Joint Budget Committee
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Good morning, everyone. We're going to start with B, Various Temporary Appropriation Requests. If you could say your name for the committee, you're recognized to present. Thank
William Parrish
Unverified
0:13
you, Mr. Chair. Billy Parrish, Bureau of Legislative Research. I'm your staff. We're in the Section B. This is Various Temporary Appropriation Requests.
B1 is the first item. It's a letter from the Court of Appeals. It's for $30,000 in spending authority. This is to award fees to attorneys appointed for indigent appellants in criminal appeals.
The letter explains there has been a substantial increase this year. This is supported by the State Social Services Fund. Next item, B2, is a letter from the Department of Commerce, Division of Aeronautics. This is for $5 million in spending authority. It's to distribute grants to airports and entities that develop, promote, and educate aeronautics and aviation. This is supported by the aviation sales and use taxes. Next item is B3. It's a letter from Commerce Insurance Department. This is for 1 million in appropriation is to pay workers compensation benefits to injured state employees The letter explains a catastrophic claim made this year has been down their appropriation
This is support about workers comp payments made by employers Next item is before this is a letter from Commerce insurance department again. This is for 2.5 million in appropriation This is to send refunds for overpayment of estimated quarterly premium taxes The letter says the increase is due to the first year of the implementation of the major historical rehabilitation tax credit
program. Mr. Chair, those are all the requests for various temporary appropriation. Members, are there any
questions? Seeing none, we need a motion to approve these action items.
We have a motion. Do we have
a second? Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed?
William Parrish
Unverified
1:48
Actions are approved. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We're in the next section. This is Section C. These are
American Rescue Plan Act Appropriation Requests. All four requests are from the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health at DHS to reconcile and return unused funds to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The first one, C1, is $9,000 from Community Mental Health.
The second one is $277,000 from Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment. The third one is $255,000 from another Community Mental Health Block Grant. And the last one is $23,000 from the Older Americans
Act grant. Mr. Chair, those are all the ARPA requests. Members, are there any questions? Seeing no
questions on these action items, is there a motion to approve? We have a
motion. We have a second. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed?
These action items have passed. You're recognized to continue.
William Parrish
Unverified
2:42
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We're in Section D. These are the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act appropriation requests. The first item, D1, is a request from the Department of Agriculture. This is for $379,000 in spending authority. They have a grant from the USDA Forest Service to strengthen wildfire response and preparedness capabilities through safety improvements, planning, training, upgraded communications, and adopting the National Incident Management System. Next item, D2, is Commerce Economic Development Commission.
This is for $176 million in spending authority. They have a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce for the second tranche of the bead program that's the broadband equity access and deployment program the second tranche covers 27 000 locations and behind the request is a 39 page report showing all internet service providers and maps of the project areas on page four of that report it It shows the awards by a legislative district. I'll actually go to page 42 now.
On page 42 is D3, that's the next request, is for Department of
Agriculture, it's for 79,000. They have a grant from the USDA Forest Service to strengthen the capacity of state and local fire protection organizations. This includes management, stewardship, fire protection, insect and disease control of reforestation, land improvement urban forestry and ensuring first responders are equipped to manage diverse and evolving forestry challenges. Next item, D4, is Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality. This is a reallocation of previously awarded appropriation. The request
to remove $26,500 from conference and travel to salaries and extra help. This is from a grant award that was originally $531,000 for making progress toward the national recycling goal and food loss and waste reduction goal. Next item is D5. This is energy and environment again, but this is the Oil and Gas Commission. This is for $46,000. They have two grants from the Department of the Interior. The first one is to replace the roof, gutter system, and exterior of their sample library that had damage from water leaks. And the second one is to hire students
to re-box damage cuttings and preserve the samples. Mr. Chair, those are all the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act appropriation requests. Representative Lundstrom do you
have a question you recognize yes thank
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
4:58
you um on D2 the Department of Commerce on the bead information what is the process for um making sure that the money is actually going where it's supposed to go what is the audit backup for this is this federal funds and do they audit or the state funds and we audit yeah we'll bring someone to the table hopefully
they can answer that question if you don't mind having a seat and just stating your name for
Speaker 21
5:37
the committee when you get a chance good morning Glen Howie state broadband director yes can you
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
5:41
repeat the question please what is the audit process we have federal funds we have state funds how often are they audited and I want to know what our exposure is if someone fails to accomplish the broadband sure
Speaker 21
5:52
So these are federal dollars. Our program from the beginning has always been federally funded. I think we've just gone through every year there's an audit in the program. Depending on the bucket of funds, we've been through a SLURF audit once or twice. We've been through our capital projects fund audit just this last year. And, of course, we would expect continued audits by the Department of Commerce moving forward.
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
6:15
Okay. What happens if someone fails to meet their goals and doesn't do their job?
Speaker 21
6:20
Sure. That's a great question. I think it's important to note for the committee, as we've said before, the payment distribution in this particular grant program is different from anything that we've ever done before.
In this program, providers are paid as actions are completed and as construction is completed. So we have a professional engineering firm that will go out on site, do a site visit, certify that construction has been completed in phases. And as
Speaker 24
6:45
that construction takes place and is certified to our office, then payments are released to the provider.
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
6:51
Okay. Just for my assurance, so you have somebody physically looking at that, and yes, that cable's been laid.
