ALC-Review

All right, members of review, if you'll get to your seats, we're gonna start in one minute. All right, members. Review committee will First item on the agenda is, uh, talk about. If you hadn't been here this morning. How And then The last two numbers. Oh, excuse me, 01. Thank you, Fran. I knew I could depend on 01 if you're a senator. If you're in the house, then your district number. So everybody will be 10 something except Carol Dalby. She's 100, she'll be 1100, but just to let you know. But anyway, if you, the little button in front of the screen, you push it, yeah. 10 and your district number. Uh, if you, if when you push your button, you request it'll it'll light up red. And then when you're recognized, Uh, it'll be green when I push the button to recognize you. So I think that's the opposite of what it used to be. So, but that's what it should be red should be request and green should be your good to go to talk. But anyway, uh, we're gonna start with, uh, methods of finance, Ms. Cathy, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We're gonna start, um, in the packet under B. These are methods of finance that have been submitted by the, uh, Department of Finance Administration on the front page is the letter of the um different agencies that they're sending over on the 2nd page, we have, uh, the first one for Arkansas Tech. Uh, this is for various educational and general improvements, 1,210,445, and they note they have a grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural. Resources Council for 67% of their cost and then the rest of it will be covered under facilities, repairs and renovation reserves. The next one also for Arkansas Tech is for the new agriculture building, um, it's a metal building that'll house their welding equipment, tool storage, and equipment to support an agriculture-driven laboratory environment. $1.3 million and they have facilities repair and renovation reserves to cover this cost. Number 3. UA division of AR. This is for the food science Research Center $35 million. They have plant reserves and gifts to cover that. Uh, then we have some for UAMS. The first one, number 4 is for deferred maintenance and minor projects, $7 million. Um, this one is going to be covered by UAMS reserves and revenues. The next one by the same thing, um, and this one is for UAMS patient tower, the cast lab equipment. Grade $1.7 million. Then number 6 is UAMS for the Northwest Arkansas parking repairs, 969,528, they note for that project that they have bond proceeds on the next page, UAMS, the central first floor microbiology lab, um, this is 344,210. That's for a replacement of a refrigerator, um, UAMS reserves and revenues. will cover that, um, and then finally for UAMS, the West Central Energy Plant IT upgrades, almost 1.3 million. And again, their revenues and, and reserves for covering that. UAPB has one project for surveillance camera project for security cameras across campus, $1000 and they had university reserves to cover that. So that's all the methods of finance on today's agenda. Thank you, Ms. Cathy. What we're gonna do is I'm gonna go through. 1 through 9 and uh Representative Richardson, if you got a question on one of them, on 2? OK. Anybody got a question on number one? A one. Item 2. Representative Richmond, you're, you're recognized. I just wanna make sure I'm understanding this correctly, uh, this project, um, that Arkansas Tech's doing is for 1980 square feet and is a 1.3 million. That's what it says. When both of you get seated, if you identify yourselves and then, uh, representative Richardson will, uh, address this question to you. Hello, I'm Jessica Holloway, the associate vice president for business services for Arkansas Tech University. Eric. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I, I, I appreciate you both being here today and hopefully you can help me understand this, uh, the math on this seems a little excessive. It's a, it's supposedly a metal building that you're using to store some equipment, um, and it's 2000 square foot at 1.3 million or 6005657 if my math works, a square foot. Um, I just received a message because I, uh, after your question, Uh texts our controller to to verify. We did have an expansion of the building, so there were architectural changes in between when this was sent down and to today. And so the amount of the project is correct on the document and then we have also, I can verify the square. So, so it's the building a storage building or aroom lab space we actually received a grant prior to building uh for. equipment to go in to teach agro teachers. So this is not actually a storage building. It's actually classrooms, it's a lab. OK. All right, that answers my question. Thank you. Who's in seat 2? All right, that's y'all. It just says seat 2, OK. All right. Adam 3 Any questions? Item 4 Adam 5. Item 6. Adam 7 Item 8 And out of 9, Signal Questions, uh, without objection these will stand review. Ms. Cathy. Mr. Chairman, the next, uh, items that we'll be looking at will be discretionary grants and we have them from the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health begin on page one. the first one there is an amendment to a grant that they have to build community capacity to reach disproportionately affected populations with effective culturally competent communication and resources. 2 is for specialized annual training to community health workers, uh, dealing with the area. Of diabetes prevention, heart disease, and stroke prevention, social determinants, and health. The next one is 3 to increase access to uh various screenings, number 4 on the next page is HIV AIDS, education and awareness program across Arkansas, number 5 is, uh, grant for a status neutral comprehensive approach to rapid screening for HIV, uh, syphilis, hepatitis, and other diseases, 6 is uh a grant for community-driven HIV. mic uh approach program, 7 is a grant for a uh dealing with, uh, young individuals aged 13 to 24 across the state doing a peer to peer engagement and digital outreach strategies to maximize uh reach and impact. Number 8 is a grant for outreach events to increase testing, awareness and prevention services, 9, with, uh, Has to do with free health screenings, uh, patient navigation services, uh, working to connect healthcare professionals in the communities they serve to close gaps, and improve health outcomes. On the next page number 10 and 11, these are gonna be the same, uh, therefore reducing tobacco use among young and uh young adults, um, and uh this is through the tobacco prevention and cessation Program. Those are the grants for the Department of Health, uh. Next one's on page 5. Start the grants for DHS number 1 through 3 are all going to be amendments to existing grants for providing recovery community organization services, 4 is for a grant for addiction recovery support center that, uh, where peers can enhance their long-term recovery through peer support and self-direction. Number 5 is an amendment to a grant to improve the quality of life to older Arkansans and adults with. Disabilities. 6, this one is a grant using um ARP, uh, funds, and this one is for the Arkansas State Hospital to transition eligible individuals back into their homes and communities with strong behavioral health supports number 7 on page 7 is also using ARP money. This is for, uh, construction administration consulting service for, um, their grants. That are using this ARP money for projects, 8 is another one using ARP. This is to expand, expand or enhance home and community-based programs for Medicaid. Clients, the next one is to operate a home and community-based treatment facility tailored to the needs of individuals with an intellectual and developmental disabilities. On the next page number 10 through 14. These are all going to be grants for renovating existing structures to create additional adult substance abuse and residential treatment facilities. Number 15 on page 9. this one is with rite of passage. It's agreement, uh, for the facilities that they manage whose youth are adjudicated male and female ages 10 to 21 and they're educated with treatment team review number 16 is to revise the rate sheet and, and provide additional funding for continuing the wellness recovery action plans and reentry and addictions. Program. Those are the grants today from the health department and DHS. Thank you, Ms. Cathy. Representative Kavanaugh, what is your question on? C1 or C2. OK, uh, anybody got any other questions or anything else on C1. And I think the health department is coming forward. And this is on C1. 10 and 11. If y'all will identify yourself and then, uh, Representative Kavanau is free to ask the question. Matt Gilmore. Matt Gilmore, Department of Health. Christy Sellers, Department of Health. Mr. Chair, I'm over here, um. I'm going to talk about 10 and 11 got questions because I know this goes back to the tobacco prevention and cessation program, and y'all are, are very well aware. I have issues with this program. I've had issues with it since I first got elected, um. And I think we made some changes to it that it wasn't just dealing with tobaccos, did we not change it so that it's dealing with more than just tobacco sensation. I'll start and then I'll let Christy, um, chime in a little bit. So, yes, ma'am, uh, several years back we had a, um, call line that was, uh, contracted out. We brought that in-house. We've seen a, a good up, uh, a good increase in the number of people that are quitting with Arkansas, Arkansas-based folks that are answering the phones doing that work. This, uh, We have other programs, part of that program, but the two grants you have here, this is more youth-focused and it's not just, you know, smoking, it's vaping, it's, uh, you know, It's focusing on, uh, letting those kids, uh, be kind of, uh, peer, um, uh, coaches and helping, uh, Talk about some of the dangers associated with vaping and smoking. This is a state, this is across the state. It's a, it's, they got about 90. 92 chapters across the state. We've seen some good results with this, reaching kids at an earlier age, we've realized that, you know, you, you can't wait till they're in high school or till they're, um, you know, adults. You've got to start the education at a younger age. We also, besides these two programs that you have here in the, in the, on the agenda today. We also have a, uh, kid program, I call it kid program. It's, it's a program focused on very young kids, um, it's cartoon-based, but it talks about the dangers of smoking and, and educating them at an earlier age about vaping as well, not just smoking, but our whole tobacco program as well has now focused besides smoking and vaping and tobacco and nicotine, it's focused also, um, on some efforts around, uh, chronic disease with, with, uh, diabetes, heart disease, and that sort of things, and healthier living, getting outside, being active and that sort of thing. And Christie may have something she wants to say as well that I may have left. Oh It's a different vendor that's providing the services to us this year. And I will say that we have an average of 25,000. OK, and are we keeping a record of how many many of our children are vaping or smoking? Do we see that going up or down? Because I've heard varying reports. I've heard one report, it says it's down. I heard one report, it says it's up. I mean, so what we're doing, I, I get mixed results, I guess is what I'm saying, depending on who you read, that we're getting some results and then I hear some I'll say no vaping's up, so. I'll start and then Christy can chime in. Overall, tobacco rates we've seen go down. I think vaping is the new trend. I think we are seeing some progress there, um, It fluctuates a little bit, but I do think the efforts we've seen recently, the numbers I've looked at recently has gone down some, but, you know, it fluctuates some, but I do think we're catching in an earlier age. I think the programs we're developing for the younger kids, especially, I think we're seeing a lot of interest there. We've got schools asking for them, so I think, I think overall, it's making a difference. It's just going to be very slow. But I can get you the most recent numbers if you can because I'll be honest with you, you know, we got about 25% of the general population that smokes, it's gone down recently, we're down to about 18.7. So we've seen some good when I started working around tobacco. It was in the mid-upper twenties and now we're in the upper teens. So we are making progress, but those people then turning around and vaping? probably is some of that, because I mean, about 25% from what I can read, I mean, a lot of people stopped using tobacco and go to vaping, but we I've got about 25% of the population that's doing either one of them. And so, I mean, we've been there consistently for a long time and I don't know. We can switch them from one vice to another, but I mean, are we really making progress on getting them just not at all smoking is very dangerous, and I think that's been our focus and, and our push, and I think vaping with the data is not out there yet, but I think we'd all agree it's dangerous. And so we've shifted some going towards the vaping, uh, space, and I, I think we're seeing some results, especially with younger kids so I can get you the most recent data. OK, I appreciate that. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. And you're the questions for DHS on C2, is that correct? Representative Kavanaugh. OK, we'll when we get there. uh, Senator, Senator Irving, you're recognized. Hold on. I think it's a little different. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, my question is on number one, the Urban League of the state of Arkansas, um, 546,500. I know that's 100% federal, um, Urban League of Arkansas is, is pretty active. Uh, in a, they're pretty active in the space of, um, politics. What, um? What Guarantees that we have that all this money is there, what is your process that ensures that this money is spent. On purposes for the Department of Health and for the health of our citizens versus just contributing to the bottom line of a pretty, um, Politically engaged, uh, organization. Casey kind of Ms. Cochran speak a little bit to our processes of monitoring them and, and, you know, paying off invoices and that sort of thing. And so they have a very and they, uh, outputs from those activities. So around education, services we offer. OK, so, but we also have the Arkansas Minority Health Commission that should be operating in that space as well, correct? OK. And do they receive similar grants? The Arkansas minority Health Type of sub-grants would the Arkansas minority Health Commission be able to take this grant and do the same things with it, then the Urban League of the state of Arkansas. mean, do they have the same abilities and capabilities, OK. But they do work some of the same space, the grants to the Minority Health Commission offers that were quite a bit smaller. They're like $5000 that's just, yeah, I think my main concern is just that this money is, I think this money probably could be better spent with the Arkansas minority Health Commission, which is a direct line to the state of Arkansas for accountability purposes. I have a little bit of angst about giving this amount of money to an organization that is clearly very, very politically active. Um, and, you know, really does not align, I think with a lot of things that is happening in the state, um, and so I, I just, it gives me pause for concern. It looks like they're very well funded from other sources as well. I just would prefer for us to kind of really put all of our eggs in one basket, so to speak, and work through the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, um, in a direct line in case you can correct me if I'm wrong, this is money to be pushed out like this OK, I appreciate it. Yeah. And, and I think it's important for us to build capacity with the minority Health Commission and maybe part of the reason why they haven't been able to build capacity is because we're siphoning off these different grants to different organizations. His primary focus is not health, but other things. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Gilmore, do you have a question with the health department and your Recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I just want to echo, I agree with Senator Irvin on this, and I do think, um, going back to minority Health Commission and, and basically reaching full potential. Um, do you think that, um, Additional mons there are needed. I hate to say that, I hate to turn down any money for any program at any time. I don't, I don't want to ask for money in here for, for the minority Health commission. I think that, let me, if I may, let me rephrase. Do, do you think that they would better reach the goals that they're trying to reach with additional funding such as this. I think they would need more. Resources internally toacity to do all that. We are looking at shifting some staff that direction, but the amount of timeframe this grant has left on it that I do think there's room for improvement with the minority Health commission. OK. Uh, well, yeah, thank you for that. I, and again, I just, I, I do sort of echo her, her concerns and, you know, we, Let's not be duplicative, um, when we have a state entity that's doing this work, um, so anyway, thank you, thank you, Senator Irvin for your comments on this. Representative Springer, if you got a question for the health department? OK. