Joint Budget Committee - Pre-Fiscal Session Budget Hearings

Member you get is a perfect to start. One call joint budget in order. First thing this morning. Of hot springs loss offers groups are last night he was the son of bills Graham shar which was a former. Ugh candy judge mayor of Malvern which I served with and also state Representative body if we could have a a moment of silence of memory his service in and his family. Thank you. So the next thing we're going to do is and I hate this senator Chesterfield not here. Of today is a. Senator Teague sixty second birthday. So of. Let's give him a round of applause. A. All right first item on the agenda is the. Be one of the letter from the state auditor. Transfiguration ash. Thank you Mr chairman item B. one this is auditor of state is requesting a increase in the professional fees line item from one hundred twenty thousand to one million one hundred and twenty thousand for fiscal year twenty one the letter states that this was fees that were previously deducted from third party already audits this is a change in the mechanism to used to pay those vendors as chairman this is reimbursed by unclaimed property so this is not general revenue okay we do have this state auditor here finger any questions. If not we'll entertain a motion to adopt the letter. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion all in favor say aye. All opposed letters adopted. First we're going to public safety we are going to skip over seven eight it'll be on the agenda tomorrow. Of with the audit. They gonna come up for the findings. Introduce yourself. You can proceed. Thank you Mr chair amended that it with Arkansas legislative audit. Of the findings we have two findings for the state crime lab there on page six and seven of your audit finding booklet. House of summarize these briefly. The first one had the agency assistant director did not properly disclose of financial interest she had in a company for which the state crime lab was doing business with. The second finding deals with in Kermit collared credit card state credit card purchases that were personal in nature that were made by the former procurement manager at the state crime lab. The total charges on the credit card they were personal in nature were sixteen hundred eighty five dollars and that's the two findings for the state crime lab. With the use of. Charges paid back. Mr chair I do not know that may be a better question for the agency will. All right any other questions for audit. Thank you Twitter you up. You feel identify yourself. Thank you Mr chairman Joshua twenty bureau of legislative research our first appropriation will begin on page two thirteen it will be the department of public safety administration and shared services. That is behind tab to. Looking at the division appropriation summer you'll notice of their six total appropriations all of which are from ACT nine ten transformation efficiencies ACT of twenty nineteen to appropriations or transfer from department of education one from department of finance and administration into from the attorney general's office. As the committee notices their zeros in the other columns with the exception of the agency request in the exact recommendation this is due to ACT nine ten. On page two fourteen you'll see one of two of our law enforcement safety office programs. This one's a paid through cash it collects a fee from property transactions the law enforcement safety office program assist law local law enforcement agencies in the acquisition of federal property for qualified participants. Days to request executive recommendation of forty thousand matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. On page two sixteen you'll see the second of our less so programs this one's funded through general revenues. The AC request an executive recommendation of roughly eight three thousand matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. On page two eighteen you'll see our next appropriation which is the fire prevention commission grant which is funded through general revenue this appropriation provides for the fire protection commission grants program and the operations of the boards program. The agency request executive recommendation of thirty thousand matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. Our next appropriation on page two twenty is the crime victims reparations program you'll see too afraid to appropriations for this this is the first one. The funding source the state admin justice fund the Arkansas crime victims reparations program is administered by the department of public safety on behalf of crime victims reparations board. The agency request exactly recommendations for one point nine million which matches matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. Our next appropriation on page two twenty two. Is the department of public safety this appropriation creates the new cabinet level department FOR the department of public safety and establishes the secretary of the department of public safety funding for this appropriation consist of a mix of revenue sources the answer quest exactly recommendations for a little over a hundred ninety six thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. And our second a crime victims reparations board is federally funded. And the ace request exact a recommendation for a little over one million matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. Mr chairman this concludes my presentation of apartment public safety administration shared services. Senator Teague you're recognized. The thirty thousand for fire prevention grants alone to nineteen hasn't been there before. Where did it get transferred from somewhere else yes Sir it was transferred from department of finance administration disbursing officer. Creation. And what they get rid of it. Mister Walter couldn't have that high. Of how did for the if a. Not necessary not necessary to. Nine Mister thank you. Any other questions. Who's in seat fifteen. Okay well. Revenue will push your reality but again. You're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman are we are we to assume. Because there is no actual budget that all these numbers are new I don't understand what care the what kept you from showing twenty eighteen nineteen and twenty of our our twenty eighteen twenty nineteen these most of these agencies were in existence where the not we were flying in the dark here I'll defer to the if a check is probably wouldn't miss please going to your question I thank you. Thank you Jake plea DFA office of budget center ACT nine ten under the transformation act different programs and agencies removed because you're saying that so if we did budget manuals for example on the DFA disbursing officers act there would be a page in there that would show the prior your expenses and then zeros which would pick up here there's no new appropriation or funding being requested to transformation it's just moving from one place to another. I understand all that why couldn't you show the actual expenses that they incurred last year in this document because the this document would show the expenses that are incurred by the department of public safety and the expenses that were incurred previously were under a different agency we can absolutely get you those previous year expenditures with I think that would be of interest in the late is that at least it would to me Sir I mean we got a million dollars for crime victims of reparation. And how much we spend the last year on that. What agency just come on up. Identify yourself I'm Jamie coke secretary for department public safety and I was interested in the exact same information five prevention commission grants in FY nineteen spent twenty four thousand six hundred twenty eight dollars on smoke detectors and then they granted out thirty six twenty to Fort Smith thirty four fifty depart Paragould thirty two fifty to Sebastian county for educational materials and things such as that and then the website maintenance and seventeen hundred eight dollars for board member travel and then. Well let me let me I don't know what you go through each one a okay that is for sure per to former trooper. You know what what