The bill amends the Arkansas Code to grant the Secretary of the Department of Commerce increased authority in the hiring and contracting processes for employees within the State Insurance Department, State Bank Department, and State Securities Department. Specifically, it allows the Secretary to participate in these hiring decisions and to delegate hiring authority to the respective commissioners of these departments, subject to any applicable state or federal laws.

Key changes include the deletion of the requirement for the Secretary to be appointed as the director of any state entity under the Department of Commerce, replacing it with a provision that allows the Secretary to serve in that capacity if they meet statutory requirements. Additionally, the bill modifies the language regarding the Secretary's ability to delegate hiring authority from a mandatory "shall" to a permissive "may," providing more flexibility in the delegation process.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1519 V2 - 3-11-2025 09:48 AM: 25-43-303(e), 25-43-303(g)
Old version HB1519 Original - 2-18-2025 01:22 PM: 25-43-303(e), 25-43-303(g)
HB 1519: 25-43-303(e), 25-43-303(g)