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to see if there was anyone here from the Urban League of Arkansas to speak to uh What their objectives are, is anyone here present today? Urban League? They would be the, I would think would be the better entity to explain what they actually do with the money. OK, thank you. Senator Stubberfield, you want to speak to the health department and ask hold on. You're recognized, thank you, thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have one question. Are are the grants available for, uh, schools that, uh, provide. equipment for these smoke. So I'll Miss Sellers might can speak to that a little bit. It's my understanding that the normal, I said the normal, the, um, average, uh, smoke detector and that sort of thing does pick up on those, uh, I'll say fumes, but the vapors and that sort of thing, and it will set those off because we've looked at that before we've had requests to buy, uh, vaping detectors and that sort of thing, and the research we've looked at and all that shows that the average, um, maybe not the average, but smoke detectors in general will be able to do that, but, um, The this program does not provide funding for that. But I think the normal, as again, I think the normal, um, smoke detector or whatever you want to call it, we'll pick up on those types of vapors and those, those, those, uh, fumes. Our, our school and are they installing that equipment? Do you know if any schools that I know some have looked at it. I don't, I don't know off the top of my head who's, who's, uh, installing that we can see if we can get some information about that I just heard on the news last night that, uh, I think Springdale Rogers. I There probably are some that are a little bit more, you know, sophisticated, but I think, you know, the price is going to Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator. All right. Representative Fortner, do you want to speak to the health department? I do. You're recognized. Uh, is there a reason I see there's uh. This is, uh, having to do with HIV. There is approximately well over $6,600,000 going to 6 or 7 different places just in Little Rock. Is there a reason we don't have that available in one location and uh you better utilize our uh. It seems they're all doing the same thing. So I'll let Casey speak to this a little bit, but I'll start the conversation, um, this goes back to some funding that, uh, the former president, uh, pushed out to, uh, there's been research and data showing that HIV can be eliminated. It's, you know, if, if a robust program is put forth, so there was lots of money from the feds pushed down several years back and it's continued to do that and Arkansas was named one of the states to help do that, but I'll let Casey speak to a little bit about where these programs are and, and their, and their reach across the state. So these programs. All do something a little, uh. Positive patients also have. Frisky hat. There's a rapid testing, um, and then some of them are also statewide. So their reach is across the state, which includes Pulaski County. So just because they're dressed. In Little Rock, it doesn't mean that's necessarily just where they serve. Thank you. Yes sir. Thank you, Representative Fortner. All right. Before I excuse y'all, does anybody else have any other questions for the? I guess that'd be you, Representative Beatty. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, mine's back on the Urban League of the state of Arkansas. Uh, before we review this, I would like more information. On exactly what the Urban League, um, their programming and messaging and use of this money in the line of informing Arkansans of high quality and affordable healthcare in the state. So could we get some information sent to committee on that prior to Friday. Yes, sir. Thank you. Senator Irvin, we're back to you. Yeah, just to follow up, I'm looking at their website and just, I mean, there's one sentence and it has nothing. So if you're gonna, if this is about outreach, I would think that you would want, I mean, if you're going to spend $500,000 I would think that would be more than this. So, we need more information on this organization for sure and I. You know, I would prefer to hold this until Friday and if that's OK, um, but if we could just get more information about what they're actually doing with the money because again, under everything that I've searched on their website, it just says that they're committed to improving the health and quality of life of all our Kansans, but it doesn't say anything about, um, anything else. So I would think that their website would be an opportunity to provide that type of information and education and programming and things like that. So if we could just get more information. I think they'd be beneficial. Thank you. Anybody else wants. Busy with the health department. We're gonna leave C1 and go to C2 grants. So if there's no other questions, y'all are excused. Speaker Shepherd, you're recognized, I guess you've got a question for DHS. Uh, yes, Mr. Chair DHS please. Identify yourself and the speaker's got quick. Mitrouse, chief of staff, DHS. Thank you. My question is related to C2, item 5, the agency on aging. I was looking at the, the fund sources and one of those, uh, includes the In God We Trust license plate. And so I was curious as to what the, uh, specifically what this program is. I know that the, the license plates I was looking back at how that is, um, You know, marketed or, or put out there by DFNA, um, and it looks like it's supposed to go purchasing food or other home delivery, uh, meal programs and so I, I'm assuming that that's what this program relates to, but I just wanted to ask the question. Correct. That's what this program relates to. This is about, uh, delivering nutrition to seniors. So what we're doing in this grant is we're shifting money from one section to that home delivery food section. OK. All right. That's all I have. Thank you. Havan off if you got a question for DHS? Yes, sir. It's on C5 also. So my question is this, and y'all have heard me say this many times. Um, and this is dealing with Northeast Arkansas in my area. We have a real problem with the, um, area agency on aging, being able to reach the Arkansans in rural Arkansas. They're serving the cities, but we're not really reaching out to the homebound elderly Arkansans. Is this going to expand their ability to do that because in my opinion, we keep giving money and I'm all for giving money to those that need so we can get it to the. elderly, but if we're not expanding it so that it gets to all our Kansans, we're not really doing what we're supposed to be doing for the elderly. That's one of the jobs that we're supposed to be doing. And we keep giving the money and it only goes to certain areas and that's a real problem. Melissa Weatherton, director of Medicaid specialty populations, um, filling in for Jay Hill, uh, director of aging. Um, so what this one in particular is doing Representative Kavanaugh is they get their federal funding from the ACL and you'll remember the ACL did not give all the funding so what this particular grant is doing is making them whole of what they should have been receiving, but they also this year, all of them received a federal cut, right? We did not get as much money from the feds as we had in the past. So, unfortunately, I would say what you're seeing here today is just adding additional funding that we should have added on to begin with, but overall, the programs have less funding in them than they had. Last year. OK, but is that funding not because COVID money and all that kind of money was got cut off. I want again, make sure we understand we have not cut funding to senior citizen centers. We have not cut funding because, to be honest with you, as legislators, we get told that all the time, but really the funding that's not there anymore is the funding that came through the, the influx of COVID or whatever ARPA moneys, all that was influxed with additional one-time monies to be spent for one-time programs. has nothing to do with anything that we did in the state of Arkansas. This was our federal dollars or less, but it was less because what they were getting were one-time monies for COVID and ARPA, so it's not like an ongoing federal program had been cut either. Is that correct? Correct. OK, so the only thing had been cut was one time funding that they knew was going to be one-time funding. And we're making them whole from what what funding source is this making them whole for? So this was money that the, um, federal partners, um, were slow to send down. So what this is doing today is just adding funding that they knew they were getting. OK I don't really understand that. So, This is. 35% state. 59%. Feds. So the state portion. So you're saying that this is just. Money that they knew they were getting and they're gonna be getting it and. So on the 58%, 58.74% federal. This is giving them that, um, 58.74% when we brought them to you before, we did not have the, the full federal, um, funding because they had not the feds had not sent it to us. So what this is is trying to get them to the point where we get them what they thought they were getting. OK so this is gonna make them hope for that, the federal funding that they thought they were going to get. This makes them whole. And then, but They still haven't been able to address the real elephant in the room, which is, we're not expanding the service to to all our Kansans. It's still with a limited population because those who have the least ability to get food in our in food insecure are not with this getting served. That's right. So what my understanding of what all the AAA's are in the process of doing right now is they get money that goes into, um, from Title B, that they're able to transfer to Title C and Title C is where the nutrition comes into play, right? That's the money where they can get the food. And so we are, there's some mandates that they can transfer up to 40%. So what they're doing right now is sending in requests that they transfer 40% of their title B funding to Title C in an attempt to be able to give out more meals. That's not happening in front of you today, but those are coming in. And so That Enable them to then expand their service or is it just going to get food to the current service area before I tell you something I don't know for sure. All right, I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Representative. Senator Hammers, your question for the DHS you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, Mr. Hill be here Friday. Let's hope so, Senator Hammer. I bet you'll make sure you get a flight home tonight. Yes. Um, Mr. Chair, I'd like to ask this one to get held over till Friday so he can be here to answer a couple of questions if you would please, but I'd like to go ahead and ask a question now if that's right with the chair. Go ahead. So I'm trying to get my mind around understanding because recently there was like a $950,000 cut, I think that was taken at the federal level, those are federal dollars, not us, that's them. However, End of the day, that's 950,000, our centers don't have. So do you have any suggestions, uh, as to where or maybe you want to punt till Friday, uh, because at the end of the day, It, it might be time that we step up and do something. So is there any other moving of the money that you know of that can occur to plug the holes or give me a quick education. No, sir. In fact, It's my understanding that the way the appropriation is written, um, for the division of aging is that there's carry forward money left at the end of each fiscal year, we are allowed to apply that, um, towards the Triple A's. But that's if we have money left over, there is no other funding source available. So, um, that's part of that 10 million appropriation if I remember right, like 5, is that the one you're talking about? It's the appropriation bill and it just talks about how if we have any money left over, we have the ability to move. it to that program. All right, and I'll wait till Friday to get my other questions. Thanks, Mr. Chair. All right, seeing no other questions, do we have any more questions on anything on C2. And we will hold on C1 we hold C1 number one till Friday and on C2 will hold C2 5 till Friday. But the other items. Uh, 2 through 11, 1 through 4 and 6 through 16 will stand reviewed without object Schmidt, you're recognized for Adam D. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We're moving on now to contracts. In the deep portion of your packet. The first thing on page one is the letter from, uh, Jessica Patterson, the state procurement director, noting that none of the contracts that they presented today, uh, appear to have been procured in violation of the Arkansas procurement law. So we'll start with our first group of contracts which are construction-related contracts, D2, beginning on page two, the first one is for Arkansas Northeastern College for architect for roofing project, numbers 2. 3 are both for Arkansas State University, and these are for providing roofing and roof maintenance, um, for ASU Jonesboro, Arkansas Tech is number 4. It's um. Numbers 4 through 8 actually are all going to be for Arkansas Tech and their on-call contracts for mechanical, uh, civil engineering, environmental engineering, uh, plumbing, engineering, um. And mechanical, uh, and electrical and plumbing engineering services. I get those on call. Number 9 on page 4 is the Department of Education, and this is an architect for Campus improvements and that's at the Arkansas School for the Blind and the School for the Deaf. Number 10 is the Department of Energy and Environment Division of Environmental Quality for excuse me, professional engineering design services for abandoned coal mine land reclamation. Project located in Midland, Arkansas, number 11, uh, Department of Energy and Environment, the Oil and Gas Commission. This is for professional engineering design to upgrade the HVAC system, uh, SAU Tech, uh, this is for, uh, an emergency medical service training classroom located at the Arkansas Fire Academy training academy campus, number 13, SAU Tech. Uh, this is an on-call architectural services contract. Numbers 14 through 22, these are all going to be University of Arkansas. They're all going to be on call contracts for architects as well as uh engineering, um, and commissioning services and, uh, that takes us down to number 23. This is on page 7. This is UA Community College at Batesville, Architectural services for the Batesville Gateway project, number 2. UAMS. This is for a micro Hospital with emergency services. Uh, this is part of the orthopedics and sports medicine project. Those are all the construction-related contracts on today's agenda. All members, we got uh 1 through 24 have any, any questions on any of these construction contracts. Signon, they stand approved without Chairman, the next group of contracts are intergovernmental. Um, this is, uh, D3, beginning on page 9, the Department of Human Services with UALR. This is for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, um, that act requires the state to collect and analyze data on racial and ethnic disparities, and, uh, UALR has helped, uh, helps put that together for them. Department of Labor and Licensing workers. commission with the Department of Transformation and Shared Services. This is for, um, operational maintenance and operational services, um, for doing work there for the workers' compensation Commission building. Those are the intergovernmental contracts. All members, any questions on the intergovernmental contracts, items 1 and 2 for D D3. Seeing none, they stand review without objection. The next group of contracts begin on page 11, and these are the out of state contracts, the first two for ASU, uh, the first one is to provide general legal services for ASU and the second one is for centralized scheduling software for ASU Jonesboro. Number 3 is the Department of Agriculture. Um, this one is for our agricultural chemical waste disposal services. On the next page number 4, this is a new contract for new labor. information management system. Uh, number 5 again for the Department of Ag, uh, this is for soil fumigation services. Number 6, Department of Commerce, Arkansas Economic Development Commission for retail recruitment consulting services. Number 7 is the Department of Corrections. Uh, this is a pest control contract that they have. Number 8 is the Department of Corrections. This is the contract that they have with Wellpath, um, what you're looking at today is uh the. The 1st 2 years of a potentially 10-year contract for 235,525916. This is their comprehensive medical, dental, pharmacy and mental health services for inmates and offenders in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Excuse me. Number 9 is the Department of Education. This is a contract with Deloitte Consulting. Uh, this is our first contract as done as a special procurement. It's in the pink packet, pages 1 through 4, and that's going to tell us that this special procurement, uh, ar, Arkansas Department of Education recently transitioned a portfolio of applications from DHS with this vendor and due to transition to maintain stability with services, uh, they requested a special, uh, procurement for 2 years to complete the comp. uh, procurement process and OSP has approved that. Number 10 Department of Education division of higher ed, uh, this is for landscape analysis for inclusion for the return on investment in formula funding, number 11, uh, Department of Finance Administration, child support enforcement. Uh, this is, uh, an amendment to an existing contract for a process server. 