Insurance & Commerce- House
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Bills discussed (20)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB181
Act 876
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter, agenda
Matched: “Oh, good. Which one? It would be Senate Bill 181. And”
|
TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR USE OF INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN TO TREAT CERTAIN PEDIATRIC DISORDERS CAUSED BY … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB181 is now Act 876 |
|
SB454
Act 701
· 4 mentions in transcript, agenda, chapter
Matched: “…um the person who's running it to we're going to be running sb 454 i believe no yeah sb 454 but we're going to pause for a mom…”
|
CONCERNING PUBLIC UTILITY CONTRACTS FOR INTERRUPTIBLE SERVICE. | M. McKee | Notification that SB454 is now Act 701 |
|
SB536
Act 718
· 4 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…S FOR CERTAIN BUSINESS ENTITIES FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE. SB536 Irvin TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS AFFORDABLE ENERGY ACT; AND TO A…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS AFFORDABLE ENERGY ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING RETIREMENT REVIEW. | Irvin | Notification that SB536 is now Act 718 |
|
SB484
Act 708
· 3 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…estrictions designating areas as 'Members and Staff Only'. SB484 C. Tucker TO MODIFY THE LAW CONCERNING CHARITABLE ORGANIZAT…”
|
TO MODIFY THE LAW CONCERNING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS; TO CLARIFY CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB484 is now Act 708 |
|
SB513
Act 715
· 3 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…TESTAMENTARY DISTRIBUTIONS FROM TRUSTS FROM CONTRIBUTIONS. SB513 M. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ANNUAL DISCLOSURES F…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ANNUAL DISCLOSURES FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO AMEND THE … | M. Johnson | Notification that SB513 is now Act 715 |
|
HB1277
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…G RETIREMENT REVIEW. DEFERRED BILLS Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1277 L. Johnson TO REGULATE A PRUDENT LAY PERSON REVIEW PROCESS…”
|
TO REGULATE A PRUDENT LAY PERSON REVIEW PROCESS BY AN INSURER; AND TO PROHIBIT THE … | L. Johnson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1304
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…DICAL PROFESSIONAL TO REVIEW A PRUDENT LAY PERSON DECISION. HB1304 Ennett TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR PRENATAL VITAMINS. HB1356 L.…”
|
TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR PRENATAL VITAMINS. | Ennett | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1356
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1356 L. Johnson CONCERNING THE PRACTICES OF CERTAIN HEALTHCARE I…”
|
CONCERNING THE PRACTICES OF CERTAIN HEALTHCARE INSURERS; AND TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS TO DETERMINE IF … | L. Johnson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1361
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1361 McGrew TO AMEND THE REAL ESTATE LICENSE LAW; TO CREATE A PR…”
|
TO AMEND THE REAL ESTATE LICENSE LAW; TO CREATE A PROPERTY MANAGER LICENSE REQUIREMENT; AND … | McGrew | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1477
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…rum Rep. Lee Johnson REGULAR AGENDA Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1477 Pilkington TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ELECTRIC UTILITY AND GAS U…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ELECTRIC UTILITY AND GAS UTILITY STORM RECOVERY SECURITIZATION ACT; TO EXEMPT … | Pilkington | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1500
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…END THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION. HB1500 Achor TO MODIFY THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICE…”
|
TO MODIFY THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT. | Achor | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1573
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…RM RECOVERY COSTS AND CHARGES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. HB1573 McGrew TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION; TO CREATE A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT … | McGrew | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1620
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…NTAGE FOR DAMAGES ON LOSS CLAIMS UNDER AN INSURANCE POLICY. HB1620 Long TO CREATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT;…”
|
TO CREATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT; TO PROHIBIT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM USING CERTAIN … | Long | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1628
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1628 S. Meeks TO PROHIBIT COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AGREEMENTS; AN…”
|
TO PROHIBIT COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AGREEMENTS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A COVENANT … | S. Meeks | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1630
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1630 Long TO REQUIRE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE AS THE REMEDY FOR THE…”
|
TO REQUIRE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE AS THE REMEDY FOR THE BREACH OF CONTRACTS THAT INCLUDE CERTAIN … | Long | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1770
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…RY PRACTICES; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF VIOLATIONS. HB1770 G. Hodges TO REPEAL THE SERVICE CONTRACTS ACT; TO TRANSFER…”
|
TO REPEAL THE SERVICE CONTRACTS ACT; TO TRANSFER THE DUTIES OF REGULATION OF SERVICE CONTRACTS … | G. Hodges | Recommended for study in the Interim by Joint … |
|
SB350
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB350 J. Bryant TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE FOR DAMAGES ON LOSS CL…”
