SB 378 repeals a requirement that the Arkansas Economic Development Commission submit quarterly reports on the Arkansas Industry Training Program's activities. The bill removes the mandate for the Commission to prepare and submit these reports to the Governor, Legislative Council, or Joint Budget Committee. This change affects only the Commission's administrative reporting duties, not the program's operations or participants. The bill does not alter the training program's purpose or eligibility. (This is a procedural change with no direct impact on program beneficiaries or funding.)
HB 1590 merges Woodruff County’s treasurer and tax collector positions into a single elected office, effective January 1, 2027. Voters in Woodruff County will elect one official to serve both roles in the 2026 general election, with the winner taking office on the effective date. The bill specifies that the combined officeholder must provide a bond, receive county-court-determined compensation within state-set limits, and manage county financial duties as outlined in existing law. This change directly affects Woodruff County residents and its elected county official, streamlining a local government role without altering tax policies or revenue collection procedures.
HB 1693 standardizes how Arkansas election officials handle damaged or defective ballots. It requires election officials to create a true duplicate of such ballots in the presence of witnesses, label both the original and duplicate with "original" and "duplicate," assign the same serial number, and securely store them before counting the duplicate. The bill also authorizes the State Board of Election Commissioners to create detailed rules for this duplication process. This directly affects election officials at polling sites and central counting facilities, ensuring consistent handling of disputed ballots during elections. The law updates existing procedures to clarify ballot duplication requirements and reporting timelines for county election boards.
HB 1673, now Act 436, is a procedural amendment adding Senator Irvin as a cosponsor to a bill titled "TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BARBERS." The bill itself contains no substantive changes to barber regulations or licensing requirements. It was passed by the Senate on March 31, 2025, and became law after being transmitted to the Governor's Office on April 3, 2025. This amendment does not alter any barber-related policies or directly affect barbers, salons, or licensing procedures.
HB 1258, now Act 435, creates a statewide certification program for community health workers in Arkansas. The bill establishes a standardized certification process, requiring workers to meet specific training and competency standards to practice. This directly affects community health workers who must obtain this certification to work legally in the state, ensuring consistent qualifications across all communities. The law replaces inconsistent local or employer-based requirements with a single state-administered system.
HB 1637 requires state agencies to prepare and present fiscal impact statements for statewide initiatives, referendums, and legislatively referred constitutional amendments. It removes references to "local" impacts, ensuring these statements focus exclusively on statewide financial effects. This change directly affects voters, election officials, and state agencies by standardizing how fiscal consequences of ballot measures are communicated. The bill became law as Act 457 on April 3, 2025, streamlining the process for transparent voter information.
HB 1245, now Act 432, establishes a registration system for behavior analysts in Arkansas. It requires practitioners to pay an application fee of up to $200 and a renewal fee of up to $150, with fines for violations ranging from $500 to $1,000 for initial offenses and up to $5,000 plus potential license revocation for repeat violations. The law directly affects behavior analysts providing services in Arkansas and explicitly states it does not require additional training or continuing education beyond existing certification. Key provisions include standardized fees, penalty structures, and verification of current certification for renewal. The bill was enacted on April 3, 2025, after Senate amendments were approved.
HB 1288 (now Act 423) requires healthcare insurers in Arkansas to pay providers retroactively for services rendered before the provider was officially approved by the insurer. This directly affects healthcare providers (like doctors or clinics) who treat patients while waiting for insurer credentialing approval. The key provision mandates that insurers make these retroactive payments once a provider is finally added to their network. The law aims to prevent providers from bearing financial losses for care delivered during the credentialing delay. It amends the Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act to enforce this payment requirement.
HB 1268 allows public transit authorities in Arkansas to become official participants in the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System (APERS), enabling their employees to join this state retirement program. This bill directly affects employees of public transit authorities who previously might not have had access to APERS. The key provision expands retirement coverage to transit workers by treating transit authorities as eligible public employers under existing APERS rules. The bill passed as Act 450 on April 3, 2025.
HB 1574 requires paid canvassers working on statewide initiative petitions or referendums in Arkansas to be both residents of the state and domiciled in Arkansas. The law defines domicile as "actual residence plus the intent to remain" in the state, based on a 2000 Arkansas Supreme Court ruling. This applies specifically to canvassers collecting signatures for statewide ballot measures, not local elections. The bill amends Arkansas Code § 7-9-103(a) to add this requirement and clarifies that individuals may have only one domicile. The law became effective as Act 453 on April 3, 2025.
HB 1591 combines Arkansas County's treasurer and tax collector positions into a single office effective January 1, 2027. Voters in Arkansas County will elect one person to serve both roles in the 2026 general election, with the winner taking office on the effective date. The bill maintains existing requirements for the officeholder to provide a bond, receive compensation set by the county Quorum Court within state-prescribed limits, and hire deputies. This change directly affects Arkansas County residents by streamlining county financial administration under one elected official.
HB 1257 removes a restriction preventing psychologists from employing technicians to perform neuropsychology services. It changes reimbursement rules so psychologists, not technicians, receive payment for services provided by these technicians. The bill directly affects psychologists and their psychology technicians in Arkansas by allowing technicians to support neuropsychology work under a psychologist’s supervision. This policy change streamlines employment and billing for these roles without altering licensing requirements.
