[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6314528,"mediaKeyId","2383650-b072604d42bbdc356fcaa9e0d0a0c2c5","parentId",2383650,"title","Senate approves package of bills on insurance regulation, teacher retirement and other measures; several passed unanimously","audioSeconds",742,"startMs",3008000,"endMs",3750000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383650-b072604d42bbdc356fcaa9e0d0a0c2c5&start=3008&end=3750","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383650-b072604d42bbdc356fcaa9e0d0a0c2c5/thumbnail_3008000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6314528/Arkansas/Senate-approves-package-of-bills-on-insurance-regulation-teacher-retirement-and-other-measures-several-passed-unanimously","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314528-ffbcb25908437504cd490e2ced7a1358/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393060&Signature=njLQIEX~QsZT-F7LF4ljqMIdipU5iJe9sypDweRg1G1XLS~ddf7OH6Eqg2tDBdtqPARFgZU34Fm8TdXlwDeX5ixBf96j4XsWJLES3X9V0OHlaFctmRiBvNoY33k1bU7n1qL9x6mVoVgLckd4M1K9FlEDyK470AzeZZCNSGd8Dblw0qCt30JEtQ7hLTyWtHfKTkf7AJQkelFRiwexiH12TFW26mWRhwPyYiGoqOiFPcM7z2xRR1qZOIUCWoG0d3Xsu9hE~hNLIcgbuzyssgGs~pdnmmzo61lL4QXA8xXn~ddPf1kaSxJDG-w1Wg-DFfm7xRVUPZvgG35hIONZ73BYTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Arkansas Senate on Wednesday moved a package of mostly noncontroversial bills to the House, including measures on insurance company oversight, credit‑reporting notices and a series of technical and benefit changes for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS).

Senate Bill 236 (Insurance Holding Company Regulatory Act). Senator Boyd said the bill updates regulation of insurance holding companies, aligns state law with model language from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and applies to domestic holding companies. The Senate announced the roll call as 32‑0 with three senators on leave; the measure passed and was transmitted to the House.

Senate Bill 240 (Credit Reporting Disclosure). Senator Hill said the bill clarifies content required for adverse‑action notices and ensures Social Security numbers are not sent in notices. The Senate recorded the vote as 32‑0 with three senators on leave; the bill passed.

House and Senate bills for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (passed with emergency clauses where noted). The Senate passed a set of ATRS bills that its floor presenters described as technical changes or limited benefit clarifications with minimal fiscal impact per the systems’ actuaries:
- House Bill 1154 (technical corrections and clean‑up for ATRS) — passed, emergency clause adopted.
- House Bill 1155 (rebuttable presumption for VA disability ratings for disability retirement) — passed with emergency clause.
- House Bill 1156 (surviving spouse eligibility timing) — passed with emergency clause.
- House Bill 1157 (survivor annuity benefits for dependent children) — passed with emergency clause.
- House Bill 1158 (T‑DRO (teacher deferred retirement option) distribution election cancellation timing) — passed with emergency clause.
- House Bill 1160 (permissive purchase of partial gap‑year service credit) — passed with emergency clause.
- House Bill 1161 (clarify annuity option change timing and payment of costs) — passed with emergency clause.

Several other bills and resolutions were placed on calendars or returned to committee as noted on the floor. The Senate also adopted ceremonial resolutions recognizing Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated.

Most of these measures were described on the floor as technical, limited in fiscal impact, or adopting language recommended by state regulatory models. The Senate generally used voice votes or unanimous roll calls where senators were on leave; the clerk’s readouts for each bill appear in the Senate journal for Feb. 19, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session Feb 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Arkansas Senate advanced a group of bills on Feb. 19, 2025, including updates to insurance holding company regulation, credit‑reporting disclosures, and multiple Arkansas Teacher Retirement System technical and benefit items. Many passed by voice or unanimous roll call and were transmitted to the House.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",16120,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6314532,"Senate approves bill letting ATV and low‑speed vehicle sellers use third‑party service centers within 40 miles",1764,1292000,3056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383650-b072604d42bbdc356fcaa9e0d0a0c2c5&start=1292&end=3056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383650-b072604d42bbdc356fcaa9e0d0a0c2c5/thumbnail_1292000.jpg","/articles/6314532/Arkansas/Senate-approves-bill-letting-ATV-and-lowspeed-vehicle-sellers-use-thirdparty-service-centers-within-40-miles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314532-2a20563a3e8bd88e2b9705153eeb615d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393061&Signature=DXlETGwPHK2WauVNSMYOb~npAwLV93HgoTW8XTxTWrVQX6uv-94OMLREKA2ymCM23QdNIu~Ay4AunsWwCeGZzgWqo8H4AVbw-Bb6rtUgfHgE2X2HDS5g06LUMaaB6aVbdnqUbyplYkA43UbmLFKTVIg~zW7yq1TS9~AN2O1Gmh-q5gJEvj1ybaP2KCwAxJdXrzCbai6d37kNMIrvh8iCQbBZC0cTWxgNb5coaTVe1waw7DQT91RCqnxotH9ANoLdxxriViMjitxE6Mqe8LySiIna7bmBHwPsRJW~6D3F0Btc8A6XXy0QmbYL~PSqXbnu6D1D5YrYq1Yf6QiUBwHu9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Arkansas Senate on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 94, changing requirements for new all‑terrain vehicle (ATV) and low‑speed vehicle dealers so they no longer must maintain an on‑site service center at the selling location and may instead coordinate warranty and repair service with a provider within a 40‑mile radius.