|
TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE FOR DAMAGES ON LOSS CLAIMS UNDER AN INSURANCE POLICY. | J. Bryant | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1259
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1259 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE HEALTHCARE COST-SHARING COLLECTION…”
|
TO CREATE THE HEALTHCARE COST-SHARING COLLECTIONS ACT. | L. Johnson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1585
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1585 Maddox TO CREATE THE DELIVERY NETWORK COMPANY INSURANCE ACT…”
|
TO CREATE THE DELIVERY NETWORK COMPANY INSURANCE ACT. | Maddox | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1820
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1820 Beaty Jr. TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ENERGY; TO AMEND THE L…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ENERGY; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COAL-POWERED ELECTRICAL GENERATION FACILITIES; … | Beaty Jr. | Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment |
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Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
0:00
meeting to order. Members, we have some guests with us in the audience today. We have members of AARP from Little Rock, Phillips County, Crittenden County, Cross County, St. Francis County, and Lee County. Welcome to the Insurance and Commerce Committee. AARP has been sending me mail for 20 years. I think they're confused they think I'm ready to retire I keep
throwing it in the trash so no I
haven't but but welcome to insurance and commerce thanks for being here Representative Pilkington, Representative McGrew, Senator Byatt,
OK, members, we're going to go to Senate Bill 536. Representative Eves, if you'll go
to the end of the table, introduce yourself. You recognize that you present the bill.
Chair
Unverified
1:48
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Representative Les Eves, District 58. You recognize. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members, this is Senate Bill 536, the bill that was trying to offer some clarification. As the legislation currently stands, it's not clear whether the Public Service Commission needs to reevaluate all plants' remaining useful lives as opposed to the ones just slated for retirement in the near future.
So this amendment clarifies the PSC's role to produce a report discussing those plants that have planned retirements within five years from the date of that report. It also helps eliminate duplication of work by allowing the PSC to produce a report based on the information utilities provide in the integrated resource plan process. This includes information regarding retirement and replacement of generation facilities. The IRP process occurs every three years and allows participation by all utility stakeholders. So in this process, utilities provide information on the future outlook of its generation fleet
and the cost, benefits, and expected impacts and risks. The Public Service Commission is just seeking clarification from this General Assembly on this law, and they were also part of drafting this bill. No known opposition, and for what it's worth, it passed out of the Senate with 35
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
3:11
votes. Members, are there any questions for representatives? We have one person signed up to speak on the bill.
John Bethel, you're passing, okay. Okay. Is there anyone
else in the audience that would like to speak for or against this bill? Seeing none, Representative Eves, would you like to close for the bill? Members, I'm closed, and I'd like to make a motion do pass. Members, we have a motion do pass. Is there any
discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Opposed nay. Congratulations, Representative Eves. You've passed your bill. Thank you.
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
4:29
members we're going to go to senate bill 484 uh representative
Speaker 8
4:36
collins you'll identify yourself for the record you're recognized explain the bill
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
4:42
thank you mr chair andrew collins uh honor to be with
y'all today so um this bill deals with the audit threshold for charitable organizations so we actually addressed that in a different bill earlier this session by representative hodges who's co-sponsor of this one this just does a little bit of a different thing so the current audit
threshold is if you get five hundred thousand dollars in contributions during a year the earlier bill we did this session raises that to a million what this bill does is it exempts from the definition of contribution a bequest or a testamentary distribution because those are by nature one-time things that come in and they are not really appropriate to be reflected in that total contributions they don't really reflect the size or the complexity of a trust what actually happened the reason that senator tucker and i brought this bill is that we have
a constituents on the board of a charitable organization they're typically under what was the five hundred thousand dollar threshold they got a one-time bequest they're by nature always going to be one-time things because they're upon death a one-time bequest that put them over the threshold they had to do an audit that was twenty five thousand dollars which is quite a bit of an impact for them. And then, of course, they went right back down to underneath the threshold for subsequent years. So we just want to exclude that out so that we aren't forcing these charitable
organizations that are typically under the threshold to have audits. So I'd appreciate any questions. Members, any questions
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
6:09
for Representative Collins? Representative Booth? We have one person. No, that's a different one. Is there anyone in
the audience who would like to speak for or against this bill? Seeing none, Representative Collins, you're recognized and closed for the bill. I'm closed for the bill.