Correct. And then we'll pay. Correct. All right. Thank you.
I'll wait and get back in the line. There is no queue. Okay. Thank you. You recognize it. Should someone not
Speaker 21
7:16
accomplish that goal, what happens? Another good question. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently put out guidance around what states should do when they have to change a scope, in an instance of what you're talking about, if that were to occur. One, I would say that the taxpayer funding has been protected because we would not have paid out those dollars because the provider did not perform.
and then we would look to the number two provider in the application process so obviously the ones that we selected were the number one application the process we would go to who was number two and in that process okay all right
thank you you're welcome members do we have any other questions without objection we're going
to take up items d1 through d5 as we need these are action items needing a motion to approve we have a motion we have a second the second all those in favor say aye. Opposed? These actions are adopted. That moves us to E.
William Parrish
Unverified
8:11
Thank you Mr. Chair. We're in section E. This is a reallocation of resources request from
the Department of Human Services. Special language allows the department to make four reallocations in a fiscal year to respond to changing client needs. This is the second reallocation for fiscal year 26. On the The last page is a table showing all transfer requests. The first table on that page shows appropriation transfers within divisions and it totals about 82 million. The Division of Children and Family Services requests transferring 215,000 to pay overtime
for social services staff. The Division of Developmental Disability Services requests moving almost 2.9 million to cover increased costs for food, medical supplies, medicine, and emergency purchases. The Division of Medical Services transfers 58.6 million from the hospital medical line item to the private nursing home line item due to increasing costs. And a transfer of 17.5 million from the hospital medical line item to the public nursing home line. This is due to an increase in the number of clients and rates paid. And then the last is Division of Youth Services.
Transfers 2.9 million from the Federal Child and Youth Services Appropriation to the Residential Services Appropriation to ensure the ability to pay obligations through the end of the fiscal year. They are also requesting to transfer 1,000 from overtime to extra help. This is to keep three vacant education positions temporarily filled as they
search for full-time employees for those positions. Mr. Chair, that's the reallocation. Members, do we
have any questions? Representative Hudson, you're recognized for a question.
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
9:46
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to go back to the request
from DMS to transfer hospital and medical. 58 million I think is what you said to private nursing facilities what services or supplies were these funds previously being used for the justification says the increase in cost for that I'd have
William Parrish
Unverified
10:07
to defer to the agency to come give more no no I'm sorry what were
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
10:12
they being used for on the hospital medical side what are we pulling these funds from
I would need to defer to the agency to
answer that we have folks from the agency coming to the table
Speaker 44
10:37
Again, if you could just introduce yourself to the committee when you
Speaker 45
10:40
get seated. Thank you. Good morning. Elizabeth Pittman, Division of Medical Services. I'm Andy Morgan. I'm the Deputy CFO.
Speaker 44
10:45
You recognize the answer to the question. Yes. Thank you, Representative Hudson, for the question. The hospital medical is our general services fund
that covers services like hospitals, physicians, things of that nature. So there's not a specific service that it's designated to, but there is excess funds there, and we need to move it to cover the private
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
11:03
nursing facilities. Follow-up. Thank you. I guess my concern stems from the fact that we have several challenges facing our hospitals right now, and so I'm wondering why we have additional funds that we're not using to try to work on some of those issues, um and we're transferring it over
Speaker 45
11:18
to private nursing homes ma'am these are are not funds they're it's appropriation so we're just moving excess appropriation no i understand that okay
i just want to make that clear but um we have the appropriation in that line to make those payments that we're talking about right now okay thank you members are there
any other questions for the agency seeing none uh i need a motion on this action have a motion have a second I have a second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion is passed. That moves us down to item F. These are items just for review. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
William Parrish
Unverified
11:55
We're in section F. This is cash fund appropriation request. The first item is F1, a letter from Northwest Arkansas Community College. This is for $2.5 million in appropriation. This is to make repairs to storm damage from May of 2024. It's supported by tuition fees and $7 million in insurance reimbursements. The letter says the school is working with the insurance providers to secure additional reimbursements. The school continued an $8 million appropriation increase from peer from last fiscal year into this year. The letter says the additional $2.5 million in the Spending Authority is due to increases in material costs
and discovery of additional repairs that are needed. The next item, F2, is from Southern Arkansas University Tech. It's for $307,000. This is to make improvements to the Arkansas Environmental Training Academy facilities. It's supported by the Training Academy's fund balance. F3 is a letter from corrections is for 2 million spending authority. This is to pay commissary invoices and maintenance repairs. It's supported by revenue from commissary sales. F4 is a letter from public safety, uh, division of emergency management.
This is for 40,000 spending authority is to make sub grants for 9 1 1 enhancements in rural areas is supported by the public safety trust fund. Mr. Chair, those are all the cash requests. Senator Hickey, you're
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
13:10
recognized. Uh, yes. Just a little more information on F1. I understand it's a cash request and capital improvements and what's happened, but it's been two years. Is there anyone here that can explain how much, how much is the insurance ultimately going to pay for the total project and
how much is ultimately going to come out of the tuition and fees?
