Dan Sullivan — Asked whether a person conducting a nonprofit charity auction without pay needs a license.
Dan Sullivan — Asked whether boats are licensed by the commission.
Justin Boyd — Justin Boyd questioned the regulatory status of GLP-1 medications being dispensed directly by a clinic versus being sent by mail order, asking whether the change improved compliance or oversight. He then broadened the point to note that helping people lose weight could improve health outcomes and reduce Medicaid costs, and asked for an update. He also clarified that the clinic involved had licensed Arkansas clinicians and emphasized that his concern was to ensure policies encourage healthy outcomes rather than create unintended barriers to access.
Mary Bentley — Mary Bentley asked a series of related questions about pharmacy regulation and oversight. She first asked about compounding pharmacies, including whether out-of-state compounding pharmacies selling GLP-1s are treated differently. After indicating the explanation answered her question, she followed up by asking about complaints handling, whether any pharmacist licenses had been removed in recent years, how often pharmacies are inspected, what inspection protocols are used, and whether there have been issues such as malpractice, incorrect dispensing, or other medication errors.
Mary Bentley — Representative Bentley asked a series of related questions about pharmacy workforce and board operations, including the overall growth of the pharmacy workforce, whether registered pharmacy technicians have uniform training requirements for immunizations and other duties, and the board’s annual expenses, reserves, and whether any leftover funds could be used for scholarships.
Tyler Dees — Representative Steele was called on and then asked for an update on prescription-by-mail rules, seeking clarification on where the issue stands after the legislative debate.
Ryan Rose — Mentioned in conversation about how few constituents may be aware of mail-order prescription options.
Justin Gonzales — Asked whether impersonating a pharmacist is criminal and what authority the board had to act.
Justin Gonzales — Raised questions about licensure exemptions, including livestock auctions and charity auctions.
Chad Puryear — Raised questions about GLP-1s and other peptides, asking how Arkansas is handling them and whether they can be distributed in the state.
Chad Puryear — Identified as the first legislator to ask questions.
Chad Puryear — Asked about a constituent’s old auctioneer license number and whether it is dormant or can be reissued.
Lacey Karchner — Introduced herself as counsel for the department.
Kelly Black — Introduced herself as director of the Auctioneer’s Licensing Board.
Daniel Pace — Daniel Pace, Director of the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission, introduced himself and noted that he had submitted his report and questionnaire. He then explained that the commission is responsible for licensing franchise dealers across the state, including those dealing in automobiles, motorcycles, off-road products, RVs, commercial trucks, and LSVs, as well as licensing manufacturers and distributors that sell and distribute those products in Arkansas.
Dave Wallace — Senator Dave Wallace was noted as likewise having no comments.
Matt Gilmore — Matt Gilmore, representing the Department of Health, is introduced at the hearing and later noted as remaining at the table.
Russell Burns — Russell Burns, director of the Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques, introduced the board and gave brief opening remarks about its creation and role. He then thanked the committee for its support and invited questions, followed by a response explaining acupuncture modalities such as heat, cold, and needle insertion, and noting that the board addresses joint and muscle pain as well as flexibility issues.
John Clay Curtley — John Clay Curtley, director of the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, introduced himself and gave a brief history of the board before answering questions about pharmacy regulation. He explained the board’s concern with ensuring a safe, legitimate supply of GLP-1 medications, described enforcement actions against non-legitimate or unlicensed pharmacies and entities, and noted how out-of-state pharmacies can come into compliance. He distinguished traditional compounding from sterile compounding, explained Arkansas’s permit and inspection structure, and described 503B outsourcing facilities that can produce duplicate products during shortages. He also recounted an enforcement case involving someone falsely claiming to be a pharmacist, said the board uses human phone answering and licensure checks to prevent impersonation, and reported that retail pharmacy inspections are currently on a 12- to 15-month cycle covering compounding, long-term care, and mailing prescriptions.
Dan Sullivan — A senator was called on as 'Senator Johnson'; this appears to be a transcription error, but the exact identity is uncertain from the audio provided.
Dan Sullivan — Called on next to ask questions about licensure and possible legal violations.
Dan Sullivan — Asked about nonprofit charity auctions and whether an unlicensed person can conduct them without violating regulations.