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

Republican Sponsorship
Healthcare

HB1595

To Enact The State Insurance Department's General Omnibus Amendment Of Arkansas Insurance Code.

Passed

Last Action (March 20, 2025): Notification that HB1595 is now Act 349

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1595 is an omnibus legislative act designed to amend the Arkansas Insurance Code. The bill grants the Insurance Commissioner broader authority and specific mandates regarding the delegation of the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Insurance Plan, including the requirement for a physical office and staff within the state to improve oversight and service. It adjusts the bond requirements for attorneys of reciprocal insurers and increases the frequency of examinations for hospital and medical service corporations from every three years to every five years. The bill also clarifies procedures for serving legal process against various classes of insurers in Arkansas. Finally, the bill formally repeals the Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool Act, effectively eliminating the state-run program formerly used to provide coverage options for certain uninsurable residents.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries include the Arkansas Insurance Department and the Insurance Commissioner, who receive enhanced administrative flexibility and clarified oversight authority. Additionally, the bill may benefit insurers and hospital/medical service corporations by reducing the required frequency of regulatory examinations, thereby lowering administrative burdens.

Who Might Suffer?

The primary group negatively impacted would be those individuals who previously relied on or were eligible for the Arkansas Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool. By repealing this act, the state removes a statutory safety net that provided health insurance coverage options for certain residents who were otherwise uninsurable or considered high-risk, potentially leaving them with fewer or more expensive coverage alternatives in the private market.

Vote Records

Third Reading

March 17, 2025
Yea: 34 Nay: 0 NV: 0 Absent: 1 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 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
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 Absent
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea

Third Reading

March 6, 2025
Yea: 94 Nay: 0 NV: 6 Absent: 0 Passed
View 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 NV
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 Yea
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House NV
Dwight Tosh 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 Yea
Ron Mcnair Republican House NV
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 NV
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 NV
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