ALC-Game & Fish/State Police

Yeah, I didn't get, I didn't Let's let's call the meeting to order. Appreciate everyone that's here today. And if you're a member in the uh or in the audience and stuff, you have a, a cap or hat on, please remove that, uh. For a meeting, it'd be greatly appreciated. That includes members. Appreciate everyone being here today. Uh, we're starting to wind up, uh, our meetings on firearms and getting all that together. It's greatly appreciated for all the input with that we've had over the over the months and, uh, we look forward to. Putting some good information together for us. I was unable to be at the last meeting and so representative, uh, Miller is going to Say some uh starting words for us. Just, uh, thank you for everybody for being here. Appreciate it and forward to getting this. Wrapped up over the next couple of months. If you have Uh Recommendations or things that you would like to. Uh, include, be sure and get with staff on that over the next, everybody would. Just trying to pay attention and. Keep from asking redundant questions. Maybe we can. Wrap this moneymaker up pretty quick today. Thank you. Members, as you all see in front of you, you have a a new uh new system that we're using and audio video system. It's now ready for use. And so as, as you can see, there are several features that are different, uh, from what we had previously. I want to take a few minutes and go over some of these features of the system with you. And so we'll, as we begin today's meeting, The seating charts. If you are a member of the committee, you're assigned seat is designated by your name on the name plate. The nameplates Reading Bureau of Legislative Research are unassigned in any non-member of the committee, uh, may take, take these seats. Your PIN numbers. To access them to assess the microphone, uh, system, each member must input his or her four-digit PIN number on the screen. Center's pin numbers are 01 and then your district number. I'll repeat that again. It's 01 and your district number. Here's your PIN number. House members pin numbers are 10. Then your district number for the House members. If your district is a single digit, you will also add a 0 before your district number. For example, if your district number one, As a senator, your PIN number will be 0101. As a House member, your PIN number will be 1001. If a seat is assigned to your committee member, another member will be able to sit in that, uh, seat and sign in. You must select one of the seats not already available. Uh Designate to a member. So please do not sit in another member's seat. Joining the queue to indicate that you'd like to be recognized to speak, press the button on the base of your mic. Your microphone and nameplate will light up red. To indicate that you're in the queue, which is a little different than what we've been in the past. So it will light up red. On the chairs recognize you, you're microphone microphone and nameplate will light up green. And then you'll be free to speak. Other screen functions. Once you have signed in, you'll see several tabs on your screen, voting documents. Agenda, etc. These functions are not available at this time. As our vendors are still working on programming to fit the needs of legislative committees. Room B and conference rooms. The large conference room behind the committee rooms is now available for use again and has been updated audio video equipment for use in Zoom meetings or presentations. Committee room B and the small conference rooms are receiving identical upgrades to the room. And the large conference room and the installation in those rooms will be completed by the end of August. Well as you can see, there's several changes that we have and we're going to learn as we go. So we'll, it'll probably take a little while for us to get, get used to it, but I know as sharper like each and every one of y'all are, y'all pick on real fast. So we'll be ready to start. So with that being said, we'll, we'll start the agenda and uh today's uh. Many is mainly about, uh, you have your, uh. She didn't find out front of you for your final recommendations? And so we'll discuss these as we go along. And uh so you'll see you exhibits, uh, C1. To see too Uh, the discussion by the subcommittee. So we'll go through these. These are the Motions that have actually been brought up during, during the several different meetings that we've had. And so we'll start right there at the top with uh. 105. We had a motion by Woodlaw and Gilmore and passed. That was uh adopted to repeal this section. Uh, that's the hunting recommendations. Any comments on that section? Seeing none, we will continue on and uh, the staff will have these, these bills drafted by our next meeting for us to go over. So we'll be able to go through the actual bills themselves. Concealed carry. Single license scheme. Uh, Hill and Woodlaw. Uh, pass my voice vote. To move from a two licensing schemes to 1. Constitutional carry concealed carry, constitutional will remain the same as it is in Arkansas law now. Cass will resemble