[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6300733,"mediaKeyId","2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb","parentId",2492531,"title","Senate approves bill updating athletic trainer roles, concussion education and definition of \"athlete\"","audioSeconds",239,"startMs",2331000,"endMs",2570000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb&start=2331&end=2570","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb/thumbnail_2331000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6300733/Arkansas/Senate-approves-bill-updating-athletic-trainer-roles-concussion-education-and-definition-of-athlete","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300733-2aa07f1f0a345197c0bb68565f797370/orig.mp4?Expires=1775288983&Signature=o9CJea2HOLPFksacVwXYRWKgrJ~j-s0VDsEGyphyp~TgqM8~g1krrOUvWhk5pxLeP9Z8O~POIf6xT6ntXGzwpzy1CI3QY8amZsTH1zuMu4L6GIFMPmnV7nP4OCBTRXWETCU3WTeVPeRKs7bYyly7jpvZxDCxbJVyiDSRYj~mee5CrqvIZmnlmRRNTOrpWa1c3Eb83fV12ViKx6jrVtVtHDjaSLTlhS3dINjggYYLrvwdMXBNKuWUgl2HWcRRfvLin380hpaaHTucPXQ0GLhG1HPWprEeGlSA-cZsHbnpNzK5CB2MfJkqhRhTOUlWl4iWURnD5B4fcM~eJzbaL7TYEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Little Rock — The Arkansas State Senate on March 4 passed House Bill 1213, a measure updating the Arkansas Athletic Trainers Act to clarify who qualifies as an \"athlete\" for statutory purposes, define \"health care provider\" in student-athlete concussion education, and modernize the supervision rules for athletic trainers.

Sponsor explanation: Senator Jason Penzo, floor sponsor, said the bill \"clarifies the definition of health care provider as it pertains to student concussion education\" and expands the statute\u0000s definition of \"athlete\" to include injuries that occur outside organized competition (for example, weekend recreational injuries) and injuries that occur during training for police, fire and military personnel. Penzo also said the bill updates rules for athletic trainers working in physician offices so those trainers may work under a physician\u0000s direction or consultation when the physician is not physically onsite, which aligns with school-based training-room practice.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the change brings Arkansas into closer alignment with other states and removes confusion about which professionals may provide concussion education and return-to-play guidance. Supporters framed the bill as a modernization of practice rules that will help student-athletes and other people who sustain athletic injuries.

Vote and next steps: The roll call recorded 35 yeas and 0 nays. The bill passed the Senate and was returned to the House as amended.

Quote: \"The updated definition of an athlete is related to an athletic injury regardless of if the injury occurs in an organized play,\" said Senator Jason Penzo, the floor sponsor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session Mar 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Little Rock \u000e2\u0000\u0000The Senate on March 4 approved House Bill 1213, which clarifies roles for athletic trainers and broadens the definition of \"athlete.\"","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},6300736,"Senate allows donated labor and equipment to count toward match for rural community grants",174,1766000,1940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb&start=1766&end=1940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb/thumbnail_1766000.jpg","/articles/6300736/Arkansas/Senate-allows-donated-labor-and-equipment-to-count-toward-match-for-rural-community-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300736-ff197803ab358300978fb8c52db4846c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775288983&Signature=YliB~44bfimu5n6foCMiFYo0q0EXQ~NsJYprl79q8ibamlTwnrJGkSw4uMjOO8XLDObtEgFady2~1mw-0B4Qf-deuTzxYxgTOVjChhC~rUUP4ppbY9tnu0fChJMENfzjPVEbODTUC5vLuqMaJ3I0oCQJARWf83pK1y-7uG9ion~pcfkkKhqaXcKjqAzoiTMnfo4MgjGdbyWVIvjz9XDvVC~4Xay0pNfw1titJjBWhM4Gmps3PY2FP7m2VpxKFmp24F2vtdfqwPwe6isydfQx3X9eVDDpgG9796TTjGpdo~QEixYNL-Q8c0X2xqlHrePkOwaz-XOnodcNMdJobxgjLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Little Rock — The Arkansas State Senate on March 4 approved Senate Bill 254 to permit donated labor and equipment to be counted as in-kind matching contributions for projects applying to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission\u0000s Rural Community Grant Program.

