Representative John Catlett

Meeting — March 18, 2013 (1:03:27)

the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this was brought to me by the Department of Finance and Administration. And basically, it's to coincide with federal regulations involving commercial vehicles, changes some definitions, adds some terms, also changes the role of the state police to issue a commercial learner's permit. It also addresses texting while operating a commercial vehicle. And the financial impact is, if we don't pass this, be a $17 million loss of federal funds the first year, $37 million the second year.

Meeting — March 18, 2013 (4:39)

in the mid-90s, early to mid-90s, and they've become a big part of our law enforcement community, a big part that we solely rely on a lot of times in rural parts of Arkansas. But anyway, Representative Wilkins is going to explain the incident that happened, but I appreciate your indulgence. Mr. Speaker, Representative Wilkins, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It makes me a

Meeting — March 18, 2013 (4:06)

officer and I want to talk to you a little bit about wildlife officer and the representative Wilkins will give the scenario what happened that day but you know our wildlife officers were mostly supported by sportsmen before we passed the one-eighth one percent sales tax those of you that remember that but they were they patrol our streams rivers lakes woods take care of a lot of the wildlife issues that we've had. But since then, they've evolved. We gave them full police powers

Meeting — March 18, 2013 (3:44)

speaker i'd like for representative wilkins representative ferguson to come and join me please and when they're coming down i'd like to talk to you a little bit about heroes with amongst us and they come in all say shapes and sizes as all of you know but we have here today honor a man that went above and beyond what he's required in his daily duties he's a wildlife

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (12:33)

I'm looking at this bill reading it and the only thing you've done is change one word to shell and the other one their special election is that correct yes okay so we already do these things that these gentlemen are arguing about right now I mean it's already the law all we're doing is applying it to the to a special election that's correct thank you

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (12:28)

all strong in support of this bill yes thank you representative Catlett madam chair I appreciate you recognizing me and sir

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (4:54)

with that, we could do something like that. Yes, ma'am. I think that would be very helpful to

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (4:11)

because some of us are not here we're out presenting our bills exactly other committees and for example I missed the first presentation constables yes yes ma'am and so I just wanted to to find out what your process is going to be I I appreciate it. I think it's a good, off the top of my head, since

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (4:03)

figuring that out well I I think it'll help the process if we can converse back and forth amongst ourselves after we hear these

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (3:05)

Yes. Or the ones we're not hearing. Yeah. Well, I know we heard two yesterday, and I don't know. Will we have time to discuss those amongst ourselves, or just how do you plan for us to vet these amendments? That's a very good question. The discussion

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (2:55)

No, ma'am, I don't, and thank you for recognizing me, Madam Chair. I do not have one, but I have a question, ma'am, in reference to the constitutional amendments we're hearing.

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (53:37)

insurance and commerce. We will need two days before we will introduce those. So if you're going to run one in insurance and commerce, let us know. Any other announcements? Read the committee reports, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Speaker,

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (37:31)

common practice that they will not donate time until the end of the year because a lot of times, in most cases, my experience, the people that donate to the catastrophic donate it before they lose it, after they receive the maximum amount. And usually by the end of the year, they donate at that time. If my

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (37:02)

deficit situation? Yes, sir. There is a minimum of 80 hours. They cannot get down

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (36:26)

So I haven't received any kind

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (36:15)

able to handle from that perspective? Well, all I can say, Representative Mayberry, on my own experience, I don't think it will be, but I talked to the State Employees Association, and they were for the bill.

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (35:22)

Well, yes, sir. Sir, there is a catastrophic leave policy, and members can give to that, but this will allow them to give to an individual that they work with. This would allow individual transfer from

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (35:34)

one to another? Yes, sir, it would. And, too, I might add

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (35:38)

that they have to get authorization from the agency head to be able to do it. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative Mayberry, for what purpose?

Meeting — March 15, 2013 (34:57)

a purpose. A question, please. You recognize? Representative Catlett, if I understand this right, a lot of state agencies, and I know the school district that I was at, had what was determined as a catastrophic illness policy where individuals within the school system or the agency can donate certain days, and a person can take those days out, and there is a limit set on that. Is that not the policy with the agencies now?