are you looking at one is all this. How how much how much to the screen and last year I don't see why we couldn't have that number in this document. Why do you have what the crime victims spent last year in a FY nineteen one million one hundred ninety five dollars and nine or sixty three or sixty three dollars in state funding one million seventy four five hundred seven in federal dollars so it's about the same see we know we know that this million forty this request it here is within the realm of reasonableness yes well I'm saying and as to the the fire prevention spent right at their thirty thousand dollars to. This is the whole list of each of your agencies that you're responsible for we're looking at the current request and I feel like we need to know what we spend in each of the last year thank you Mr thank you. Thank you. Of Senator hammer thank you your C. fifty five yes Sir thank you you're recognized and I'm going to guess strictest to you Mr blade and then anybody else can answer the the numbers when they were moved over under the transformation the agency request and the executive recommendation do any of them exceed what was previously spent in all the categories. The mother was transferred over was what was transferred over part of the biennial recommendation according their agency operations plans as far as any increase in spending from one year to the next that's something we'd have to to look back and get get with you on it would depend on the individual appropriations. And regarding the funding sources when the numbers were moved over to fit the new format is what we'll call because you're you're you're transitioning over and. Creating these new categories are identifying them differently in the funding sources were there any increases over the previous years expense of funding. It's the to the extent that there were any increases from one year to the other from one year to the next and spending that would be a reflection of a decision made at that agency level it wouldn't be a reflection of what was required under ACT nine ten nine ten really just moved the programs and the supporting appropriation from one place to another there's no increase that resulted as a result. Okay and then to represent a witness point after those questions we would need to see those numbers broken out individually in order to know that would we not yes Sir okay alright thank you. Jake can you send that to staff and we'll send it out to the members electronically yes Sir I'll get with Kevin make sure you that thank you. Of revision Senate remember you through. Review to Gavin off you're recognized thank you Mr chair basically my request was to the chairs that when we have this information can that not be per body to us before so going forward with any other that we're going to be looking at can we please have that before we have to come to the meetings to be able to ask intelligent questions and to really know what's being done in the budget sure the only time you're going to see that are on those positions that or those programs and move pursuant to transformation so of and and it's really when you get down into pieces and programs they were the remainder of the budget man of the have before you today should have that information in it the the pieces that were moved in large blocks would have the prior your date and but we can actually get that for you I mean from someone trying to look it budget numbers we can't really say yea or nay that this is appropriate we don't have the history in the data yes ma'am I understand okay thank you. Senator sample you're recognized yes the. Jake segue into represent Wooten can you cannot put a a footnote due to Bob and then here when you check transfer from one department to the so that we'll know what's. Being transferred to that moneys being transferred. there is a note in the manual about where the where the programs came from but we can certainly add more information on the amount or spending or prior your date on on expenditure we and I'm like everybody else we need all that before we can pass this budget these budget yes She. Thank you. Representative Lundstrum you're recognized. Thank you I'm you said we spent twenty four thousand dollars on free smoke detectors how are those distributed what's the process on that. Board of. Skis me. There's a competitive there's a grant process that goes through the board and the board members to side of how those are distributed so the fire departments apply for the grants FOR the smoke detectors and the board approves or disapproves that and may sell smoke detectors over to that fire department. Thank you. Representative Dotson you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair would it would have been in this is a question the chair would be possible to hold these until we get those numbers for approval. House can you get the numbers to us. Were we should be working on it right now we can get them to you we'll try to get them to you by the end of the day today one of the issues is that when transformation act was put into place some of the positions our programs were broken out it did not fall within a specific appropriation so in some cases they were a position that were or a an appropriation or wrapped into a larger appropriation section the law enforcement support officer within the department of career what was career education is a good example of that so in a lot of ways the prior year budget information would not really be relevant to just that specific position so something we'd have to create but we can get that data we're working on it we should be working on it right now and get it to you as soon as possible. Okay. Three Russian may represent Dotson yes we can get that. I'd be great before approve this. Resident Cavenaugh I was gonna make a motion at the proper time Mr chair. Are we have more questions. All right C. eleven is that the. Revenue love you're recognized then you try to give you Mr chair no I would trust the value of your move around so it's harder member you see it all right thank you I just had a few basic questions in regards to the crime victims reparations program in and I did read the description however how or how are our families our families notified in regards to we distribute that those funds for this from the the crime victims reparations. I have a house that house that distributed. The victims or the provider that incurred the expenses make an app make application to the crime victims reparations board and they meet every other month I believe how they mate and date here the claim an award that call a claim if it meets the criteria okay he kind of what are. I'm just trying to I'm I'm trying to wrap my head around it but I'll come back to that I guess I can talk to you off line about that in the in the sex of this section shall to finish registration the The agency requests to sixty thousand dollars. To this what what goes into that appropriation. Because I read the description on that is that just the basic registry or is that. What are we. Ask director because or to come up and explain how that operation that that is for the maintenance of that sex offender registration program but director because working as answer more specific details. I think this is one that we should be interested in. Read his or director the Arkansas crime information center ripping or love the sex offender registration fund is funded by a one time two hundred fifty dollar fee that is assessed on every person who is convicted of a sex offense in the state of Arkansas for a person who moved here who is convicted of sections in another state that fee is divided I have a go to the Arkansas crime information center to find the sex offender registry and half of it goes to the partminer corrections to fund the sex offender assessment program okay so so is this is just basic maintenance on this system is not trying to keep in I guess when someone goes. If you don't if you don't register again then what happens I mean this has nothing to do with that. If you're if you're talking about a failure to comply that's a that that may be a court finder that that does not come to the Arkansas crime information center this this fund is made up of