Sponsor\u0000s explanation: Senator Ervin, the bill\u0000s sponsor, said the program provides up to $15,000 per project on a 50/50 match basis and that the current law requires the match to be real or personal property. \"This is a barrier to rural communities,\" he said, noting that many small towns can supply volunteer labor and equipment but lack liquid assets or land to meet the statutory match. The change would allow counties and towns to apply for grants using donated labor and equipment as the local match.

Why it matters: Supporters said the change expands access to small grants for community projects such as ballfields, community centers and walking tracks. Sponsor remarks cited fiscal-year 2024 awards totaling $604,878.21 to 61 communities as background for the program\u0000s size.

Vote and next steps: The roll call recorded 34 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 not voting. Senate Bill 254 passed and will be transmitted to the House.

Quote: \"What these communities do have \u0000 are skilled laborers who are willing to donate their time, their labor, and their equipment \u0000 This bill would amend the law to allow this donated labor to be counted as an in kind donation to count towards the matching requirement,\" said Senator Ervin.","Senate Bill 254 passed 34-0 with one not voting to let donated labor and equipment count as in-kind matching contributions for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission\u0000s Rural Community Grant Program (up to $15,000 per project).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300741,"Senate approves Medicaid recognition of physician assistants as primary care providers",212,1388000,1600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb&start=1388&end=1600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb/thumbnail_1388000.jpg","/articles/6300741/Arkansas/Senate-approves-Medicaid-recognition-of-physician-assistants-as-primary-care-providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300741-2bb5f0194d396d27eec6de89a1580574/orig.mp4?Expires=1775288983&Signature=ZUiWMnE8bkoMTl8y97XwBlYXX0gGKiksNf6PKxAaYLvFJNnOs7OIZceZQ2BzeFNQ0cTT7Ws-0tGOSSjjmUaQDPTftX24j2OHvXvffZ6OWKjHdSk6Z7d3cw5ixC9JxAf7cbCL~YpX1REGcFypiMpg1UjrPKx4JYACdijflkKI4xf28hfL2w4vpWIod-ky4MO3RTiYnI2YQdTUhzbsVYBx5~uMp3di0YcULqVEhyl-o7EJVEFToR6UJ490EfBsXRgiO2l5goU91ZlEJoXxxU2fa8fbDS0z~E0ILRMUumBj1eBikkucbG7tPCGINc-uA8qjbYR7yCYh6eRIaeuK80N7nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Little Rock — The Arkansas State Senate on March 4 passed Senate Bill 100, which authorizes the Arkansas Medicaid program to recognize licensed physician assistants as primary care providers.

Sponsor\u0000s explanation: Senator Jason Penzo, floor sponsor, said the bill supports three goals: improve access to health care, reduce costs, and provide options for Arkansas residents. \"This bill ensures Arkansas Medicaid recognizes licensed physician assistants of the state,\" he said on the floor, adding the change would \"leverage the cost effectiveness of physician assistants resulting in significant savings and improved health outcomes.\"

Scope and oversight: Senators questioned whether the change expands physician assistants\u0000 scope of practice. Senator Carol Sullivan asked why Medicaid could not make the change administratively; Penzo and other supporters said the bill does not increase a physician assistant\u0000s scope of practice and retains supervising-physician requirements in statute. Senator Irvin noted language on pages 25\u00002626 clarifies supervision and said the provision was a helpful addition.

Vote and next steps: The roll call recorded 33 yeas and 0 nays. Senate Bill 100 passed and will be transmitted to the House.

