Northwest Health to repay Arkansas $1 million in Medicaid settlement

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

A Northwest Arkansas hospital chain must repay $1.1 million to the state Medicaid program over the former State Medical Board chairman’s billing practices.

The settlement is the latest development in the Medicaid fraud investigation against Dr. Brian Hyatt, a Northwest Arkansas psychiatrist.

State investigators reviewed medical records and hundreds of hours of surveillance footage before concluding there was “reasonable cause” to believe Hyatt billed Medicaid without providing the appropriate level of patient care.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-28/northwest-health-to-repay-arkansas-1-million-in-medicaid-settlement

Claudio Furlan/AP

A COVID-19 patient lies in a hospital bed at Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital, in Bergamo, Italy.

Boozman backs $755 million truck parking bill

KUAR | By Jeff Della Rosa/ Talk Business & Politics

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., recently announced his support for a bipartisan bill to increase truck parking capacity and improve existing truck parking infrastructure. The bill would provide $755 million for truck parking projects through 2026.

Boozman joined Sens. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.; Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; and Jon Tester, D-Mont., to introduce the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act. Legislators introduced similar bills last year supported by American Trucking Associations and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

“Truckers play a crucial role in our supply chain,” Boozman said. “Arkansas truckers have shared with me the difficulties they frequently experience in finding a safe location to park as they transport goods and products across the country. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act is an investment that will make it easier for these drivers to find reliable parking and improve efficiency while protecting all motorists on the roads.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/boozman-backs-755-million-truck-parking-bill/

John Boozman

UAMS, NIH Study Finds Consoling, Other Techniques Better Than Drug Therapies for Newborns with Opioid Withdrawal

By David Robinson

LITTLE ROCK — A groundbreaking nationwide clinical trial in which the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) played a key role has confirmed an effective way to wean newborns from opioid withdrawal symptoms that substantially reduces hospital stays and the traditional use of drug therapies.

Using an “Eat, Sleep, Console” (ESC) care approach resulted in infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) being medically ready for discharge in nearly half the time and less likely to receive drug therapy compared to those receiving more traditional care, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study. The ESC care approach focuses on supporting infants and caregivers in the essential functions of early infant life: eating, sleeping and consoling fussy infants.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, was the first large-scale effort to compare the two approaches to opioid withdrawal used by hospital nurseries. Symptoms of withdrawal include tremors, excessive crying and irritability, and problems with sleeping and feeding. At least one newborn in the United States is diagnosed every 18 minutes with NOWS.

https://news.uams.edu/2023/05/01/uams-nih-study-finds-consoling-other-techniques-better-than-drug-therapies-for-newborns-with-opioid-withdrawal/

UAMS’ Jessica Snowden, M.D., said the study’s findings provide the first strong evidence needed to help end hospitals’ widely varying treatments of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome.

Trucking industry tackles longstanding debate of allowing interstate drivers under age 21

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

A new apprenticeship program might help settle a debate over whether 18- to 20-year-old truck drivers can safely haul interstate freight. However, the program has struggled with low participation levels as carriers cite unexpected challenges to joining it to draw from the driver pool.

Trucking industry drivers comprise interstate drivers or those hauling freight across state lines. Existing law in 49 states, including Arkansas, allows 18- to 20-year-old intrastate drivers or those hauling freight within a state, but cargo crossing state lines must be transported by a driver at least 21.

Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association, said the minimum age to engage in interstate commerce should be reduced from 21 to 18 and that employees and their employers are responsible for determining who’s qualified for a job.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/trucking-industry-tackles-longstanding-debate-of-allowing-interstate-drivers-under-age-21/

The trucking industry continues to debate whether the age of interstate truck drivers should be reduced from 21 to 18.

Group seeking to overturn Arkansas LEARNS gathers at Capitol

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Amidst a heavy rainstorm, protesters gathered on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol building Thursday to speak against a Republican-led education overhaul as attempts to overturn it are ongoing.

