An act TO ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 10 COMMERCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HIRING AND CONTRACTING 11 OF EMPLOYEES FOR THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT, 12 STATE BANK DEPARTMENT, AND STATE SECURITIES 13 DEPARTMENT, the official text

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.

1 State of Arkansas      As Engrossed: H3/11/25
2 95th General Assembly
                               A Bill

3 Regular Session, 2025                                            HOUSE BILL 1519

4

5 By: Representatives Cavenaugh, Beaty Jr.

6 By: Senator Gilmore

7

8                        For An Act To Be Entitled

9   AN ACT TO ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF

10  COMMERCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HIRING AND CONTRACTING

11  OF EMPLOYEES FOR THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT,

12  STATE BANK DEPARTMENT, AND STATE SECURITIES

13  DEPARTMENT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

14

15

16                                          Subtitle

17                       TO ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT

18                       OF COMMERCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HIRING

19                       AND CONTRACTING OF EMPLOYEES FOR THE

20                       STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT, STATE BANK

21                       DEPARTMENT, AND STATE SECURITIES

22                       DEPARTMENT.

23

24 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:

25

26  SECTION 1. DO NOT CODIFY. Legislative findings and intent.

27  (a) The General Assembly finds that:

28  (1) Shared services allow state agencies to streamline

29 workflows, accelerate decision-making, and improve administrative

30 responsiveness;

31  (2) This act allows for the pooling of resources and the

32 coordination of essential services, such as human resources, procurement, and

33 information technology, to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize

34 waste while complying with state and federal law; and

35  (3) Shared services allow state agencies to benefit from

36 standardized services, encourages collaboration, interagency cooperation, and

    *ANS190*                                                     03-11-2025 09:47:44 ANS190
    As Engrossed: H3/11/25                                                  HB1519

1 resource sharing, fostering greater knowledge exchange and expertise across

2 government entities.

3   (b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Secretary of

4 Commerce who participates in shared services shall comply with all applicable

5 state and federal laws.

6

7   SECTION 2. Arkansas Code � 25-43-303(e), concerning the duties and

8 powers of the Secretary of the Department of Commerce, is amended to read as

9 follows:

10  (e) The secretary may, unless otherwise provided by law:

11            (1) Hire Department of Commerce personnel;

12            (2) Perform or assign duties assigned to the Department of

13 Commerce; and

14            (3) Be appointed Except as provided under subdivision (f)(1) of

15 this section, serve as the director or the administrative or executive head

16 of any state entity under the administrative control of the Department of

17 Commerce if the secretary also meets all statutory requirements for the

18 position.

19

20  SECTION 3. Arkansas Code � 25-43-303(g)(1), concerning the ability of

21 the Secretary of the Department of Commerce to delegate hiring decisions, is

22 amended to read as follows:

23  (g)(1) The secretary shall delegate the authority to hire employees and

24 to make employment contracts for work performed to the following officers for

25 their respective departments, to the extent necessary to comply with state or

26 federal law:

27                (A) The Insurance Commissioner;

28                (B) The Bank Commissioner; and

29                (C) The Securities Commissioner.

30

31                              /s/Cavenaugh

32

33

34

35

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