Looks like there's some, someone coming to
the table that can maybe answer that question. If you don't mind just identifying
Katherine Doner
Unverified
13:42
yourself with the committee when you get seated. Thank you. Hello, my name is Katherine Doner. I am the interim CFO at Northwest Arkansas Community College. So our original damage estimate from the insurance company was $7.1 million. When we went through the procurement process to get the bid and
get a contractor started, their estimate came back at $10.3 million. We are within $700,000 in negotiating with the insurance company to agree upon a final settlement. That's going on as we speak. They're within the last few items, pricing, different things like that that they're using. Some buildings had the wrong square footage. We're expecting to get between 80% to 90% insurance reimbursement.
We don't have that final number yet either, but we have already received the settlement on the insurance for the original $7.1 million. Just one more on a
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
14:48
high level. Whenever you first started this, did you expect to get fully reimbursed, or what's the reason that there's a difference in that? I
see what you say with the material costs, but is the insurance company not liable for that?
Katherine Doner
Unverified
15:02
I'm over here to your left. Sorry.
So, um, so it's co-insurance, um, the policy, uh, it's co-insurance. So the, um, we are liable for the first, um, uh, 10%. There's actually six different policies involved with six different providers. So there's a variance, um, on what our insurance covers as far as our co-insurance. Okay. Thank you, ma'am. You're welcome. Members, do we have any
other questions on these items? Seeing none
without objection, these items are reviewed. That moves us to G. Okay.
William Parrish
Unverified
15:35
Thank you, Mr. Chair, we're in Section G. These are miscellaneous federal grant appropriation requests. The first one is DHS, Division of Medical Services. This
is for $2.3 million. They have a grant from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a transforming maternal health project that aims to improve maternal and infant health through evidence-informed interventions sustained by a value-based payment model, according to the request. G2 is DHS again.
This is Division of Providers, Services, and Quality Assurance. It's for $105,000. This is to return unused funds from a grant on Medicare survey and certification. G3 is DHS again. This is for $18,000. This is also to return unused funds. This is from a Hospice Impact Survey and Certification Program. G4 is again DHS. It's for $758,000, and this is the last of the DHS requests for reconciling. and return funds from a federal grant.
G5 is Department of Disability Determination for Social Security Administration. This is for 1.5 million. They have a grant from the Social Security Administration to cover the increase in caseload. The request notes the majority of these increased cases are for other states. G6 is Public Safety Division of State Police is for 12.475 million. This is a grant from Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security. This is to establish a service agreement. The request says that the spending authority
will be used for equipment and IT related items such as in-car cameras and tasers. G7 is Parks Heritage and Tourism Division of Heritage. This is for 231,000. They have a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for the National Digital Newspaper Program. The request notes funds would be used to make a sub-grant to Euler to hire staff to work on the grant. Originally Arkansas State Archives was to fill those positions Next item is G8. This is the administrative loss of the courts is for 170,000
They have a grant from the federal motor carrier safety administration to improve data in commercial drivers license information system Mr. Chair, those were all the MFG requests Members do
have any questions on these requests? Without objection these requests stand reviewed that means this is to item
William Parrish
Unverified
18:03
H and Thank you, Mr. Chair, we're in Section H. This is pay plan appropriation and performance fund transfer requests. 12 agencies are requesting $442,000 in pay plan appropriation to pay
salaries and match. All but one cite the salary adjustments that came from implementation of the pay plan within the CLAS and COPDAC. Law enforcement standards and training cites a retirement payout for the need for additional spending authority. There are four agencies that are requesting funding from the performance fund totaling 6.8 million in transfers. Community Corrections seeks 3.3 million. State Police request 1.82. Crime Lab is 1.58 and the Division of Environmental Quality requests 162,000. All four cite the new pay plan as a reason
for the transfer. Members, are there any questions? Seeing none, without objection, these requests standard
William Parrish
Unverified
19:05
item aye. Thank you Mr. Chair. We're in section aye. These are methods of finance. There are three items. The cover letter is submitted by DFA accounting states that they have reviewed and submitted three projects for legislative review. They are summarized in the attached page. That's page two. The first one is UA Little Rock. It's a new method using one million in cash funds for campus living renovations in
and maintenance in the village apartments and grounds. Number two is UAMS. This is a new method using 274,000 in university revenue for two backup power machines for an MRI machine. And number three is another new method for 424,000, also using university reserves for the Northwest Campus Main Building College of Nursing Classrooms. Mr. Chair, those are all the methods of finance. Members, are there
any questions about these methods of
finance? Seeing none without objection, stand reviewed that moves us to item j thank you mr chair
William Parrish
Unverified
19:58
we'll take these each subsection at a
time uh j is discretionary grants there are three agencies the first one is j1 department of health it's just uh one grant it's an amendment number five to an existing federal grant to northeast arkansas regional aids network it adds 1.4 million for hiv cash management and wraparound services to hiv patients and mr chair that's j1 for the department of health members any questions about j1
seeing none this item stands reviewed thank you mr. chair we're
William Parrish
Unverified
20:31
in j2 this is uapb tobacco prevention and cessation programs subgrants there are nine grants submitted for review this month valued at approximately 75 000 each it's using master tobacco settlement agreement funding grants are to providers across the state for tobacco prevention and cessation education and promotion services to targeted populations mr. chair that's summary of all nine for UAPB. Members, are there any questions on
this grant request? I see a question. Representative
Bill, continue recognized. Thank you. I've got a question
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
21:06
about the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Tobacco Registration Program. I think it's the second grant to Arts Absolutely, Inc. Is there anyone who can answer a question on that? if you don't mind just saying your name
