Bills Signed: HB1594, HB1653, HB1674, HB1296, HB1408 …

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.