Rep. Mark Perry

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1850 amends Arkansas law regarding ground ambulance services and their reimbursement by health benefit plans. It clarifies the minimum allowable reimbursement rates for both in-network and out-of-network ambulance providers. Initially, these rates are based on agreements between the ambulance service provider and local government entities. However, starting July 1, 2025, if no such local rates exist, the minimum reimbursement will be the lesser of 325% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule (Arkansas Rural Rate) or the provider's billed charges. This bill aims to alleviate confusion concerning reimbursement rates for ambulance services.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1875 amends existing law regarding the use of ignition interlock devices. Its primary purpose is to extend the mandatory period for which individuals, often those with certain driving offenses, are required to use these devices. An amendment to the bill clarifies a notification procedure for device removal and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026, for the act.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 1833, amends the law concerning admissions at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine. The provided text, Amendment No. 1, modifies specific conditions related to the number of qualified applicants. It specifies that certain admission provisions apply only if fewer than twenty-five applicants from a congressional district, or fewer than twenty-five Arkansas residents, meet published admissions standards and accept an offer. This directly affects prospective medical students and the College of Medicine's admissions process by setting thresholds for geographic and residency-based considerations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 1863, amends the Transportation Benefit Manager Act to establish new payment rules for ambulance services in Arkansas. It mandates that healthcare insurers and transportation benefit managers pay ambulance providers 250% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule, Rural Rate for claims. Ambulance providers must accept this payment as full and are prohibited from "balance billing" patients for additional charges beyond their deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The bill also requires the Arkansas Ambulance Association to annually collect and submit local government ambulance service rates to the Insurance Commissioner. An emergency clause makes the act effective immediately to address existing conflicts in ambulance service reimbursement rates.

Maddy summaryThe provided context for HB 1657 only shows cosponsor additions and procedural status (it became Act 709 on April 16, 2025), not the bill's substantive policy content. The title references an "income tax credit" for wood energy products and forest maintenance, but the text does not explain how the credit is amended or who it affects. Without the actual policy provisions or bill text describing changes to the tax credit, a factual summary of its mechanisms or impact cannot be generated. To provide a meaningful summary, the bill's specific policy language would be required.

Maddy summaryHB 1815, now Act 687, modifies the state's legal authority in two distinct areas. It amends the state's jurisdiction regarding federal lands located within its borders. Additionally, the bill ensures that the state retains jurisdiction over juvenile justice matters. An amendment clarifies that these juvenile cases will be heard by the circuit court or the juvenile division of the circuit court.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1771, as amended, aims to revise the laws governing disclosures that insurance companies must provide to their policyholders and to require monthly reporting from insurers. The amendment specifically adjusts numerical thresholds within the bill and modifies language pertaining to the reporting of "total medical claims on a paid basis." This legislation directly affects insurance companies, requiring them to adhere to new reporting standards, and policyholders, who would receive updated information regarding their policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1968 requires auto dealers to collect sales tax at the point of sale when selling new or used motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers. This means customers would pay the tax during the purchase transaction instead of through a different process. The bill also amends a 1958 law related to sales tax collection for vehicle sales. It directly affects dealers (who must collect the tax) and buyers (who pay the tax at the time of purchase).

Maddy summaryHB 1158 amends Arkansas' teacher retirement law to allow educators in the Teacher Deferred Retirement Option Plan to change their distribution choices under specific conditions. It permits members who did not initially select a lump-sum rollover to cancel and switch their distribution option within two months of retirement, provided they haven’t changed before, file new paperwork, and repay any overpaid amounts. The bill directly affects Arkansas public school teachers enrolled in this retirement plan. The emergency clause establishes an effective date of July 1, 2025 (the start of the fiscal year) to align with retirement system operations. This change aims to address administrative complexities in the retirement system's distribution process.

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.