HB1313
To Expand Health Benefit Coverage For Certain Firefighter Retirees Of Municipalities And Counties.
Last Action (March 25, 2025): Notification that HB1313 is now Act 415
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1313 updates Arkansas Code § 14-1-110 to standardize and expand health benefit coverage eligibility for retired municipal and county firefighters. The bill provides a precise definition for an 'eligible firefighter retiree,' detailing specific criteria regarding age and years of service across various retirement systems, provided they are not yet eligible for Medicare. It creates a regulatory framework allowing these retirees to participate in health benefit plans offered by their former municipal or county employers. The bill also establishes enrollment timelines, premium payment requirements via monthly bank drafts, and protections against surcharges. Additionally, it clarifies the rights of surviving spouses and eligible dependents to continue participating in these health plans following the retiree's death. The legislation effectively integrates firefighters into the same statutory health coverage structure previously designated primarily for police officer retirees.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are retired firefighters of Arkansas municipalities and counties who meet the specified service and age requirements but are not yet eligible for Medicare. Additionally, the surviving spouses and eligible dependent children of these retirees benefit from the bill, as it grants them clear statutory rights to maintain or continue their participation in municipal or county health benefit plans following the retiree's passing.
Who Might Suffer?
Municipalities and counties may be negatively impacted as they could face increased administrative burdens or potential financial liabilities related to the management of these health benefit plans. While the bill notes that the retiree pays the premium, the broader expansion of eligible participants could lead to higher insurance risk pools or increased costs for local government health programs, which may ultimately require additional funding from taxpayers or budget reallocations.
Vote Records
Third Reading
March 20, 2025View 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 | Nay |
| 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 |
| Jamie Scott | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Breanne Davis | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ben Gilmore | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Joshua Bryant | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt McKee | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Jim Petty | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Steve Crowell | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Tyler Dees | Republican | Senate | Absent |
| Matt Stone | Republican | Senate | Yea |
Third Reading
March 19, 2025View individual votes (100)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Steele | Democrat | House | Yea |
| 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 | NV |
| 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 | Nay |
| Jack Ladyman | Republican | House | Yea |
| Robin Lundstrum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Dwight Tosh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick Beck | Republican | House | NV |
| Mary Bentley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Eaves | Republican | House | Yea |
| Justin Gonzales | Republican | House | Nay |
| Julie Mayberry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ken Ferguson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | NV |
| 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 |
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