Bills into Law

Bills signed into law by Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Monday, April 10, 2023, the Governor signed into law: 

 
HB1594, to create a sales tax exemption for the Disabled American Veterans Organization.
 
HB1653, to prohibit the purchase of small, unmanned aircrafts manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity. 
 
HB1674, concerning the consumer protection division of the attorney general’s office; and to amend the law concerning settlement funds held by the Attorney General’s Office. 
 
HB1296, to make technical corrections to the arkansas code concerning the use of respectful language when referring to individuals with disabilities.
 
HB1408, to create the Uniform Easement Relocation Act.
 
HB1501, to amend Arkansas law concerning when a prosecution is commenced.
 
HB1503, to create the offense of operating a chop shop; and to create the offense of dealing in stolen or forged motor vehicle parts.
 
HB1695, to amend the definition of “active-duty service member” used in the child maltreatment act.
 
HB1729, to name a licensed massage therapist as a mandated reporter under the child maltreatment act. 
 
HB1129, to require the Arkansas Medicaid program and insurance policies to reimburse for behavioral health services provided in certain settings. 
 
HB1273, to amend the healthcare payor identification card act; and to define short-term, limited duration insurance. 
 
HB1274, to modify the prior authorization transparency act; and to amend the appeal process for a denial under the prior authorization transparency act. 
 
HB1275, to regulate electronic medical records; and to prohibit a healthcare payor that has electronic access to medical records from requesting medical records in a different format from a healthcare provider. 
 
HB1640, to amend the definition of “rebates” as used in the business of insurance; and to amend the law concerning token gifts in the business of insurance. 
 
HB1690, to amend the law regarding return to service by essential seasonal staff members of the department of agriculture. 
 
HB1707, to amend the Arkansas soil nutrient application and poultry litter utilization act; and to provide that nutrient management plans and poultry litter management plans are not public record.
 
HB1067, to modify the law concerning residency requirements for certain firefighters.
 
HB1207, to create the Fast-Track Permits Act. 
 
HB1369, to require public entities to create a policy concerning the authorized use of technology resources and a cyber security policy; and to amend the duties of the state cyber security office. 
 
HB1555, to regulate meetings, internal policies and guidelines, and reports to address a cybersecurity incident involving, or a cyberattack on, a public entity. 
 
HB1579, to amend the law concerning the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission Act.
 
HB1621, to amend the definition of “revenue” under the Arkansas speed trap law. 
 
HB1641, to amend the law governing payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes; and to provide for the billing and collection of certain payments related to certain leased or purchased property. 
 
HB1703, to amend the law concerning leave time for deputy sheriffs, municipal police officers, and firefighters; and to add military leave for full-time deputy sheriffs, municipal police officers, and firefighters. 
 
HB1559, concerning implicit bias training required by a public school or state-supported institution of higher education. 
 
HB1576, to establish the creating a respectful and open world for natural hair (crown) act. 
 
HB1619, to permit a local board of a community college district to establish additional zones under certain circumstances. 
 
HB1009, to establish the nonemergency transportation rideshare expansion study workgroup to study expanding rideshare services covered by the Arkansas Medicaid program. 
 
HB1102, to create the Universal Newborn Screening Act; and to ensure that newborns are screened for conditions recommended by the United States department of health and human services.
 
HB1462, to amend the law concerning youths in foster care; and to certify unaccompanied homeless youths. 
 
HB1543, to amend the cemetery act for perpetually maintained cemeteries; and to modify the law concerning the state board of embalmers, funeral directors, cemeteries, and burial services. 
 
HB1565, to create the Arkansas legislative study on mental and behavioral health. 
 
HB1574, to support positive mental health for families with young children through the Arkansas Medicaid program; and to establish supplemental reimbursement rates for preventive services for children. 
 
HB1580, to exempt cosmetologists from licensing restrictions based on criminal records. 
 
HB1629, to amend the rabies control act related to the confinement of an animal when a person is bitten to allow an owner to confine an animal who has received a current vaccination against rabies. 
 
HB1203, to clarify that a mayor of a city of the first class is entitled to count previous or subsequent years of service in employment with the same city toward the mayor’s retirement. 
 
HB1253, to create the State Government Employee Retirement Protection Act. 
 
HB1592, to amend the digital product and motion picture industry development act of 2009. 
 
HB1627, to clarify that membership dues paid to hunting or fishing clubs are exempt from sales tax. 
 