half of the one time fee that is assessed upon conviction. Or moving here from another state. So has nothing to do with people who have been charged and convicted of failure to comply. Okay nothing to do with compliance now this to the fund it comes from that one source and is used to operate and maintain the sex offender registry. Okay. All right thank you. A reserve love. Of the city. Richey rye you and see thirteen. You're recognized thank you Mr chairman you Mr chairman these budgets basically started out with about forty three or forty five and have been whittled down to around seventeen or eighteen. I'm agreeing with Mr word and are present on this you know if we're going to take three to in going down and to Warner traded down into one it just looked flat we need to have somethin A bill FOR an after of state nineteen and twenty and then now and to twenty one and to show where that break was made so that we could actually know if these budgets are up or down well look let's remember this. All right the RSA is a one point five percent increase okay. This is appropriation and this is not the bill this is just given the staff the authority to draft him we're gonna come back in the fiscal session and come back here and we will review everyone of them to give them time to make the changes I thank staff has already indicated we've already done some couple days of with the same got transferred to different apartments there's no his free arm and they should put a been there I agree but of if there's no changes in the staff to others no changes and the administration's going to get these back in our budget manuals when we have bills why don't we go ahead and give the staff the authority to draft this legislation that's all we're doing and we go back in this fiscal session and all these numbers will be where they need to be and I think they'll just say task by me this is not this is not passing of the of bill out of budget if it's giving the staff authorization to draft the legislation that's what we're doing here today and if that's agreeable. We can proceed if if if not would do whatever will the body is. Thank you Mr chair. Okay. All right. Represented within your backup. Thank you Mr Honda I have a question and by believe you answered it you're saying that what we're doing understand we'll have another opportunity look at all these fiscal session everyone comes back to his bill form they're not in bill form right now four for the moment may it may have a motion to make it to appropriate time okay we have more questions. No. I am me skews me a keep call you Representative are I'm not given the respect you need Senator hammer I'm getting recognized thank Mister Mister consort I'm looking at the scrap metal log book and the numbers are flat all the way across at a hundred fifty thousand can you speak on those numbers and the actual expenses matching up all across the line certainly senator the the cost of the program that we have to provide the scrap metal log does cost is a hundred and fifty thousand we receive that hundred fifty thousand as an a as an appropriation from the department of environmental quality so they provide us with a hundred fifty thousand we use that money to pay for the software so it so of flat lined us it's. Is it and I've been around fuse scrap metal places and talk to a few of them do you as a agency director feel that that is appropriate to the need are you saying that it's helping bend the curve down as far as what that systems intended to do I think so center actually have some numbers if you'd like and to hear them That okay Mister that's fine thank you. Senator over the last Three months of over sixty thousand nine hundred and thirty seven tickets entered it buys scrap metal dealers of of items that were being scrapped which totaled over a hundred forty six thousand items and it two thousand and forty four hits on stolen property they've been registered by law enforcement so I would say yes the system's working like it's supposed to. Is it adequate with the funding that you have and would with additional funding could we do anymore got to bend it down even more do you think or what your opinion of the programmer using senators been a hundred fifty thousand since its inception and has not gone up so I there's no enhancements that they offer that we could we could add to it okay. And then one other question and and I think I'm correct on this correct me if I'm wrong but with what you're. It's what your department does as far as like to warrants being injured in an the timeliness so that one law enforcement stop somebody on the street they have the most current ACT rate information as far as you know we outstanding warts how are we standing in that area. As I followed your umbrella it does so on a row and and our rules law enforcement and FBI rules law enforcement warrants have to be in basically within less than twenty four hours so there entered immediately as part of something we audit agencies on agencies are complying with that we also we maintain that warrant file also in the NC I see so that when somebody checks it it's it's when it worn is entered it's also available immediately nationally. So as far as what you're charged with the responsibility you have as far as those once getting entered in and timely manner everything's in compliance right now that is correct then again as that that is one of the items we also order law enforcement eighties on is the time and this is how the under all warrants is there a problem out there is for some the age they're on our different though there is that that is one area that they all complying very well okay alright thank you Mr. Thank you. All right. Was pleasure the committee. I have a motion. House well of what for what no. All right. Review Cavenaugh you're recognized the motion that I have is that we will hold this until we get the required information to be able to make a decision okay all right have motion second he discussion. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. I will have only Janet Ammar. Which would. With the crime information center all right our next presentation be the Arkansas crime information center which starts on page two twenty seven. The Arkansas crime information center is responsible for the state's law enforcement in criminal justice information management system. The division has for total appropriations of which one has increased over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. The legislative recommendations seven point six million in fiscal year twenty one which is an increase of a little over two thousand or the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. On page two twenty eight you'll see our first appropriation line item which is the A. C. I. see operations. The Arkansas crime information center is responsible for the state's law enforcement come justice information management system this appropriation is used for personal services and operating expenses of the agency. The fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is seven point four million which is an increase over two fiscal year twenty authorized amount increases due to career service payments. On page two thirty you'll see our next appropriations the sex offender six in child offender registration. The funding sources the offender registration fund. This section child offender registration fund. Is funded through fines received by those persons required to register sex offenders the fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendations sixty thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there aren't any changes. On page two thirty two you'll see our next appropriation which is the scrap metal log book. AC is this appropriation for maintenance and operation expenses of the Arkansas real time scrap metal log book. The fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is four hundred and fifty thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. On page two thirty four you'll see our next appropriation which is the systems conference cash and treasury. The agency supports to state wide conferences from this fun. Funding is provided by registration fees charged to participants in fees paid by