Latest news with #HB1204
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Four takeaways from the fifth week of the Arkansas 95th General Assembly
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An active time for the Arkansas legislature in the fifth week of the 95th General Assembly. Several bills reached the governor's desk for signature, where they became law. Other bills failed in the committee process, and multiple constitutional amendments were filed as the legislature reached its deadline for that process. Finally, the legislature and governor acted to repair an ongoing problem in an Arkansas county. BILLS INTO LAW Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office announced she signed 23 pieces of legislation on Tuesday. While most of what was signed were operation funding bills for higher education institutions, other signed bills include House Bill 1204, now Act 28, well-sponsored legislation to limit the recovery amount for medical care after an accident. Alzheimer's Association advocates for financial support for caregivers, treatments at Arkansas capitol HB1204 reached the governor's desk after clearing the Senate by one vote, barely overcoming bi-partisan opposition. BILLS FAILING IN COMMITTEE A bill to remove the mandate to fluoridate water failed to make it out of committee on Wednesday. Senate Bill 2 removed the mandate and removed the Department of Health's ability to regulate fluoride levels. Multiple dentists were on hand to testify against the legislation. A second bill failing in committee was intended to allow universities to hold Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) raffles to support athletic funding. Testimony against the bill included that from a representative of Pine Bluff's Saracen Casino. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS February 12 was the 31st day of the legislative session, making it the final day to submit proposed legislation to create amendments to the Arkansas Constitution. While amendments have been filed since the session began, the last two days saw many resolutions filed. GOP lawmaker proposes renaming Greenland 'Red, White, and Blueland' Resolutions included judicial candidates being able to list their political party on ballots and removing the tax on food. Other filings were legislative control over commissions and changes to property assessments. One of the final resolutions was for a crime victim's bill of rights. If the resolutions make it through the legislative process, they must be endorsed by voters before becoming part of the constitution. AID FOR A COUNTY A budget stand-off has resulted in Jefferson County employees not being paid since Jan. 1. A bill, backed by the governor, moved quickly through the legislature to require any county that does not pass a budget for its new year to continue to operate on the previous year's budget. Arkansas pharmacy bill heads to governor's desk, pharmacy freedom of choice bill enters legislature It sailed through its floor votes & committee hearings and was signed into law on Tuesday night. Employee checks were being cut the next day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
11-02-2025
- Health
- Axios
Arkansas statehouse week 4 review: School cellphone ban, video mandate
Today closes the fourth week of the 95th General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature. Why it matters: Lawmakers hash out proposed changes to state law during the regular session. We're keeping an eye out for the most impactful potential changes — particularly in issues like education, health care and how national politics will influence Arkansas' Republican-dominated legislature. Catch up quick: Key takeaways from this week include The Senate approved SB142 which would ban students from using cellphones and other devices during the school day at public schools. The House Education Committee also passed the bill Thursday. The Senate also approved SB59, which seeks to ensure all children at public schools receive free breakfast. HB1204, which would limit the recovery of damages for past necessary medical care, treatment or services to the costs actually paid by or on behalf of a plaintiff, cleared the Senate and will move to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' desk. The House approved SB3 on Thursday, which would end the state's affirmative action programs. It now advances to the governor's desk. Of note: On Thursday, the House passed HB1180, "The Baby Olivia Bill," which would require public and open-enrollment public charter schools to include a 3-minute video produced by an anti-abortion organization to health and safety courses beginning in the fifth grade. Speaking against the bill, Rep. Ashley Hudson (D-Little Rock), called the video "propaganda." It now moves to the Senate. A few bills from the past week: SB189 would authorize Ivermectin for human use to be sold without a prescription. SJR10 proposes a constitutional amendment to be voted on by the state's electorate to create the Department of Government Efficiency. HB1424 would require state-funded health insurance programs including Medicaid to cover obesity treatments.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bill limiting personal injury claims heads to Arkansas governor after contentious debates
(Getty Images) Hours of debate in committee and in Arkansas' legislative chambers didn't sway enough lawmakers to vote against a bill that would decrease the amount plaintiffs could receive in personal injury cases. House Bill 1204, sponsored by Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, heads to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' desk after a close 18-17 Senate vote Thursday. Proposed tort reform advances out of Arkansas legislative committee Though the bill doesn't state it, lawmakers have referred to it as 'tort reform.' It passed the House last week 71-18. Six representatives did not vote and five voted present. Bill co-sponsor Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, presented the proposal Thursday to her fellow lawmakers, stating it was 'based on balance and fairness,' as it would recognize actual bills paid, rather than the full cost of medical treatments. A bipartisan group of seven senators spoke against the bill on the floor Thursday, while one spoke in favor of it. The Republican lawmakers who opposed the bill said that while they are traditionally supportive of similar measures amending tort law, HB 1204 goes a step too far. 'I've had a lot of calls from constituents on this, and not a single constituent has called me and said, 'Hey, I think it's a good idea that we take money out of the pockets of the insured parties and put it in the insurance company's pockets,' because that's exactly what this bill does,' said Sen. Clint Penzo, a Springdale Republican. Penzo's view represents that of many opponents: the bill would help insurance companies and hurt Arkansans who pay their monthly premiums. But supporters of the legislation have said it would level the playing field and ensure that damages awarded to an injured person do not exceed what they actually paid for medical treatment and procedures. Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, was the sole lawmaker to speak in favor of the bill Thursday and said the discussion had complicated a simple bill. Dismang offered an example of a used car sale to help lawmakers understand what he said was the purpose of the bill. If a person is selling a car for $100, and someone buys it for $60, the car is worth $60 if something goes wrong and is returned, Dismang said. In this example, the purchaser would not be reimbursed the car's listed price of $100, he said. Sen. Clarke Tucker, a Little Rock Democrat and practicing attorney, said people currently do not profit by getting injured through the existing 'made whole doctrine.' But because attorneys fees are a nonrecoverable cost, most people are not 'made whole,' he said. Tucker also argued that supporters of the bill who believe insurance rates will go down after its passage are wrong, as seen in other states like Texas, he said. 'If you think that costs are going to go down — it's like spitting in the ocean,' Tucker said. 'What we're counting on in this bill is hope.' Republican Sens. Gary Stubblefield of Branch, John Payton of Wilburn, Alan Clark of Lonsdale and Joshua Bryant of Rogers also spoke against the bill. Sen. Jamie Scott, D-North Little Rock, rounded out those who voiced opposition. 'It tells our most vulnerable that their pain is just a cost of doing business, and that is not the Arkansas I believe in and the justice system I swore to uphold,' Scott said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