current enhanced license. Uh And we will The reciprocal with other states, uh, to carry otherwise prohibited locations. Uh, repeal all the confusing and conflicting provisions consolidated at simplifying to these two categories. So we'll be simplifying a bunch of information there. On constitutional carry gun-free school zone. It's been debated throughout and on this one, we will actually need a motion. To expand. What is your motion, sir? Would you represent, representative, I'll make a motion to expunge. OK, what do you, what are you expunging the motion for, uh, the vote. OK, so we're looking at uh. And a motion to mirror the federal law on new recommendation to leave Arkansas law as is to be considered. So we have a motion, do we have a second? Seconded by Senator Irvin. Any debate? Saying none. All those in favor? Of the expunge, say aye. All those pose, same sign. Motion passed. Going on the school bus stops. Yeah We have the, uh, the current law that prohibits that recommendation is to remove school bus stops from the list of prohibited areas, uh, for carrying. We, we've already got a motion for that. I don't see the motion who. On the school bus stop, who did who did that? Portner did. OK. So we actually need a motion on it. So we need a motion on this Representative Fortner. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the subcommittee adopt a recommendation to remove school bus stops from the list of locations where an individual is prohibited from carrying a fire by Senator Irvin. In any discussion? All those in favor say aye. All those polls, same sign. Motion passed. Uh, parades and demonstrations. Uh, Fortner made that. It was passed by, by voice vote. Uh, sentencing and carrying in schools, Senator Boyd passed by voice vote. Gun-free school zone Act. A motion was made on that. We need to, And after all the discussion, a motion to expunge. or the recommendation is to, to make it clear to any citizen regarding Arkansas laws that can carry on school grounds to pick up their their child from school, but cannot carry inside of the school buildings. Representative Wardlaw. I moved, we expanded the vote on January 10th, 2024, which subcommittee adopted a recommendation to mirror the federal Gun Free Zone Act. Have a recommendation by our seconded by Senator, uh, Representative Miller. All any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye, oppose the same sign. Motion passed to expunge. Uh, publicly owned buildings. Motion by Representative Fortner that passed by voice vote. Now only schools own one. Need a motion to adopt. Representative Wardlaw, I move that the recommendation of subcommittee is to leave Arkansas law in regard to the issue of possession of a firearm on school property. We have a rep Have a motion by Representative Wardlaw, seconded by Senator Irvin to leave Arkansas law the same. Any discussion All those in favor say aye? All those polls, same sign. The motion has been adopted. Officers of the court. Uh, to be The discussion, uh, on 110 subcommittee meeting, more information was to provide for an 8:21 meeting. And we're here today for that. Do we have any comments or suggestions on that? Representative Fortner. You, I had to wake up. I move that the subcommittee adopt a recommendation to create one provision in law related to the appointment of judicial district law enforcement officers and the powers and duties of those officers and to repeal the existing provisions in law for various judicial districts related to these officers that impose varying requirements. We got, we got a motion by Representative Fortner, second by. Uh, representative, uh, Majority whip. All, all those in any discussion seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye, oppose same sign. The motion is passed. Uh, the Board of Corrections versus, uh, Prison Transfer board. It passed my voice bolt by heel. Uh, Arkansas State Police duties to issue license. Uh, made Change my issue to Change from Ma issue to shell issue throughout the applicable code, uh, sections to make consistent with the Arkansas State Police 573309. is required to issue concealed, uh, carry license. It's mandatory rather than permissive language. Uh, that passed by Rice and Woodlaw. Center Irvin, you have a question. OK, thank you, Mr. Chair. On the board of Corrections and posts prison transfer. I think there's been some decision or. Perhaps some more discussion about. Um, How to make those consistent? In the law, um, and so I'm not sure if we want to discuss that at this time, but I think There's, there's some nuances that need to be kind of hammered out. Senator, Senator Irwin, we're actually going to hold off on that one to the next meeting whenever Ms. Benton can be here. Yes, thank you. She's unable to be here today, so we're holding off on that. But thank you for bringing that up. So we will discuss that at the next meeting. Arkansas State Police licensing rules, uh, Arkansas State Police representatives told the subcommittee that the electronic, uh, submission fingerprint requirement needs to be addressed in