A proposed Arkansas bill that would require employers to offer testing options as an exception to employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates became law on October 13, 2021. Governor Asa Hutchinson refused to sign the law, deeming it...more
On October 13, 2021, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson allowed a new law addressing mandated COVID-19 vaccines for employees to go into effect without his signature. Senate Bill 739’s primary sponsor, Senator Kim Hammer, made...more
Ms. Julie Linck has been appointed by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to serve as Chief Administrator of the Environment of the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (“E&E”). The Chief Administrator has statutory...more
In a surprising move, the Arkansas General Assembly overrode long-standing Arkansas common law that permits an insured to change a beneficiary of an insurance policy via will. On April 26, 2021, Governor Asa Hutchison signed...more
Arkansas has joined a number of states in enacting legislation meant to allow an insurer to transfer blocks of business to another insurer without the need for individual policyholder consent. On April 29, 2021,...more
Since the COVID-19 public health emergency was initiated in Arkansas in March 2020, Governor Asa Hutchinson has repeatedly renewed the emergency order, maintaining the public health emergency for fourteen (14) months. ...more
All that remains for an updated driverless-vehicle bill in Arkansas is the signature of Governor Asa Hutchinson. House Bill 1562, which amends Arkansas’ 2019 pilot program for autonomous vehicles was approved by a unanimous...more
Governor Asa Hutchinson issued a Proclamation declaring a regional emergency for Arkansas pursuant to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) regulations at 49 C.F.R. § 390.23. Parts 390 to 399 of the...more
During his October 6 press conference regarding COVID-19, Governor Asa Hutchinson read a letter from a nursing-home resident who asked the question likely on the minds of many nursing home residents: “When will I see my...more
The COVID-19 virus has impacted our lives in novel ways and the level of disruption caused by the pandemic has manifested in a number of instances. Those impacted by COVID-19 include facilities and activities subject to...more
The Secretary of Health, in consultation with Governor Asa Hutchinson, will allow elective procedures to resume on April 27, 2020, subject to certain requirements. With very few exceptions, all elective procedures were halted...more
On April 14, 2020, Governor Asa Hutchinson issued Executive Order 20-18. Among other things, this EO provided immunity for healthcare workers from liability in order to equip these professionals with the tools necessary to...more
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson issued Executive Order 20-19 on April 14, 2020, temporarily expanding workers compensation for certain healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19. This provides financial relief to certain...more
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, by Executive Order 20-13, as part of his COVID-19 response, has mandated new social distancing protocols for all businesses, construction companies, and places of worship operating in...more
In Executive Order 20-09 issued Monday, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson continued his strong leadership in this troubling time by extending the 2019 individual income tax filing date and the individual income tax payment...more
Governor Hutchinson has issued Executive Order (“EO”) 20-06 amending EO 20-03 regarding the public health emergency concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) addressing Arkansas agencies. The EO outlines the current...more
As noted in a previous alert, the ongoing global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a conflict between the legal requirements that financial services companies conduct regulated activity only from...more
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed Executive Order 19-14 (“EO”) on September 23rd establishing the Buffalo River Conservation Committee (“BRCC”). Governor Hutchinson also announced that $2 million in state and private...more
Arkansas Times and Arkansas Business published articles yesterday referencing Governor Ash Hutchinson’s announcement that the State of Arkansas had resolved the proceedings/conflicts regarding C & H Hog Farms, Inc. (“C & H”)...more
On April 10, 2019, the Department of Justice filed notices appealing two District Court rulings that struck down Medicaid work requirements in both Kentucky and Arkansas to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of...more
House Bill 1215 (“H.B. 1215”) was filed that would create the Department of Energy and Environment (“DEE”). Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced earlier this fall his proposal to consolidate cabinet-level departments...more
During the 2018 midterm elections, Arkansas voters weighed in on Issue 4, a referendum to amend their state constitution to allow full-scale casino gambling. Voters approved the measure by an 8.2% percent margin....more
Bills have been pre-filed that would consolidate various Arkansas agencies into Cabinet-level departments. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced earlier this fall his proposal to consolidate Cabinet-level departments...more
The Beautiful Buffalo River Action Committee will hold its 2018 fourth quarter meeting at the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) on November 13th at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at ADEQ...more
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson issued a news release and announced in an October 3rd press briefing the proposed consolidation of Cabinet-level agencies from 42 to 15. The Governor described this action as the “first...more