All Roll Calls
Yes: 74 • No: 34
ArkansasSB3662025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES ACT; AND TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES PROGRAM FUND.
Sponsored By: Justin Boyd (Republican), Lee Johnson (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Homeowner storm grants with eligibility limits
Beginning January 1, 2026, Arkansas provides grants for home construction or upgrades that reduce severe wind and hail damage. Eligible homes are owner-occupied, detached single-family primary homes in approved counties; mobile homes, manufactured homes, and condominiums are excluded. Owners generally must have a homestead exemption, and homes must be in good repair. An exception covers wind- or hail-damaged homes when repairs are not part of an insurance claim. Applications are first come, first served, with priority for historically higher-risk locations and other criteria set by the Insurance Commissioner. Work must meet local permit, inspection, and building-code rules and an applicable FORTIFIED, successor, or commissioner-approved similar standard. Retrofit projects must finish within three months after grant approval notice, or the grant may be forfeited. The Commissioner pays contractors directly only after the home receives its required compliance certificate.
Insurance savings for certified storm-resistant homes
For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2026, insurers must provide justified wind or hail insurance discounts. The property must meet the latest applicable FORTIFIED Home standards, and risk data must support the lower price. Insurers apply the discount after receiving the home's compliance certificate, subject to required rate filings and other insurance rules. The Commissioner can set optional discount amounts or benchmarks, mainly for insurers without enough risk data. The law sets no fixed discount amount.
Optional insurance helps homeowners upgrade roofs
For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2026, insurers must offer optional roof-upgrade coverage. It applies to Arkansas single-family homes that do not already meet FORTIFIED standards. When a covered claim requires roof replacement, the option lets claim payments include the cost of a FORTIFIED roof upgrade. Homeowners do not have to buy it, and insurers must follow applicable filing and regulatory rules. The law sets no price or coverage limit.
Dedicated funding supports safer Arkansas homes
Beginning January 1, 2026, the law creates a dedicated Strengthen Arkansas Homes Program Fund within state finances. The Insurance Department runs the program, and the Insurance Commissioner directs fund payments and sets program rules. The fund accepts donations, grants, gifts, private money, government appropriations, program receipts, and other legally authorized money. Donors can set lawful conditions, but the money is reserved for this program and exempt from deductions, taxes, levies, and assessments. The department can seek outside grants and fund projects directly or through nonprofits that follow program rules and provide timely records. The law sets no funding amount, guarantees no grant, and creates no state duty to pay beyond available program money. Grant application records are confidential and protected from public-record requests and private civil subpoenas, discovery, or use as evidence, except legally authorized disclosures. Government oversight remains available, including legislative audits, random property reinspections, department audits, and enforcement of program rules.
Homeowner costs disclosed before grant work
Beginning January 1, 2026, grant recipients pay evaluator fees and any approved project costs above their grant. Owners must choose a department-listed, certified evaluator to check eligibility and identify needed improvements. Contractors must list costs above the grant on the bid sheet and get the owner's approval before work starts. They cannot bill owners for additional expenses after the retrofit is complete. Fewer than three bids are allowed when fewer than three certified contractors are available locally. Owners must show active wind insurance when applying or within 30 days after the home receives certification. Homes in a Special Flood Hazard Area also require proof of federal or private flood insurance.
Certified home professionals face stricter safeguards
Beginning January 1, 2026, funded projects must use contractors certified by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Contractors need valid Arkansas licensing or registration, no applicable licensing-board disciplinary action, and Arkansas business registration. They must carry at least $500,000 in general liability insurance plus legally required workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance. They also need active FORTIFIED Roof contractor or professional certification and state supplier or payee registration. Evaluators need active FORTIFIED Home evaluator or qualifying successor certification, good standing with the certifying group, and Arkansas business registration when applicable. Both groups must pay certification and training fees, keep required credentials and insurance records on file, and follow program rules. Both must report contact changes within 10 days and disclose potential conflicts; contractors must disclose conflicts before work begins. Contractors cannot serve as project evaluators or hold financial interests beyond program payments. Evaluators cannot hold a financial interest in inspected projects or serve as their contractor, supplier, or sales agent.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Justin Boyd
Republican • Senate
Lee Johnson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/1/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, April 1, 2025 4:28:23 PM
Yes: 56 • No: 25 • Other: 11
Senate vote • 3/12/2025
Senate Vote - Wednesday, March 12, 2025 3:41:51 PM
Yes: 18 • No: 9 • Other: 4
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB366 is now Act 427
4/7/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
4/2/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
4/2/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
4/1/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed.
4/1/2025SenateReturned to the Senate as passed.
4/1/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/1/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
3/31/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on INSURANCE & COMMERCE- HOUSE
3/12/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
3/12/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
3/12/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
3/12/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
3/11/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE
3/4/2025SenateFiled
3/4/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB366 - Introduced
3/4/2025
Act Version
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