The legislature last month approved the Arkansas LEARNS Act, a dense, wide-sweeping education package expanding school voucher programs in the state. An organization called CAPES, or Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students, is attempting to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2024 ballot to repeal the law.

The repeal efforts hit their first roadblock earlier this week, after Attorney General Tim Griffin said the proposed amendment's ballot title was misleading. Veronica McClane, a volunteer with CAPES, said the organization has resubmitted a new title.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-28/group-seeking-to-overturn-arkansas-learns-gathers-at-capitol

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs her Arkansas LEARNS legislation into law on March 8, 2023 inside the state Capitol.

College of Medicine Recognizes Exemplary Team Members at 2023 Dean’s Honor Day

David L. Davies, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences (center) is the UAMS College of Medicine's 2023 Distinguished Faculty Service Award winner. He is joined on stage by Interim Dean and UAMS Executive Vice Chancellor G. Richard Smith, M.D., (left) and his nominator, Gwen Childs, Ph.D., chair of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences. Image by Bryan Clifton

By Tamara Robinson

The College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) paid tribute to outstanding faculty and staff at the college’s annual Dean’s Honor Day celebration on April 25.

Department of Psychiatry colleagues Andy James, Ph.D., (center), Melissa Zielinski, Ph.D., (left) and Michael Cucciare, Ph.D., were among more than 70 faculty members honored for upcoming promotions and/or tenure. All were featured in video tributes and received rounds of applause from college leaders and other attendees.Bryan Clifton

Capping the ceremony, the 2023 Distinguished Faculty Service Award was presented to David L. Davies, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences who has served on the faculty for 38 years and continues to lead key educational initiatives for the college.

“Dr. Davies has long been recognized as an excellent educator, scholar and colleague, and he has earned many awards from colleagues and students for his work,” said G. Richard Smith, M.D., interim dean of the college and executive vice chancellor of UAMS. “But Dr. Davies has not rested on his laurels. He continues to provide transformative service and leadership in teaching, mentoring and administration.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/04/27/college-of-medicine-recognizes-exemplary-team-members-at-2023-deans-honor-day/

Lawmakers adjourn ‘sine die’ to end 94th General Assembly regular session

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

State lawmakers officially ended the regular session of the 94th Arkansas General Assembly on Monday (May 1).

All told, the legislature passed 889 new laws this session. The hallmark legislation this year centered on education changes, sentencing reform, tax cuts, and a host of culturally divisive issues ranging from transgender rights to book access at public libraries.

The Arkansas State Senate adjourned sine die a little after noon while passing several honorary resolutions and approving a dozen gubernatorial appointments. There was no effort made to override any of the four vetoes Gov. Sanders issued during the legislature’s recess.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/lawmakers-adjourn-sine-die-to-end-94th-general-assembly-regular-session/

Extension horticulture specialist receives national recognition

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

LITTLE ROCK — The American Society for Horticulture Science has recognized a Cooperative Extension Service horticulturist for her extensive public education and outreach efforts.

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED — Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit and vegetable horticulture specialist for the Division of Agriculture, will receive the American Society for Horticulture Science's ear;y career award for extension and public outreach. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit and vegetable horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will receive the ASHS Professional Early Career Award, specifically for “excellence and outstanding contributions to extension or outreach of horticulture science or horticulture-related disciplines.”

There are four categories for the early career award. In addition to the award for extension and outreach, three other individuals are recognized each year for academic instruction, commercial and professional consulting and research and innovation, all within the field of horticulture. Nominees are only considered for seven years after completion of their final academic degrees.

McWhirt joined the Division of Agriculture in 2016 as an assistant professor and extension specialist, shortly after completing her Ph.D. in crop science and agroecology at North Carolina State University. In addition to her outreach and education efforts across Arkansas, she conducts fruit and vegetable research at the Division of Agriculture’s Fruit Research Station in Clarksville, the Vegetable Research Station in Kibler and elsewhere.