I appreciate a good vote. Okay. Members, what's the will of the committee? Do pass. Have a motion do pass. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed nay. Congratulations, Representative Collins, you've passed the bill. Thank you, committee. Representative Bennett, if you will go to the end of the table and identify yourself, you'll recognize to present Senate Bill 513.
And if you're guests as well, we'll identify themselves. Good
Representative Denise Jones Ennett
Unverified
7:07
morning, committee members. I'm running this bill for Representative Fred Allen. So I'm Representative Denise Ennett, District 80, and I have my guest right here, and he'll introduce himself. Thank you, Representative
Mark Stoddala
Unverified
7:20
Ennett. Mr. Chairman, my name is Mark Stoddala, and I'm an attorney with the Barber Law Firm. This is a bill, a cleanup bill for the Secretary of State's office. I have a client that wanted to use a nonprofit name for an organization,
and it turns out that he was not able to use it because it's been on the list for the Secretary of State for about 38 years and they've never filed the annual reports that are required. So what this bill does is it basically cleans up that issue. It gives organizations five years to be able to make sure that they're up to date on their annual reports that they're supposed to file. And if they don't file them, then the Secretary of State is allowed to take those off the record and those names can be used in the future. So it passed the Senate, 35 to nothing.
Speaker 28
8:07
Senator Johnson was carrying it in the Senate. Members, are there
Chair
Unverified
8:15
any questions if they're more? Representative Brow, you're recognized for a question. Just a quick question. You said that after five years they can take the name off the books. Do they automatically take the name off the books? It will be taken off after five years. Okay, so they
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
8:28
automatically will take it off. Okay, thank you. Any other
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
8:35
questions? Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak for or against this bill?
Seeing none, Representative Bennett, do you recognize or close for the bill? I'm closed, and I'd like
Chair
Unverified
8:45
to ask for a motion to pass. We have a motion to
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
8:47
pass. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. Congratulations, you passed your bill. Thank you, Denise. I appreciate
that a lot. You are. Have a good day. Thank you.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
9:32
Is there anyone here to run a bill right now? Mr. Representative
Eaves? Warren. Warren. Warren. My eye caught Representative Eaves' sign and it just came out of my mouth. I see Warren now. Thank you. Just call me Representative Eaves' sign. Representative Warren, do you have a bill?
Speaker 44
10:03
Oh, good. Which one? It would be Senate Bill 181. And
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
10:45
Madam Chairman. Senate Bill 181. Representative Warren, are you ready to present your amendment, please?
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
10:51
Yes, ma'am. All this amendment is doing is adding me as the House sponsor for this bill. It was supposed to have been done originally, but it got passed over, so I would just like to add me as a sponsor for the House. And I make a motion to pass on the amendment. Thank you. Are there
Speaker 56
11:12
any objections? All those in favor? Aye. Those opposed?
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
11:22
No. You can present your... The amendment has passed. You're ready to
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
11:36
you, Madam Chair. Members of the committee, this is a project that Senator Hammer and I have worked on for many years now. It's the PANS and PANDAS illness, basically, that basically results from strep.
And we have worked closely, have a program now set up through UAMS and Children's that is allowing treatment for this diagnosis. And what we're trying to do is make sure that the main treatment source, which is an IVIG treatment for this, is covered by Medicaid. And you can see on an e-mail that was sent from Patrick Klein, it says the PANS amendment slightly loosens some of the restrictions for treatment, but shouldn't be a material change.
And I think the Blue Cross Blue Shield data we based our calculations on was a bit conservative anyway. So we are just trying to make sure that this treatment that has proven extremely effective for our PANS and PANDAS patients gets to continue, and I would appreciate a good vote on that. Are there
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
13:08
any questions from the committee? Yes, Representative Ferguson.
Representative Deborah Ferguson
Unverified
13:12
I know when we passed this several years ago, is there really any evidence-based medicine to show that
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
13:22
the immunoglobulin is effective for PANS? Yes. I mean, I can just tell you that I have people that I know personally. I had a kid in the youth group that I worked with at my church. It causes an inflammation of the brain when untreated. And this IVIG is basically one of the only treatments that we have seen that has been truly effective at getting it under control and keeping it under control.