Representative Roger D. Lynch
Unverified
21:26
for the committee when you get seated just press the green press the button there it'll turn green yep
Speaker 72
21:33
good morning Ruthie Johnson I am a project specialist with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff thank you I'm over here
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
21:42
so I was just hoping maybe you could walk me through how effective some of these programs were. I mean, I am curious, you know, I see music therapy album. I've never heard of that as an effective tool in getting people to quit smoking. And so, you know, obviously a lot of these things are arts projects that I wonder about their efficiency in helping us get kids to stop smoking and stop vaping. And so we've, you know, yet to approve the appropriation for tobacco
sensation and when i see things like this it makes me really hard to think about approving that because i don't know if this is a good use of our money so i just like a little more explanation hopefully you can prove me wrong uh which is what i like to like to see so just please explain this to me a little more
so i can feel better about this thank you
Speaker 72
22:39
for your question as you know uh Most youth, if you can get them to relate to something that they like,
and then within that liking you can have a message in there that will be something that will be beneficial for them, then, of course, that works because they gravitate to those things that they like. If you're talking about music and art and they like music and art, if you can incorporate a tobacco prevention message within that, it's more readily received than if you're just standing up and saying, we want you to stop smoking but if you can translate it in a way that they understand
and that they can relate to then it works okay i understand
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
23:20
the reason why using art i guess my question and i probably wasn't clear when i stated it what is the efficiency of this program i mean do we have any sort of metrics to show you know the teens rates of smoking in these particular counties where we've used arts absolutely inc we've seen a decrease in in smoking or vaping or anything like that um that's what i want i mean is there any data to point to
this are we just throwing money out the window and hoping
Speaker 72
23:51
that these programs work no we're not throwing money out of the window we do have an evaluator with our program that evaluates all of our programs. Our sub-grantees are required to submit quarterly reports. Those reports are analyzed, sent to our evaluator. We also conduct annual site visits. So we stay on top of our sub-grantees to make sure that they are doing what they are instructed to do, also through
the applications that they provide for us, those goals and objectives. We make sure that they are closely meeting those goals and objectives and if they are not then they are not refunded what are okay that's
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
24:34
helpful in a way what are some of the goals that we have set out for these programs that
we've done because once again i'm wanting to know can i point to this program and say because we funded this program one or five or ten or a thousand kids are not smoking today and i'm not
really feeling like we're getting that data from these programs and there's no way to track it and I guess that's my concern, but you said there were
goals. I'm curious, can you give me some goal specifics that we've achieved with this money? Preventing initiation
Speaker 72
25:06
among our youth, we've reached those goals. I don't have the data in front of me to give that information to you, but I can readily get it to you. That'd be awesome. Thank you. I'd appreciate to get that
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
25:17
data. Thank you. Members, do we have any other questions?
Seeing none, then without objection, this item stands for review. Moves us to J3. Is that correct? Okay, you're
Speaker 40
25:33
recognized. Yes, sir. We're in J3. This is the
William Parrish
Unverified
25:36
last page of the J packet. This is for the Department of Energy and Environment. There's two grants. The first one
is for a liquefied petroleum gas board. It's $40,000. This is a grant using special revenues to the Arkansas Propane Gas Association for safety training for employees. And then number two is environmental quality. It's $180,000 using special revenues to Free Geek of Arkansas.
for development of a process for recovery, recycling, and de-manufacturing computers and electronics. Mr. Chair, that's J3. Members, are there any questions? Senator Disman, you're recognized. You're recognized
to circle back on the previous item. I don't know if we can have her
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
26:14
come back up. She may already left, and that's too
late. That's fine. I know we've reviewed it. But if you look at a few of these, there's not even any addresses listed on the grantee. If we
could have you, Doug, if we could have you come back.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
26:29
Yes. Yeah. Sorry, if you could just state your name again. Again, Ruthie Johnson. Thank you. I'm right here. I was going through and just happened to catch because I was looking
up a few of the entities just to make sure they were in good standing, whatever it may be. But, for instance, the first one has an address, the second one does not have an address,
the third one has an address, and we keep kind of skipping. What is the reason for that? Did
Speaker 72
27:08
they not submit one with the application? Oh, no, they have an address. That could have been just an oversight. But ours absolutely
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
27:18
is located here in Little Rock, Arkansas. Okay. I mean, I guess for the next peer meeting or, I guess, yeah, review meeting. yes review meeting if you could if we could have you maybe come back and I mean I understand we're passing forward now but I am curious with representing
Pilgrim and how effective these projects are who these entities are and kind of really what they're doing I mean I see a summary and they all essentially read the same and you know some are buying billboards and buying social media some are having events some are having open mics like it's a kind of a hodgepodge And I would probably question the effectiveness of some of these grants, too. These are important dollars, and I'm kind of surprised we don't have addresses listed. Thank you.
Speaker 72
28:04
We'll make sure we get that information to
Speaker 97
28:09
you. Representative Gramlich, you recognize. Thank you very much. Yeah, I just had some questions as well. I tried to get on my phone and look up
Too Young to Die, music therapy album, Let's Eat, Engage, and Teach podcast. and I couldn't find the podcast on Spotify. I couldn't really find a whole lot on YouTube. What is that? Are you creating that stuff? It hasn't been developed yet? What are the materials that you're going to be using? Does that make sense? This
Speaker 72
28:36
organization, I guess their complete makeup has to do with the arts.