3, Department of Finance and Administration with Deloitte. This is for upgrading the AI uh. Computer program. Um, 54,292, um, I also want to point out that this is 3 years, um, uh, for this dollar amount that we're looking at for this upgrading of ACEs. Number 13 is the Department of Health. This is for database management system. 14 on page 15 is for uh funding the nurse family partnership, number 15 is for connecting with patients and effectively using two-way email. Short message service, interactive voice response, communications. 16, DHS with Deloitte Consulting. Uh, this is another special procurement. It's found in the pink packet. The letters are on pages 5 to 8, um, this one is DHS has requested a one-year special, uh, procurement to conduct a new solicitation which is being worked on, uh, for the current information support services provided by this vendor. And OSP has approved that one year special procurement. Number 17, uh, DHS, uh, this is for highly qualified skilled nursing and other medical personnel at the Arkansas Health Center, number 18, DHS for the telephone answering service to the division of Aging and Adult Services. Number 19 on the next page on page 17, this is for home studies. Number 20, uh, DHS with conduit. Um, this one, another special procurement, uh, found on pages 9 through 13 in your pink packet, uh, on this one, the current, uh, contract for EBT services, uh, reached its 7 years with the current vendor and new solicitation was done in late 2023, a protest was filed, but not sustained. Uh, then a lawsuit was filed in which judgment was entered prior to any agency responses that prohibit. DHS from entering into a contract for these services with a new vendor who they've selected Morse and DHS has had to request a two-year special procurement to cover the time that they need for a resolution of the current litigation against DHS, uh, uh, conduit is the current contractor and will continue with these services. Number 21 is for psychiatric services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. 22, uh, this one is for, uh, MCNA insurance. This is for the dental managed care and as you'll remember, we've been, uh, we're currently under a special procurement for dental managed care, um, but. They were in the process of, uh, doing a new procurement, have since then decided to go back to fee for service. Uh, so this is just changing the scope and performance indicators we've already seen the contract for the dollar amount, uh, for the next year. Uh, now, and we'll also be seeing, um, another managed care, dental managed care for DHS and the in-state contracts. Uh, number 23, UA Systems, uh, this is. The systems office for software license, uh, implementation, um, and support for class collaborative number 24 is UA Fayetteville for marketing services for operations management and engineering management programs, uh, number 25 UA Fayetteville, uh, another, uh, this one is a sole source justification found on pages 14 and 15 in the pink packet and, um, they note that Through their research, UA learned that this vendor is the only vendor providing this unique software that offers hosting and managing services, and they approved the sole source justification. Number 26, uh, University of Arkansas. This is to provide asset brand valuation services to include university-wide partnership strategy, uh, number 27, um, also University of Arkansas to conduct a search. This is for associate vice chancellor. Number 28 is University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Uh, this is a special procurement, um. The letters noting what the reason for this are found on pages 16 through 19 in the pink packet and they know that the current provider was under contract until June of 25, and this is for their own site, uh, health student health clinic, um, but that current provider decided that they didn't want to be in the student clinic business any longer and wanted to end the relationship an RFP was issued with only one submission, uh, which was disc. Qualified, so they are requesting this special procurement contract for one year for their on-campus student health clinic. OSP has approved that as well. Number 29 on page 19 is UALR. This is for conducting 3 additional executive searches for, uh, Dean of Science, uh, director of School of Business and director of School of Engineering and engineering technology. Number 30, uh, UALR. This one is for the DA education programs to deliver science evidence-based, uh, curriculum that teach students good decision-making skills that will help them lead safe and healthy lives. Um, and finally, UCA, uh, this is the vendor will provide a remote transcription services for UCA students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Again, those are the out of state contracts on today's agenda. All right, members for before we start lighting up, we're gonna pull 7 and 8 for the Department of Corrections last I just need to know if you've had time to go through Adams. 1 and 2, which is Arkansas State, if we have any questions? Department of Agriculture, which is 345. Any questions? Uh, Department of Commerce number 6. Any questions? Uh, go to the Department of Education, which is number 9, 10. Any questions on that? Senator Hammer, what are your questions for? OK. We ain't got there. All right, uh, item 11, Department of Finance. 1211 or 12. We got questions on 11 and 12. All right. The DFNA will come forward. And we'll start off with the. Representative Kavanaugh. Jim Matson, secretary of DFA. Andy Babbitt, DFA. Thank you. um. We've had conversations about this contract before, but I just want to make sure you can give us a little detail about why we're needing to spend this money and what we're actually going to accomplish with this, because if you just look at it on its face value, you're shocked that we're going to spend this amount of money with this company to do this and Company 12, which is Deloitte. If you can just kind of cover if you don't mind, what we're gonna do with that and how in the long run, it's going to develop as efficiencies and ways. That we can as a state become more efficient in what we do and eventually get away from our silos and all of our different, um, agencies. If we could talk a little bit about that, I'd appreciate it. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about it. I'll I'll start and I'll let Andy kind of pick up. First of all, this is a total rewrite of our ASIS system. Uh, that is kind of an underlying SAP product that we've had now for Over 25 years, 25 years when we go live with the next version. So that was, uh, that was a hard project. I wasn't in government at the time. I was just a taxpayer reading about it in the papers. Uh, it was an expensive project, more expensive than this, but we've not done a rewrite of that since then. Uh, the current product produced by SAP is getting to end of support by SAP. So we have to go to something else gonna be end of life. It's not quite end of life. It will still be out there, but they will stop maintaining it, so we would have to go find a third party to do that. And that's a precarious place for a government to be to be relying on third parties. We have to go something else, if your provider is not providing service, you're at end of life in reality, ma'am, I would agree with that. So we have to go to something else, um, our expectation is that this will yield more efficiencies for us. Let me just address one of those. My view, you know, spent some time working in a department, I think our accounting departments are, are very, um, Inefficient at the department level, not because of their own choosing, but because of the way the system is structured, we have to overstaff at a department level. We have inherently paper-bound processes. We don't have very many paperless workflows. I would argue that in our current environment when we talk about paperless workflows, what that really means is somebody prints a document off, they scan it. They attach it to an email and they email it someplace. That's not paperless workflow. Uh, this will provide us the opportunity to be able to do that. So we would expect to gain some efficiencies over time. I can't give you a number today, but in my conversations with Andy as we started talking about this about a year ago, I really drilled in on, we have to be able to demonstrate at the end of this that we gained efficiencies at the department of DFA, but also on the various departments out in the field as well, and I'll let Andy jump in now. I To be honest with you, I don't have a lot to add, uh, cover the main parts there, um, one of the things I think you and I discussed is one of those efficiencies that we're looking to gain is utilizing current technology. Uh, such that if when we get a goods receipt or invoice receipt in, whether it comes to us electronically or by paper, it's scanned in and utilizing the latest technology at prepopulates fields. So instead of having, uh, a state employee basically being a data entry and then a secondary review, uh, the system will automate a lot of that. And as long as it all matches, uh, with the procurement, uh, cost tax delivery and all that. Then create a system representing if I could just tag the number there is a, is a big number. One of my concerns is that we make sure we have a process in place that we don't allow the number to get bigger. And, and I think that means having solid project management. So in terms of working out the statement of work with Deloitte. Um, I think we boxed them in pretty well that we, you know, won't have scope creep. Um, we're gonna manage things well on our side to make sure that we're keeping them to task and we're accomplishing what they promised to get accomplished at the price they promised and the time frame they promised to do it by. One other thing that I want to make sure that we do when we do this project, is that we're thinking down the road, not one year, not 2 years, but we're thinking 1012, 15 years down the road that we're not in the same boat we're in right now because we've got a product that we just kept doing updates, YouTube, minor updates, but never moved with the progression of technology is that we're gonna actually develop a system that as technology advances, then our system can advance and we're Not going to be here 25 years later saying, instead of $54 million it's going to be 154 million that we have to use to upgrade the system. So is that built into this project also? Yes, ma'am, it is, and I'll let any jump in, but, you know, we, we have to, you know, automate our workflows. And so thinking down the road, looking at best practices. Uh, the, the thing that he's heard me say multiple times, we're not going to spend this much money and just copy and paste. Existing in efficient business processes. I want to understand where is the best in class in terms of business processes. Now, having said that, we've got some 1000 roughly customizations that we have built into our system existing because of legislative requirements that does create inefficiencies. We're going to identify what some of those are if we think there's an opportunity to get more efficient, we'll bring them to you in session and see if we can't get some relief on that to be. to be even more efficient going into the future. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. Chair. um. Refresh my memory. Who is it that's providing services for ASIS now? Is it Deloitte or is it somebody else? No, sir, we have a, uh, a, we have state employees. I'll, I'll sum it that way. Are they consulting with the state employees any at all right now, or is this just freestanding that y'all are handling the issues yourself. It is freestanding. We have an ASIS support center within my department. And who, who were the other bidders on this project besides them. TCS was the other bidder and then we had a 3rd 1 that was disqualified. OK. And what was the price difference between them and Deloitte. Deloitte was low and just a second, I'll pull this up. Um, The base difference was approximately $15 million. $150 million difference between the two. OK. Um, OK, thank you. Reverend Kevinoff, you gonna come back or you got something different? All right, well, we'll move on. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Appreciate y'all. All right, Adam 1314, and 15, Department of Health. Any questions? Senator Hamer, you're still on 30. All right. Out of 1617, 1819, 20. 21, 22, DHS that's gonna be one of yours. I'll you'll be next. You're ass. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mine's going to be DHS on item number 16, which is the Deloitte contract come to the table. Identify yourself and Representative Kevin I can ask her a question. Mital, Chief of Staff, DHS. Jeff Dean, CIO DHS. Thank you. Um, on number 16 for this, uh, contract for the Deloitte. Can you tell me, and this looks like it's just for a year. Um, and it's $17.3 million. Can you really tell me what we're actually doing since it's just a year contract. So, uh, the. Um, previous contractors at end of life. So, and, uh, this, uh, year, but with that said, information systems 60 customized applications including DD Chi Wolf, uh, Snap ENT, so it's maintenance and operations, and then there's also. And why we only do in a year. Uh, right now, um, we had a bid in progress, and this was just to allow time for that bid. That bid actually opened, uh, and so we haven't started evaluations on it yet, so this is just to bridge us too, so we expect that, uh, evaluation process to continue for winter. OK, I'm gonna ask a very obvious question. You knew in the life of your contract was, Why did you not put out for RFP before we had to extend the contract. I mean, it's not like the contract snuck up on you and said, hey, um, I didn't know this contract wasn't ending. I mean, these are big contracts, you know, when they end. How come we've let one in come to end of life and don't have process set up for a renewal of this product. It's a very good question. So we, we did start working on it, uh, and we actually went and contracted to try to get a company in to help write the RFP, uh, the last one was written by Gar um that contract actually through and so. OK, so you didn't get to hire a consultant to help you write a contract. So that's why you contract is having to be extended. OK, are we saying that as a state government, we're not proficient enough to be able to write our own contracts are very big and very I'm not saying we can't write our own. OK. I guess what I'm saying is, and, and this is not just necessarily all, but we have consultants for everything in the world that you can imagine. And as a taxpayer and my taxpayers every time they see us use a consultant for something, I get lit up because for them, what they see is just a waste of money, that if we've got employees in the departments, they, that's what their job is to do certain things, but we have to hire a consultant. So I guess my concern is if losing A consultant. To help you ride RFP caused you to be late. How come we didn't think ahead of time that maybe you weren't going to get that consultant and you should have been working. I mean, I really do have a problem with coming to an end of life and that a department as large as DHS and is as important to the state as DHS and to my constituents did not have the foresight. To get an RFP ready. Yes, ma'am. And if I jump in, I'd say that one, you know, this is over and above