And it just really has been successful. I've seen a kid that was like an honor student, very popular, very athletic, just do a tailspin. and this was a treatment that got him back to normal. And I've seen it with several others. A lot of these kids that get diagnosed with this end up committing suicide because it is just they can't get back to normal.
And it is really good kids that, and the parents are just at a loss, but this has been a very positive
Representative Deborah Ferguson
Unverified
14:37
treatment. Yeah, I mean, that was my question. and I knew there was some temporary reprieve from it, but you're saying that there's actually
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
14:45
some long-term cures? There are. Sometimes the treatments are, they may have to do two or three treatments. Sometimes the treatments last for longer. It just varies from case to case.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
15:01
Are there any other questions from the committee? Yes, Representative
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
15:10
Wooten. I understand your bill and everything, but I have a question. Why do we have to, and I don't mind doing it, but why do we have to legislate something like this? How come the insurance company just doesn't pick it up? I mean, if it's a life-curing situation with an IV, why don't they just voluntarily do this?
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
15:34
Is that a fair question? It may be unfair, but I just... It is a very fair question, and I shake my head because I think, why are we having to fight this? But that is very much the case, is that we have proof that this is helping people with this issue. And yet, time after time, we have people who get declined for coverage on this,
and it's like a $10,000 per treatment cost. And many families can't afford that, so it just goes untreated. And the families are at a loss with, I can't do anything else. Thank you. Madam
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
16:24
Chairman, I'd like for the record to reflect that personally as a member, I would encourage the insurance companies to look very hard and very thoroughly at these type things.
This is not the first time I've been involved. And some of the situations have been life-threatening, and they delay because they just refuse to do it. And I just can't imagine why in a life-threatening situation they don't step forward and do what's right. I thought that's what insurance was all about. Thank you very much. Thank you,
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
17:02
Representative Wooten. Representative Allen, you have a question?
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
17:07
Yes, ma'am, comment. Just to follow up on Representative Wooten's question, the reason why insurance companies don't pay for certain things is because we don't enact laws to enforce that. Sometimes insurance companies will not pay for biomarker testing, will not pay for prostate screening, We're not paying for specialty drugs for cancer patients, specialty drugs for people that need them. So if they don't pay them, pay for the prescription.
If we're not here to force them to do
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
17:42
it, they won't do it. Well, I agree with you, Representative Allen, totally. I mean, that's the context of what my question was. We shouldn't have to do it, but we're here to do it. I'm glad we are here to do it, and I appreciate Representative Warren and bringing this bill forward because these are situations that, here again, are life-threatening,
and that's what I thought, here again, what the insurance was all about. But I do appreciate it. Yes, sir. I agree with you. So my question,
Speaker 11
18:20
Representative Warren, would you agree? Yes,
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
18:25
sir. I would agree very wholeheartedly. Any other questions, Mr. Allen? Representative
Representative Deborah Ferguson
Unverified
18:32
Allen? You're finished now. Representative Ferguson. Thank you, Madam
Chairman. I know I've followed this pretty closely. Is it fair to say that maybe this has been an evolving evidence-based treatment?
I'm glad to hear you say that it's actually effective now. Now, is the problem maybe that a lot of times insurance coverage lags behind the evidence-based treatment, that it takes a while for things to work their way through the system and for insurance to recognize it as an evidence-based treatment? Very much
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
19:05
so, Representative Ferguson. And what I also want to point out to the committee is that these doctors are not just,
If you talk to Dr. Rainey and Dr. Van de Perri, I can't say his name, another doctor at UAMS, you will find out, or Children's, you will find out that they don't just prescribe this loosely. They have several steps that they are like, I know people that have been turned away, that's not your problem. You've got other issues.
