Representative John P. Carr

Meeting — March 13, 2025 (2:04:35)

I am closed, and I ask for a good vote. Representative Carr is

Meeting — March 13, 2025 (2:04:05)

Some county clerks already stamp the document, so it has zero impact upon them. So we're trying to go, what's the concern? What's the issue? And we can see it's very simple for them. They just have to timestamp. That's it, and some already do it. So election commissions are the ones that need the help. They're the ones that are being affected. And so by this, we actually give them a way to get some help, and we standardize our processes across the state. There's 75 counties, and when it comes to elections, it's always good to do things the same way.

Meeting — March 13, 2025 (2:03:41)

you. I do have some additional closing comments. The only group that's really opposed this bill has been the County Clerks Association. Not all the county clerks are against this bill. We've been reaching out to the County Clerks Association since December 9th. I even sent them a draft bill of this, and I've asked them, you know, what are your concerns? Because the only part that affects the county clerks is simply timestamping a document.

Meeting — March 13, 2025 (2:03:00)

And already, we have a time in statute. All the other thing we're asking from the county clerks is simply timestamp a candidate filing form. They can do that even by hand. It's a very simple request that we have. So you can see this is really a very, very simple process. It's very streamlined, but the Election Commission ultimately has ultimate control. With that, I would ask for a good vote. Thank you. Rep. Carr has explained the bill. Would anyone

Meeting — March 13, 2025 (2:02:25)

Whenever, the farther on down you go down the ballot, the more significant the advantage is of being slot one. Now let's talk about the need for the bill. Current law is very vague, and it just says you need to draw lots. We have a lot of turnover on our election commissions. You've got a lot of new election commissioners coming in. They're asking for help a lot. Counties are having to call counties to get help to be able to understand how to implement the ballot draw. And one additional benefit. Our candidate filing period runs from noon to noon on the first day of the last day.

Meeting — March 13, 2025 (2:01:55)

It was a very short process. It took about two minutes to explain. It'll make things consistent across the state, but with the way the bill is written, the election commission will still have ultimate authority on picking people to draw for the ballots. This is not even a partisan bill. This affects all candidates equally, regardless. What we do is whoever files for their office first will draw their lot first, as simple as that. And ballot position does matter when it comes to elections.

Meeting — March 13, 2025 (2:01:20)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. Today I introduce to you House Bill 1070, the Ballot Draw Standardization Act of 2025. Many people wonder when they go into the voting booth and they see the various contests listed on the ballot. How is the order of candidates determined? The order of candidates is determined by a ballot draw. So let's talk about the bill itself. This is really an election integrity bill. It provides a streamlined, common-sense, short process to be able to help with the ballot draw. It fits on less than one sheet of paper. In committee, I handed a handout, and here I can't do that on the floor.

Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) — March 13, 2025 (27:58)

and we want to make sure that we provide for our constituents. And I appreciate your time. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and would appreciate a motion due pass and a favorable vote.

Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) — March 13, 2025 (27:30)

what I had mentioned earlier is we have already ensured that ALC oversight and that ALC will be able to approve of all promulgated rules. Thank you. I'm sorry I missed that. Yes,

Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) — March 13, 2025 (27:51)

to speak for or against? Seeing none, you're recognized to close for your bill. Again, thank you. We know that Arkansas is a mental health desert,

Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) — March 13, 2025 (26:55)

So the dark blue? Dark blue has already been enacted. Okay, dark blue, that's going to be Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado. And it's up for legislation in the majority of

Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) — March 13, 2025 (25:14)

So by increasing access to mental health providers, we see this as a key issue facing our Arkansans, our constituents. And we believe that this would be one solution that will help alleviate that problem. And at this time, I'll let Dr. Long make a short comment, and then we'll be open for questions. I just want to say social

Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) — March 13, 2025 (24:43)

With the compact here, it will increase license portability for people, even when they go on vacation or they're doing temporary moving, for example, with the military. For someone that is stationed in California, they get transferred to North Carolina, they can maintain the social work person that is the provider for them. They would be able to operate here in Arkansas. Otherwise, they would not have and it would break service and they would have to find a new provider.

Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) — March 13, 2025 (24:08)

What this does, it seeks to provide social work licensees with opportunities for multi-state practice. This would grant reciprocity, and by doing so, that would help for us to address our mental health by providing more social work providers here in the state of Arkansas. I have worked on this bill here and been in contact with a few guys here on the committee. We've made sure that we have ALC oversight, and we've also made sure that ALC will be involved and be able to approve of all promulgated rules.

Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) — March 13, 2025 (24:01)

of National Association of Social Workers, Arkansas Chapter. Joey Carr, State Representative, District 34. Thank you, Mr. Chair, here for House Bill 1712.

Meeting — March 17, 2025 (58:07)

ALC will have oversight and will have full authority to approve all promulgated rules. We're just looking for a way to prevent an interruption of services for those people that are traveling and also for those that are being relocated within the military so they can continue the service with their social work provider. With that, I would entertain any questions. Seeing none, I appreciate a good vote. Representative Carr

Meeting — March 17, 2025 (57:47)

are recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1712 looks to provide Social Work licensees with opportunities to serve in Arkansas that are outside in another state. The Arkansas social work certification and licensure board would have full jurisdiction over anyone practicing in Arkansas under this type of licensing.

House Management — March 17, 2025 (18:19)

and to recognize the accomplishments of certain emergency medical service professionals. Is

House Management — March 17, 2025 (18:33)

like to close for the resolution? Yes, Madam Chair, I'll

House Management — March 17, 2025 (17:53)

close for the resolution? I'd like to