the duties of Jeff's department, uh, as far as trying to craft that RFP so he has the expertise in house with his IT shop, but of course they have their day to day, which is why we were trying to get a consultant to help with this. Uh, we could have done better on our end to make sure that we got this done in time. And so that's, that's just a misstep on our part And that's why we had to have this bridge contract. We were trying to get it done in time using that consultant, but as Jeff pointed out, that fell through. We took it on upon ourselves. We're a little short-staffed in our procurement shop, and then, of course, these are additional duties for Jeff's team. Uh, but, uh, back to my original point, we, we could have done a better job of timing on this, so I agree with you. OK, so going forward, we're gonna be able to not have to have a bridge because most of the time bridge contracts cost you more than what they should have to Jeff's team here, uh, actually negotiated that down a little bit. I think it's $600,000 less than what it was before. So he did a good job on that in this bridge contract. He's very diligent in that, uh, but yes, we are going to go forward and, and Try to avoid doing these types of things and make sure that we get a contract in place that we can have in place for a while. OK, I appreciate it. Thank you all. Thank you representatives. Senator Johnson, you've got a question for DHS. No, sir, it's for the health department on number 17. SDHS. Oh, OK. Then I have a question. This is about this is about the uh uh Cranford Company and the tobacco. Prevention and cessation program. On page Adam D, page 26. We ain't got the inst yet we're still on and there is a 17 on out of state when you said then push me back till it comes up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, stay with us. All right. Let me see. Representative Jay Richardson, your question with him? Let me get you locked up. You, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, you just made a statement. You said that it was that that group, it was over and beyond their scope. To work on an RFP for the The guys that are coming in, that contract, who are they reporting to? Are they not reporting to that group? They do report to that group, uh, and, and what I'm saying is it's additional duties for that group, right? Our IT shop isn't necessarily out there to craft contracts. Their primary role is services and making sure that we, we stay on contract. Now they do, uh, contract management, but actually developing an RFP RFP of this scope, which is as dense as it is for this kind of dense. System is a little bit, uh, it's additional duties for them, right? And this doesn't come up every day, so it's kind of a special project, which is why we tried to go out and get a consultant for it and even though that fell through, Jeff's team was able to pick up those duties, but it's not, it's not like they're typical everyday duties. This is really is a special project. OK, thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Uh, Senator, Senator Hamer, you're still on question on item 30. OK And Kavanaugh here for Department of Corrections, right? All right, we're going, you're excused. We've got, uh, items 23. Through 20 wait a minute, I got more than that. Yeah, Adam's 23 through 27 University of Arkansas. Any questions on that? 28 UOA Fort Smith. Any questions on it? 29 and 30 UALR. Any questions on that? 30, OK. They're coming to the table. After they identify themselves, Senator Hammer, you're free to go. Thank you. Joni Leaf, University of Arkansas, Little Rock. And Greg Smith, University of Arkansas, Little Rock. Hey, good afternoon. I'm just curious on this program, how is this going to be offered to the students and. What's the method of which there would be any requirement that might be placed upon them. Can you just give me the education. Uh, yes, sir. Um, so this is going to be rolling out. Arkansas has a few DA officers. We're gonna do a mentor training program next May to help those officers support other officers. And the unique thing on this one is based off of California model where we're actually gonna use um Soldiers in the National Guard to go into the Purple Star schools to do this curriculum in middle. OK, so this is gonna be for. Maybe I missed it in here. This is gonna be for students that are. At the junior high, senior high level, not at the UALR campus. Correct, it's for students. It's for, it's for, um, officers, school resource officers, or military, um, Soldiers to go into schools, usually in health classes and do a 10-week curriculum, usually about 45 minutes. OK, and that's through the DARE education program that this is going through, right? Have you What, what's her success rate in programs that they've administered before. So this is not the old deer program, just to be clear this is an evidence-based program that's out of the it was researched by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a few years ago, space program, and it's shown, um, smoking, vaping, alcohol, but also, um, delay the onset of first training. OK, because I, I knew there was a dark cloud in the past. So this is, this is under the new version, right? OK, not using, is it using the old curriculum that they used its brand new curriculum. OK, very good. Thank you. Art Before we go back to the corrections 31 is UCA any questioning? No, we're going to items 7 and 8, Department of Corrections, and y'all might as well come on up to the table. Representative Kavanaugh, you're first up on the list. Thank you, Mr. identify themselves. Good afternoon, Lindsay Wallace, secretary of Arkansas Department of Corrections. Wade Hodge, chief of staff. Chad Brown, Chief Financial officer, Department of Corrections. Thank you so much. Appreciate you being here. Um, mine is gonna be on Wellpath, of course, um, and my question is, is this contract going to be, uh, uh, for fee for service or is it just we're paying a certain dollar amount per month per inmate. Uh, thank you, Representative Kavanaugh. It's a certain amount per inmate per month, which is the same as it has been in our existing iteration of the contract. And how many inmates are we covering with this contract? approximately 18,000 and it is based on what our actual what they bill us what our actual population is. OK, so if we're saying that it's a 235 million. I'm trying to figure out what we're paying and how many inmates did you say it was 18,000 approximately 18,000. So that's $13,000. For an inmate. Representative Kavanaugh, that's for 2 years, so you gotta put that number in half, so it's $7500 per year for uh inmate. That's correct. OK. and what services are they actually providing? Is there additional money on top of this that has to be spent? Uh, Representative Kavanaugh, so, uh, what this will cover is a it's a comprehensive medical contract. So what we included this time is mental health into the contract as well, which I think is part of the increase that you're seeing here, um, under the current contracts that we have in place with Bled with staffing, so we felt it in the best interest to to put that into our contract. That's comprehensive mental health I'm sorry, comprehensive medical services, comprehensive mental health for the entirety of the department. There are medically assisted treatment, um, for community. only on that side of the house. Um, this is also comprehensive dental and pharm also expanded with this iteration of the contract. Um, we have a side two of our hospital that is currently at the Wasatta River Unit. We have a lot of what we call borders. We have more medical needs sort of like long term care type treatment. So we've expanded it to include some of that. Um, and then let's see. There are some additional regional staff, um, which hopefully will help manage the contract better. And we've increased monetary sanction opportunities in this. Um, we kind of used our, our existing contract. We've been in business with Wellpath for since 2014. And so we've used some of the, if we run into those moving forward. OK, so we're basing this on approximately 18,000 inmates. If the inmate population increases significantly is this contract going to increase significantly? Yes, ma'am, it will increase because it is based on the number of inmates that we have in our custody. The only thing is we are locked in at the right, so the right won't necessarily the contract. And conversely, if the population decreases is the contract going to decrease? to a certain extent they're guaranteed I think 95% of Capacity of what our capacity is. So if it dipped below that, then they would still get paid up to that 95%. What about the inmates in county jails, are they covered with this? to fast track them in from the county jails. Um, we pay, and I have that number somewhere we do pay for, uh, medical services for county jails, they reimburse us for it. And it is not included in this, so it's above them. Do you have that handy? So we have what, about 2500 in county jails, and they're not really covered by this contract. They're going to be covered by another payment source. revenue and we try to bring them in as fast as we can. Um, I've had several instances where I've had a county jail reach out to me and say, hey, I've got this guy and he's got severe issues, um, and we try to fast track the men because it's covered in that, in my final question on this is how much of This comprehensive plan is because it's required by a federal requirement. Uh, thank you, Representative Kavanaugh, uh, We, we believe we're providing The base level of care that's required. Uh, there's really no federal legislation that says, OK, this is what has to be covered. It's all based on, uh, case law, uh, the United States Supreme Court has said that, um, It, uh, governments can get in trouble if they are deliberately indifferent to serious medical needs and then so you have to go to the case law again to define what is a serious medical need, which has been defined, uh, pretty broadly. It's, it can be anything that's readily observable by a layperson or something that has been actually diagnosed by a physician. So we believe we're covering. What is required according to the body of case law. OK, so we really have no per se federal requirement. We're just basing what we're covering based on case law, because we're afraid if we don't cover what we think is based on case law, we're going to be sued. I, I can agree with that statement. OK, thank you. Thank you, Representative Representative Beatty. You recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, my questions on, on the contract, the term, the, the 10-year term, can you discuss some of the benefits of that 10-year term that would provide to the state based on the, the longevity of this contract? Yes, sir, um, I think, um, it's the fact that they're locked into these, these rates. Um, yes, the contract price will grow if we increase our population size, but the rate at which they will, it will charge us for that increased population stays the same. Um, so I think for me that's a pretty that's the benefit. What about cancellation of the contract during the term? I know you're locked for 2 years. Uh, so what about cancellation discretion continuation or cancellation, um. As we've kind of talked through this process, agree that it would take us a while to put together something to put in its place, so, um, that is always there, but as far as the, um, the benefits, um, with this process, no RFP process. Um, we wound up going with the highest scoring bidder, which was also the lowest. So anything beyond that, there's only about 8 companies nationwide services, 5 of them bid on this contract. We took the top 3. So, um, I'm to the state because what I've seen is And, and then I, I guess my final, I may come back for another, um, I know this is listed as an out of state, uh, contract, but what portion of this money actually is going to stay inside the state of Arkansas with our local folks here. So Representative Beatty, we, we've met with Wellpath a few times and we've had these discussions with them. So, out of the totality of the contract, 68% of this contract will stay in state. And if you want to break that down a little further, uh, if you want to talk about labor, which is your salary and contract employees, uh, that includes the benefits, that's 55% of the contract. Uh, if you want to look at patient care, which is the vendors subcontra subcontractors to include pharmacies that's about 13%. So if you want to look at the first year, uh, for FY 25, which is about 128 million. That equates to a little over 87 million of the contracts staying in-state. OK. So just to make certain I understood the answers to my questions. One, first, you clarify this was the lowest bidder. To the benefits of the contract is the state can cancel that at any time after the 2nd year and only the state. It locks in the rate that we're charged. Um, and 86%, 6 68% we get a little of the money stay in state with, with Arkansas businessmen and women and, and our medical staff. Did I miss anything out of that? No, sir. Thank you, sir. Thank you, representatives. Senator Hester. You haven't asked a question today. Thank you. So I, I'm, I've, I've got a series of questions that I've been writing in here since I sat down and looked, there's, there's two reasons I'm going to ask a lot of questions. Number one, this is the, uh, By far the largest contract ask of this legislature in the history of Arkansas, not building an interstate, not like this. This is the largest expense in the history of Arkansas, not even a close second. So I think it deserves, uh, A, uh, intense deliberation. Secondly, um, You know, I made a commitment to the Association of counties at their annual meeting a few weeks ago that I would, I would not relent. On, uh, the Department of Corrections to the board of Corrections decides to start acting in some way, right? Because the entire state is suffering for the lack of actions from the Board of Corrections. And, uh, And so until the board of Corrections gets their act together, can start making the entire state of Arkansas suffer. I'm going to do everything within my power to make it difficult. So, um. Moving on, you said that you wanted to do, uh, a comprehensive contract. Why comprehensive, like you said, because when it made it comprehensive, it, it shrunk it down to just like 8 possible bidders. Uh, why not do, uh, why not sub it out to the diff, you know, healthcare here. Why, why do comprehensive. Thank you, Senator Hester. Um, so I will start with saying, uh, this is, this is the type of model that we've had in place with Wellpath and then Prior that I think has worked fairly well for us. Um, we struggled with the mental health staff, which I think I've talked about in here with you all before. Um, and so we wanted to build that into it. Um, we had some, we've had success with the mental health. We decided to enter into kind of a temporary, um, pilot program, if you will, with Wellpath for the mental health services at East Arkansas because we have struggled historically with filling positions there and they've had really good um. We have talked through in preparation for this we've talked to some other states and looked at their models. Um, I hear one of the states that we talked to actually was Tennessee, and they have something like what you're describing, which is, um, they have multiple vendors, um, so they have 3 separate contracts for behavioral health, um, medical services, and then some medically assisted treatment. Um, I don't know what their population size is, but their per inmate per month rate. $900 and something dollars and some change. So, um, and then there is, I believe it was a different type of service. I could be mixing my. There's several different models that are available out there, and I haven't at least in what I've looked at seeing that. Parsing them off would provide any better care or any less expensive care, at least in my analysis of things. So from my standpoint, this felt like the best foot for us to move forward at the time. That's good. It looks like, you know, Tennessee may be a good, a good measurement, but, you know, we got West Virginia and Iowa are also similar in, uh, in, in size to us, but I appreciate you looking at that because it's important if another state is doing it cheaper than us. I'm sorry to interrupt, another example that I should have mentioned, Missouri has a call and they're per inmate per month is we tried to grab the ones that were closest and southern in nature to us, but we hadn't. That makes sense. OK, well, since we're talking about that, um. Does this contract fit in your current budget or you're gonna have to ask for more money? Mr. Brown may be able to provide some more related to dates. We are budgeted up to 99 million, um, in our current contract and the timeliness of kind of us landing here versus coming in the fiscal session to ask for any sort of funding for this. We were in the confidential, could not come at that point in time to ask for any additional money to cover this. Senator, about 120 million. Of appropriation in a line item in our Appropriation Act. And Secretary Wallace is correct. We, it's a $98 million and some change. So it rounds up to 99 million. No, sir, this is not in our current budget. Uh, we recognize this as we become, as we come before you today, uh, but we went through the RFP process in detail and this is where we came out. So what is the difference? Like, how much are you short annually. So the difference annually, if we look at a shortage, or I guess shortage, yeah, for, for this year, this fiscal year. Sure, if we look at the shortage based on On this, uh, I'll say it's roughly about 35 $36 million. And what is, uh, has, have you visited with DFNA or the executive branch about where you'd find that money? Yes, our center we have, uh, we met with Secretary Hudson, uh, last week, and At with respect to the committee, I would defer that to Secretary Hudson to answer that funding question. OK, well, um, I, I've, I've got a whole lot more, but I'm going, I, I'll fall off and get back in. Uh. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Appreciate it. Thank you folks for being here from the department. Um, I know you've been working on this, uh, a long time, and a lot of work, and I appreciate that and I appreciate, um, the fact that it is, uh, the lowest bid that we're talking about. I know that that's not been the case with other departments, so I applaud you in that good effort. Um, it's still expensive. Um, and we recognize that. So, I want to talk a little bit for a second, and I got a couple of questions, so I'll ask for some leniency and some. Um, uh, a little bit of leeway, Mr. Chair. Let's talk 8th Amendment. Uh, we talk about providing adequate care. Uh, you said it's sort of hard to get to that, what that means. Um, do we know that this contract does that? Yes, sir. And we know that how? Uh, once again, it's based on the history of our experience with, uh, this vendor, this type of contract, and, and the available case law out there. OK. What a, what a contract providing lesser services? And to what degree would that Still cover us under Senator, based upon, uh, the years of experience we've had in this, it, it would be very concerning to us to go with a contract that provided lesser services. OK. So when we talk about comprehensive, let's take comprehensive dental, for instance. I mean, I'm, I'm assuming we're talking. Probably more than just extractions, right? Would that be fair? In some cases, yes, and, and I have our health services administrator who kind of monitors the contract, who can provide more, um, detail on any of this if you want. If along this line of questioning, we look at, um, America's Department of Health standards, any other statutorily, the, uh, this legislature, um, required the screenings, that's built into this as well. So all of, all of those things are kind of tied into how we got to this point that, so your standard Because that, that's what's going to matter in a courtroom, right? That's good, that's what's gonna matter when you got an expert witness on the stand, they're gonna say, well, this goes back to this standard of care, right? So you're looking at all of those determine your standard of care. Um, and so, but again, that's a bit subjective depending on who you're talking to, right? Um, I'll probably want to talk to the, the person that oversees, um, the medical services, um, here in a second. So go ahead and come on up. I think if that's OK, Mr. Chair. Um, So I, I, I guess, Lynn, let's talk about mental health. I'm glad that we're including some form of mental health. I think Secretary, to your credit on that, I think you realize that we need to, uh, provide those services considering that we have one of the highest suicide rates. Um, in, in the country. Um, so I'm glad that we're doing that. I'm glad that you've stepped up to do that. Um, I wish that had been a priority sooner, but I understand you've not been in your role very long. Um, so, and, and your predecessor was even shorter then. So, uh, but there's a long tenure of folks who could have done something that haven't. So I'm glad that we're doing something here. Um, ma'am, and would you go ahead and introduce yourself? Melissa Moore on the Health Services Administrator for the Department of credit. Um, so a question for you, in the process of dealing with medical claims and issues around medical care for inmates, um. If someone has a problem or a complaint, let's say a family member has a complaint, uh, to be raised on their, um, Loved one who's an inmates, um, care. Where does that go? Does that go to you? Does that go to the board? Does that go to the secretary? Where does that go? So those kind of uh inquiries would come through myself and the assistant administrator, Shelley Byers. Uh, we look into those, we take every one of them seriously. We look into them, we talk to the staff at the unit if there's something that has been missed or has not been done, we address that immediately and ensure that, you know, those things are completed. OK, um. Have, have Board members of the, of the board of Corrections got involved related to inmate care. At any point, any case, any specific time that you can remember? Occasionally we will receive a call from a board member that will, uh, one of their local people would. You ask them questions and they'll bring it to us and we'll look into it the same way, responds to that? Is that Wellpath? Historically? OK, so that's you. So, do they ever communicate directly with Wellpath? I do not know. OK, um, And, and so I'm I'm the reason I'm trying to figure this out is because the biggest concern we have is liability, correct? And, and we certainly don't want members of the board of Corrections or anybody else for that matter overruling a medical decision making, um, from medical doctors. So if, if at any point that's ever happened, I mean, I think it'd be, uh, something that would be concerning. Um, so that's, that's what I'm trying to figure out because if we're trying to mitigate risk, then let's mitigate risk. Um, and it sounds like that this contract is just doing that. trying to mitigate risk. Um, and I appreciate that. And I think there's a, there's a lot of reasons to do that. So I, I think it would be interesting, and I don't know, maybe we can have, you know, I'd like, I'd like to know. If there's a history cap of every time that there's been a reach out on an inmate related to their, their healthcare and from who, um, and I'd like to see, um, I'd like to see that history. Um, and I'd like to, I'd like to know at what point. If we're, again, if we're trying to say, OK, under the 8th Amendment we're trying to mitigate risk, and I, and again, I think with this contract, I think to the department's credit, they've done a lot of hard work. Um, I think there's still a lot of questions related to costs and things that we have to ask and we should ask, but I think that's a big one we should look at. Yes, sir, I agree with you 100%. And as far as someone overriding medical decisions if there's ever a question, I immediately take that to our state medical director who will look into it and then it's between him and the provider, whether they need to change a plan of care. That doesn't come from, we, we just kind of filled that question in the liaison between. OK. And, and I'm, I'm done, but I would add to that, um, Maybe do a reach out to Wellpath and see if they've ever been contacted directly. I think that would be helpful. Just for everyone's edification, Wellpath. All right, I've got, I've got one question of the 18,000. Inmates that use this, how many of them refused? Don't want don't want it didn't how, how many in that, in that 18,000 get no medical dental. Attention at all. Well, that would be hard to put a number on, but there are times when, um, inmates will refuse certain components of, of healthcare. They may refuse medication that's been submitted or or requested or, um, prescribed, they may refuse to go for cancer treatments, things like that, it's not. But we hardly ever have anyone that completely refuses all medical care. Playing on the the census number. Uh, there's not, there's not 1000 or something just sitting out there that they never get touched on in any way. Because some people are kind of like that, I mean, I think I went from playing football to in my mid-fifties I never would see a doctor, you know some of the population does not require. Medical care, um, they always have access to, uh, lab testing for calls for STDs. um, they always have access to request services such as sick calls with the nurse for colds or injuries, things like that. Um, and then there are some that we spend well over that per inmate per month on their medical care. So it kind of balances out. Thank you. Senator Hammer, you're back up. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, on that note right there where the companies that provided the bid provided his historical data as far as previous medical experiences so as to establish the cost. I guess, are we included several attachments with the RFP and we, uh, went back about 3 to 5 years on a lot of it as far as how many people we had over those, that time frame with different diagnosis such as diabetes or heart disease, um, HIV, things like that, we provided how many, the number of how many off-site trips we, we sent people out and things like that so they had, they had a good rundown of, of our history over the last several years. I try to rapid fire through these if, if they're is hospitalization costs covered under this contract if they have to send somebody out. So if, if we send someone out to the emergency room and they are not admitted to the hospital, yes, this does cover that or if they are admitted to the hospital under observation, that is covered under here. When, when or if they become inpatient in the hospital at that point up until the discharge date, um, they're eligible for Medicaid and so Wellpath does complete a Medicaid application process to cover that inpatient stay and who Within the agency monitors that to make sure that there's not an abuse of sending. Inmates to the hospital, so it becomes a Medicaid cost instead of under your cost. We, we monitored that daily, um, everybody that gets sent out, I get an email alert with the reason they went out a completed form and then I just, I check on it the next day to see if it was. A proper send out if it was maybe a rush to judgment send out, and then I discussed that with the Wellpath leadership staff. OK, and 18,000 is the number that's been thrown out with the truth and sentencing law that was passed. What are you projecting or how did you handle projecting the growth or the shrinkage, hopefully in the population and is that just part of what they hope, uh, to be able to be profitable at doing this, and I'm, I'm just, you know, with truth and sentencing coming down the line. Line and the potential for increase. Are we heading for a collision course.ed from time to time throughout this process, and we did have a projection of, uh, population increase over the time between 2023 and 2020, 2033. I do believe that that was done prior to the truth in sentencing, but we, we used that. Projected population. As part of one of the attachments as part of the RF piggyback onto that with a lot of the truth in it over time, so the impact of that is further down the line, so I don't know that you're gonna see much impact to that, um, rate. Um, we have the projections that the current kind of population status, any beds that we add, it's gonna. Miss Sher got one question I would like to get well passed to the table, um. What's the reimbursement rate to the county for, for the county that has a patient, uh, an inmate. With the medical needs. How, how is that handled if it's around $7500 a day estimate. Um, 2500 being the average right now, I'm wondering how are the, how are the counties compensated in a comparable rate to what. The DOC is a county jail has, uh, an inmate on our backup list waiting to come into the, to the department. They, um, send out health services requests to my office, which is requesting, you know, either emergency room runs, medications, dental visits, things like that are, are, that are of emergent need or urgent need. And we will go through those and, um, either approve or not based on what the request is. And then there is, we have a young lady in our office that processes those claims. So when the bills come in from, say, a local pharmacy for the county, that bill will come to her. She will adjust it to the Medicaid allowable rates, so we're not paying the full, uh, requested price, cash price. And then that money is then sent to the county for that service. So you're making money. Of the county inmates that have medical needs that are coming in below the average 75,000 that's being paid to Wellpath, is that a fair interpretation of what you just said or. I mean, it seems like there's a built-in cushion between the expense of providing to an inmate that's in a county jail versus one that's in the department if they have a medical need and. That, that would almost seem like a disadvantage to the counties who have the responsibility I'm sorry to interrupt. Sorry, um, The county jail inmates are not covered under this. That money comes out of our general revenue fund. It's not part of this contract. So if the number of the county inmates go down. How does that affect the contract pricing? It does. It does not. I'll, I'll hold Mr. Chairman, but I would like to ask Well Path whenever you'll give me. Latitude and grace. Got several other questions. Central Rice, you got a question for the department. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, appreciate you sharing the information on the Tennessee, Georgia, Missouri. Uh, rates, I realized, you know, it's hard to get apples to apples on everything it was. Something I wanted to see, uh, also, and if I missed it, I apologize. have you covered in here about the timeline, uh, is necessary for this contract to be in place where we at with the old contract now have you covered that yet? I don't think I have during this I haven't heard it and I would like to know that part of our discussion. 10-year block of contracts, we, we actually started working on not this working through what a new RFP left that actually sat through all of those meetings we met monthly, um, talked about services, talked about what we wanted to make changes to. Um, we put together it, um, it went out, and, um, the last iteration of the contract with Wellpath, the 102023. And so sometime after the first situation, a new secretary, lots of changes, um, we got the, the packets back with the, the final price very expensive and so we sat down with the administration, state procurement, Board of Corrections, and we all kind of decided we were going to put together for. Um, on the package to lower prices. Well, whenever the, the new prior, and I don't know if that was the timing, I'm not really, but, um, the, and I'm, I don't know the law, but that was not allowed. It was down, and so there was no avenue with this, this last iteration expired. So what we did was enter into a one year kind of extension, um, to get us through coming up with a new RFP. And so that is how we have gotten to this point with you all. That one year ends when? Uh, it has already ended extension. I'm sorry, 3-month extension because we ran out of time to get all of the eyes extension ends when the end of September. OK, we're ending the end of September. I'm just dealing with facts. A lot of people are uncomfortable with spending. Money on people that's broke the law and, and not just that, they actually get incarcerated. Breaking the law, which is harder to do nowadays. I understand that. But we're on a timeline. That What happens if, if we don't get something done at the end of this 3 month last. unable to provide medical services to the population. And again, I didn't, it doesn't just give a pass, but I, I wanted it membership to know this. It's been worked on for a long time. It is an extremely center Hester said, it's extremely, uh, costly. You don't have all the money there to do it. All right, members, we're gonna, we got a bunch of people up at this table. We're just gonna, your questions will only be for the Department of Corrections and then we'll come back and do Will's path. After they're they're through. So, next one up is Representative Kavanaugh. You still got a question for the department. Well, it's really for DHS about the funding for this. Oh At DHS, sorry, DFA sorry. Well, we'll come back. I'm, you get back down the cube. We're we're gonna, we're gonna get the Department of Corrections out first. Uh, Senator Irvin, you, you got another question for the Department of Corrections. Yeah, just quickly, uh, of the, you said 68% is in state, um, utilize and provide the providers most likely the professionals that are delivering the services, I would assume it's a big chunk of that, but the 32% that's not staying in the state, where does that go? And for what purpose? Well I tried to stop this, but you just, you just fell right into it. David Thompson with Wellpath. So the, the other remaining roughly 32% is some perspective. So there are several for what purpose? What's, what's your national vendors for what purpose? vendors in this case and then the rest will be dispersed among services. OK. All right. And then my last question, what did you say again that per member basically per member per month amount is again. That's $583.48. Per inmate per month 3 what? Sorry. 