So it's not just being handed out like every kid that comes in, oh, you're a PANS or PANDAS, that we don't know anything else. That must be it. That's not the case. So, yes, and I think we're gathering more and more information and more cases that we have that have success with the IVIG treatment. that makes a stronger case and I think more people are like okay that's working but thank you
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
20:17
Any other questions from the committee? Is there anyone in the
audience? Yes ma'am if you could go to the end of the table and introduce yourself
Speaker 73
20:51
you're okay the question i have to the body to the you can hit sit here and we'll put you on the microphone
Speaker 74
20:57
okay thank you yes i just have a question i hope it's simple and uninvolved need to introduce I am Rosetta Conway Cochran from St. Francis County, AARP Group, Chapter 3955. We're from the Delta, reporting today. Thank you
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
21:12
very much. Are you for or against this bill? I'm for the bill. Okay, so you're speaking
Speaker 74
21:19
for the bill. Yes. Thank you. I'm saying this and asking the question in lieu of, I'm not sure, maybe I should ask it. I have a 15-year-old that has a strep throat carrier, very, very bad situation.
has a very good pediatric doctor, but they have treated her and treated her and treated her. She's been at a point of death several times. Anybody she goes around that's ill probably will get a strip throat episode, whether it's serious or not. And those who are carriers will get sick immediately. And if she goes around anybody that has strip throat without knowing that she gets very, very sick, it's only antibiotics. So that's why I'm really supporting the bill. I'm thinking of what I'm doing. But I'm wondering, you know, Medicare or Medicaid, rather, and other insurances rarely give good medications,
or if they give any, you know, to make it get better quick. So
Speaker 75
22:14
I'm wondering, is there something we should be doing more than saying a pediatric doctor,
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
22:21
or should somebody be able to help me to find some answers? Hi. I'm glad to answer that, if you'd like, Madam Chairman. Thank you, Representative Warren. We have come a long way with this. The program at Children's and UAMS, there are two doctors there. I'll be glad to give you the contact information for them. So they have come a long
way. They understand the root cause of this stems from strep, but they're great doctors, and I'll be glad to put you in touch with them to see if there's something they can do to help you. Wonderful. I can see you after the meeting. Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 78
22:59
Okay, thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else in the
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
23:06
audience who would like to speak for or against this bill? Seeing none, Representative Warren, are you ready to close for your bill?
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
23:15
I am closed, and I would make a motion do pass as amended. Any
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
23:21
discussion? or any discussion all those in favor say aye aye all those opposed thank you madam chairman and committee we have one more bill to run but we are waiting for um the person who's running it to we're going to be running sb 454 i believe no yeah sb 454 but we're going to pause for a moment
until they the presenter arrives so we'll recess yes
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
24:00
representative allen i realized that i i came in late this morning but i do want to uh recognize my former colleague if we haven't recognized so that's representative uh nancy blunt will you please stand and give her a round of of applause. Thank you
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
24:25
for being here. So we're recessed until Representative
Beatty can get here. He's presenting another bill in another committee. Okay.
Unknown speaker
25:14
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
27:14
Ladies and gentlemen, we're back in our committee meeting. Representative Beatty, if you introduce yourself. Representative Howard Beatty,
Speaker 91
27:25
District 95. Are you ready to present your bill?
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
27:33
I am, Madam Chair. Proceed. I apologize for running a little late. We had a couple of bills in rev and tax that we had to present. We got those passed. Now we're here to take care of Senate Bill 454.
Senate Bill 454 is a bill concerning public utility contracts for interruptible service. What the bill does is it codifies existing interruptible service policy that benefit large-scale energy consumers and utilities both. Currently, the rate structure is only outlined by way of order of the PSC from 1998. In that order, the PSC recognized that offering interruptible service to large customers benefits every stakeholder involved in the provision of reliable and affordable electricity throughout the state of Arkansas.
Putting this policy into code simply solidifies how interruptible service customers will be charged for service and gives those customers long-term assurances of consistency in their rate structure. What this bill does not do, it doesn't change anything from the net metering bill that we passed and you guys debated earlier in this session. If you look at sections A and B on the last page, it even clarifies the grandfathered in interruptible service customers from the net metering bill that they'll stay as so in the bill.
The bill was worked on collectively between the utilities and a group of interruptible service customers, and at this time, there is no known opposition to this bill. With that, I'll entertain
Speaker 44
29:08
any questions from committee. Are there any questions from
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
29:12
the committee? Representative Allen. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Representative Bader, for bringing this bill. Yes, sir. What is Entergy's position in the co-ops? Are they all on board with it?
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
29:23
I would say that there's neutral there. There was consultation with Intergy. A lot of the language agreed upon language. And as far as I know, there is no known opposition. So we all collectively worked on this. This was kind of the issue that several of us had with the net metering bill, is that it should include something for interruptible service. And this is a compromise to include some interruptible service protections.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
29:57
Are there any other questions from the committee? Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against the bill? Would
you like to close for your bill, Representative Beatty? Madam Chairman,
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
30:25
member of the committee, I am closed for my bill, and I would appreciate a good vote.
