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

Republican Sponsorship
Veterans & Military

HB1155

To Create A Rebuttable Presumption Of Qualification For Disability Retirement Benefits Under The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; And To Declare An Emergency.

Passed

Last Action (Feb. 27, 2025): Notification that HB1155 is now Act 223

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1155 amends the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) code to create a rebuttable presumption of qualification for disability retirement benefits. Currently, such a presumption is granted if a member has a favorable determination letter from the Social Security Administration regarding their inability to work. This bill expands the criteria to include members who possess a service-connected total and permanent disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. By creating this presumption, the bill simplifies the application process for qualifying veterans who are members of the ATRS. The bill also includes an emergency clause, setting the effective date for July 1, 2025, to align with the start of the fiscal year and to ensure orderly administration of retirement benefits.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are veterans who are members of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and hold a service-connected total and permanent disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as they will face fewer administrative hurdles when applying for disability retirement benefits.

Who Might Suffer?

There is no group explicitly identified as being negatively impacted by this legislation. However, the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System itself may face increased administrative responsibilities or potential fiscal impacts due to the expansion of the criteria for presumptive disability qualification, which could theoretically influence the fund's long-term actuarial requirements.

Vote Records

Third Reading

Feb. 24, 2025
Yea: 32 Nay: 0 NV: 0 Absent: 3 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Absent
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 Absent
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Absent
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Jamie Scott Democrat 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

Feb. 19, 2025
Yea: 92 Nay: 0 NV: 8 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Tracy Steele Democrat House NV
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 Yea
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Yea
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House Yea
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House Yea
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House NV
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Yea
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House NV
Justin Gonzales Republican House Yea
Julie Mayberry Republican House Yea
Ken Ferguson Democrat House NV
Ron Mcnair Republican House Yea
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House NV
Frances Cavenaugh 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
Carlton Wing Republican House Yea
Austin Mccollum Republican House Yea
Carol Dalby Republican House Yea
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Yea
Stan Berry Republican House NV
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House Yea
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Yea
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Yea
Tippi McCullough Democrat House Yea
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House Yea
Richard McGrew Republican House Yea
Joy Springer Democrat House Yea
Howard Beaty Republican House Yea
Tony Furman Republican House NV
Kendon Underwood Republican House Yea
David Ray Republican House Yea
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Yea
Jon Milligan Republican House NV
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House Yea
Rebecca Burkes 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 Yea
Scott Richardson Republican House Yea
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
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
Glenn Barnes Democrat House Yea
Lincoln Barnett Democrat House Yea
Alyssa Brown Republican House Yea
Nick Burkes Republican House Yea
Paul Childress Republican House Yea
James Eaton Republican House Yea
Brad Hall Republican House Yea
Dolly Henley Republican House Yea
Jessie McGruder Democrat House Yea
Jason Nazarenko Republican House Yea
Randy Torres Republican House Yea
Diana Gonzales Worthen Democrat House Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us