Quote: \"This bill accomplishes all three [goals]... It will also leverage the cost effectiveness of physician assistants resulting in significant savings and improved health care outcomes for the state,\" said Senator Jason Penzo, the bill\u0000s floor sponsor.","Senate Bill 100 passed unanimously (33-0) to allow Arkansas Medicaid to recognize licensed physician assistants as primary care providers. Sponsors said the change will expand access to care without expanding scope of practice.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300746,"Senate passes bill clarifying prohibition on local caps for rental application fees and deposits",224,1141000,1365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb&start=1141&end=1365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb/thumbnail_1141000.jpg","/articles/6300746/Arkansas/Senate-passes-bill-clarifying-prohibition-on-local-caps-for-rental-application-fees-and-deposits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300746-f8211284c8425556beb04c03fc1db28a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775288983&Signature=NQ33IvTdywzC~R036INBThOvyGHflPBd8pugSs5hbSojx2HqRAIBHpLp78QyAoVZChKQu9-AGhYkzQxUBV38TsMvp5yhQQuI5IebU9vpFEYFkDhQ1ukeSGlP14kCIwaKoXZEpw3AVXrIcFbCwXwllQBp~WhlUol3HL0DQ6b292Tk0eKdgzCjeEbBOHPkXNC0uZr~u3~5e5lQV8pSUeSxRIcGPMOxijms98XjR5cDWlN1JflkL5cbqOCFW6DDGWJp6dDzLCOb21m7xuLDTAnyeKabOGNF7iSKvY-utTabuA6VEVx5dWta~CD2~2AePMdpePqXOMOcOPEeFTjcquLjHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Little Rock — The Arkansas State Senate on March 4 passed Senate Bill 91, a measure clarifying that local governmental units may not regulate or control the amount charged for a rental application fee or security deposit for residential or commercial property.

Sponsor and context: Senator Jason Penzo, floor sponsor, told colleagues the bill \"just adds clarity to what already exists in code,\" citing prior opinions requested concerning Fayetteville\u0000s attempted fee caps. Penzo said the bill is intended to prevent local ordinances that would conflict with state law.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill reinforces property-rights protections and prevents local caps on application fees that they said are preempted by state law. Opponents argued the measure preempts local governments from addressing housing affordability and removes a local policy option.

Floor debate: Senator Love asked whether the bill responded to an actual incident; Penzo said the Fayetteville city council had attempted to cap application fees and that opinions had been requested twice indicating such ordinances could not stand. Senator Lettig spoke against the measure on the floor, describing it as \"very heavy handed\" and urging that communities be allowed the opportunity to try such local ordinances before the state intervenes. Penzo closed by framing the bill as a property-rights protection and asked for a favorable vote.

Vote and next steps: The roll call recorded 28 yeas, 3 nays, 1 not voting and 3 recorded present. Senate Bill 91 passed and will be transmitted to the House for consideration.

Quote: \"This bill just adds clarity to what already exists in code,\" said Senator Jason Penzo, the bill\u0000s floor sponsor.","Senate Bill 91 passed the Arkansas Senate 28-3 (with one not voting and three recorded present) after floor debate. Sponsors said the bill clarifies existing state code and responds to a Fayetteville attempt to cap application fees.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":104,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":107,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300751,"Senate passes a package of bills on March 4; measures include medical licensure compact, Medicaid change, and election adjustments",209,1350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492531-1f2f1e6abf427cd54c6644a49d8a5ffb&start=1141&end=1350","/articles/6300751/Arkansas/Senate-passes-a-package-of-bills-on-March-4-measures-include-medical-licensure-compact-Medicaid-change-and-election-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300751-79c3f178fc96fef5525f18e7a7d87564/orig.mp4?Expires=1775288983&Signature=mm0AnqtLEZFZtk3-JVAO~DRujWkkxXkVWNKXm3g3r5b5JI8xrMY4CnR-sj-rxsFIftWBPGwFHGJLjNOuhlZITiLQsL~zaErEoMGz7vceuQ44z0ZgCFVwM7YbMezhYXwPVcZTAVI82ib6dGrFvpmMjN2EhIpzXeh-vspLHLldhQL7DaY1B4J6-OMjhWjcS41xht2DSORzQJO~kv-eizrufKMt2aZcZXNuRdiQ7Usm4FeAKGPT8Kw2v17Qp7jw2Hzobt3erX9TmWkPx7op9xWuDgs-m20jrPHMeJbjGDf7elRb8yjt00OWigLZmLa7AXthw32505nybhuAIl~Ov5rIsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Little Rock — The Arkansas State Senate on March 4 approved a set of bills addressing medical licensure and Medicaid provider recognition, local election scheduling and early-voting procedures, rural grant matching rules, and other matters. Many measures passed by roll-call votes and will be transmitted to the House for further action.

