Volume 2; Issue 7 April 2, 2025

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Arkansas Legislative Updates

See Latest DBH Weekly Legislative Updates Here

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DBH Management Week 10 Legislative Report

Week ten started off with energy and excitement! Monday was St. Patrick’s Day and we co-hosted a casual, fun event for all members of both the House and Senate, as well as the Governor’s staff. We had a great turnout, perfect weather, and plenty of good food and drinks! A big thank you to Holly for helping to organize, decorate, and even serve as the bartender!

Tuesday night was the Speaker’s Ball at Pleasant Valley Country Club and over 300 people attending. There were several serious moments, but the highlight was definitely a rap performance by Representative Carlton Wing, along with a gift of a shotgun from the members to the Speaker!

Despite the energetic start to the week, by Wednesday night the fun had mostly disappeared. In an effort to clear as much work as possible before spring break, committees began meeting early and staying late, with both chambers also working long hours. And when we say late—we mean it. The House and its committees wrapped up around 6:15 p.m., while the Senate convened at 1:30 p.m. and finished floor work around 7:30 p.m. However, Senate Public Health didn’t gavel out until 10:15 p.m.

Senate Transportation was scheduled to meet “immediately upon adjournment of the Senate.” Chairman Hill gaveled the committee in, with a room full of people waiting to testify for and against SB492, the ARDOT bill by Senator Josh Bryant. After calling each bill on the agenda and seeing that no Senator stepped forward to present, the Chairman adjourned the meeting. About 90 seconds later, Senator Bryant walked into the room, ready to present his bill. Just two minutes after that, a very heated conversation broke out in the hallway between Senators Bryant and Hill—another sign that tempers are running short!

Not everything was tense, though! One of the best moments of the day came during the second-to-last bill on the Senate calendar, HB1721, presented by Senator Jamie Scott. The bill is relatively simple, addressing the end of simulcasting for dog racing, which has nearly disappeared across the country. You can watch the exchange between Senators at 6:50:27.

Discussions about building a new prison continued throughout the week. While many of these conversations took place in expected budget meetings, the topic also found its way into unrelated bill discussions. Additionally, on Thursday morning, Senator Hickey presented an amendment in the Special Language Subcommittee of the Budget Committee to establish a second special fund for prison construction. This would be in addition to an existing fund that already has $330 million set aside. However, the amendment failed due to a lack of a second on the motion to pass. We continue to hear that there is a real possibility the legislature may not approve funding for the prison this session.

The Governor’s ACCESS bills, which we shared with you last week, have both passed and are now Acts 340 and 341. The Pay Plan remains in the Joint Budget Committee and was amended again on Thursday to correct a few positions that had mistakenly been left out. We anticipate this will be one of the last items to pass out of the Joint Budget Committee.

We have had a really good week. The EMS Compact bill is now Act 384! Our EMS Committee bill, HB1767, and the ARRIVES bill, HB1841, both passed out of House Public Health. While they both had a few questions, they both passed with out any decanting votes. We expect them to both be on the House calendar on Monday, March 31st, when they return from Spring Break. The waiver for telemedicine HB1285 is in Senate Public Health.

Additionally, both of our rate clean-up bills, HB1850 and HB1863, were filed on the House end this week, and should be heard in Committee the Tuesday they return. We will have some conversations over the break and have clear direction on any members we need to reach out to. For all of you who are also enjoying Spring Break, safe travels!

We appreciate your continued trust in us. There will be no report next Friday as the legislature will be out for Spring Break, but we will still be available to you by phone. When we return on March 31st, things will move quickly, so text will be the best way to reach us.

Bruce, Camie, Lee Ann, Michael & Holly

ARAA BILL TRACKING REPORT 03/21/25

HB 1935

Eaves, Les(R)
Gilmore, Ben(R)

To create a modernization and automation tax credit to encourage investment by existing businesses within the state.

Last Action:

3-31-25 H Introduced and referred to H-Revenue and Taxation

HB 1944

Vaught, DeAnn(R)

To authorize the issuance and renewal of a special license plate to promote and support the Arkansas EMS Foundation; and to repeal the Grand Lodge of Arkansas special license plate.

Last Action:

3-31-25 H Introduced and referred to H-Public Transportation

HB 1075

Ray, David(R)
Bryant, Joshua(R)

To prohibit a local government from regulating the sale or use of a lawn care device or imposing a tax or fee on the use of a lawn care device in certain circumstances.

Last Action:

2-24-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 146)

HB 1111

Joint Budget( )

An Act for the Office of the Treasurer of State - Assistance to local law enforcement and emergency medical appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Last Action:

1-27-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 7)

HB 1145

Wooten, Jim(R)
Hill, Ricky(R)

To increase the purchase amount authorized for additional after-market equipment for a new motor vehicle purchased by a county or municipality.