“I was aware that I’d been nominated, but it wasn’t really on my radar,” McWhirt said. “Of course, it’s always nice to be recognized by your peers.”

McWhirt was nominated by Wayne Mackay, chair of the Division of Agriculture’s Horticulture Department. In his nominating letter to ASHS, Mackay described McWhirt’s work with the Cooperative Extension Service as “extremely impactful,” detailing her efforts in creating more than 22 webinars and 75 online videos that have been viewed more than 100,000 times. She has also trained “hundreds of agents and thousands of growers” in strawberry, blueberry and blackberry production.

“Dr. McWhirt is active in traditional written and in-person extension activities,” Mackay wrote. “Since 2016, she has authored or co-authored 23 extension publications, given more than 120 extension talks, and developed over 30 in-person workshops that have impacted more than 3,000 growers on a state, regional and national level. She is also the state coordinator for the Arkansas SARE Program.”

SARE stands for Sustainable Agriculture Research Education.

“Dr. Amanda McWhirt truly embodies the best of ASHS and deserves recognition for her excellence and outstanding contributions to extension and outreach in horticulture,” Mackay said.

McWhirt will receive the award at the ASHS national meeting in August. The meeting will be held in Orlando, Florida.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

AG rejects first try of anti-LEARNS referendum

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office has rejected a proposed ballot referendum by a group hoping to overturn the LEARNS Act that was passed by legislators and signed by Gov. Sarah Sanders earlier this year.

The group, Citizens for Public Education and Students, or CAPES, says it will resubmit the referendum and that it will work with a sister organization to push a constitutional amendment next year that would replace the LEARNS Act.

The LEARNS Act is Sanders’ signature education legislation that, among many other provisions, creates “education freedom accounts” giving families access to about $7,000 for non-public school options that otherwise would have gone to the public schools where their children would have attended. It also increases the minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000 and provides every teacher a $2,000 raise.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/ag-rejects-first-try-of-anti-learns-referendum/

Attorney General Tim Griffin

Asa Hutchinson joins 2024 race for the White House

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Asa Hutchinson officially launched his presidential campaign Wednesday (April 26) in front of the Benton County Courthouse in downtown Bentonville.

In an ABC television interview earlier this month, the former Arkansas governor, mentioned as a possible candidate for nearly a year, declared that he would run for president in 2024. He spoke for 23 minutes at Wednesday’s rally in front of several hundred people. He framed the occasion as a time when the nation’s future and his personal story come together.

“Bentonville is a big part of my life story,” he said. “But, so is Gravette, where I grew up on a farm and learned the importance of family, faith, and community. I also learned hard work from my dad by cleaning out chicken houses and building fences. And my life story also includes Springdale, where I was inspired by teachers who pushed me to learn, and it was in Springdale where my political awareness began with the nation’s divide over the Vietnam War and the struggle for civil rights.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/asa-hutchinson-joins-2024-race-for-the-white-house/

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson officially launched his presidential campaign Wednesday (Aug. 26) with a campaign rally in downtown Bentonville.

UAMS Health Opens New Urology Center

By Kate Franks

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) today opened a new Urology Center in Premier Medical Plaza at 10915 Rodney Parham Road in west Little Rock.

“Expanding into this west Little Rock location helps UAMS fulfill our mission to improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans by making services more readily available,” said Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health. “One of the attractions of this site is its ample parking, easy access to public transportation and convenient location right off Interstate 430. We are committed to making health care more accessible in all forms.”

The new Urology Center will offer specialized treatment for complex kidney stones, reconstruction of the urinary system and men’s health, specifically erectile dysfunction, along with top-quality routine urology services. UAMS urologists at the Urology Center will provide comprehensive state-of-the-art urologic care with endoscopic, robotic, laparoscopic and open surgery techniques.

https://news.uams.edu/2023/04/24/uams-health-opens-new-urology-center/

Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health, and Timothy Langford, M.D., chair of the Department of Urology in the UAMS College of Medicine, had the honor of cutting the ribbon during the opening ceremony. Image by Evan Lewis

Ahrendsen receives USDA Economists Group Award

By John Lovett
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bruce Ahrendsen, an agricultural economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was recently presented the Bruce Gardner Award by the USDA Economists Group for his innovative work.