vendors for rental of booth space the fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendations for sixty thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there aren't any changes. Mr chairman this concludes my presentation on the Arkansas crime information center. Any question or crime information center. We have a motion executive wrecked I have a motion and a second any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed. Twenty. My next presentation will be the state crime laboratory which starts on page two thirty seven. State crime lab provides currency can scientific support to the cry criminal justice system in Arkansas. The division is a total of four appropriations of which one has changed from the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. The fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is sixteen point eight million which is an increase of about seven thousand over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. On page two thirty eight you'll see our first appropriation which is the crime lab federal. This appropriations funded by grants from the United States department of justice. These funds enable the state crime lab to outsource to be in a case work backlog thus allowing state crime lab analysts to process current DNA cases the fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is one point eight million which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. On page two forty Sir next appropriation which is equipment. This appropriations funded by special revenue generated from forfeitures of funds and property derive through corpus proceedings. The fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendations one million which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes hold on I got a question. Sir have you read for question our. Okay go ahead. Witness to it okay and on page two forty two you'll see our next appropriation which is the crime lab state. The fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendations for twelve point seven million which is a slight increase of seven thousand two hundred over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount this is due to career service payments. I don't page two forty four you'll see our last appropriation which is the in a special. This appropriation provides for personal services and operating expenses to support the DNA database. The fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is for one point two million which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. Mr chairman this concludes my presentation on state crime lab. Senator hammer you're recognized. Thank you. The. I wanted to ask under refresh my memory update me on where you are as finer as far as finding of I came here to tell you call chief medical director of the individual that you've been searching nation wide for to. Fill the vacancy upcoming vacancy could you update us on that. yes good morning committee and Senator hammer of we have advertised for the chief medical examiner we also have an advertisement out there for and so should medical examiner and we we've got the to date no success yet of with attracting a successful candidate matter fact we haven't had a an applicant that relief for the bill yet I remember from previous discussions I think maybe privately or in committee about the challenge of hiring one for the salary range that they have in the appropriation do you have adequate of funding request for that position so we can get someone here because otherwise by member right we're gonna lose certification or potentially lose certifications that correct that that's correct and that's so one of the things that quite frankly keep me up in tight basically of the committee approved us to go to two seventy I believe which was the Max at that range and and that was appropriation only at this point we also of course have the associate medical examiner position open as well and we've been able to approve that position at a one ninety nine which I believe is med and so that's where we are right now with that myself and senator cook about conversations about this and and the plight not over here in Arkansas but around the country and that is something that we're definitely looking into to ways we could try to attract someone Herschel budget numbers in front of us have all that incorporated into this far as salary ranges that you just mentioned. Yes I do okay and then all the other thing is I know that as far as your crime lab itself struggling with the condition it's in a thank you okay me what year was constructed of but any any thoughts going forward as far as how to address that or none of that's reflected in the budget request is that's that's correct you that's not reflected here and one of the things that of course with infrastructure in this state building is something I think that I believe secretary cook is looking into and that we're all looking into how we can have a plan maybe feasibility study going forward just or to determine based on our crime stats based on our work flow you know what is it going to take whether it's five ten fifteen years out alright thank you thank you Mr. Senator bond you're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman Representative Lundstrum and many others and here we have the sexual assault kit gathering an entry of the DNA evidence bill that passed last session there was some concern at the time that passed whether we would need additional funding to make sure that got up and running how we doing on that or do did and do we need any additional funding to make sure we carry out that legislative act A no we're at this point we don't center it but basically when that act came into effect you know we had a ninety day turn around time for live towards produce results and all the kids that have been submitted sense that act we have been able to meet that sixty days we're trying to do is also we can't forget about those other cases that are older than that so we're working those in as well because that's of concern to us to make sure that we're timely in response to law enforcement getting those results out. Are we getting the kids and that was one of the issues right that to get the kids and from the law enforcement make sure we got amending got untested is that happening timely yes it is think law enforcement generals doing a good job no we're not we're we need to be as far as compliance on tracking the kit tracking itself of its like anything I think it takes a lot of uh education were actually putting a lot of our educational things regarding that and to the Acadia's platform where law enforcement officers crosses they can access that kind of on demand and get their credit hours and also be able to comply with the law but we try to educate as much as we can with that. All right you don't need any additional resources to carry out the act I guess the. Not this time senator bond thank you. Speaker. And. The representante you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair direct from over to your at. Two more Sir good morning I know the mission of the crime lab is to assist law enforcement agencies across the state but I'm just curious and I know you have a very tight budget I understand that but I'm just curious how much how much resources or be in use from your budget to deal with requests from private attorneys or the private sector of our the judicial system I know you get some request and you had to retain some type of certain types of details that I know was a burden on your I would thank all your resources but I live you just to address that a little bit and how much of a burden that he is in and we and is that is that included in your budget that extra cost. That extra cost really isn't it is more of a burden than a cost factor and an example of that if we have a let's say of a public defender who has retained it is the attorney of record in the case and they request re cuts on tissue slides and we might have to recut let's say thirty eight issue slide for an external expert up to a to review that really is borne by the laboratory to pay that fee number one is indigent defense and so we don't charge the public defender's office for that and