Legislative Update/IIAA Insider - January 18, 2019

 
     

VERY IMPORTANT!
 
This will be your first copy of the weekly Legislative Update which will replace the IIAA Insider during the 92nd Session of the Arkansas General Assembly. This weekly publication will contain a synopsis of all new insurance related bill introductions in both the Arkansas House and Senate. Please save these bulletins in a binder or an electronic file so you can refer back to them during the session.
 
Every legislator's vote is important and if you have not already done so, you are strongly encouraged to establish a working relationship with your local state senator and representative. Give them a call as soon as possible and encourage them to contact you if they have any questions regarding insurance legislation or they can call me, your Big I lobbyist, Lynn Zeno at 501-425-7736 (cell) and I will be happy to provide them information on any insurance related issue.


WHO'S MY LEGISLATOR?
 
Both chambers have sites where you can find your legislator by putting in your ZIP code or address. The Senate website is www.arkansas.gov/senate/  and the House website is www.arkansashouse.org  and look for find my senator or representative.


GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON ADDRESSES HOUSE AND SENATE AS SESSION OFFICIALLY CONVENES.
 
The 92nd Session of the General Assembly convened on Monday of this week. After confirming election results and the swearing in of the members of the General Assembly, Representative Matthew Shepherd of El Dorado, was elected Speaker of the House and Senator Jim Hendren of Gravette was elected President Pro Tem of the Senate.
 
Governor Asa Hutchinson addressed a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday and outlined his plans for the legislative session. Governor Hutchinson called for four "cornerstone" issues with his state government transformation plan, a $110 million tax cut package, teacher raises, along with finding a way to pay for state highway construction.
 
Following a couple of years of federal corruption probes involving former lawmakers and lobbyist, Senator Jim Hendren, the President Pro-Tem of the Senate and Representative Matthew Shepherd, the Speaker of the House, have promised an ethics package that is needed to clean up the Capitol's image.
 
 
BE PREPARED FOR A "CALL TO ACTION"
 
We will frequently issue a "call to action" asking that you contact your individual State Senator or Representative in support or opposition to specific legislative proposals. Time is usually of the essence and we ask that your respond promptly. At the bottom of this publication are the telephone numbers of the House and Senate where you can call direct to your legislators at the State Capitol and when they become available, we will also provide you with addresses and/or e-mail links to your legislators.
 
Listed below are the members of the House and Senate Insurance and Commerce Committees. These committees will consider 90% of the bills we are interested in. If your local legislator is listed on one of these committees, please open up a line of communication today!


SENATE INSURANCE AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE
 
Jason Rapert (R), Chair - Conway
Cecile Bledsoe (R) - Rogers Vice Chairman
Joyce Elliott (D) - Little Rock
Larry Teague (D) - Nashville
Jane English (R) - North Little Rock
Linda Chesterfield (D) - Little Rock 
Mark Johnson (R) - Little Rock
Missy Irvin (R) - Mountain View
 
HOUSE INSURANCE AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE
Mark Lowery (R) -Maumelle, Chairman
Robin Lundstrum (R) - Springdale, Vice Chair
Reginald Murdock (D) - Marianna
Chris Richey (D) -West Helena
Deborah Ferguson (D) - West Memphis
Grant Hodges (R) -Rogers
Laurie Rushing (R) -Hot Springs
James J. Sorvillo (R) - Little Rock
Deann Vaught (R) - Horatio  
Austin McCollum (R) - Bentonville
John Maddox (R) - Mena
Michelle Gray (R) - Melbourne
Charles Blake (D) - Little Rock
Kenneth Ferguson (D) - Pine Bluff
Fred Allen (D) - Little Rock
Bruce Coleman (R) - Mountainburg
Roger Lynch (R) - Lonoke
Aaron Pilkington (R) - Clarksville
Mark Perry (D) - Jacksonville
Joe Cloud, MD (R) - Russellville     
 
 
HOLIDAY RECESS PLANNED
 
A long weekend recess of the General Assembly is planned to coincide with the Martin Luther King holiday on Monday, January 21st. The Senate and the House recessed at the close of business Thursday with both re-convening next Tuesday, January 22nd.    
 

NEW HOUSE INTRODUCTIONS

 HB 1006  
Creates an enhanced criminal penalty for passing a stopped school bus while demonstrating a reckless disregard for the safety of school bus passengers, a class A misdemeanor with a fine between $500 and $2,500.
 

HB1027  
Requires an insurer writing motor vehicle insurance to provide liability coverage on any rental car reimbursement until the insured person's damaged vehicle is repaired.
 

 HB 1125  
Prohibits an insurer from requiring payment for healthcare services through gift cards, credit cards or virtual credit cards and prohibits risk-sharing payments from utilizing these instruments if the payment method charges the physician a processing fee.
 

 HB 1182  
Makes the offense of using a cell phone while driving in a school zone a primary offense for which a law enforcement officer may stop a driver for non-compliance.
 
 
NEW SENATE INTRODUCTIONS
 

SB 66  
Repeals existing law prohibiting and placing penalties on distracted driving; new language clarifies permitted uses of a wireless communications device and makes violations of restricted use a secondary offense.
 

SB 112  
Allows a taxpayer who employs an apprentice an income tax credit in the amount of $2,000 or 10 percent of the wages earned by any apprentice - previously limited to youth apprentices - whichever is less.
 

 SB 113  
Abolishes the board of the Arkansas Health Marketplace and transfers all authorities invested therein to the State Insurance Department and provides that the Health Insurance Marketplace operate as a division within the State Insurance Department.
 
SB 115 
Creates exemptions to the Minimum Wage Act, including employers with fewer than 50 employees, employers that are schools or institutions of higher education, and nonprofits.
 
 SB 117  
Appropriates funds to the State Insurance Department for 2019-2020 operations.
 
 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

 

State Senators: 501-682-2902

State Representatives: 501-682-6211

 

To view schedules, calendars, bill information and legislator information, visit: www.arkleg.state.ar.us.

To view live stream video and audio from the Arkansas House of Representatives, visit www.arkansashouse.org.

 

Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas phone: (501) 221-2444

IIAA web site: www.iiaar.org

  

 

The Weekly Legislative Update is written by Lynn Zeno;

edited and distributed by Kari McAfee.

  

 
 
As a reminder, the Legislative Update is sent to all IIA of Arkansas members via electronic communications unless you notify us otherwise at [email protected] or by telephone at 501-221-2444
  
The Legislative Update is a publication of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas to members and associate members of this Association. Reproduction, by any means, of material appearing in the Legislative Update is strictly forbidden without permission.