AG ECON AWARD — Bruce Ahrendsen, professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness for the University of Arkansas System, speaks before receiving an award from the USDA Economists Group in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy USDA Economists Group)

The Bruce Gardner Award has been presented by the USDA Economists Group to a visiting economist since 2008. Ahrendsen is the first recipient of the award from an Arkansas institution.

Research undertaken by Ahrendsen provided technical guidance and support to the underlying development of a time-saving U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency application process, the USDA Economists Group stated in a news release. Ahrendsen also pioneered an analysis of Farm Service Agency primary loan servicing, which laid the groundwork for more recent efforts to improve the loan structuring process, the release added.

Ahrendsen also continues to conduct research to address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as further analysis of primary loan servicing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture held a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 27 to recognize Ahrendsen and other USDA Economist Group award recipients. The Bruce Gardner Award recognizes non-USDA individuals who have provided “substantial and significant service toward the improvement of U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and policies.”

“Dr. Ahrendsen is an internationally respected expert in agricultural finance,” John Anderson, head of the agricultural economics and agribusiness department, said. “We are fortunate to have him as a senior member of the agricultural economics and agribusiness department here at the University of Arkansas working on behalf of Arkansas stakeholders. It is very gratifying to see his significant and ongoing contributions to this vital sector of the agricultural economy recognized with this prestigious award.”

The department’s faculty have joint appointments in the Division of Agriculture and the University of Arkansas’ Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Ahrendsen teaches courses in Bumpers College and conducts research through the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“Ahrendsen is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts on Farm Service Agency lending and has made numerous contributions over his career which have advanced the general knowledge and understanding of both Farm Service Agency direct and guaranteed lending programs,” according to the USDA Economists Group statement. “An analysis of program effectiveness is still considered a standard for assessing borrower outcomes.”

The USDA Economists Group is a voluntary organization based at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. However, it has no formal affiliation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and receives no funding or endorsement from the government agency.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

A text message helped turn the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts into a masterpiece

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

A text message received by Warren and Harriet Stephens during the week of Thanksgiving 2017 changed the scope of the major renovation of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, formerly known as the Arkansas Arts Center.

Recruited by friends and museum supporters to steer the capital campaign to raise money for mechanical upgrades to the arts center building, the Stephens had asked leaders of the Windgate Foundation to raise their initial commitment from $15 million to $25 million in hopes of doing something more transformational on the project.

The day before Thanksgiving, Warren Stephens recalls getting a text from Robyn Horn, an Arkansas sculptor and wood artist who leads the Windgate Foundation.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/a-text-message-helped-turn-the-arkansas-museum-of-fine-arts-into-a-masterpiece/

Medicaid recipients to begin losing coverage after April 30

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Ineligible Arkansas Medicaid beneficiaries will lose coverage for the first time in three years after April 30 as Arkansas exits the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Department of Human Services this month started making the removals as a result of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, signed into law last December. It allowed states after March 31 to begin dropping Medicaid recipients who are no longer eligible.

All beneficiaries who have not had a renewal in the last 12 months will be redetermined. State law requires the work be completed in six months.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/medicaid-recipients-to-begin-losing-coverage-after-april-30/

UA System Board rejects resolution to acquire University of Phoenix

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

A vote held Monday (April 24) that one University of Arkansas System Board Trustee said was nothing more than an “advisory vote,” went against a resolution supporting a deal that would indirectly connect the University of Arkansas System with the University of Phoenix (UofP).

Transformative Education Systems (TES), an organization loosely but not legally affiliated with the UA System, was incorporated to raise the financing to acquire the UofP and enter into licensing and affiliation agreements with the UA System. Arkansas law does not allow the UA System to directly acquire the UofP, according to Patrick Hollingsworth, UA System interim general counsel.