That's dealing with music, open mic. um also you know graphic art so i can't speak to this completely and give you a complete explanation but i can get the information to you yeah that'd be great i mean like it just even just specifically if you
Speaker 97
28:57
could just show me what let's eat engage and teach podcasts are because i couldn't i couldn't find one i
just look i got on youtube real quick i got on spotify and i just like i didn't really see anything that like made sense and so i'm just you know i'm just curious
If you're creating that, that makes sense. But if it's already made, I just want to know why
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
29:23
I can't find it. So thank you very much. Do you recognize Senator Dismay? I just want to give you an example. If I do a quick search on, sorry, flip from my page here. But if I go to the one that doesn't, Arts Absolutely, that doesn't have an address, and I pull up the Secretary of State's address for it, I go to a neighborhood of a home. Not a business, and I understand people can run some nonprofits out of their home.
I would question that and its effectiveness, but were you aware that it was being
Speaker 72
29:54
ran out of someone's home? It's not being ran out of someone's home. Arts Absolutely is formerly Brandon House Arts, and they are located off of Green Mountain Drive here in Little Rock. It's not listed that way on the Secretary of
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
30:09
State's website. That's their address. They don't have a fictitious name. They don't have a...
Speaker 72
30:17
No, they are, in fact, an organization. I mean, I see
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
30:21
that they're an organization. It's interesting that there's no address listed, and when I search it at the Secretary of State's website, which is where they say they are housed, it shows to be a neighborhood on battery, a private home on battery. They were formerly on battery. That
Speaker 72
30:38
was several years ago, but they are, in fact, off Green Mountain Drive here. If we could just plan on coming back to the next meeting,
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
30:48
I think we probably need to run through this a little
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
30:55
bit. Thank you. Representative Nassarinko, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, ma'am, for being here. I appreciate the answers. Where did you say that Arts Absolutely was
Speaker 82
31:03
located, the address? I don't have the address right here in front of me. Oh, shucks. and i don't
Speaker 110
31:13
have my phone up here okay because on facebook it's listed as rainwood road in little rock okay so i just just want
Speaker 111
31:21
to make sure that's on the record thank you
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
31:24
represent collins you recognized thank you just to clarify on their website the batteries the mailing address
rainwood is the uh bh event center artistic cafe rainwood is off of green mountain so that's what that is thank you members before
we move on to pass this are there any other
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
31:55
comments or questions representative kavanaugh you're recognized i have a motion at the proper time you're recognize for your motion uh i'd like to make a motion to
expunge the vote by which is this jk1 j2 j2 passed and then i would
that's a proper motion i think we need a second on that motion second we have a second so the motion is to just extract the vote yes and refer it back
take a vote to review and refer
it back to ALC LC there's discussion on the motion representative Shepard you're recognized if you have discussion on the
Chair
Unverified
32:40
motion no I have a comment for the presenter at
Representative Tara Shephard
Unverified
32:44
the table I think this is the best time to make that
comment so yeah thank you I just wanted to say thank you for being here today mr. Johnson many years ago I was a recipient over some of these miss Argo grant funds and know the benefits of serving children across the state of arkansas so thank you so much for being here today and everything
that you do for children thank you thank you yeah thank you we do appreciate your attendance so there's a motion on the floor to re-refer to
extract the vote and re-expunge the vote sorry and re-refer this to a review committee at alc in june is that the correct motion do we have a motion a second all those in favor
say aye opposed the motion is passed so we'll expect you back in June for review to have a little more detailed conversation thank you thank you and now members I
think we can move on I think we've already heard a
presentation on j3 are there any questions on j3 this is the discretionary grant for the Department of Energy and Environment representative lunch
from you're recognized for a question thank
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
33:48
you I just wanted to free geek of Arkansas
just a little more information was this a request for proposal and they came back and they received this for 180,000 or how did how did we get to this point just a information if you don't mind
Representative Roger D. Lynch
Unverified
34:16
just stating your name for the committee when you
Speaker 130
34:19
get to the seat thank you Lauren Ballard chief of staff energy and environment Bailey Taylor chief administrator of environment deq director you recognize and yes representative lundstrom this was in response to request for proposals this is the electronic recycling program that we actually sunsetted last year we're just um writing down some funds and these are the ones that got the proposal correct so there was a request yes and they provided a sort of justification for what they were
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
34:45
looking to purchase good all right um and then this will go for how long for until 2027
It's one time. It's one time. And then what is our, what does a win
Speaker 132
35:01
look like? How does this? So for this particular entity, they will
Speaker 140
35:06
continue to perform the duties that they have been doing as far as e-waste recycling. This money is for their operations manager, their workers, the rental for the facility, for the computer technician, and then some other fees associated with the processing of the e-waste for recycling.
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
35:24
So this is a current business? Yes, ma'am. And we're purchasing their services?
