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HB 1949

TO ADD MEDICAL, EMERGENCY MEDICAL, AND AMBULANCE SERVICES TO THE LIST OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR PURPOSES OF PROCUREMENT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kim Hammer and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1949 sought to streamline procurement for medical and ambulance services in Arkansas by exempting them from competitive bidding, enhancing service delivery efficiency.

Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 1949

Summary of House Bill 1949

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HB 1949
  • Title: To Add Medical, Emergency Medical, and Ambulance Services to the List of Professional Services for Purposes of Procurement
  • Status: Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment
  • Introduced: April 1, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1949 aimed to amend existing procurement laws in Arkansas to include medical, emergency medical, and ambulance services as professional services. This change was intended to streamline the procurement process for these essential services by exempting them from competitive bidding requirements, thereby allowing political subdivisions to procure these services more efficiently.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed the following amendments to the Arkansas Code:

  1. Amendment to Procurement Policy:

    • The bill sought to modify Arkansas Code § 19-11-801(b) to explicitly include medical, emergency medical, and ambulance services in the list of professional services that do not require competitive bidding for procurement.

  2. Clarification on Competitive Bidding:

    • Under Arkansas Code § 19-11-802(c)(1), the bill reiterated that political subdivisions shall not use competitive bidding for procuring legal, medical, emergency medical, ambulance, financial advisory, architectural, engineering, construction management, and land surveying professional consulting services.

Impact

  • Who Would Be Affected:
    • The bill would have impacted various political subdivisions in Arkansas, including local governments and agencies responsible for emergency medical services and healthcare provision.
    • Medical professionals and ambulance service providers would benefit from a more streamlined procurement process, potentially leading to quicker service delivery and improved public health outcomes.

Legislative Timeline

  • April 1, 2025: Bill filed.
  • April 2, 2025: Read for the first time, rules suspended, read a second time, and referred to the Committee on Insurance & Commerce in the House.
  • April 8, 2025: Returned by the Committee with a "Do Pass" recommendation; read a third time and passed in the House.
  • April 9, 2025: Received by the Senate, read for the first time, rules suspended, read a second time, and referred to the State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee.
  • May 5, 2025: Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Conclusion

While HB 1949 aimed to enhance the procurement process for vital medical services in Arkansas, it ultimately did not progress beyond the Senate Committee stage. The proposed changes reflected an effort to adapt procurement laws to better meet the needs of healthcare providers and the communities they serve.

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

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