TES has UA System representation, but most of its officers are independent. The three TES board members are UA System Trustee Ed Fryar, former Trustee Ben Hyneman, and Gina Terry, former chief financial officer of the UA System.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/ua-system-board-rejects-resolution-to-acquire-university-of-phoenix/

State lawmakers discuss changes to Medicaid as a result of COVID-era regulation ending

During an appearance on KARK Channel 4’s Capitol View, Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, and Sen. Fred Love, D-Mabelvale, spoke about upcoming changes to Medicaid.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, former President Donald Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which stopped states from disenrolling Medicaid recipients, while the public health emergency was in effect.

Through an appropriations bill at the end of last year, Congress ended the public health emergency, which will require states to disenroll Medicaid recipients who were eligible for coverage as a result of COVID-era regulations.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-23/state-lawmakers-discuss-changes-to-medicaid-as-a-result-of-covid-era-regulation-ending

KARK Channel 4'S Capitol View

Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, and Sen. Fred Love, D-Mabelvale, are reaching out to healthcare providers and constituents to make sure eligible Medicaid recipients don't lose coverage. Last year, Congress ended COVID-era regulations that stopped states from disenrolling Medicaid recipients.

Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration report shows where new residents came from

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Using license registrations, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) compiled a list to show where new residents are migrating from.

Scott Hardin, spokesperson for the DFA, said when new residents move to the state, they have to register for an Arkansas license and this information allows the department to see where residents are moving from. At the top of the list, was Texas with over 9,000 residents moving to Arkansas in 2022. Second on the list was California with slightly more than 5,000 of their residents moving to the state. Hardin said that caught the eye of the DFA.

“I don’t think you necessarily hear a lot about Californians moving to Arkansas from California. We hear a lot about Californians moving from California to Tennessee and to Austin,Texas. You hear about that but you don’t hear about Arkansas in that conversation, and I think Arkansas is becoming a piece of that conversation,” he said.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-20/arkansas-department-of-finance-and-administration-report-shows-where-new-residents-came-from

Creative Commons /

For the first time, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration look into where new residents are migrating from. In 2022, most of the new residents came from other southern states.

Sevier County Achieves Certification as ACT® Work Ready Community

Sevier County today announced it has met all criteria to become a certified ACT Work Ready Community, demonstrating its commitment to developing a strong workforce pipeline, desirable to employers, economic developers and current and future citizens of the county. The ACT® Work Ready Communities (ACT® WRC) initiative empowers states, regions and counties with data, processes and tools that drive economic growth by identifying skills gaps and quantifying the skill level of their workforce. Participants leverage the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (ACT® WorkKeys® NCRC®) to measure and close skills gaps and build common frameworks that link, align and match their workforce development efforts.

To begin the certification process, Sevier County leaders attended the ACT Work Ready Communities Boot Camp, an executive leadership and training program designed and led by ACT to initiate, deploy, and drive carefully tailored efforts to improve the county’s work readiness. Leaders met with local employers, policymakers, educators and economic developers to establish goals and build a sustainable WRC model to fit community needs.

“I’ve had the honor to lead our team on this initiative and we have a great group from UA Cossatot, the De Queen/Mena Educational Cooperative, De Queen Public Schools, Horatio Public Schools, and several employers in Sevier County that recognize the NCRC credential. This has been a group effort and we’re so proud of our employers, educators, and workforce for adopting this method and for being the first in our region to complete the metrics required to be certified,” said Tiffany Maurer, Economic Development Director for Sevier County.

“Congratulations to Sevier for becoming an ACT Work Ready Community and joining a growing list of counties dedicated to building a robust workforce,” said ACT Regional Manager of Workforce Initiatives, Tony Garife. “The efforts of the county leadership to achieve WRC certification will provide the community with a tremendous economic development advantage and help it stand out for its workforce development efforts.”