HB1062, an act for the Office of the Treasurer of State appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 
HB1072, an act for the Department of Commerce – state bank department appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 
HB1074, an act for the Department of Finance and Administration – regulatory division appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year
 
HB1105, an act for the state board of election commissioners appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 
 
HB1118, an act for the Department of Human Services – secretary’s office appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 
 
HB1120, an act for the Department of Human Services – division of provider services and quality assurance appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 
HB1135, an act for the Office of Attorney General appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 
HB1269, an act for the UAMS – Reynolds Center on Aging, Boozman College of Public Health, Ark. Biosciences Institute, & The Area Health Ed. Center in Helena appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders signed bills

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Thursday, March 16, 2023, the Governor signed into law: 

SB254, an act to eliminate write-in candidates in elections; to amend election procedures; and to amend the law concerning election.

SB280, to amend the law concerning the creation and duties of the Arkansas ethics commission; and to amend portions of initiated act 1 of 1990 and initiated act 1 of 1996. 

SB293, to amend the law concerning the correction of errors on ballots; to amend the law concerning election procedures; and to create a procedure for candidate review of ballots.
 

SB307, to create a monument to the unborn; to create a monument on state capitol grounds; and to amend the law concerning the duties of the secretary of state.
 

SB343, to repeal the law concerning a written report on costs savings by cabinet-level departments.
 

HB1405, to amend the definition of election media; and to amend the definition under election law.
 

HB1461, to require legislative review of new federal election guidance; and to amend the duties of the secretary of state.
 

HB1464, to amend the law concerning complaints of election law violations; and to amend the law concerning the state board of election commissioners.
 

HB1510, to amend the law concerning special elections on measures and questions.
 

SB251, concerning the administrative office of the keep Arkansas beautiful commission; and to amend the duties of the state parks division.
 

HB1394, to update the law on spendthrift trusts; and to allow for the creation of a domestic asset protection. trust.
 

HB1431, to amend the Arkansas trust code to allow for the decanting of trusts.
 

SB91, to establish the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact in Arkansas.
 

SB112, to authorize physician assistants to be identified as a treating provider for insurance billing and claims and to bill and receive payment for provided healthcare services.
 

SB323, to permit the secretary of the department of labor and licensing to designate a person to serve on his or her behalf on the elevator safety board.
 

SB344, to require posting of a written notice that attacking a healthcare professional is a felony; and to allow a healthcare professional to use a work address when reporting certain offenses.
 

SB267, to transfer the criminal detention facility review committees, and the office of criminal detention facilities review coordinator to the department of public safety; and to declare an emergency.
 

HB1328, to repeal the annual reporting requirement by the arkansas geographic information systems board concerning the arkansas spatial data infrastructure.
 

HB1338, to amend the Arkansas video service act; and to provide clarity concerning the use of a public right of way.
 

HB1389, to require a service industry license for certain persons or entities related to casino gaming; and to require background checks for service industry licensees employed by a franchise holder or casino licensee. 
 

HB1483, to amend the law concerning retention of criminal background checks.


SB94, to modify the Arkansas pharmacy benefits manager licensure act.


SB297, to amend the Arkansas underground facilities damage prevention act; and to declare an emergency.


HB1482, to amend Arkansas law concerning the membership of the delta cultural center policy advisory board. 


HB1484, to amend the law concerning the operation of bank facilities. 


HB1497, to amend the formula rate review act; and to modify the term of a formula rate review approved by the arkansas public service commission.
 

HB1065, an act for the department of transformation and shared services – division of information systems appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 

HB1075, an act for the department of finance and administration – child support enforcement appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 
 

HB1079, an act for the department of commerce – state securities department appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 

HB1080, an act for the department of health – tobacco prevention and cessation programs appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 

HB1081, an act for the department of commerce – arkansas rehabilitation services appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 
 

HB1106, an act for the department of the military appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 

HB1134, an act for the department of corrections – division of community correction appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
 

HCR1008, to recognize the Fouke High School panther marching band for winning class 3a state championships and to recognize the Fouke High School and Paulette Smith Middle School concert bands for being named 2022 class 3a state honor bands.
 

HCR1010, to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Harold Chaffin for his dedication and sacrifices made on behalf of the United States.
 

HB1315, to create the seizure safe schools act. 
 

HB1393, to create mental health awareness week in public schools. 

SB250, to amend the law concerning paper ballots; to amend the law concerning marking and counting paper ballots; to amend the law concerning the declaration of election results; and to declare an emergency.