Speaker 140
35:30
They are performing the services for the state. They're an entity. So there were other entities in the state that performed this, and so they were eligible for this grant to be able to continue the electronic recycling. who would do this if they weren't if
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
35:48
if we didn't pay for it who would be doing this I
Speaker 140
35:53
think that these entities continue to do it with or without the
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
35:58
grant award so with or without government money they
Speaker 140
36:06
would function I would I would assume that that that's their business model yes ma'am
Speaker 130
36:10
represent I was just gonna add this is part of a grant program that was statutorily created many years ago with some funding I think from proceeds of some of the M&R sales and so it was written into the code that way. In 2025 we thought that this had kind of met its utility and so we've actually sunseted this
program so this is a sort of the last end of this
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
36:33
grant cycle. Okay. Alright. Thank you. Thank
you both. Members with any other questions?
Seeing none. this item stands reviewed without objection seeing no see no objections this item seems to read okay that moves us down
William Parrish
Unverified
36:55
to k-1 thank you mr. chairman contracts for review k-1 the cover letter for OSP
director Jessica Patterson states that the contracts presented for review this month had been reviewed by her staff and appear to be procured lawfully if you go to page three of K-1. Page three is a ratification for the Division of Emergency Management. This ratification is for the Nuclear Planning and Response Program, which was moved in July 2025 to the Department of Public Safety from the Department of Health. During the transition, the department continued to perform nuclear testing, but it should have been under an intergovernmental service contract. Today, Adam requests a review of these services provided from
july 2025 to april 30 2026 valued at 65 000. mr chair that is the osp ratification members any questions on this item
seeing no questions without objection this item stands reviewed that takes us to k2 thank you
William Parrish
Unverified
37:51
mr chair we're in k2 these are construction contracts there's four of them the first one is department of corrections
division of correction with lockaby and associates it's an amendment six to an existing contract for one call architectural services and then number two is National Park College with Creative Sign Designs.
This is a new contract for design and construction of campus wayfinding signage. On the next page, page two is number three, University of Arkansas with Gensler. It's a new contract for $4.7 million for professional design services for the Razorback Road parking facility. And number four, UAMS with Taggart Architects for architectural and engineering services to install new cyclotron equipment in the existing PET building. Mr. Chair, that's the end of K-2 construction-related contracts. Members, are there any questions on item K-2?
Seeing none. Without objection, that item stands for review. That takes us to item K-3. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We're in K-3. These are intergovernmental contracts. There's 13 of them. Number one is Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Commission with UNC Chapel Hill. This amends an existing contract for a water and wastewater rate data study. Number two is Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind with UAMS for physical exams and medical services for the School for the Deaf and Blind. We're on page two now. Contract number three, Higher Education Division with ASUBB. This is a new contract for professional development for faculty teaching concurrent enrollment classes.
Number four is Department of Health with UAMS. It's a new contract for a trauma medical consultant for the trauma system. Number five is Department of Health with UA Little Rock. This is to partner with the social work program to implement the WIC Baby and Me Parenting Program in WIC clinics across the state. Next page is page three. We're on contract number six. This is Department of Health with UAMS. It amends an existing contract for evaluation support for the statewide stroke program. Number seven is Department of Health with UAMS for tracking and monitoring services for the newborn screening program.
Next page is page four, contract number eight. Department of Health with UAMS, it amends an existing contract for maternity care for low-income Arkansas Statewide. On the next page is page 5, contract number 9. Department of Health with UAMS continues an existing contract for a Ph.D. scientist for selected Department of Health programs requiring research and epidemiological assistance. Number 10, Tobacco Settlement Commission with UCA, it amends an existing contract for a mandated ongoing evaluation of the seven tobacco settlement programs.
Next page is page number six. This is DHS Developmental Disabilities with UA Fayetteville. It amends an existing program for administration of the Autism Waiver Program. And number 12, DHS Medical Services with Oregon Health and Science University. It amends an existing contract for Medicaid evidence-based review project. And on page seven is the last contract, number 13. This is Public Safety Emergency Management with Department of Health. This is a new contract for radiation testing and analysis at nuclear one This is the new contract associated with the previously mentioned ratification in K1. Mr. Chair
Those are all the intergovernmental contracts in
K3 members of the questions about K3
Speaker 55
41:02
Seeing no questions without objection this item stands reviewed that takes us to K4
William Parrish
Unverified
41:08
Thank you, Mr. Chair in K4. These are these are out-of-state contracts. There's 13 of them The first one is ASU with Lantsoft. This is a new contract for temporary staffing services for ASU. Number two is Commerce Workforce Services with Kerasoft Technology Group. It demands an existing contract for the unemployment insurance modernization projects.
Next page is page two, contract number three, Department of Health with Wellco LKA Inc. for the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. This is for programs for pregnant women who are tobacco and nicotine users. And this is a sole source contract, and staff has attached these additional documentation in the orange-pink pages on the back of the report. I think Kathy would call this salmon. Number five is Department of Labor and Licensing, Appraiser Licensing and Certification. This is with Dennis Badger and Associates for Claim Investigations.