Last Action:

2-18-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 107)

HB 1165

Johnson, Lee(R)

To prohibit different reimbursement rates for services performed by the same type of provider in different settings within the Arkansas Medicaid program.

Last Action:

3-17-25 H Withdrawn from further consideration

HB 1166

Johnson, Lee(R)
Penzo, Clint(R)

To clarify the types of epinephrine for use in elementary and secondary schools in this state.

Last Action:

3- 6-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 245)

HB 1168

Johnson, Lee(R)

To provide criminal immunity for healthcare professionals for negligent acts or omissions.

Last Action:

1-28-25 H Withdrawn from further consideration

HB 1169

Johnson, Lee(R)

To clarify the admission criteria for an involuntary commitment to include a person who is in a mental condition as a result of a medical condition.

Last Action:

3-20-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 383)

HB 1172

Johnson, Lee(R)

To add definitions to the Medicaid Fairness Act to ensure that all rule enforcement actions are appealable.

Last Action:

2-25-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 130, H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1176

Joint Budget( )

An Act for the Department of Public Safety - Division of Emergency Management appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Last Action:

1-21-25 H Introduced and referred to Joint Budget

HB 1186

Vaught, DeAnn(R)
Penzo, Clint(R)

To create the Pain Relief Parity Act; and to require pain relief parity in the Arkansas Medicaid Program.

Last Action:

3- 6-25 S Moved to deferred list S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1191

Joint Budget( )

An Act for the Department of Public Safety appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Last Action:

3-18-25 H Amendment 1 adopted

HB 1204

Eubanks, Jon(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To establish recovery of damages for necessary medical care, treatment, or services rendered.

Last Action:

2-11-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 28)

HB 1253

Johnson, Lee(R)

To adopt the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact in Arkansas.

Last Action:

3-20-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 384)

HB 1275

Cavenaugh, Frances(R)
Johnson, Blake(R)

To prohibit prior authorizations for healthcare services provided for treatment of a mental health crisis.

Last Action:

3-20-25 H Enrolled in the House - Sent to Governor

HB 1285

Johnson, Lee(R)
Boyd, Justin(R)

To establish an exemption program for ambulance service's operators for certain healthcare services.

Last Action:

3-11-25 S Received in the Senate - Referred to S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1286

Johnson, Lee(R)
Boyd, Justin(R)

To amend the Arkansas Triage, Treat, and Transport to Alternative Destination Act.

Last Action:

2-27-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 199)

HB 1287

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To amend the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act; to define "downcode" under the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act; and to require notification by contracting entities of downcoding.

Last Action:

2-24-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 136)

HB 1294

Johnson, Lee(R)

To allow an ambulance service to order certain types of healthcare services without a referral from a physician; and to mandate insurance coverage for an ambulance service to order certain types of healthcare services.

Last Action:

2-20-25 H Withdrawn from further consideration

HB 1295

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To create the Healthcare Cost-Sharing Collections Act.

Last Action:

3-20-25 H Placed on the House calendar

HB 1296

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To mandate coverage for healthcare services provided in mobile units.

Last Action:

3-20-25 H Passed over on calendar

HB 1298

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To modify payment of benefits for certain healthcare providers under a health benefit plan.

Last Action:

3-13-25 H Enrolled in the House - Sent to Governor

HB 1299

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To prohibit healthcare insurers from exercising recoupment for payment of healthcare services more than one year after the payment for healthcare services was made.

Last Action:

3-17-25 H Withdrawn from further consideration

HB 1300

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To amend the Prior Authorization Transparency Act.

Last Action:

3-20-25 S Meeting set for 9:30 a.m. - Room 171, S-Insurance and Commerce

HB 1301

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To amend exemptions and requirements under the Prior Authorization Transparency Act.

Last Action:

3-20-25 S Meeting set for 9:30 a.m. - Room 171, S-Insurance and Commerce

HB 1314

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To amend the law concerning certain audits of healthcare providers; and to create the Arkansas Medical Audit Bill of Rights Act.

Last Action:

3-20-25 H Passed over on calendar

HB 1315

Torres, Randy(R)
Dees, Tyler(R)

To authorize a blood type designation to be placed on a driver's license or identification card.

Last Action:

2-24-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 147)

HB 1320

Wooldridge, Jeremy(R)
Tucker, Clarke(D)

To amend the law concerning crisis stabilization units and healthcare insurers.

Last Action:

3-20-25 S Received in the Senate - Referred to S-Insurance and Commerce

HB 1398

Johnson, Lee(R)
Wallace, Dave(R)

To require schools to support, establish, and implement a cardiac emergency response plan that integrates nationally recognized elements.

Last Action:

3-20-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 352)

HB 1475

Carr, Joey(R)
Crowell, Steve(R)

To authorize the use of green lights, to amend the restrictions on lamp colors, to amend the colors of lights that may be used by emergency vehicles, and to define a roadway construction or maintenance vehicle.

