MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE AUDITOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU, THE OMBUDSMAN, AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nadine Nakamura

House Bill 1440 allocates funds for Arkansas legislative agencies and enhances massage therapy regulation by establishing new registration and licensing requirements.

Act 001, 03/12/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1101).

#appropriations #generalfundexpenditureceilingexceeded($) #legislativeagencies

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HB 1440
Title: Making Appropriations to Provide for the Expenses of the Legislature, the Auditor, the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Ombudsman, and the Ethics Commission
Status: Act 001, effective March 12, 2025
Introduced: February 10, 2025
Classification: Appropriations Bill
Subject: Appropriations, General Fund Expenditure Ceiling Exceeded, Legislative Agencies

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1440 aims to allocate necessary funds to support the operational expenses of various legislative agencies in Arkansas. This includes appropriations for the Legislature, the Auditor, the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Ombudsman, and the Ethics Commission. The bill is designed to ensure that these agencies can effectively carry out their functions and responsibilities.

Key Provisions

Appropriations: The bill specifies the amounts to be allocated to each agency, ensuring they have the financial resources needed for their operations.

Amendments to the Massage Therapy Act: The bill includes an amendment to the Massage Therapy Act, establishing registration requirements for massage therapy establishments. This aims to enhance regulation and oversight in the massage therapy industry.

Definitions and Licensing: The bill revises definitions related to massage therapy, including terms such as "massage therapist," "massage therapy establishment," and "massage therapy apprenticeship program." It also outlines the qualifications and requirements for obtaining licenses and permits in the field.

Affected Entities

Legislative Agencies: The bill directly impacts the funding and operational capabilities of the Legislature, the Auditor, the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Ombudsman, and the Ethics Commission.

Massage Therapy Practitioners: The amendments to the Massage Therapy Act will affect massage therapists and establishments, requiring them to comply with new registration and licensing standards.

Procedural Timeline

February 10, 2025: Bill introduced and passed the first reading.

February 26, 2025: The bill was read a third time and passed in the House, then transmitted to the Senate.

April 10, 2025: The Senate passed the bill, and it was ordered to be enrolled.

April 16, 2025: The bill was notified as Act 629, confirming its enactment.

Conclusion

House Bill 1440 serves a dual purpose: it provides essential funding for legislative agencies while also amending the Massage Therapy Act to improve regulation within that industry. The successful passage of this bill ensures that both legislative functions and public health standards in massage therapy are maintained effectively.

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