Number six is on the next page. We're on page three. THIS IS UNIVERSITY OF ARKESA WITH BAKER, TILLY, AND AMENDS AN EXISTING CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION AND AUDIT SERVICES. NUMBER SEVEN IS UNIVERSITY OF ARKESA WITH CAMPUS GUARD. IT AMENDS AN EXISTING CONTRACT FOR INFORMATION SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE SUPPORT AND TRAINING. NUMBER EIGHT IS UNIVERSITY OF ARKESA WITH FORT HILL ASSOCIATES. IT AMENDS AN EXISTING CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION AND AUDIT SERVICES. NEXT PAGE IS PAGE FOUR, CONTRACT NUMBER NINE. UNIVERSITY OF ARKESA WITH HERO IN CONSULTING FOR GUIDANCE ON STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE.
insurance number 10 university of arkansas with zeta global digital marketing services through the ua global campus for university of arkansas online number 11 ua little rock with ssia technologies to provide operational digital planetarium system the next page is page five contract number 12 university rock salt pound bluff with storeback search this original contract is for recruitment services for the provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs number 13 is uca with cca facility services it amends an existing contract for janitorial
services on campus mr chair those are all the out-of-state
contracts thank you senator ervin you
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
43:09
recognize for a question thank you i'm not sure if it matters or not but in k3 which was in intergovernmental transfers number 12 i think number 12 and k3 should have been in k4 because that is from Portland, Oregon, and it should have been an out-of-state contract, not intergovernmental contract. So whether it matters or not, I think you just got to make sure that it's in the right
list. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Irvin. And yes, I agree. That's the way it looks. Thank you for pointing that
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
43:47
out. Representative Kavanaugh, are you recognized? Yes, I have a question on item 10 for the University of Arkansas. If you don't mind just setting
your name for the committee and you'll be recognized.
Speaker 146
44:10
Rebecca Haley, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. thank
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
44:16
you appreciate you being here um this i just kind of want to understand what this actual contract does it's with zetta global um and it talks about support paid digital marketing including execution maintenance and reporting of digital media buys so what are they actually doing we're asking for 12 but the projected cost is 22 million so what are they doing for this Yes, ma'am. So it's $3 million a
Speaker 150
44:41
year. The $12 million for four years, the $7 million is a total projected if we go through with that contract with the whole term.
They are actually, it's our digital media buys. So they're buying social media, advertising that you see on TV for any of our University of Arkansas Fayetteville online programs to get the word out with them. um it's a nationally competitive award that we had 58 different vendors it's 90 percent of the three million a year it's for direct media buys okay so
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
45:18
it actually does actually include the buy
yes too and then their commission is part of it also so okay all
Speaker 152
45:24
right that answered my question thank you yes ma'am
members are there any other questions these are on the uh this i believe we're k5 if i haven't lost track k4 we're on the out-of-state contracts there any questions on those chair representing moore you
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
45:40
recognized yeah thank you mr chair i had a question for the representative from university of arkansas
just following up on what representative kavanaugh was saying are those media buys are those buys in state or those out of state both could you tell
Speaker 150
46:02
me the percentage I don't have that in front of me but
I could get that to you that'd be great thanks members with any other questions seeing no further questions without objection this item stands
William Parrish
Unverified
46:21
for viewed thank you mr. chair that takes us to k-5 these are in-state contracts there's 22
contracts. The first one is ASU
Breaking Bonds Ministries. It's a new contract for temporary staffing services. Two, ASU Eco Cleaning Agency, Summit of Residence Hall Maintenance and Cleaning for ASU. Number three, ASU Marathon Staffing Services. It's a new contract for temporary staffing. Number four is Commerce Economic Development with Mitchell William Sela Gates for a new special procurement contract. This is also included in the packet. This new contract is for negotiation services for Project Brave.
Next page is page two, contract number five, Department of Corrections, Community Correction with Prosperity House for community-based treatment at a 10-bed re-entry facility in Hampton, Arkansas. Number six is Community Correction Inn with Safe Haven Ministries. It's also for a community-based re-entry facility for 20 females in Clarksville, Arkansas. Next page is page three, number seven, DFA Child Support Enforcement with RockDoc for Australian Services of the Office of Child Support Enforcement.
