ALC - ADMINISTRATIVE RULES [Source] Translate

The Administrative Rules Subcommittee meeting began with a call to order and a reminder for members to log in. Guests, including the Hot Spring County Leadership Group led by Gerald Black, were welcomed. The Chairman noted that items C1A and C7B had been pulled from consideration. The Department of Corrections presented quarterly reports on policy updates for compliance with evidence-based practices, which were filed without questions. The Department of Commerce introduced three rules, two concerning minority and women-owned business enterprise programs, both approved for repeal due to obsolescence from Act 116. The third rule, also approved, sought to repeal rules for the Consolidated Incentives Act. The State Insurance Department presented a rule regarding online marketplace guarantee providers, using Airbnb as an example, which was approved without objection. The Department of Education discussed updates to the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program rules reflecting statutory changes on payment thresholds, which were also approved. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a rule related to a tax credit for using Arkansas rice in beer and sake production, established by Act 874 of 2025. After addressing verification process questions, the rule was approved. The Department of Human Services presented a rule for the SNAP program, raising the age limit for work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents to 64 and removing several exceptions. This rule was approved after clarifications. Representative Eubanks recognized the Logan County leadership group in attendance. The meeting continued with the Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services, where Elizabeth Pittman and Paula Stone presented a rule amending the Medicaid rehab hospital manual to allow psychiatric units in rehab hospitals, which was approved without objection. They also presented a recovery audit contractor exemption rule, which was approved after CMS approved the waiver. The Department of Labor and Licensing, Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy, presented rules to implement Act 428 of 2025, enhancing the accounting profession. Changes to the CPA licensure pathway were discussed, allowing a bachelor's degree with 120 hours of credit and two years of experience as an alternative to the 150-hour requirement. The committee approved these rules without objection, despite some concerns about the removal of the government not-for-profit requirement for licensure. The Department of Education requested exclusion from reporting requirements, which was clarified by Mr. Schultz, leading to the committee's approval. Mr. Schultz also presented the evaluation of group three pursuant to Act 781, stating the need to retain all 18 rules related to the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation, which was approved. The meeting concluded with a review of outstanding rulemaking from the 2023 session, with no questions from members, and monthly updates were provided. The meeting was then adjourned.