Why it matters: The package contains items lawmakers said will affect access to health care (through expanded recognition of providers and an interstate licensure compact), local election administration, and how small rural projects qualify for state matching grants.

Votes at a glance

- Senate Bill 91 (Penzo): Clarifies that local governments have no authority to cap rental application fees or security deposits. Passed by roll call: 28 yeas, 3 nays, 1 not voting; 3 recorded present. Transmitted to the House.

- Senate Bill 100 (Penzo): Authorizes Arkansas Medicaid to recognize a licensed physician assistant as a primary care provider. Passed by roll call: 33 yeas, 0 nays. Transmitted to the House.

- Senate Bill 119 (Penzo): Establishes the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact in Arkansas to permit an expedited multi-state licensing pathway for physicians. Passed by roll call: 30 yeas, 1 nay, 4 present. Transmitted to the House.

- Senate Bill 272 (Crowell): Amends voter registration provisions to prohibit prefilled party designation on voter registration forms in certain instances; passed and transmitted to the House (vote recorded on the floor).

- Senate Bill 292 (Hammer): Moves annual school elections that fall on a state holiday to the third Tuesday (applied to the current year and future instances); passed by roll call: 35 yeas, 0 nays. Emergency clause adopted; transmitted to the House.

- Senate Bill 296 (Hammer): Amends early-voting location designation procedure in response to a Supreme Court decision; passed on the floor and will be transmitted to the House.

- Senate Bill 254 (Ervin): Allows donated labor and equipment to be counted as in-kind matching contributions for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission rural community grant program (matching limit is $15,000 per project); passed by roll call: 34 yeas, 0 nays, 1 not voting. Transmitted to the House.

- House Bill 1213 (Archer/Penzo): Updates the Arkansas Athletic Trainers Act to clarify the definition of \"athlete,\" define \"health care provider\" for student-athlete concussion education, and allow athletic trainers to work under a physician\u0000s direction or consultation when the physician is not physically on site; passed by roll call: 35 yeas, 0 nays, returned to the House as amended.

- House Bill 1369 (Frey/Dodson): Streamlines how the Arkansas Ethics Commission updates maximum campaign contribution limits to match federal changes; adopted and returned to the House.

What the Senate said: Sponsors and supporters described the bills as administrative clarifications or changes intended to expand access to services, remove technical barriers to small-town projects, or streamline state processes. Some measures generated short floor questioning; a small number of bills attracted formal opposition on policy grounds during debate.

Next steps: Each passed bill will be transmitted to the Arkansas House of Representatives for further consideration. Several bills noted adoption of emergency clauses or cross-chamber return as amended.","The Arkansas State Senate on March 4 approved a series of bills affecting health-care licensure and Medicaid rules, local election procedures, and rural grant matching rules, among other measures. Several bills passed by recorded vote; others were adopted by voice or unanimous consent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves bill updating athletic trainer roles, concussion education and definition of "athlete"

Senate allows donated labor and equipment to count toward match for rural community grants

Senate approves Medicaid recognition of physician assistants as primary care providers

Senate passes bill clarifying prohibition on local caps for rental application fees and deposits

Senate passes a package of bills on March 4; measures include medical licensure compact, Medicaid change, and election adjustments