Committee hears House Bill 18-35 on exchanges and Arkansas Works marketing; no final vote

The Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee suspended rules to hear House Bill 18-35, which clarifies code language governing the insurance department's role in marketing insurance exchanges.

Sen. Ballenger, presenting the bill, said the amended version "really doesn't do anything at all" but was intended to prevent the insurance department from being understood to "market the exchanges." He said Arkansas Works was removed from the bill to obtain support from some House Democrats, and that the change "doesn't prohibit" other entities from marketing Arkansas Works.

Committee members expressed concern that language restricting advertising, promotion or gifts could inadvertently bar small outreach tools—pens, shirts or other navigator materials—used in enrollment efforts. Senator Chesterfield asked whether the restriction mirrored federal navigator rules or was state-specific; Ryan James from the Arkansas Insurance Department said portions of the language align with federal navigator regulations and that the department intends to continue using a contracted navigator entity (AFMC) under renegotiation.

The transcript records a discussion and a request for a favorable vote from the sponsor, but no final roll-call or voice vote on HB 18-35 is recorded; the committee adjourned and noted the item may be revisited at the next meeting.