The bill proposes significant amendments to the regulations governing the State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors in Arkansas. It removes previous restrictions that limited abstracters to operating within a single county and eliminates the requirement for a seal on licenses. The notification process for applicants regarding examinations and renewals is updated to include email notifications alongside traditional mail. Additionally, the bill repeals outdated sections related to disciplinary hearings and introduces new provisions concerning the qualifications for home inspectors, the establishment of a continuing education program, and the ability for the board to conduct internet meetings.

Furthermore, the bill consolidates financial management by replacing the "Arkansas Home Inspectors Registration Fund" with the "State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors Fund." It also modifies the enforcement of continuing education requirements, allowing the board discretion in consequences for non-completion. Registration expiration terms are adjusted to an annual basis, with prior notifications to inspectors, and certain outdated provisions related to abstracters are repealed. An emergency clause is included, ensuring the bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, to maintain service continuity during the transition. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and streamline the regulatory framework for appraisers, abstracters, and home inspectors in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB443 Original - 3-12-2025 01:24 PM: 17-11-301, 17-11-302(d), 17-11-305(d), 17-11-322(c), 17-11-322(d), 17-11-342, 17-11-343, 17-11-404, 17-14-103(17), 17-14-201(a), 17-14-201(b), 17-14-203(6), 17-14-205(b), 17-14-206(a), 17-14-305, 17-14-101, 17-14-201, 17-14-409(a), 17-52-303(8), 17-52-306, 17-52-307, 25-15-201, 25-19-101, 17-52-310(e), 17-52-311, 17-52-312, 17-52-313, 17-52-315(a), 17-52-316(d), 17-52-317, 17-52-320, 19-6-301(93)
Old version SB443 V2 - 4-3-2025 11:15 AM: 17-11-301, 04-03-2025, 17-11-302(d), 17-11-305(d), 17-11-322(c), 17-11-322(d), 17-11-342, 17-11-343, 17-11-404, 17-14-103(17), 17-14-201(a), 17-14-201(b), 17-14-203(6), 17-14-205(b), 17-14-206(a), 17-14-305, 17-14-101, 17-14-201, 17-14-409(a), 17-52-303(8), 17-52-306, 17-52-307, 25-15-201, 25-19-101, 17-52-310(e), 17-52-311, 17-52-312, 17-52-313, 17-52-315(a), 17-52-316(d), 17-52-317, 17-52-320, 19-6-301(93)
SB 443: 17-11-301, 17-11-302(d), 17-11-305(d), 17-11-322(c), 17-11-322(d), 17-11-342, 17-11-343, 17-11-404, 17-14-103(17), 17-14-201(a), 17-14-201(b), 17-14-203(6), 17-14-205(b), 17-14-206(a), 17-14-305, 17-14-101, 17-14-201, 17-14-409(a), 17-52-303(8), 17-52-306, 17-52-307, 25-15-201, 25-19-101, 17-52-310(e), 17-52-311, 17-52-312, 17-52-313, 17-52-315(a), 17-52-316(d), 17-52-317, 17-52-320, 19-6-301(93)
Act 949: 17-11-301, 04-03-2025, 17-11-302(d), 17-11-305(d), 17-11-322(c), 17-11-322(d), 17-11-342, 17-11-343, 17-11-404, 17-14-103(17), 17-14-201(a), 17-14-201(b), 17-14-203(6), 17-14-205(b), 17-14-206(a), 17-14-305, 17-14-101, 17-14-201, 17-14-409(a), 17-52-303(8), 17-52-306, 17-52-307, 25-15-201, 25-19-101, 17-52-310(e), 17-52-311, 17-52-312, 17-52-313, 17-52-315(a), 17-52-316(d), 17-52-317, 17-52-320, 19-6-301(93)