Supporters and opponents framed the bill as a balance between consumer choice and dealer responsibility. Senator Kevin Dodson, who introduced the measure on the floor, described it as “a consumer choice bill,” saying it would allow people to purchase an ATV or UTV from outlets that do not have a service bay on the same premises.

The bill’s sponsor on the floor, Senator Tom Dawson, said the change is intended to expand market options and that Arkansas is currently one of two states that prohibit dealers from locating warranty service off‑site. “This bill would require ... that they coordinate with a warranty service provider within 40 miles of the new all‑terrain vehicle dealer,” Dawson said in closing remarks, and he argued that opening the market could spur more local service providers.

Opponents warned that removing the on‑site service requirement could weaken customer service and delay repairs. “When a manufacturer sells their product in Arkansas and franchises locations to sell that product, we have always maintained that those dealers have the ability to service the warranty,” said Senator Jon Payton, who said the bill breaks the dealer‑customer relationship by allowing warranty work to be farmed out to third parties. “I don’t like a bill like this that would put it in the hands of a third party,” Payton said.

Senator Page, speaking against the bill, gave a dealer’s perspective and recounted an example of extended waits for parts at an off‑site authorized service center: “I remember when my dad bought a Craftsman lawnmower … and it broke down. … it’s about a 6 month wait,” Page said, arguing that customers receive better care when warranty service is performed by the same business that sold the product.

Several senators noted compromises adopted during committee work. Senator Pence and others described an agreement raising an originally proposed 30‑mile requirement to 40 miles to account for rural service deserts. Senator Pence said the 40‑mile radius was part of a compromise “brought forth by both parties.” Senator Dawson added that the bill requires a dealer to “provide service ... to the purchaser” by coordinating with a service provider within that radius.

Lawmakers also raised practical concerns about burdens on rural residents. “Wouldn’t it be … putting on our citizens to have them have to drive 40 miles one way?” asked Senator Stubblefield, noting that an 80‑mile round trip could be costly in time and fuel. Dawson acknowledged the tradeoffs, saying the bill is not perfect but that it offers lower prices and increased market access that could make some vehicles more affordable.

After debate and a roll call, the Senate reported the result as 20 ayes, 9 nays, with additional senators recorded as present or not voting; the bill passed and was transmitted to the House. (The roll call and board count as announced on the floor was: “20 aye, 9 nay, and 1 not, 2 present and 1 non‑voting,” as read during the tally.)

The measure’s change applies to licensing and warranty coordination for new ATV and low‑speed vehicle dealers; the bill text specifies coordination with a warranty service provider within 40 miles but does not require that the provider be owned by the selling dealer. The bill does not itself amend warranty terms set by manufacturers; senators noted warranty language remains a contract issue between buyers, dealers and manufacturers.

The bill drew testimony and questions from multiple senators representing both rural and urban districts and will go to the House for further consideration.

Votes at a glance: the Senate announced the bill passed and transmitted it to the House. The floor announcement and roll call are recorded in the Senate journal for Feb. 19, 2025.","After more than an hour of debate, the Arkansas Senate passed Senate Bill 94, which removes the requirement that new all‑terrain vehicle (ATV) and low‑speed vehicle dealers maintain on‑site service centers and instead requires dealers to coordinate warranty service within 40 miles.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves package of bills on insurance regulation, teacher retirement and other measures; several passed unanimously

Senate approves bill letting ATV and low‑speed vehicle sellers use third‑party service centers within 40 miles