that's how we've been operating but it is a laborious process to make sure that they are the attorney of record of course we're also dealing with civil case work which happened so you know we get several requests all the time to burn information on to CD's to provide that once we have prosecutorial approval and things of that nature so it is a burden is it's a work process at this point it's not a financial burden. Okay thank you. The board you're recognized. Thank you Part of the you know I come from one of the counties that has an overcrowded jail like I'm sure most of us have in part of that is supposedly the backlog so could you just speak briefly to what has happened with the new place in northwest Arkansas whether or not that's working to diminish that backlog in what progress in that you have adequate resources to help with that the absolutely and as you all know we open the facility in Lowell and it's ten thousand square foot facility in true bill and it just to give you guys an idea of the state police basically funded the operation brick and mortar and we responsible for roughly two point seven million of operating costs to outfit and put personnel there to date we've rivers we've actually started taking case work in October first and today we received over two thousand drug cases alone and that's drug cases that would come here to Arkansas so well to your question on jail overcrowding this that is one thing that was a concern of the share from worsening county specifically that we were keeping defendants in there because they couldn't get their results timely I think it's a little early in that process but my plan is of course my hoping goal is that we can eliminate some of that by getting those test results out quicker having a facility northwest Arkansas the other important thing I really want to mention too is it's not just northwest Arkansas because of that facility makes the little rock laboratory in the hope laboratory work more efficiently so we can provide those results better across the state so it's not just a a boon for northwest Arkansas it's been for the rest of state. Through. Revenue rose from you're recognized. Thank you I've just wanna go back to these kids the kids the victims can't sum up I'm over here. weeks we talked a little bit about the backlog. How much of how many are we talking about. Do you have any idea what that is yes I do actually the backlog for instance and we get a a sexual assault kit in has be process bar serology unit first identify anything that can move forward to DNA so in serology we've got let me see of a thirty day we see turn around time on getting those out the door that's within the sixty days and then D. in a to get everything processed and there's sixty days I don't have the exact what backlog numbers of what is still in the laboratory with regarding sexual assault case the historic or older cases but I can definitely get that number for you I would be recuse to know the number that you have in your in the lab but also out. With the police and sheriff's office if there's any kit still out there since we now have the tracking and ability to have that Walmart barcode type thing I'd like to know what still out there yeah absolutely and as a matter of fact I did for its report to the Senate pro tem and Speaker of the house regarding the statistics specifically relating to any kind of a sexual assault kit that was out there in the hands of law enforcement or in the hands of a healthcare provider so I do have the information and get to the committee okay thank you appreciate that. Dotson you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair on page two thirty nine. Looking at the and and first of all I want to commend you on. Reducing your preparation pressed on this The question I have is actually on the professional fees line item last year in twenty eighteen to twenty nineteen it's been a little over three hundred thousand in that line item budget request and twenty five thousand in appropriation Why the drastic reduction there. I would not expect what were those professional fees going for before an are we not expecting to spend as much. I. I'm really not sure exactly why that is a little bit lower however my my feeling for that is it's closer to the real expenditure amount on that I do have John Smith that can probably speak specifically to that. A John Smith CFO for public safety of we did reduce our professional phase I assume that's what you're looking at we reduced it because we didn't anticipate outsourcing and FY twenty. The closer we got to the FY twenty we did at MSG. And ask for a different additional appropriation so we could asal counselors so we do have that in our current budget is it in a different area where it is now I don't see it here because we didn't do it through the session we did it in June. Here I believe this is the request for. The twenty one fiscal year so we'll do a carry forward MF G. that will show it so you come back yes and ask for an increase in the preparation level in professional fees yes Sir. Interim Do you know how much that's going to be in. Shouldn't we try to take care of that now all were. I think we budgeted in our current grant three hundred thousand for outsourcing. Hey it's it's a rarity where I ask for you to have an increase in preparation I wanna make sure you have the resources you need corporation forty. that's accurate so Me would that be you would need three hundred thousand in the twenty one year yes Sir okay. Thank you representantes two more about why we need that if you may basically when we out source some of these cases there specifically property crimes okay because that's a very important thing that we can't we have to pay attention to so we we try to keep up on or sexual assaults and homicides but the property crimes are equally as important because they help to solve or prevent some of those other crimes from occurring so we want to try to outsource those because we have a greater than fifty percent hit rate in our database program with those. Thank you. Kevin off you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair all the way over to the right. Thank you I just have one simple question the new crime lab or the numbers included in these numbers the map that we're going to need. Are they yes they are okay thank you. Absent a rye you're recognized. You're good. Any other questions. I read a motion executive record we have one. Limit reduction thank you. At. Thank you Mr chair my motion would be for executive wreck on all those it set for the crime lab professional fees line item that that would increase to three hundred thousand. AS opposes current twenty five thousand that the requesting. Alright you're the motion to have second. Any discussion. Of Irving you're recognized I just want to discuss about. Could I get some information as to I think clarity as to why the executive for access twenty five thousand why you chose not to put it in there before we make that motion and vote on that because this is all federal revenue funding sources isn't state is that correct. I'm right here that is federal that's correct. So this is this is all straight federal revenue. Not state revenue. Second you describe or explain one more time in. A little bit easier terms as to why you didn't put that when we work is preparation of our biennial budget request we didn't anticipate needing to outsource case work so we reduce that line item down to twenty five thousand we thought that would be sufficient to cover stir FY twenty and twenty one. Then. We got additional grant funding and it became available that we could outsource some of this case work through this grant so we had to do in MSG to get additional appropriation. And with that prior to the FY twenty that would be included in FY twenty budget right and we were also going to ask for to carry forward and FOR twenty one. Okay. Okay. Any other questions. We have a motion and a second. No other discussion all in favor say aye. Any opposed. That have it crime laboratory past. Red emergency management which would you're recognized. Our next presentation star on page two forty seven it is the division of emergency management. The Arkansas department of emergency