new conditions to their application process.
Issues: ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts access for foreign-trained physicians by adding strict job offer and experience requirements, limiting the pool of available medical professionals.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts access to medical licenses for foreign-trained physicians, limiting their ability to practice in the state.85% confidence
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Governor
Introduced Apr 1, 2026 Last action Apr 29, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
7
Committee
2
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned from the House as passed.
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned to the Senate as passed.
lower
Apr 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
lower
Apr 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
lower
Apr 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
upper
Apr 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read the third time and passed.
upper
Apr 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 2
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Introduced
Filed
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.