Last Action:

2-27-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 209)

HB 1767

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To abolish the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council; and to create the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Last Action:

3-19-25 H Amendment 1 adopted

HB 1822

Underwood, Kendon(R)

The Overtime but not Overtaxed Act.

Last Action:

3-18-25 H Introduced and referred to H-Revenue and Taxation

HB 1841

Johnson, Lee(R)

To create the Arkansas Revenue Investment in Vital EMS Systems (ARRIVES) Act; and to create the Arkansas Revenue Investment in Vital EMS Systems (ARRIVES) Fund for emergency medical services agencies.

Last Action:

3-20-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 130, H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1850

Johnson, Lee(R)

To amend the law concerning ground ambulance services; to clarify the minimum allowable reimbursement for ground ambulance services; and to declare an emergency.

Last Action:

3-19-25 H Introduced and referred to H-Insurance and Commerce

HB 1863

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To amend the Transportation Benefit Manager Act; and to declare an emergency.

Last Action:

3-20-25 H Introduced and referred to H-Insurance and Commerce

HB 1887

Pearce, Shad(R)
Petty, Jim(R)

To amend the law concerning statewide child abduction response teams.

Last Action:

3-20-25 H Introduced and referred to H-Aging, Children, Legislative & Military

SB 226

Leding, Greg(D)
McKenzie, Brit(R)

To amend the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act and to modify the requirements for professional development in school districts related to sudden cardiac arrest.

Last Action:

3- 6-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 247)

SB 257

Penzo, Clint(R)
Lundstrum, Robin(R)

To amend the Medicaid Fairness Act; to extend the appeal period for providers in the Arkansas Medicaid Program; and to require comprehensive information in notices of adverse decisions.

Last Action:

3-19-25 H Amendment 1 adopted

SB 435

Irvin, Missy(R)
Johnson, Lee(R)

To create the criminal offense of aggravated assault upon a healthcare worker; and to define "healthcare worker" regarding assault and battery.

Last Action:

3-20-25 H Committee hearing set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Judiciary

SR 43

Irvin, Missy(R)

Stars of Life Day designated to recognize Emergency Medical Services professionals.

Last Action:

3-12-25 S Adopted

HB 1949

Schulz, Bart(R)
Hammer, Kim(R)

To add medical, emergency medical, and ambulance services to the list of professional services for purposes of procurement.

Last Action:

4- 1-25 H Introduced and referred to H-Insurance and Commerce

SB 598

English, Jane(R)
Cozart, Bruce(R)

To amend various laws related to the Division of Workforce Services; and to amend the definition of "employee" under the Workers' Compensation Law resulting from Initiated Act 4 of 1948.

Last Action:

4- 2-25 S Committee hearing set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 272, S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

SB 603

Tucker, Clarke(D)

To require an air ambulance to contact the Arkansas Trauma System for direction on the best destination to transport a person.

Last Action:

4- 1-25 S Introduced and referred to S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

	All		Track
Total Bills:	44

2025 Legislative Session Dates & Deadlines

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Daily Legislative Updates

Industry Insights

Arkansas Joins the EMS Compact

Arkansas has become the 25th state to join the United States EMS Compact, which enhances EMS clinician mobility, improves disaster response, and streamlines licensure verification across state lines. The Compact enables EMS professionals to provide lifesaving care more efficiently while maintaining high standards of public safety and regulatory oversight. Arkansas’s participation, supported by bipartisan legislation, will strengthen regional collaboration and improve emergency preparedness. The Compact now connects over 400,000 EMS clinicians nationwide, with the goal of full nationwide adoption.

Airway Management Tactics

Airway management in emergency medical services (EMS) has evolved significantly over the past 15 years, with a shift towards drug-assisted intubation and rapid sequence intubation. Advanced airway techniques now include careful preparation, including patient assessment, equipment readiness, and medication selection. Key concepts like "resuscitate before you intubate" emphasize the importance of stabilizing patients before performing invasive procedures. Tactics such as preoxygenation, patient positioning, and the use of checklists have improved outcomes. Techniques for tasks like bag valve mask ventilation and suctioning have also become more refined, with tools like video laryngoscopy and suction-assisted laryngoscopy improving success rates. Continued education and practice are essential for maintaining high standards in airway management, ensuring EMS providers can deliver effective, lifesaving care.

Learn More Here

2025 County Health Rankings Across Arkansas

The 2025 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report highlights significant health disparities across Arkansas counties. The report introduces a new framework for understanding health, focusing on factors like population health, community conditions, societal rules, and power. It also emphasizes persistent gaps in health outcomes due to economic and social conditions. Key findings include differences in premature death rates, mental and physical health, flu vaccinations, and housing problems between counties. The report calls for collaborative efforts to address these disparities and improve health outcomes for all Arkansans.