management is Arkansas's homeland security preparedness agency. The division appropriation summary has a total of sixteen appropriations of which for have change levels from the previous fiscal year and one was transferred in per ACT seven oh two of twenty nineteen. The executive recommendation is for two hundred twenty million which is a fiscal year which is above the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. This is mostly due to the transfer. On page two forty nine you know suffers appropriation which is homeland security. The following appropriation is being discontinued for fiscal year twenty one. On page two fifty one you'll see our next appropriation which a state operations. This appropriation represents the state operations portion of the division of emergency management. The Legislative recommendation is four million which is an increase of a little over three thousand over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount this is solely due to career service payments. On page two fifty three see our next appropriation which is the federal federal operations. This appropriation represents the federal operations portion of emergency service program the fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is for twelve point four million which is a very slight increase over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount this is due to career service payments. Page two fifty five you'll see our next appropriation which is the disaster relief grant. That federal disaster relief grant program is funded with one hundred percent federal dollars. The Legislative recommendation is for a one hundred and four million which is a small increase from the fiscal year twenty authorized amount this is due to career service payments. On page two fifty seven Mr next appropriation which is the emergency operations center. This catching treasury funded appropriations used to supplement operations and equipment expenses for the emergency operations center. The Legislative recommendation is for a little over a hundred eighty five thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. On page two fifty nine you'll see our next appropriation which is the Adam federal surplus property program and it is funded using special revenue fees charged for transportation fees and handling charges. This program acts as a broken securing excess property from the federal government. The legislative recommendations two point three million which is a slight increase over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount this is due to career service payments. On page two sixty one you'll see our next appropriation which is hazardous materials. The state office of hazardous materials emergency management implements and acts of mercy planning and supports local emergency planning committees this appropriations fifty percent fund from special revenues collected through annual fees levied on owners of hazardous storage facilities throughout the state and fifty percent federal matching funds the legislative recommendations is for seven hundred and fifty five thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there aren't any changes. On page two sixty three you'll see our next appropriation which is the disaster relief trust. The Arkansas the last disaster relief program provides assistance to victims or of states and a federally declared disasters the fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is for five hundred and fifteen thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there aren't any changes. On page two sixty five you'll see the radiological emergency response grant. This appropriation represents the cash fund of the division of emergency management this account are received from the energy corporation to provide FOR program cost to protect Arkansas citizens. Legislative recommendations forty thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. On page two sixty seven you'll see the R. expropriations the nine one one role enhancements. This cash and treasury funded appropriations used for personal services and operating expenses for the department of public safety. This of the legislative recommendation is for two point nine million which matches the fiscal year twenty there aren't any changes. On page two sixty nine is our next appropriation which is the fire protection service board expense. Enacted by act three forty four twenty nineteen this appropriation revise for reimbursement of expenses by the Arkansas fire protection board legislative recommendations for five thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there aren't any changes. On page two seventy one you'll see the public the Arkansas public safety trust. The public safety act of twenty nineteen created the Arkansas public safety trust fund which is funded by public safety charges. And these fees including you a dollar thirty monthly fee per phone line up to two hundred lines and ten percent of the purchase price of prepaid wireless services. This appropriations utilized to make disbursements to the Arkansas commission on law enforcement standards and training. two Arkansas wireless information network upgrades and it admin services for the division of emergency management and to the Arkansas nine one one board the legislative recommendation is for Senate five million which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. On page two seventy three you'll see our Arkansas public safety tres admin. This appropriation provides for administrative expenses associated with the public safety trust fund. And these revenues of revenues for this fine or dispersed monthly from the public safety trust fund. The fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is for a hundred eighty thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there aren't any changes. And our next probation on page two seventy five is our first of two A when associated appropriations. This is Arkansas wireless information network upgrades. The primary revenue for this purpose is monthly disbursements from the public safety fund which is used for a statewide upgrades to a when. The legislative recommendations for ten million which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. On page two seventy seven you'll see our next appropriation which is the immediate disaster response this appropriations utilized to quickly respond to disasters. Revenues are revolving as reimbursements are received from federal funds or entities who received aid legislative recommendation is for two hundred thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there aren't any changes. On page two seventy nine you see at the second of an a win so she appropriation. This was from a transfer. I'm ACT seven oh two are yes Senate to twenty nineteen. This transfer included seven positions and operate expenses preparation corresponding general revenue funding those transfer from the division of Arkansas state police. The exact recommendation matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. Mr chairman this concludes my presentation of the division of emergency management. We have some questions Senator Bledsoe. Thank you Mr chair of going back to the homeland security of that seventy five percent federal funds in twenty five state funds I didn't hear your explanation I know it's because of transformation but what what happens what happens the to the money and and tell me exactly how that comes into the budget sorry center which page I'm sorry it is on page two forty nine to forty. Two fifty. for the discontinued our homeland security right I believe. This was enacted a previous fiscal years for federal funds they received and is just a lack of federal funding for the agency they we're using it and they want it in here are they were I they're using the funds I guess it's just the lack of federal funding for my from my understanding I think the agency they will probably be able to better understand better explain what have you help us on that. Can you help us on that somebody yes that one AM homeland security was actually moved to two twenty. so there's not a need for the that appropriation anymore all right that's what I needed thank you so much. Thank you