Number eight, DFA Revenue Services with Veteran Cleaning Service for Janitorial Services in the Raglan and Leadbetter Buildings. Number nine, DHS with ERISA Health and amends an existing contract for board payment for children of foster care in a community reintegration program. Number 10 is DHS with Arkansas Support Network for Developmental Disability Services for DCFS clients. next page is page four contract number 11 DHS with RVAC it extends an existing contract for substance abuse treatment services for DCFS clients number 12 is
DHS with Assemblies of God Family Services for supervised independent living programs for youth ages 18 to 21 participating in extended foster care next page is page five contract number 13 DHS with Dana's house for emergency shelter services for dcfs clients number 14 dhs with housley and reeves for counseling services for dcfs clients page six contract number 15 dhs with piney ridge treatment center increases an existing contract for board payment for children and foster care in a community reintegration
program 16 dhs with 10th district substance abuse program for substance abuse treatment services number 17 is dhs with western arkansas counseling for guidance uh counseling and guidance for supervised independent living services. Next page is page seven, contract number 18, DHS with Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance. Again, this is for substance abuse treatment services in Western Arkansas. Number 19, DHS with James H. Phillips for a Medicaid administrative hearing officer. Number 20 is Henderson State University with EMTC Engineering Management. This is for
asbestos abatement in the Wells Gymnasium on campus at Henderson. Next item is on page eight. This is contract number 21. This is you a little rock with Genesis data comm It's a new contract for code help blue points on you a little our campus and number 22 is you a PB Janitorial doctors for commercial cleaning services for dormitories, but share those are all the out. I'm sorry in state contracts in K-5 members there any questions on K-5 Seeing
no questions without objection this item stands reviewed takes us to reports
William Parrish
Unverified
49:38
I'm sure only reports are left L1 and 2 and there's no action these are filed for
committee information members are there any questions seeing none seeing no other further business we do have business Senator
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
49:59
Irvin you're recognized I just want to thank everybody for the text messages and the concern and the phone calls for the people of Stone County the tornado did hit last night but nobody was hurt just some property damage so just appreciate
everybody reaching out and caring for the people of stone county thanks thank
you senator ervin any other business before the committee seeing none this meeting stands adjourned
Agenda
A. Call to Order
Items for Approval
B. Various Temporary Appropriation Requests
1. Court of Appeals – Attorney Fees
2. Department of Commerce – Division of Aeronautics – Grants
3. Department of Commerce – Insurance Department – Workers’ Compensation
4. Department of Commerce – Insurance Department – Refunds for Tax Overpayments
C. American Rescue Plan Act Appropriation Requests
1. Department of Human Services – Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health – Community Mental Health
2. Department of Human Services – Division of Aging, adult, and Behavioral Health – Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
3. Department of Human Services – Division of Aging, adult, and Behavioral Health – Community Mental Health II
4. Department of Human Services – Division of Aging, adult, and Behavioral Health – Older American Act
D. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Appropriation Requests
1. Department of Agriculture – State Forest Fire Assistance Response
2. Department of Commerce – Economic Development Commission – Broadband Equity Access Deployment (BEAD)
3. Department of Agriculture – Volunteer Fire Assistance
4. Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality – Solid Waste Infrastructure 5. Department of Energy and Environment – Oil and Gas Commission – National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation
E. Reallocation of Resources
1. Department of Human Services Items for Review
F. Cash Fund Appropriation Requests
1. Northwest Arkansas Community College – Capital Improvements
2. Southern Arkansas University Tech – Environmental Training Academy
3. Department of Corrections – Commissary Invoices and Maintenance
4. Department of Public Safety – Division of Emergency Management – Rural 911 Enhancements
G. Miscellaneous Federal Grant Appropriation Requests
1. Department of Human Services – Division of Medical Services – Transforming Maternal Health
2. Department of Human Services – Division of Providers Services and Quality Assurance – Medicare Survey and Certification Title 18
3. Department of Human Services – Division of Providers Services and Quality Assurance – Hospice Impact Survey and Certification
4. Department of Human Services – Division of Providers Services and Quality Assurance – Medicare Survey and Certification Title 19
5. Department of Disability Determination for Social Security Administration – Medical Records, Consultative Exams, and Medical Consultant
6. Department of Public Safety – Division of State Police – Homeland Security Service Agreement
7. Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism – Division of Heritage – Digital Newspaper Project
8. Administrative Office of the Courts – CDLPI Grant
H. Pay Plan Appropriation and Performance Fund Transfer Requests
1. Department of Education – Division of Higher Education
I. Methods of Finance
1. University of Arkansas Little Rock
2. University of Arkansas Medical Sciences
3. University of Arkansas Medical Sciences
J. Discretionary Grants
1. Department of Health
2. University of Arkansas Pine Bluff – Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
3. Department of Energy and Environment
K. Service Contracts for Legislative Review and Ratification
1. OSP Ratification
2. Construction Contracts
3. Intergovernmental Contracts
4. Out-of-State Contracts
5. In-State Contracts
Reports
L. Monthly Reports
M. Other Business
N. Adjournment
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE, Apr 28, 2026 | Agenda | 3 | Official source ↗ |
| B. vta · Various Temporary Appropriation Requests | Exhibit | 5 | Official source ↗ |
| C. arpa | Exhibit | 5 | Official source ↗ |
| D. iija | Exhibit | 45 needs OCR | Official source ↗ |
| E. ror · Reallocation of Resources | Exhibit | 14 | Official source ↗ |
| F. cash | Exhibit | 5 | Official source ↗ |
| G. mfg · Miscellaneous Federal Grant Appropriation Requests | Exhibit | 17 | Official source ↗ |
| H. payplan | Exhibit | 2 | Official source ↗ |
| I. Methods of Finance | Exhibit | 2 | Official source ↗ |
| J. Discretionary Grants | Exhibit | 6 | Official source ↗ |
| K.1 OSP Ratification and Services Contracts 1 | Exhibit | 3 | Official source ↗ |
| K.2 Construction | Exhibit | 2 needs OCR | Official source ↗ |
| K.3 Intergovernmental contracts | Exhibit | 7 | Official source ↗ |
| K.4 Out-of-State contracts | Exhibit | 13 | Official source ↗ |
| K.5 In-State contracts | Exhibit | 8 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Representative Lee Johnson Chair
Unverified
William Parrish
Unverified
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
Speaker 21
Speaker 24
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
Speaker 44
Speaker 45
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
Katherine Doner
Unverified
Speaker 36
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
Representative Roger D. Lynch
Unverified
Speaker 72
Speaker 40
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
Speaker 97
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
Speaker 82
Speaker 110
Speaker 111
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Representative Tara Shephard
Unverified
Speaker 130
Speaker 132
Speaker 140
Speaker 55
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 146
Speaker 150
Speaker 152
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified