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Bill

HB 1080

TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT FOR A FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR BILLS RELATED TO HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS; AND TO REPEAL THE BILL FILING DEADLINE FOR BILLS AFFECTING HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS OF ENTITIES OF THE STATE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Evans and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1080 streamlines Arkansas health benefit legislation by removing fiscal impact statements and filing deadlines, allowing easier bill introduction and passage for state entities.

Notification that HB1080 is now Act 2
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1080

Summary of House Bill 1080 (HB 1080)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1080 (HB 1080) aims to streamline the legislative process concerning health benefit plans in Arkansas by repealing two significant requirements:
1. The necessity for a fiscal impact statement for bills that impose new or increased cost obligations on health benefit plans.
2. The deadline for filing bills that affect health benefit plans of state entities.

The bill was introduced to facilitate the introduction and passage of legislation related to health benefit plans without the constraints of fiscal impact assessments and filing deadlines.

Key Provisions

Repeal of Fiscal Impact Statement Requirement

  • Current Requirement: Under existing law, any bill that would impose new or increased costs on health benefit plans must include a fiscal impact statement. This statement outlines the financial implications for state entities.
  • Change: HB 1080 repeals this requirement, allowing bills affecting health benefit plans to be considered without a fiscal impact statement.

Repeal of Bill Filing Deadline

  • Current Requirement: Bills affecting the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program must be introduced within the first 15 calendar days of a regular session. If not, they require a three-fourths majority approval to be introduced later.
  • Change: HB 1080 eliminates this deadline, enabling legislators to introduce relevant bills at any time during the session without needing prior approval.

Affected Parties

  • State Entities: This includes agencies, boards, commissions, and public schools that manage or are involved with health benefit plans.
  • Legislators: The bill provides greater flexibility for lawmakers to propose changes to health benefit plans without the constraints of fiscal assessments and deadlines.

Procedural Aspects

  • Status: HB 1080 has been enacted and is now known as Act 2 as of January 27, 2025.
  • Legislative Journey: The bill was filed on January 13, 2025, passed through both the House and Senate, and was correctly enrolled before being transmitted to the Governor's Office.

Conclusion

HB 1080 represents a significant shift in how health benefit-related legislation is processed in Arkansas. By removing the fiscal impact statement requirement and the filing deadline, the bill aims to enhance legislative efficiency and responsiveness to health benefit issues affecting state entities.

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

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