583. 048 I, I just think it's important that we understand this in perspective of Medicaid spend to the citizens who are not incarcerated. And uh I appreciate that includes medical supplies and everything as well too, correct? Yes, it does. OK. All right. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Sure, uh, you know, we've talked a little bit about the potential for this to increase with the amount, but I, I don't think there's any danger of this contract increasing because the Department of Correction or the Board of Corrections refuses to add beds, right? And so regardless of how much suffering the people of Arkansas are suffering, the Board of Corrections not adding beds, so we don't have that concern, uh, with this contract. Um, hopefully we will, uh, You know, hopefully, the Board of Corrections will act at some point, start protecting the people of Arkansas, and then this contract may end up growing, but I don't think that's in the foreseeable future, we are years and after giving them uh allocation for a new prison and zero action to date on that. But, um, you know, you did a 10 year contract. In a time of You know, almost vertical inflation, right? Why such, cause. When things are so expensive, why? Why 10 years? Because no one could po possibly understand what it would be versus doing two years at a time, particularly we have a vendor that's been there already. if, if I may, can I allow Wellpath to talk about how, well, we can, we can skip and come back to them in a second. Um, because, uh, chair was wanting to wait on them. So I'll ask another question, has, uh, uh, Has anyone or the, uh, board of Corrections played any role in this contract? Um, so yes, sir, there was a member of the board of Corrections who sat on the evaluation. OK. Um, I'll ask, uh, Donna, uh, has, uh. As the director Magnus ever, uh, Uh, has Director Magnus, sorry, I, I guess I can wait, but I'll wait back since, uh. Since you're, I'll put that on all my questions with Wellpath. Let me see here. And I guess, all right, so I'll jump back over, uh, to the department. I guess we are aware, and this is nothing that you can do at this point, but what we're being asked to do is pay more for prison for prisoners, people, you know, are, are rapists, our pedophiles are murders, more on health care than you are for your officer's healthcare than we offer our school teachers healthcare than we are for your healthcare. And I mean, I guess we're all understanding that that's that's the commitment we're making as a state, that the worst among us, that have violated the worst among us deserve the best health care. Anyway, I, I will, uh, fall back until we go to Wellpath. I Representative Beatty, you still got a question for the department. I do, Mr. Chairman, you're recognized. I, I guess one of the concerns that we have, and I think it's shared by, uh, kind of been voiced by several of the members. Is, are we providing more services than what the law requires, uh, specifically, any deep dive into case law on this. What's the Supreme Court say about the services that we have to provide and maybe what the prison litigation Reform Act, what, what those would have to say. Give a little more information here because echoing off of what C Hester said, uh, sounds like we're one heck of a deal for our prisoners compared to the, the average, um, employee, uh, of the state. Government. So could you, could you discuss some of this? Because I think that's some of the concerns is that we're, we're paying, this is. Uh, the, the golden, um, healthcare plan that we're providing for our, our prisoners. Representative, um, and, um, service regulations and then and so we, there are a lot of services that we do not provide. Because they are considered necessity that we need to see documentation processes in place that prevent that from happening, watching and following up on those. Well, I, I guess my concern, walk me through the process if I'm a prisoner. And I feel bad. What are the steps I have to take? You said medical necessity. So walk me through that process of what would happen. So if an inmate, um. Starts to have a cold. They will place a request. In the kiosk or on paper to go to medical to see the nurse sitcom. The nurses in the infirmary will give that, uh, request, a triage priority 12 or 3, based on what it is. One is emergent, 2 is urgent, 3 is routine. So for this, it would, for cold, it would be a routine visit. So within 72 hours, that inmate is going to be seen by the nurse for an initial evaluation. They go through and we have standardized questions and protocols in place, the nurse goes through and answers all of that. She has her standing orders to, uh, utilized to provide cold medicine or something for a short period of time, and then they're told, if you, if this, if, if this continues to go ahead and place another sick call request. The nurse will see that person. Up to 3 times before they Referred to go to the provider for further and more definitive treatment. So if they, if they followed the protocols and they're still having problems, then after that 3rd try, then that's when we feel like it's medically necessary. So they just keep reporting. I feel bad. I've got a cold, and, and eventually we'll send them to the healthcare provider. That's your definition of medical necessity? No, sir. I'm sorry. I, I didn't, we, we do try to try to give like over the counter medications and things like that, and we really To push that you need to try this. We have to make sure that they are being in the processes that the nurses have gone through, so they have to come and get their medication all the times that it's ordered or they don't get to go to the provider because if they're not going to do what the nurses are asking them to, then they're not going to do what the doctor is gonna ask them to do either. Well, I, I would say most of us in the room, if you've got a cold, you deal with it and you go on with life. So again, uh, you said medical necessity, but I really didn't hear that being well-defined for us today, but I'll. I'll yield back my time. Representative Scott Richardson, do you have a question for the department you're recognized. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. You know how much I enjoy talking, so, um, I appreciate you guys all being here. I'm, I got a really a couple of questions, something that you said, I, I, I'm sorry, I, I'm terrible with names, so, um, I'll skip the name part, but something you, you guys said that, uh, kind of prompted my attention, um. We don't offer our, we don't part of this contract does not include preventative services, preventative medi medical services. Not as, not in a, not, not to, no, I'm sorry, not totally, um, preventative services that we do provide are mammograms, Pap smears, uh, prostate exams, things like that that are, that are based on law, but we don't just draw everybody's blood routinely to check for diseases. And things like that. Um, we do for STDs upon intake and then if there is a for cause, um, but. Mm But say to screen somebody for thyroid disease without any, without any symptoms that, that we don't do things like that. OK, so. So preventative medical care, dental care, any of those kinds of things are not included in this, yet we dental care does have some preventatives um the. The inmates are, um, Allowed dental hygiene a minimum of once a year. And they um like cleaning, cleanings, yes. They have to do their part, of course, so the dentist uses a plaque index scoring, and if they have not kept up their own oral care, then they're re-educated and they can uh ask her to do better on their oral care. So we, we're trying to make them as responsible, which is quite limited. So deny services. Associated poor habits. I wouldn't say deny services because they have the opportunity to do better and come back for that service at a later date after they've been given proper education on what they need to do. I guess where I'm going with that and just from a consideration perspective when we're talking about something like tentative case, uh, work on a particular infection and now all of a sudden we're paying for that and we know that preventative care, obviously drive down costs later on, right? And so not having that included in conversation. is interesting to me. It's also interesting that, uh, I, I'm assuming that we Uh, and, and I'll, I'll let you respond to that. Wouldn't you agree kind of question? is what you're describing, it is included. Um, so whenever inmates come into the department, they're sort of a baselines and things like that. But in terms of the oral hygiene, um, but, um, if they come issue, then they, they pause and say, whatever your oral issued. OK. Uh, thank you for that. Um, my next question, if a little attitude, uh, my next question kind of piggybacks on what Senator Hester was asking before and uh about board members participating in this process, um, and, uh, you, uh, mentioned that there were 2 board members, um, once set on, uh, initial review and then the other one said I guess on, uh, scoping. Um, so who are those board members valuation portion of the RFP, um, I guess that and you said the other members here as well. Are there any other board members here? I mean, given the scope of a $1.2 billion dollar I mean, given the scope of a $1.2 billion dollar contract. So just to, um, last question, and this is really, I already know the answer to this, but I'm gonna ask it anyway just so it, it comes out. We're, again, we're, we're expected to approve of or at least, um, allow for the movement of a contract, um, that will provide healthcare, um, comprehensive. Obviously health care to individuals, and it's my understanding based on that they have very little ownership in that and what I mean by ownership and, and this kind of is my question. I have, uh, health insurance, um, health insurance covers a portion of whatever happens. And then I have ownership of whatever else happens course I have to pay for my own health insurance and then I also have to pay for, uh, any overages associated with that, and I have ownership of that practice and we're asking, uh, you, we're being. Asked to, uh, oversee an expenditure of money that is, that our inmates have no ownership. The people are as, as Senator Hester said, rapist and, and, and murderers and, and terrible acts against society and individuals were being asked to allow them to medical care when we have constituents in our area who don't go to the dentist because they don't have dental care. They can't afford it, and they. Not to be rude, but they pull their own teeth, uh, because that's the only option that they really have. So, um, It's my understanding that they have our inmates are not asking to have any ownership whatsoever in their own care, um. From a, from a monetary perspective or even from a from a, um, For the most part, preventative care. We have no, you need to, um, do more exercise. None of those kinds of requirements that are stipulated, uh, healthcare provision. But it has happened. Someone and they have that still active and that would pick up that um. That bill before Medicaid would, and then, you know, each time an inmate requests to be seen in medical, there is a $3 copay for each instance that's not related to chronic care such as something related to diabetes or heart disease, um, then yes, they are required. They don't have a copay for medications or doctor calls. OK, and are the Just to be clear, You said it's rare, but are the individuals who have Uh, outside insurance coverage? Are they included in this program or did were they excluded? They are included in this because we don't, we can't build from inside. So the services that we provide inside we can services. So it would only be when they were in the, the out, out in the community. Uh, thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right, members, we've got 64 in-state contracts. To review after this, so just keep that in mind. I'm willing to stay here all day, but I just wanna let you know we still got a lot of work and a lot of the questions are coming from the same, same members. So, Senator Hammer, do you have a question for the department? Yes. All right. Make it quick. Thanks for the tee up. um, this thing renews in 2 years and If they fail in any phase of their contract, uh, such as inadequate staffing or any other, what's the, what's the plan for two years from now, uh, given the fact it's 10 year with 22-year renewable. Hammer, um, there are things, provisions built into the contract that we can continually assess and ask for information if we're talking about, um, expenses, things like that of the vendor. Um, I can tell, tell you from our perspective, Melissa Her team, they continually are reviewing. There are existing, we'll call them man-hour deficiencies, um, which Melissa can tell you more about if there are any staffing issues. We have sanction issues, um, we feel like we've built a better contract based on some of our experience so that we can provide more adequate services, if you will. But is there any penalty, Mr. Chair, I'm full with escalating penalty based on how frequently it occurs. And, and again, we, we put a little more teeth. Into the monetary sanctions this time. Um, just if there's something to have follow-up conversations with them about, um, and I don't remember what the exact figures are, but it starts at a $1 figure and if it happens two months in a row, then it can escalate to 2 times that amount, we'll just say, um, and it continues to escalate till once you get to, I think the 4th time plan, and if it does not, if it doesn't improve, then at that point that's moving forward. But we are continuing to evaluate and have conversations with whomever, um. All right, thank you. Well Pa when allowed, Mr. Chair. All right. Representative Kavanaugh, if you're for the department. All right, we're going to DFNA. All right, we're not going right now. It's been so long, it's been so long I forgot what you wanted. All right. Representative Beatty, you got another question for the department? You're recognized I do. It's the same question. I got caught up in that medical necessity and what you would do as a prisoner, but I go back to the question, uh, the services provided in this contract, what are we required to do by law and, and from the Supreme Court. What are, what are, are we doing more than what we're required to do, and this will also be a question for Wellpath when they come to the table. Yes, sir, thank you for your question. Uh, as I described earlier, what the United States Supreme Court has outlined is where governments get in trouble is indicating they have a deliberate indifference to serious medical needs and serious medical needs is not a high bar to me that's been described in case law as something that can be readily observable by a layperson or something that has been medically diagnosed. So you can see that's, that's really a fairly. bar. So we believe that we're providing, uh, the baseline services that are necessary based upon the totality of, of, uh, case law and there's a multitude of case law. You can pretty much find, excuse me, find a case on Any medical issue, any inmate has ever had, uh, because they do file lawsuits. And so based upon, uh, the attorney General's advice from previous cases and years and years of previous cases, uh, we feel like we're, uh, providing the base level that's required by the United States Supreme Court. Well, I, I guess my follow up, I know there are other states and that. Have these programs at a lower cost than what we have. How do our, how does our program compare to, to other states and, and they're meeting that same level of service required by, by the courts. Uh, most of the states we found, uh, they're at a higher price than we are, um, Oklahoma is less because they do theirs in-house. So they per inmate per month cost would not include an administrative cost. It would not include there the uh voluminous. Thank you. All right, members, any other