senator. Service may not thank you so much Mister Jeff. we are in the middle of what I would consider The possibility of a federal I mean a statewide disaster with the corona virus and if I have to call the eight nineteen on the right I think everybody else does too. One of my major concerns is what are we doing to make sure that our first responders have the gear that's necessary. Should we be unfortunate enough to have that virus hit this state. Thank you senator Chesterfield we are working very closely with local and county law enforcement we're pushing out the information from the department of health for guidance for our first responders to include fire department of firefighters in mass even our dispatchers and our law enforcement I know specifically for the law enforcement component of the PS for the Arkansas state police we have inventory RPP ease in the department and combine feels very comfortable that later PP other personal protective equipment of he feels very comfortable that we're prepared to outfit our troopers if that case arises if the need arises well one of the things that is a concern remember the first ship. they disembarked those individuals were not equipped with the correct up PP if you will and as a result some of them became positive of for the call the virus I'm trying to figure out if the equipment that they had with if the equipment they had was insufficient how do we know. That what we have our first responders **** they need it are going to have sufficiency. We feel very comfortable with equipment that the state police house is sufficient it's the same equipment that we use and like a meth lab to protect our troopers from the chemicals of those situations and doctors miss bill bills that that's that's adequate for this situation all right has he visited with others other. states stage take holders to see what they have done that may be differently from what they had done previously are we just deciding that this is going to be it and we know that it's efficient. What have they done in other states that may have improved that have been more hardy than this then this state to make sure that we do have the PPVs necessary. I have we tested them because methamphetamines a totally different from. A virus yes ma'am I we just the the guidance that we received is that they are officially are are adequate specifically with within the department of public safety concerning the culvert nineteen A we've all of our divisions have reviewed and revised their coop there continuity of operations plans works in in all the information out to all the first responders from the department of health I know the crime lab has reached out around the nation to get guidance on specific plans for cove in nineteen if that need arises and the department of the division of emergency management they meet with the health department monthly and daily exercise these top of events so the the division emergency management already created an incident in the mercy operation center it stands ready to be stood up it can be used at virtually if need be so we're hoping for the best but we're prepared for the worst thank you and we've made planchet quarantine and on that be necessary absolutely alright thank you thank you Mr chair. Thank you senator Chesterfield. They're Cavenaugh you're recognized thank you Mr chair all the way over to the rack I just have a question on two fifty six which is dealing with the disaster relief grants I noticed that in nineteen there is like nine point six million in grants and I given out but you had budgeted for twenty eight and had an appropriation for one oh two was that because we just didn't get the federal funding to be able to give more grants out. Which page number you reference and two five six two by six okay. A down where it says grants and aid. It John an actual of nine point six million. Those are all attached to a federal declare an emergency so we were just fortunate that we did not have of significant federal emergencies that rose to the level of of the appropriation we have to have it there in the event that we did have some kind of massive of disaster multiple disasters that we could we could receive that funding do you know how many grants or we were able to give out with that because from area it gets hit with flooding quite frequently it's kind of important to my constituents that they have ability to get some assistance from time to time. Let me ask Bobby miss Bobby and cannot she has she's the fiscal officer over there shall have more detailed information they may thank you. I'm Bobbie Ann Markel ministration division director we always we we budget a whole lot more we have a lot more in our budget and hopefully what our needs will be for the year but if the need arises we always have the we can next access the funding and access the budget and so as soon as they're released from payment we we will be able to pay those so there should not be any delays in paying your constituents that do you know how many we were able to assist. The I don't have that information alright thank you okay thank you. They represent Cavenaugh. Senator Irvin. Hi thank you. I have a question call the a when network so I see that we have the public safety fine which will distribute eight million annually for upgrades and maintenance to a when I'm on page two seventy five and two seventy six. Could you tell me how many towers we have currently around the state A when towers. We do know that miss penny knows that for me to call her up to the table thank you. Mr was paying when you get here to see our and you're recognized. Good morning I'm penny roubo on the eight program director for a win. So do you mind telling me the amount of towers we have around the state and is there a map that's online or how are is that protected information or how can we look at that we have a hundred and ten a remote locations have hundred thirty two in points that's remote locations including dispatch centers. we do not publish the map online but we're happy to provide that to you if you would like to see that okay I would and then do you have a schedule for the annual upgrades we have yes we have a project plan for that the upgrade that will be coming up that's related to the money that you talked about earlier okay we believe that will begin this fall if there's no other issues all in that plan I'd like to sit down and look through that plan in that plan are there plans for upgrade as for new technologies as they come come available for those towers is it something that we should look at as a mainstay of our infrastructure to help us with other issues and challenges that we have in technology in our state yes ma'am we will be upgrading to an MPLS network so that increases the capacity tremendously across the I. when the network and we would have capacity on it for other functions so if there were video needs or other communications functions that would certainly be available. Okay I just if you can get that to me the plan and the project plan or I'd like to sit down and kind of talk about that I would appreciate it thank you. The center one work one more question your transfer all of that went over from state police over into. This new department and that's what we're looking at on page two eighty is that correct yes ma'am okay thank you. Thank you senator senator bond. Yes I'm trying to be brave if you go back to page at two fifty six. In that grants grants in aid line where we have the hundred two million if the. Federal government or the president declares the covered nineteen to be disaster which there some discussion of that is that where the money flows through if it's appropriated. put out to the states is a flow through that line item. The health department has a line to the. Yes that would that would prove there's multiple places that it could come from so the but this is one of them and we have ours all departments that are working on called nineteen situation to keep up with their expenses because information that we're getting from the sea is that there will be some reimbursement for the state. All right if you look up at that page two fifty five I guess that's as of the president declares a disaster due to natural or