the rule to bring it in compliance with the laws. We're having a discussion on this. Representative Fortner, do you have anything? Representative Warlaw, do you have anything? OK. OK, we're gonna skip over that. OK. To unify the judicial district's treatment of cold, Bayless pro probation officers, etc. The recommendation rather than uh. What will code section referring to specific judicial districts with regard to their bailiffs and other Leos make one code section that provides the same authority to all judicial districts. And to repeal the others. We have any comments or anything on that, seeing none. The award of firearms upon death and retirement? Recommendation one code provision listening, listing all law enforcement officers. And all entities and provide for award the Leo Service pistol upon death or retirement of the Leo? Discussed on 8:21. Municipal municipalities, counties, restrictions. Recommendation to prohibit, uh, municipalities and counties from enacting the promulgating firearms requirements that are more restrictive than other state law. Of course Question about Representative Fortner. Uh, I have a motion. You have a motion, what is your motion? OK, I move that the subcommittee adopt a recommendation to create one provision in law related to provide for the award of a law enforcement officer service pistol on death or retirement of the officer and to repeal the existing provisions in law for various law enforcement entities related to a ward of service pistols that impose varying requirements. So we have a motion and a segment Senator Urban. Any discussion Saying none, all those in favor say aye. Oppose the same sign. Motion is adopted. Do have any other comments or suggestions or anything? For the, uh, for everything that we've discussed today. Representative Fortner, uh, I have a, uh, I move that the subcommittee adopt a recommendation to prohibit municipalities and counties from enacting or promulgating firearm requirements that armored more restrictive than state law. We have a motion Second Amendment Do you have a second? Any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Oppose same sign. The adoption has passed. Representative Wardlaw, you had a comment about airports? We have a motion, OK, Mr. Chair, to be fair, it's two motions we need to expunge a motion and then adopt a new motion if that's permissionable. Yes, sir. It sure is. I move that we expunge the vote from January 10th, 2024, by which a subcommittee adopted a recommendation to mirror the terms of the federal law when it's related to possession of firearms in an airport. OK, we have a motion to expunge. And a second by center Urban. Any discussion? Seeing none, those all in favor? Oppo, same sign. The expunge has passed. Go ahead, continue on. Mr. Chair, I moved at the recommendation of the subcommittee to be to leave Arkansas law as it is with regard to the issue of possession of firearm at an airport. We have a motion We have a second with Senator Irvin. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye. All opposed, a sign. The motion has been adopted. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is there anything else that we missed on the agenda? OK, now we're going to roll into any other comments or suggestions or recommendations that we may have that have not been on the list that we may need to look at. Senator Boyd. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I have 3 that I would like to propose to the committee or propose for some type of draft to, to be considered. The, the first one is 15-43-205, uh, after discussions with the game and fish, I'd like to propose we just strike that statute in its entirety. OK, can you kind of fill us in about the statute, it says it's something in reference to deer hunting, and we talked about it last, last meeting and the question was, well, why, what about bear hunting or elk hunting and after further discussion, I don't think we need the statute anymore at all. So rather than clarifying that it's big game hunting or something. I think the, the easier thing to do is just strike that statute. OK, so we have a Have a motion to strike that statue. We have a 2nd Representative Fortner. Any discussion? It's 15-43. We, we got a second. OK, so we have a motion in a second and no discussion. I, I talked to him for what it's worth they expressed they were OK with it. They're OK with that. Mr. Director, would you like to make any comments? Uh, good morning everybody. I'm also the director of the Okau and Fish Commission. Thank you to Senator Boyd for, uh, raising this with me before we started today. uh, we concur with Senator Boyd remarks, uh, that we support repeal of the code. Thank you, sir. Any questions for the director? Saying none. We have a motion But the second Any any more discussion. Saying none. All those in favor? All opposed, a sign. The motion has been adopted. Thank you, Director. And with your permission to continue, Mr. Chair. Yes, sir. Uh, the second one is 23-12-804. This is in regards to shooting at a train. Uh, the, the currently the finest $25 to $250. My question to, uh, the attorney General's office was, is that appropriate? They don't have a recommendation, but it was acknowledged that the statute has not been updated since 1893. So, you know, I, like if $25 to $250 in 1893, I think we should be a lot higher than that. I don't. Honestly, have the right answer at the moment, but I would throw out for discussion. Would it be OK to make it $500 to $1000 or $1000 fine or or something, but, um, it just feels like 25 to $250 is probably too low for, you know, something that was that much of a fine in 189. OK. We're having a discussion on this? Senator Boyd, if it's OK with you, since this is, this one was kind of sprung up on us. The AG's office will be here at the next meeting. That, that works for me that that way if we hold off on this. Yeah, it, it's not urgent. I just want to make sure that if we, if, and if people don't want to, that's fine too, but I just feel like it needs to be. Deliberate in what we do, for instance, it hasn't been updated since 1893. OK, and we'll put that on the agenda for our next meeting, OK? If you want to get some more information from the AG's office to To have everything together or how you would like exactly like to make a motion on that or? We'll, we'll go from there. I mean, they don't have a recommendation other than they're not opposed to. To raising it and so that that's the point is. You know, if everybody's fine with it, 25 to $250 that, you know, it's not like. I'm stuck on it has to be, but that just feels low for at this point in time for somebody shooting at a train. So, I, I would prefer not to shoot at a, a train, but, you know, I, I don't think that it's, you know, $1000 in this current economy is unreasonable if you're gonna, you're gonna do that. And if you again had inflation from 1893, it's probably well over $1000. But if you start at 250. So I don't think anyone here is disagreeing with you, Senator Boyd. We just, we'll wait and we'll do that next month whenever the, uh, attorney General's office is here and that we can all be on the same page if that's, if that's OK with you. Now, that, that's fine. I just was looking for some feedback. OK. So the, the next one with your permission is 6-5-501. And the, I don't have the whole statute in front of me, but it's a statute that that talks about civil war reenactments. Now granted, I suspect most. War reenactments in the state of Arkansas are around the Civil War, but I don't know why we want to limit it to the Civil War. What if somebody understands we have Civil War reenactments, but they decide they want to reenact the War of 1812 and now they're, you know, they thought that, you know, easily made the assessment, hey, if we can reenact the war civil war, it's OK to reenact the war. So could we just Strike historic or change that to historic American wars or or something like that. Does that have anybody else have that or am I kind of on an island by myself is where I'm looking for some feedback. If we're looking at updating this. Have you encountered any issues or problems with this? Not personally, no. I, I, I, for full disclosure, I don't reenact wars, but other people do. OK. Representative Fortner. Actually, that's a point well taken. There are a lot of reenactments, mountain man era that go on that could should fall under this as well. I would agree with you. OK, I don't know the wording to put it properly, but uh just to limit it to civil war reenactment is limiting is there any concern anybody having any concern with me working with BillLR to find the appropriate wording and, and bring that back again to the next meeting. No, sir. Senator Irving, you have a question. I, I would just challenge us to look at what the definition of historic would be because I'm not sure we want to do reenactment of the Vietnam War or. You know what I'm, I mean, we, we just need to, I guess it would be American or un-American soil type of a thing, that would just be my feedback, you know, because that's what I'm trying to I wouldn't want somebody to get squirrely with it and Um, You know, do something strange. Does that make sense? No, it makes perfect sense and that's why I wanted to again, I don't know the appropriate for to have a discussion, but this seemed to be the, the best opportunity we don't need ballistic missiles pointing at each other. That is definitely worth. Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for, for the opportunity. So with your permission I will work with BLR on some wording ideas and bring that back to the next. Committee as well. You, you, you have the, the blessing of the committee. Thank you. Any other Questions or recommendations for the committee? Saying no, do we have any input from the Anyone signed up to speak? Saying none, This meeting is adjourned and will be up on call of the, the next meeting, which will be September 4th, I believe it is. Yes, September 4th at 1:30 in this room. Until then, we will continue working towards finalizing recommendations for drafting of the final report and bills. We are adjourned.