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HB 1895

An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program and the Agriculture Innovation Board; and making a repeal.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Valerie Gaydos and 3 co-sponsors

Allows for-profit corporations and voluntary associations to employ in-house counsel to represent themselves and their affiliates in internal matters and litigation.

Referred to Agriculture & Rural Affairs
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Bill Summary · HB 1895

Summary — HB 1895

Note up front: the materials provided contain conflicting and mixed information (different titles, texts from multiple states, and inconsistent legislative-action entries). The title at the top (“Desoto County; authorize sheriff to use radar on county roads”) does not match the text of the bill included (which is an Arkansas amendment concerning corporate practice of law) and also contains text from an Illinois bill about group homes. The procedural status is listed as “Died In Committee” but the action log includes steps indicating passage and enrollment. Because of these discrepancies, the summary below focuses on the substantive text that appears in the bill language provided (the Arkansas amendment to Ark. Code §16-22-211(d)). Verify the official legislative record for the correct bill version and status before relying on this for legal or administrative action.

Purpose

The bill amends Arkansas Code §16-22-211(d) to clarify and expand exceptions to the prohibition on corporations or voluntary associations “practicing law.” Specifically, it allows certain corporations and voluntary associations to employ in‑house attorneys to represent the entity and its affiliates.

Key provisions

  • Amends §16-22-211(d) to state that the prohibition on a corporation or association practicing law does not apply to:
    1. For‑profit corporations or voluntary associations lawfully engaged in:
      • (A) the examination and insuring of titles to real property; or
      • (B)(i) employing an attorney or attorneys “in and about its own or its affiliates’ immediate affairs or in any litigation to which it or its affiliates is or may become a party.”
    2. Adds a definition of “affiliate” for purposes of this subsection: an affiliate may be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership of any type, or other voluntary association related to another entity by shareholdings, membership interests, partnership interests, or other means of control — including direct or indirect subsidiaries, parents, or sibling entities.
    3. Retains existing nonprofit exceptions that permit nonprofit corporations or voluntary associations to provide legal services (e.g., to indigent persons) so long as services are furnished through licensed Arkansas attorneys.
    4. Retains the exemption for nonprofit or governmental entities (recognized under 26 U.S.C. §115) representing certain public entities (cities, counties, public school districts), their officers/employees, self‑funding groups, and self‑insurance risk pools — again conditioned on use of licensed attorneys.

Who would be affected

  • For‑profit corporations and voluntary associations (particularly those engaged in title examination/insuring) — would be explicitly allowed to employ in‑house counsel to handle internal matters and litigation for themselves and related entities.
  • Corporate groups — the broader “affiliate” definition permits in‑house counsel to represent related entities in the corporate family (parents, subsidiaries, sibling companies, LLCs, partnerships).
  • Nonprofits and public entity legal arrangements — existing exceptions and licensing conditions remain in force.
  • Arkansas licensed attorneys — the change affects contexts where attorneys employed by corporations can provide representation; licensing/ethics rules still apply.

Procedural status and important notes

  • The materials list conflicting procedural history (filed dates, committee referrals, and entries suggesting passage and enactment as “Act 843”), while the top-level status says “Died In Committee.”
  • Because the packet includes text from multiple jurisdictions and mismatched metadata (including Illinois bill language and sponsors from different states), confirm the final text and status with the Arkansas General Assembly’s official legislative site (95th General Assembly, 2025 Regular Session) or the state secretary of state before taking action based on this summary.

If you want, I can:
- Check the Arkansas legislature’s bill lookup and provide the official bill history and enacted text, or
- Prepare a side‑by‑side comparison of current §16‑22‑211 and the proposed changes shown here.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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