Speaker 44
30:30
What's the wishes of the committee? Motion do pass.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
30:35
All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed?
Representative Beatty, you have passed your bill. Madam Chair, members
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
30:45
of the committee, I appreciate and thank you for the good
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
30:58
vote. Is there anyone else here to present a bill this morning?
Speaker 60
31:06
If not, we are adjourned. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, committee. You
Agenda
REGULAR AGENDA
HB1477 Pilkington TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ELECTRIC UTILITY AND GAS UTILITY STORM RECOVERY SECURITIZATION ACT; TO EXEMPT CERTAIN DATA CENTERS FROM STORM RECOVERY COSTS AND CHARGES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1573 McGrew TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION; TO CREATE A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BROKER AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE LICENSE; AND TO AMEND THE REAL ESTATE LICENSE LAW.
SB350 J. Bryant TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE FOR DAMAGES ON LOSS CLAIMS UNDER AN INSURANCE POLICY.
HB1620 Long TO CREATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT; TO PROHIBIT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM USING CERTAIN DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF VIOLATIONS.
HB1770 G. Hodges TO REPEAL THE SERVICE CONTRACTS ACT; TO TRANSFER THE DUTIES OF REGULATION OF SERVICE CONTRACTS TO THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER; TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS SERVICE CONTRACTS ACT; AND TO REGULATE SERVICE CONTRACTS.
HB1820 Beaty Jr. TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ENERGY; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COAL-POWERED ELECTRICAL GENERATION FACILITIES; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS BEFORE DECOMMISSIONING OR DISPOSAL OF ASSETS; AND TO REQUIRE A STUDY.
HB1628 S. Meeks TO PROHIBIT COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AGREEMENTS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AGREEMENT.
HB1630 Long TO REQUIRE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE AS THE REMEDY FOR THE BREACH OF CONTRACTS THAT INCLUDE CERTAIN PRECIOUS METALS AS CONSIDERATION; AND TO EXCLUDE FROM GROSS INCOME ANY GAIN REALIZED FROM THE SALE OF CERTAIN PRECIOUS METALS.
SB181 K. Hammer TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR USE OF INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN TO TREAT CERTAIN PEDIATRIC DISORDERS CAUSED BY INFECTIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB454 M. McKee CONCERNING PUBLIC UTILITY CONTRACTS FOR INTERRUPTIBLE SERVICE.
SB484 C. Tucker TO MODIFY THE LAW CONCERNING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS; TO CLARIFY CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN BEQUESTS AND TESTAMENTARY DISTRIBUTIONS FROM TRUSTS FROM CONTRIBUTIONS.
SB513 M. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ANNUAL DISCLOSURES FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NAME AVAILABILITY; AND TO AMEND THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN BUSINESS ENTITIES FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
SB536 Irvin TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS AFFORDABLE ENERGY ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING RETIREMENT REVIEW.
DEFERRED BILLS
HB1277 L. Johnson TO REGULATE A PRUDENT LAY PERSON REVIEW PROCESS BY AN INSURER; AND TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL TO REVIEW A PRUDENT LAY PERSON DECISION.
HB1304 Ennett TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR PRENATAL VITAMINS.
HB1356 L. Johnson CONCERNING THE PRACTICES OF CERTAIN HEALTHCARE INSURERS; AND TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS TO DETERMINE IF A PROPOSED RATE IS EXCESSIVE.
HB1361 McGrew TO AMEND THE REAL ESTATE LICENSE LAW; TO CREATE A PROPERTY MANAGER LICENSE REQUIREMENT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION.
HB1500 Achor TO MODIFY THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT.
HB1259 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE HEALTHCARE COST-SHARING COLLECTIONS ACT.
HB1585 Maddox TO CREATE THE DELIVERY NETWORK COMPANY INSURANCE ACT.
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — INSURANCE & COMMERCE- HOUSE, Apr 5, 2023 | Agenda | 2 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 8
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
Representative Denise Jones Ennett
Unverified
Mark Stoddala
Unverified
Speaker 28
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
Speaker 44
Speaker 46
Speaker 49
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
Speaker 56
Speaker 48
Representative Deborah Ferguson
Unverified
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
Speaker 11
Speaker 73
Speaker 74
Speaker 75
Speaker 78
Speaker 91
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
Speaker 60