questions for the Department of Corrections. Saying none, you're excused. We're gonna let Will Path come into into the middle with the mics. If you're once again just refresh us all three of you identify yourselves and we have questions. Good afternoon, Marcus Gatson. I'm the finance director for Wellpath. Afternoon, David Thompson. I'm president of our state and federal operations division. Thank you. All right, Senator Hester, you're first up. You recognized Thank you. I did a. Quick Google search and you guys were just kicked out of Michigan for failure to deliver healthcare to the inmates. Tell me if that was right or wrong and you're failing there, how are you gonna do it here? Uh, I would not characterize it as that. So we left the state of Michigan under mutual terms on, uh, May 31st. That was after long attempts to negotiate a more equitable contract that we just couldn't come to terms. OK, well, The article I read said different, but I'm, I'm sure there was, uh, two sides to that story. Um, I, I assume anybody that's dealing with inmates, regardless of how well a job you're gonna get, you're gonna be getting sued constantly. Uh, I read another article on California currently right now, you guys getting removed out of that state as well, or what's going on there? I have no knowledge of any issues in California. OK. Well, these are just articles I've been reading since I've been sitting here. So, um, You guys are already in the state. Uh, been here for years. Um. And When we did an extension. Uh, you added a significant increase in the extension for upfront costs, which I don't, I don't exactly understand unless you started doing something more er adding something going on, uh, And now you're saying that you need a 10-year contract. Why 10 instead of. Uh, to 10 years, a better deal for the taxpayers of Arkansas versus 2 years. Well, I would have to defer to the department they set the terms of the bid. So we simply complied with a 10-year price. OK. Because I was pretty sure I asked them that question they said to ask you. Uh, OK. I, I will, uh, uh. I will defer at this time, uh, to other members. Senator Hammer, you've got a question? Yes, sir. Thank you. How long were you into the contract in Michigan, uh, when you had to enter into negotiations and left it was it a 10-year contract and you exited at 345 years. We started services September 29th of 2021. And we exited on May 31st of 2024. This contract has It's 2 years then renewable after that, so you were 3 years in Michigan, we're gonna be at 2 years. What do you see different in Arkansas that doesn't make you think you're going to end up in the same situation in Michigan. Well, Michigan, we were not the incumbent, so we bid a contract based on the information that was provided to us at the time. Here, this is a very different situation. We are the incumbent provider. We already have all of the staff hired, so we completely understood the cost structure of the contract. Um, I would say that basically after 11 years, we've had and enjoyed a great partnership with Arkansas, so we were able to provide that 10-year price. Um, I think, uh, as the senator said, we understand inflation is high right now. We did our due diligence in looking at multiple sources, but given the relationship that we've had in the past successes that we've had with the team sitting here, uh, we're comfortable that we can perform on this contract. So the staffing requirements that are under the, this contract, which includes dental, pharmacy, mental health, medical. Uh, all the things that are included in this contract, you are currently already staffed to the level that it'll be a horizontal move or what other, what services are you having to bring in in order to be able to fulfill the contract. Um, so we're having an additional 100, uh, FTEs of, uh, service that we have to provide because of the mental health, uh, scope and change. Or change scope, uh, for the contract. So we, hopefully the 50. People that are already worked the Department of Corrections and Mental Health. So we're gonna have to hire, uh, to, to, uh, that's required. And you think you can do all that but what do y'all kick in October 1st is that the, the start date? October 1 is the start date, yes. So you're thinking we will be 100% staffed by them, but anticipate as far as when you'll be fully staffed because you'll be getting paid. By the contract you'll be getting paid the same amount whether you're fully staffed or not. Am I correct on that? um, in the contract. OK. And then the last question is, big contract, big dollars, um. Philosophical difference about we're taking better care of our inmates than we are general population in some ways, um, so you guys feel that with all the evidence that you've gathered that you're in it for the long haul for 10 years. All right. Representative Beatty. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, wanna Uh, hone in, I guess, on the 32% of your own, your national vendors. Uh, and my question is I understand making a business decision, uh, being a for-profit business. But an opportunity for an Arkansas vendor to maybe participate in, in, in those services? Are you gonna open those up and can you reassure us that, that these, um, areas you mentioned pharmacy and radiological, uh, that those, those service area would be open to Arkansas vendors that are, are, are willing to, to bid on that and participate. Yes, we absolutely are. So in In the negotiations for the contract, we agreed with our partner that we were going to open all non-Arkansas subcontractors to review, um, as a matter of fact, tomorrow we are going to start a formal RFP process internally for pharmacy services. So we're going to invite to Arkansas-based pharmacy providers to participate in that and quite frankly, whoever comes out on top with both a price and a service level, then that will be the vendor that we choose. And then we've got, we've got a process in place we're going to look at optometry dialysis, uh, and X-ray by the end of this year and see if there are are Arkansas-based providers that can meet or beat the services currently provided by outside of the state providers. Well, and that's important because I, I think what, what we all know here is this contract's 100% funded by the state of Arkansas, and we want as large a portion of that 100% to stay right here in our state. So I, I, I applaud you on those efforts and I hope that those vendors, um, Can participate at a level that, that they can be awarded those contracts. Senator Hester, you need to know the question well Bath. I do you're recognized. So we've had several questions about staffing on here, and you would say that staffing is difficult. Yes, sir. We, we have, uh, post-COVID, uh, level of staffing it, it, it's hard, but uh, not getting the job done is, is, is unacceptable, right? You, it's hard, but you figure it out. Yeah, that would be a, that'd be a great lesson for our, uh, board of Corrections to start to understand, uh, that staffing is hard for everybody, but when you want to get it done, you do. Uh, and if they could figure out staffing, the people of Arkansas would stop suffering. Thank you. Senator Gilmore, you got a question well past a couple of questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair. um, so you, you talked about you had a pharmacy provider, uh, that you've worked with, but then you also mentioned that you're gonna start an internal RFP process to see if other providers can, you know, bid and provide those services, that's great. Are you looking at any rebates, any sort of rebates when it comes to, um, you know, pharmacies, you know, PBMs, whatever it might be, have you looked at all that? What, where are you in that process? Yeah, thanks, thank you for that question. Um, that's actually a great question. So about 90% of the prescriptions that are filled for the DOC inmates are generic in nature, um, fully compliant with all federal law, but Generics aren't subject to rebate. Rebates are provided on branded drugs. On the roughly 10% of those drugs that aren't yet generic, um, we. Don't use rebates per se, but what we are doing now is we're having our farmers current pharmacy vendor, um, apply for and use coupons, uh, manufacturer coupons. So we're attempting to save. Uh, money anywhere we can at this point. And then for the remainder, uh, we cover most of the other branded drugs under 340B pricing, which is a federal program. 340B pricing also is already, um, Subject to set limits, so there's no rebates associated with that. So actually what we're trying to do is give the lowest cost price upfront, regardless of a rebate status. So does your provider, who, who is your pharmacy provider? Diamond Pharmacy. OK. And where are they located? They are located out of Pennsylvania. OK, um. Do they, uh, I, I guess my, my question currently, I mean, I guess I would go back to ask, as far as Well, I may ask this question in a second, um. So let me just, let me just put it this way, um, are, are they, are they owned by anyone else or they stand alone? No, they're a standalone pharmacy. Yeah, I guess I will go, go back and ask the question I was going to, uh, do they, Are they on NDA? Do they use NDA pricing? Or do you know that I do not know the answer to that. Uh, can you find out? Sure. OK. Are you familiar with Nyack? I'm, I'm assuming you understand what that means. It's the national average. Uh, I Don't know it specifically, but I certainly have staff that will help me and I'm sure that your vendor does. Um, and then final question, Mr. Chair, to, um, whoever at the table that can answer this, um, sort of going back to previous line of questioning I asked about I want to know sort of who, who reaches out, who engages on inmate care. Um, so when it comes to dealing with, um, you know, family member that has a problem or whoever it might be worried about an inmate, uh, who, who actually deals with that? And how do those come in? And then specifically, have you ever had reach out from the board of board board of corrections members related to inmate care. Um, so the family members, uh, as described earlier, are required to call. So we defer them to, uh, to that office, uh, for any, um, I do occasionally get phone calls, uh, from, uh, To our medical provider to the pair of shoes. OK, so you'll get that in the form of a phone call? Ever, ever text message or email perhaps in text. OK. Has, has there ever been a request to override a medical director's decision making? Um, He has, he has let me know that, um, and so I would. OK, and, and you said that was Chairman Magnus. OK. And so he's he's never attempted to override a medical director decision-making. Or you've never received such a request? He might ask me to, to look at. So, I, you know, I would take it back to the state medical director and that was me. OK, how many times has this happened? OK. So in total? That's 11 years. I don't know, 4 or 5 times. OK. Uh, do you have those correspondence? OK. OK. I, I presume you practice good digital hygiene then as we've heard the board of director Corrections do as well. Thank you. All right, seeing no more questions for to well pack or excuse. Oh, OK. I thought somebody was trying to get my attention. Jim Matson, secretary of DFA. Gavin off, you're recognized for your question. Thank you so much, um, earlier on, we heard the department say they did not have the funding to pay for this, that it was not in their budget. Have we as a state looked at how we're gonna look forward. I thought he said he's 35 million short or something like that, how that was going to be addressed? But we looked at and we continue to look at it, um, based on the cash flow analysis that we've done so far and we're catching up like everybody else is on this. We believe that they have sufficient funding in hand. To get them into the next calendar year into 2025 so that when we're in session. You know, we can see what the real number is to get them to the end at that time we'll have to talk about one-time funding to plug. The remainder of FY 25 and of course they'll have to also get factored into the next biennium budget because whatever it is that they need. For FY 25 will carry over into the next bienium and then the escalators that are in the that's right, and so that was my concern is we can do the one-time Monday to get them over the hump from being short this time, but it's still got to be there every. Budget and we're gonna have to figure that out. And I didn't know if there'd been any thought about how that, how that's going to happen because it's not a small amount. It it is, that's, I would say. The concern would be a word that I would use for here. You know, we're, we're just beginning the conversation about. The budget for the next biennium and we'll obviously have the hearings later this fall with once the contract is signed, then we have that, that obligation that we're going to have to fund. All right. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. All right, any other questions for DFNA? Saying none, you're excused. Thanks. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Thank you, members, this is not a surprise to leadership in the House or Senate or or the Department of Corrections, but I asked that we, uh, pass over D8, Department of Corrections till next month, and there's there's a few reasons I started asking her this weeks ago is we all know it's summer, there's plenty of people who took their kids to school for the first day today, um, that they, they couldn't be here. Uh, we have plenty of our colleagues at the DNC this week. It's, uh, I just feel like for the largest contract in the history of Arkansas, I suspect for reasons we've said that we will pass this. Next month or some version of this. Uh, but I just asked that we pass over it until next month for the reasons stated. OK, members will, uh. We'll pass over item 8. So we're going to get uh. Starting at D41 through, with the exception of 8. We will stand review without objection. We're starting on D5, which would be the in-state contracts and we've got 64 of them. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We're on page 21, the in state, Arkansas teacher retirement. This is an amendment, for institutional investment services, numbers 2 through 4 are Arkansas Tech, and these are for, um, performing low voltage cable installation services. Number 5 on page 22 is Department of Commerce. Uh, this is a three-year program for, uh, advancing small business and entrepreneurship. Number 6, Department of Corrections division of Community Correction for licensed transitional housing and developmental programs, um, number 7 through 13 are all community corrections for transitional housing. That takes us over to page 25. Track number 14 and 15 are for the Department of Education for Special Education hearing officers, number 16 is the Department of Education school for the deaf for physical therapy services. Number 17 is the Department of Health. This is a contract amendment for statewide media campaign to promote the Arkansas Department of Health Office of, um, tobacco Prevention and cessation. Number 18, Department of Health for pharmacy services, and number 19, also for the department. Health, this is their armed security guard services. Number 20, uh, Department of Health, uh, State Board of Nursing, 20 and 21 are both going to be, uh, for nurse investigations, um, and then we start contract number 22 through 51. These are all DHS contracts there are going to be 17 contracts that are dealing with setting up services at community mental health centers, 8 contracts dealing with drug and al. Alcohol safety education program, 3 are for specialized women's substance abuse treatment, 3 home studies, 1 in emergency shelter services contract, one outpatient or residential substance abuse treatment service contract, one for dental services at the Human Development Center in Conway, and then, uh, the one, contract number 51 is that dental managed care, uh, just updating the scope and performance indicators, as I mentioned earlier. That takes us over to page. 49. Then on page 49, we start with uh Department of Public Safety, Arkansas Crime Information Center. This is, uh, the contract is, uh, uh, special procurement, pages 20 to 23 in the pink packet, and this one is the vendor created the sex offender registration and custom ACIC program and currently is working on a new, uh, sex offender registration but no staff remain with the agency at this time who is, who assisted in. Creating this current system and understands how to work on it, so they are dependent upon this vendor to be able to continue using uh the system. Systems, excuse me, OSPs approved a two-year special procurement, uh, with this current vendor. Number 53 is a Department of Public Safety, Arkansas State Police for dental and vision insurance where their health plan number 54 is janitorial services. This is building authority for the Rockefeller building, uh, 55 janitorial services for the Justice Building, 56 janitorial services were Main Street Mall building number 57. Janitorial services, uh, for the commerce Riverdale building, uh, and number 58 janitorial services for the natural resources complex and the Arkansas State Crime Lab number 59 is, uh, transformation and shared services information systems, cybersecurity assessment. Number 60 is SAU tech for, uh, grounds, um, and, uh, maintenance of their facilities. Grounds facilities, UA number 61 for event production services to cover future, uh, commencement events. Number 62, uh, University of Arkansas. This is a 3 year, um, uh, contract for, uh, pest control services for the athletic facilities, housing facilities, education and general facilities. The number 63 is UA Systems. Uh, this is a contract for insurance brokerage. Services, number 64 UAPB. This is a contract for comprehensive landscaping services. Those are all the in-state contracts. Senator Hammer, you got a question on one? What number was that? Number 5 and 52, you want the what now? Department of Commerce come forward? When everybody gets the tape, if you'll identify yourself, then Senator Hamber will begin with his questions. Jake Winley, director of legislative affairs for the Department of Commerce. Allison Hatfield, Chief of Staff, Department of Commerce. Thank you. Esperanzaa Crane. Mr. Thank you. Really thought it's a shame y'all spent all afternoon didn't get to answer questions, so I thought I'd call you up on number 5. The part what caught my attention was number one, the contractor's name, Startup Junkie Consulting. And it's 1.5 $5 million dollar contract. Can you tell me what that program's intended to do and who's it available to and how is it going to be equally available throughout all the state? So this program is part of the large strategy and development for the state of Arkansas and what the program will do is provide training and resources for community and economic developers around the state to uh triage if you will, small businesses and entrepreneurs. So what happens is many times, uh, chambers in various parts of the state may not have the You know, necessary things that they need to help this program will help provide them with that technical expertise and guidance and just show them the ropes around, facilitating resources and enhancing that connectivity around them will be very beneficial. Um, the program is very much focused for the entire state. And so what's the measurabilities to know. That it's actually gonna. Show some evidence base that it. Was beneficial Because it's not actually getting out to the entrepreneurs, it's going to the government entities that are expected. To do what you said, so how are you going to measure that it's been successful. So part of the program, um, includes like this entrepreneurial curriculum, so there will be, you know, obviously some um data that will be required as far as you know, how many, um, businesses were you able to assist or how many individuals were you able to assist so there will be some metrics that will be set forth in measuring how much that this program has been able to assist, um, measuring, you know, some type of job creation component along that side and as well as then. Integration of the, I would say this, this may not be so much data driven, but the connectivity and the networking component from the um you know, community economic developer ecosystem to help we'll be able to see that as well. All right, Mr. Chairman, 521 allowed, please. Department of Safety. OK, we'll see if anybody else got any questions? Representative McAlland and your, you're recognized. Thank you. Uh, quick question for you. So I have you, is this a new contract with startup junkie, or have you used utilized their services before? Um, in that capacity, but we work with startup junkie. Um, through other, another program as well. OK. And then following up on Senator Hammer's questions, do you have targets for the number of businesses you said that's your evaluation, but do you have targets on what you're expecting from them? For this much money. This particular program is provide the training for the, um, community and economic developers and what we're looking at, for instance, is they will be encouraged to reach a target of 30 to 50, um, companies, and they will be working directly with these, uh, like I said, community and economic developers, um, it's a 3 year contract, so we'll have to set some, you know, parameters as we see that growth. And there are some others in the in the you know. listed in the proposal. So for instance they're listing more than 100 small businesses from Arkansas, Target Industries, supporting businesses, um, and yes. OK. And what are your target industries that you're asking them to look at industries are aligned with AEDC's targeted sectors which include, um, uh, food processing, aerospace and defense. Does it include outdoor? Resources, outdoor activities. Well, when we say that they will be focused on on those targeted industries outdoor and recreation sector for ADC yet it's one strategy, especially for small businesses, small business and entrepreneurship, there's a little bit more variety in that. OK, very good. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Sent Irving, your, your question for the Department of Health. The Department of Commerce, you're recognized. Let me get you lit up. Yes, thank you so much for being here and for, um, working in this sector. I think it's really important. I would just say some of your targeted industries may then eliminating some areas of the state of Arkansas. So, I would, I would encourage you to look at, um, you know, all your state, all the areas of the state of Arkansas, not just be targeted to industry but actually promoting small business growth and entrepreneurialship about their online presence. Um, I was just at a conference and we visited with Amazon and they're willing to come to the state of Arkansas and hold seminars in rural Arkansas about how these small businesses can better utilize, um, their online presence and shipping their products, um, and utilize, and Amazon is willing to come to rural areas of the state of Arkansas to provide that level of um engagement and kind of, um, Mentorship and education and training. That's what I see startup junkie and things like that, uh, or this kind of program, um, being able to, to really help, um, because there's so many people, particularly in the rural parts of the state of Arkansas that really are developing their own businesses, um, in various different ways. And so, if you, um, my fear is that if you just target it towards certain industries, you're only going to Hit certain areas of the state. So, um, and then I would just encourage you, you know, we represented Steven Meeks and I met with the Amazon folks and so we'd love to partner with you in your office, um, in the Department of Commerce to bring Amazon to the state and particularly have kind of a seminar and conference in the rural parts of our state. Um, I think it'd be beneficial and they'll do it for free. And, and, um, and I think that would be tremendously beneficial. So, I guess. my, my, my takeaway really is just focus on helping those small businesses no matter where they're located, and I would try to target and make it very clear in the contract with startup junkie, we want you to hit these areas of the state of Arkansas. No, you know, and focus more in that manner versus targeting different industries. And yes, ma'am, and I'm sorry if I wasn't clear on this particular program that was. A very critical, um. Piece of emphasis for us. That's the reason it's called 75 Strong because it's the target is to address the 75 counties in the state of Arkansas, um, and it's a platform to provide that technical expertise to the people that are the the front liners if you will, meaning chamber executives and community leaders, uh, when working with small businesses and entrepreneurs because what we get a lot of times is I want to start a business. What do I need to do so. Well, and, and you need to be real careful about who you're engaging with in certain communities, because sometimes those are non-existent or those are chambers of commerces, but they're really not focused on growing businesses. They're focused on doing other things. So, I'm not sure, for instance, in a couple of my areas who that person would be that would be beneficial to the training who then could provide that training to their businesses. I'm not sure if you've got that in every 75 counties. Does that make sense? And so, I don't know who you would go to to partnership in certain areas, but I would just encourage you to, to reach out to your legislators because we're gonna know, and we're gonna know where you could actually spend that money more effectively versus just wasting it. Thanks. Senator, you keep your mic open. Y'all are excused over the questions for the Department of Commerce. Department of Health We're dealing with items number 17. I promise I'm not picking on y'all today. When y'all get identify yourself. Matt Gilmore, Department of Health. Meg Mirval, director of communications, Department of Health. OK, so just on this, um, I just see that it's, you know, an amending to an extend the contract repeatedly with one entity since 2021. Um, Why Do it that way versus issuing new RFP that's the first question. That's how the RFP was written originally the next year will be our last start working on this year. OK, so the tobacco settlement Commission, are they the ones that actually make this determination or is this your office? Uh, we went through the normal our our office leadership, the tobaum, and others is the portion of funding the Department of Health gets for tobacco efforts, strictly tobacco prevention efforts, vaping, and that sort of thing. So this is out of their funding that they receive through so the commission wasn't involved in this at all. I wanted. I was just curious what that was. OK, OK. And, and is there anything specific in the wording of the tobacco settlement funds that says a certain portion has to be spent on marketing and advertising. I'm not aware of a specific language around that. It talks about, you know, health education and, you know, um, efforts to, to decrease the amount of, uh, tobacco usage and that sort of thing, but it doesn't come up. Marketing. OK. Well, I, and I, the reason I'm asking all these questions is because I, I, I enjoyed your report at the at the public health committee. Thank you for the latitude. I know it's been a long day, but these are really important conversations to have, um, but I appreciated your report and I love the fact that we're putting so much money towards research, um, utilizing that money for that purpose. But what bothers me is we, we kind of, at one point, at some point, we have got to start. Addressing where money can go to fix adding beds to the state hospital and doing different things. And so, we've got to be challenged to, to either say, no, this isn't working. We're not seeing anything, you know, is, is this really working or not? Are we decreasing, are we getting, you know, advertising and marketing to for tobacco cessation through all the other programs versus this. And how can we better utilize funding. And so, um, I mean, I, I, I just want us to make sure that we're having a real serious conversations about the way we're spending money and where we're spending money, because if we're not moving the needle, but we're moving the needle through these programs where we're getting our advertising and marketing through that. So I just challenge you to really look at this. I, I'll be OK with this, but I, I want us to be More intentional. And, and we've got to add beds to the state hospitals, so we've got to figure that out. And I know that this is for tobacco and not for beds, but it's just an example is pretty much the only, I mean, some of the other programs may do a little bit as far as, uh, uh, media and marketing, you know, about the dangers of tobacco, but this is primarily the only, uh, media that's strictly focused on that. So the other programs they might engage in prevention and, you know, nicotine, uh, education, that sort of thing, but as far as media, this is it, and it covers. Social media, uh, to, um, it covers and it, it crosses over several programs with our pregnant women, with our, uh, youth, of course, our adult program that's that covers also chronic disease as well so I appreciate it. Thank you, and I'll be looking forward to an RFP on this. Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. See you no more questions for you, y'all are excused. Thank you. Uh, Senator Hammer, you were talking about 52 Department of Public Safety, the crime. Anybody here with the Department of Public say all right, come to the table. And when y'all get seated, identify yourself and Senator Hammer was free to ask his questions. Karen Perry, CFO, Department of Public Safety. I'm Jeff Long. I'm the director of the Arkansas Crime Information Center, and I appreciate before we ask the question, I do need to clarify a couple of things. Uh, this, uh, this is actually, I, I heard her mention the sex registry. This is, this is actually going to be part of our criminal history database that's not, has anything to do with the sex registry. Also, this is going to be grant funded federal grant funded through the NHI grant. And I think that whenever it was submitted they weren't clarify both of those things and it is. Part of Senator Hamburg, be recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and, and that was, so this is a federally funded. we noticed that once it was submitted that it was submitted wrong, but it is partly caught some of the comments that were made on the introduction as far as us being in the. It's moving forward with this as far as being in the situation we're in now as it was described, is it gonna be different, um, because unless I misunderstood what she said, we were kind of, kind of caught in a position of not. Or can you clarify that I'm not really sure how that came out because, uh, we did ask for a special mainstreams working on two different projects for us at the time. They're working for on the sexual registry and they're working on a criminal history database as well. What we asked for the special, uh, proper term is was for this criminal history database. They, they were the original builders, mainstream technology, which is an Arkansas-based company. They were the original builders, uh, at the time when it was first developed, we were part of ACIC stand-alone company or standalone agency. We merged in with, uh, DPS, some of our IT support went through DPS as well, through the, through attrition, we've lost most of the people who was originally part of the, the original, uh, crime history database. Therefore, we asked for, uh, assistance or special procurement as far as using mainstream to update the current system that we have now and I have a list of things that they're wanting. OK. Bottom line is we're not in a vulnerable position moving forward, we shouldn't see that happen again or get to this point again. OK, that's all I need to know. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Sher. Seeing no more questions. Uh, we're gonna take D5, 1 through 64. Without objection, they do stand reviewed, and we do have a couple of ports and we do have other business or disclosure lease that will require a motion in a second, so don't all my members leave yet? There's not, there's very few of us, so. Stay with me, Miss Cathy. Mr. Chairman, we do have our reports, our contract amendments without material changes executed contracts, critical emergency contracts and also reporting that the chairs of council and review, uh, reviewed an emergency services contract, um, for the Arkansas Public Service Commission vantage Point Solutions. There's a report of that in your packet, um, this was done under a Rule 16 of the Legislative Council, and that will be reported out on Friday as well. Um, and then we, those are the reports we have and then the last thing we do have, as you mentioned, is that approval item for the disclosure and it is for a lease agreement, uh, for Department of Correction division of Community Corrections, um, And it's leasing a facility from Representative, uh, Richard McGrew, and this has been an ongoing lease agreement, uh, building authority, uh, does on their behalf and I do believe he had this lease even before he came a legislator. That's what my understanding and the governor has already approved this as well. All right, we got a motion in a second. Any discussion? All in favor say aye? Any opposed? Just 3 hours and we're finally finished. So anyway, I appreciate everybody to stay to the end. We are adjourned. Thank you. Les did this now.