Representative Jonathan Barnett
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Committees
- Boys State
Recent Meetings
Recent Transcript Excerpts
Speaker. I think I have adequately explained the bill and appreciate any consideration thereof.
bill. This simply makes technical corrections to Arkansas law concerning suspension drivers driving privileges for minors in possession of alcohol. The current law refers to incorrect code section. This bill will replace the incorrect code referenced with the correct one. Representative Barnett has explained the bill.
Okay. We got them backwards? Someone does, yes, sir. Okay, well, I've got mine in the order, so I'm sorry. You want me to try again? That would be
please? I can't necessarily explain. Oh, 359, I'm not to that yet.
This will allow additional time to await the actions of the United States Congress and the proposed anticipated legislation. Representative
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is just a DFA housekeeping bill. The currently Arkansas law provides an option for the state to issue an enhanced security driver's license and identification card. The United States House of Representatives is currently considering legislation that may reduce the need for issuance of enhanced security driver's license and identification cards. This bill will extend the period of time to decide whether insurance of enhanced security driver's license and identification cards is necessary from June 30, 2013 to June 30, 2015.
there since the beginning with the original laws. I'm assuming it's because they've got tort lab. I mean, they can't be sued to begin with because of tort immunity. I think that's the correct answer. All right. Thank you. Oh, no, I'm welcome.
of people? You know, that's a good question. I'm not sure I can. It's been
This provision will help reduce damage to underground facilities, improve public safety, and save money. The commission has worked closely with the Arkansas One Call and utility facility owners. The commission also has worked with counties, municipalities, and Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to assure that there's not any problems with these amendments. There is no opposition to this bill. Sorry I didn't get up here and just say I wanted to update and clarify, but I thought you ought
and any excavation and rights-of-way require contacting Arkansas One Call and is requesting location of the underground facilities before digging. These amendments clarify that any excavation with the right-of-ways requires notification of facility location before digging. This will help reduce damage to underground facilities, improve public safety, and save money. Section 4, establish criminal penalties for willful violation of one-call laws that result in the damage of natural gas pipeline facilities. This provision will be implemented again by local prosecutors.
The civil sanction provisions are enforced by local prosecuting attorneys, I don't see Nate here right now, with assistance from the Pipeline Safety Office and the Natural Gas Utility Operator. The prosecutor has the discretion in assessing the level of sanction, and ultimately a circuit judge will enter an order. Sections 2 and 3 clarify various exemptions and eliminate some exemptions. The federal law requires the elimination of most exemptions, with the exception of utility facility operators excavating by hand,
OneCall statutes are consistent with the federal requirements. This is part of the requirement to maintain the same level of federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation and failure to do so will result in loss of funding and increased cost to ratepayers. The purpose of one-call centers is to prevent damage to underground facilities, which cause damage and cause money to repair and create potential public safety hazards that can result in death, injury, or property damage. Section 1 brings the civil sanctions for one-call violators equal to the federal standards consistent with requirements of state and federal law.
and is intended to prevent damage to underground utility facilities and ensure public safety. Third-party damage is major cause of damage to underground utility facilities, and by contacting Arkansas One Call before digging, damage can be avoided. The facilities can be marked so an excavator can avoid the utility facilities. The law requires contacting Arkansas OneCall before digging. As with House Bill 1582, the Arkansas Public Service Commission Pipeline Safety Office is required to ensure that the state
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Underground Facilities Damage Protection Act established the Arkansas One Call Center
It is also established as a civil penalty mount. This is required to match federal requirements. This bill is intended to maintain safe operation of natural gas pipelines facilities in Arkansas and prevent incidents that could result in death, injury, or property damage. There is no known opposition to the bill, and the commission has worked closely with the natural gas utilities in preparing these revisions. Appreciate a good
Section 2 increases the maximum civil sanctions amount to be equally to the maximum federal civil sanction amounts. The Commission has discretion in asserting civil sanctions up to a maximum based upon the nature of a violation. And, historically, imposition of sanctions has been very limited, and the Commission has not imposed sanctions at the maximum legal limits. Section 3 establishes the criminal penalties for willful violations of the Pipeline Safety Code and for tampering with pipeline make markers.
for approximately 50 percent of its annual expenditures. The grant agreement requires the Commission to maintain its regulations and state statutes in compliance with the federal laws and regulations. Failure to do so will result in a loss of a portion of the federal funding, which will result in increased costs to Arkansas ratepayers. Section 1 clarifies the notice requirements for commission rulemaking proceedings for pipeline safety regulation. This makes the notice provisions the same as for the other commission rules.
The Arkansas Public Service Commission Pipeline Safety Office is responsible for inspecting the natural gas pipeline facilities in the state to ensure safe operation to prevent natural gas incidents that may cause death, injury, or property damage. Both the state and federal laws require Arkansas statutes and codes to be at least equally stringent to federal laws. Pipeline Safety Office works cooperatively with the U.S. Department of Transportation to inspect facilities in Arkansas. As part of that cooperation, the Pipeline Safety Office is reimbursed through a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation
fellow colleagues I'll try to do this quickly because it's Friday and I know we all want to leave as soon as possible The Arkansas Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act was enacted to ensure the safe operation of natural gas pipeline facilities in Arkansas.
Valentine's Day this week, the transportation meeting will take place tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. Thank you. Are there
Bills Discussed
No bills found.