For more information on this initiative, go to www.workreadycommunities.org and view all of ACT’s workforce solutions at www.act.org/workforce

For more information on becoming an employer recognizing the WorkKeys NCRC, contact Sevier County Economic Development Director, Tiffany Maurer, at tmaurer@cccua.edu or 870-584-1184.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

In the most recent legislative session, the Arkansas General Assembly made several changes to our laws regarding transportation. 

The new laws impact everything from distracted driving to getting your car tags. 

Below is a list of acts signed this year regarding transportation: 

Act 445 seeks to strengthen our laws regarding distracted driving. It states if a distracted driver causes an accident that results in serious physical injury or death of another person, the driver upon conviction is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. In addition to penalties assessed, the court may order the defendant to 100 hours or less of public service work.

Act 41 extends the time period authorized for the registration of a motor vehicle from 30 days to 60 days from the purchase date or from the time an individual becomes a resident of Arkansas.  

Act 396 limits the time period during which restricted driving permits are valid for those on probation or parole to one year from the date it was issued. 

Act 94 amends the law concerning truck platooning systems.

Act 50 repeals a law that prohibits leaving a running vehicle unattended.

Act 261 would require the Department of Finance and Administration to offer drivers the option of a digitized driver’s license by February 2025. The bill states a digitized driver's license may be accepted by a public entity for all state purposes authorized for a driver's license. It does not require any public or private entity to accept a digitized driver’s license.

Act 264 classifies the theft of a catalytic converter as a Class C felony. It states a person commits unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter if the person knowingly possesses a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle and is not permanently marked. 

Act 211 allows the distribution of revenues from the additional registration fee for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles under the Arkansas Highway Revenue Distribution Law.

Act 714 allows law enforcement to impound a vehicle if the driver committed the offense of drag racing on a public highway for second time in a five-year period.

You can find more acts passed by the 94th General Assembly and watch recorded meetings of the 2023 Regular Session at arkansashouse.org.

Severe thunderstorm watch issued for the Ark-La-Tex for this afternoon and tonight

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 153 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN ARKANSAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 9 COUNTIES

IN SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS

UNION

IN SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

COLUMBIA HEMPSTEAD HOWARD LAFAYETTE LITTLE RIVER MILLER NEVADA SEVIER

IN LOUISIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 9 PARISHES

IN NORTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA

LINCOLN UNION

IN NORTHWEST LOUISIANA

BIENVILLE BOSSIER CADDO CLAIBORNE DE SOTO RED RIVER WEBSTER

IN OKLAHOMA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 1 COUNTY

IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA

MCCURTAIN

IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 18 COUNTIES

IN NORTHEAST TEXAS

BOWIE CAMP CASS CHEROKEE FRANKLIN GREGG HARRISON MARION MORRIS NACOGDOCHES PANOLA RED RIVER RUSK SHELBY SMITH TITUS UPSHUR WOOD

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ARCADIA, ASHDOWN, ATLANTA, BERNICE, BIG SANDY, BOGATA, BOSSIER CITY, BRADLEY, BROKEN BOW, CARTHAGE, CENTER, CLARKSVILLE, COUSHATTA, DAINGERFIELD, DE QUEEN, DIERKS, EL DORADO, FARMERVILLE, GIBSLAND, GILMER, HAWKINS, HAYNESVILLE, HENDERSON, HOMER, HOPE, HUGHES SPRINGS, IDABEL, JACKSONVILLE, JEFFERSON, LEWISVILLE, LINDEN, LOGANSPORT, LONE STAR, LONGVIEW, MAGNOLIA, MANSFIELD, MARSHALL, MARTIN, MINDEN, MINEOLA, MINERAL SPRINGS, MOUNT PLEASANT, MOUNT VERNON, NACOGDOCHES, NAPLES, NASHVILLE, OMAHA, PITTSBURG, PRESCOTT, QUEEN CITY, QUITMAN, RINGGOLD, RUSK, RUSTON, SHREVEPORT, SPRINGHILL, STAMPS, STONEWALL, TEXARKANA, TEXARKANA, TYLER, AND WINNSBORO.