everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Republican Sponsorship
Business & Economy

SB90

To Create The Automatic Occupational Licensure For Out-of-state Licensure Act.

Passed

Last Action (April 19, 2023): Notification that SB90 is now Act 457

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 90 creates the 'Automatic Occupational Licensure for Out-of-State Licensure Act' to facilitate the transition of professionals moving to Arkansas. The bill mandates that state occupational licensing entities grant automatic licensure to new residents who already hold a valid license in another state with a similar scope of practice, provided they have no disqualifying criminal offenses or pending disciplinary actions. It also provides a pathway for individuals from states where their occupation is not regulated, provided they have at least three years of experience. Applicants remain subject to state-specific renewal requirements, background checks, and continuing education. Licensing boards retain the authority to require examinations on state-specific laws and may still mandate bonds or insurance coverage. The act explicitly excludes medical and legal professionals, as well as individuals covered by existing reciprocity agreements or interstate compacts.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are individuals moving to Arkansas who already hold professional licenses in other states, as they gain a streamlined, lower-cost process to continue working in their chosen field. Employers in Arkansas also benefit from an increased, pre-qualified labor pool, which can help address workforce shortages. Additionally, the state may benefit economically by making it easier for skilled workers to relocate and integrate into the local economy without facing redundant administrative hurdles.

Who Might Suffer?

Individuals currently working in Arkansas who are already licensed might perceive a negative impact if the influx of new workers increases professional competition. Additionally, state occupational licensing entities may face increased administrative burdens or operational costs associated with establishing new procedures, updating websites, and preparing the required annual reports for the Legislative Council. Some might also argue that if oversight is reduced, there could be a theoretical, though mitigated, risk to consumer protection if differences in out-of-state standards are not adequately reconciled.

Vote Records

Third Reading

March 29, 2023
Yea: 35 Nay: 0 NV: 0 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Linda Chesterfield Democrat Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Yea
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Yea
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate Yea
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Yea
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Yea
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate Yea
Matt McKee Republican Senate Yea
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea

Third Reading

March 16, 2023
Yea: 82 Nay: 6 NV: 12 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Fred Allen Democrat House Yea
Lane Jean Republican House Yea
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House Yea
Jon Eubanks Republican House Yea
Matthew Shepherd Republican House NV
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Yea
Bruce Cozart Republican House Nay
David Whitaker Democrat House Yea
Deborah Ferguson Democrat House NV
Charlene Fite Republican House Yea
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House Nay
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Josh Miller Republican House NV
Richard Womack Republican House Yea
Jack Ladyman Republican House NV
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Yea
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Lanny Fite Republican House Yea
Grant Hodges Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House Yea
Julie Mayberry Republican House Yea
Ken Ferguson Democrat House Nay
Ron Mcnair Republican House Yea
Milton Nicks Democrat House NV
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Vivian Flowers Democrat House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House NV
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House Yea
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jack Fortner Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House Yea
Johnny Rye Republican House Yea
Les Warren Republican House Yea
Danny Watson Republican House Yea
Carlton Wing Republican House Yea
Austin Mccollum Republican House Yea
Carol Dalby Republican House NV
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Nay
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House Yea
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Yea
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Nay
Tippi McCullough Democrat House Nay
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jamie Scott Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House NV
Richard McGrew Republican House Yea
Joy Springer Democrat House NV
Howard Beaty Republican House Yea
Tony Furman Republican House Yea
Kendon Underwood Republican House Yea
David Ray Republican House Yea
Mark Berry Republican House Yea
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Delia Haak Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Yea
Jon Milligan Republican House Yea
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House Yea
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Yea
DeAnna Hodges Republican House Yea
Hope Duke Republican House Yea
Zack Gramlich Republican House Yea
Mindy McAlindon Republican House Yea
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Yea
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House NV
Scott Richardson Republican House NV
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House NV
Chad Puryear Republican House Yea
Ryan Rose Republican House Yea
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House Yea
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House Yea
Steven Walker Republican House Yea

Third Reading

March 7, 2023
Yea: 26 Nay: 1 NV: 6 Absent: 2 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Linda Chesterfield Democrat Senate NV
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate NV
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Nay
Frederick Love Democrat Senate NV
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate NV
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Yea
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate Absent
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Absent
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate NV
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate NV
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Yea
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate Yea
Matt McKee Republican Senate Yea
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us