manmade causes so that's where I was wondering if it went through that line and so I think many folks of ask questions of the last couple of days about this you know this. We all hope for the best plan for the worst our I'm worried about our county officials county jail personnel all having the protective gear to handle you know our county jails we have people coming in and out all the time we have somebody who shows up with the virus whose what I'm still not clear about is who is coordinating that effort to make sure that we have all the protective gear out there that we have the testing plan is it the health department who's coordinating it with law enforcement and our facilities where we have a bunch of people gather together like jails and prisons. The health department will is the lead on this of the not so they are they are providing information and we are sharing all that information with the share of and the chiefs and our William coordinators as far as a statewide inventory of the PP that the local and county levels I'm not aware but I'll I'll check on that the division mercy management may be doing something like that I can find out but ultimately the health department is the lead agency on this is a division of mergers you made right here. Yes can we ask of. Well interestingly the director of the division of RC management is in Washington DC at the homeland security Advisory Council he's been name chair of that committee and teen all want the deputy director is over at a cabinet meeting right now for me on because of the nineteen so we do have miss body in here that's the fiscal officer but Bobby and or miss teen ones the deputy director should be back over here in just a few minutes so if we want to go in to that with her we could do that. A yourself and then. I'm Bobbie Ann Markel administration division director. when you had a the question was about whether we are keeping up with personal project I don't know that we have in the what we don't have any list that I know of but like us like she said A Tina probably could speak more to that so well and I think the the the chairman pointed out yesterday also this idea of of I get the who's leading this charge a he pointed out that we have a pandemic plan somewhere I hope and then it's being altered or amended for covert nineteen I think the the big concern obviously is places where were holding my jails and presents for the state you know where there's a lot of people like nursing homes I've already put out a directive on center Chesterfield brought up the idea of do we have enough gear for our first responders out there whether it be municipal officers county jail who is coordinating that effort for the state I'm a little confused on that I know the health department is coordinating certain things but who is the head of the pandemic team do we have a pandemic team of they meeting this the don't have a level of comfort as the legislative oversight on this issue if someone could please bring me up to speed up feel better about it Senator baht into a we got a good answers yesterday often so go ahead please the health department is the lead on the pandemic response and I can't tell you that the department of public safety department of health of health and Human sorrow Human Services education governor's office we are meeting and discussing all the us all we've also convene the Arkansas homeland security advisory committee the executive committee which is consist of all the cabinet secretaries and some other entities are to to stay current on the US. I've been sharing information with the sheriff's through the Arkansas association of counties and through the cheese through the Arkansas chiefs of police on the infirm so we urge them to do that inventory of their personal part of their PPVs but we're not mind I'm not might we're not maintaining that information that I'm aware of. Because I think that the local in the county officials are the ones that are still assist the department of health so I'll find out if department health has got that information but I don't know we urge everybody to do that inventory like we did at the state police but I'm not sure that there's a a central repository for that type of information but I found out. All right at the at least this is. At least I would feel more comfortable if we knew there was some written pandemic plan how how it was. You know how this was all going to play out hopefully we won't ever have to use it but I we're saying what's happening courts sort of around the nation where folks are being much more aggressive and quarantining and cancelling events and hopefully that won't happen here but it do we have I think we would also more comfortable if there was something that we could look at as a legislature and say okay Arkansas's prepared because of something goes haywire you know we're allegedly the oversight said how absolutely get that to you emergency state emergency operations center that housed within the division emergency management is is consists of sixteen emergency support functions and held everybody's got their role in an emergency including a pandemic so we're prepared I'll get you that information and I'll try to look into that PP information to. Thanks thank you Mr. Thank you Sir bye. The right for. Chairman actually my question got answered by previous question so I'm done now thank you. Thank you senator Senator Irvin you're recognized. Thank you and I and I'm happy to visit with anyone and as far as my discussions I've had with the health department they are the lead on this but I just also wanted to point out that I have also been contacted by my county Adam coordinator and they day practice all the time I mean they have drills they practices that hospitals they practice all these different scenarios they have equipment they have already reached I mean some of them have reached out to me personally just because I know them so I know that there's a lot of communication and a lot of coordination going on out there and the health department also issues a health alert network I'm in health alert notice that goes out to all the hospitals and clinics the information changes so rapidly and almost daily so at the national level so I just I'm happy to visit with any legislator that has questions but I would just direct you to the health department before the lead on this and just create the work but again I'm happy to to have visit with anyone about that. Representative Ladyman you're recognized. Thank you Mr thank you Mr chair and Senator Irvin said some of the things that I was going to say but We help news conference the other day and if you didn't hear that the nursing homes agency was there the hospitals the H. yes was there there was a number of things covered and yes we do have a plan at the state level I've requested that and we'll get that to all the folks that are members of the the health committee and that they've agreed to give that to us is a very detailed plan very big plan so the only reason I don't have it now is because it's it's hard to send by email so they're trying to get that to us so we can get it to our members so that they know of what the plan is and some of the basic things and we as the public health joint committee are looking at that to see if there's things that we get feedback from our Kansans that we think needs to be changed but one of the questions that senator bond ask you asked about the PP doctor bill Hey of the department of health has a list of PP that has been sent out to hospitals and all EMS this is what you need. And there's been some follow up to see if they have this now I don't know where that's a hundred percent that would have to be checked at your local level I would ask that all senators representatives get involved in this and check at your local level to see if those EMS folks have received this information in a part of the are they responding to that maybe you can add to that in in certain areas of the state. But that we as legislative body we need to be informed and from the questions that I'm hearing here we're not some of us are not and and you know we need to talk to a local EMS because this will be addressed through the hospitals and local EMS not through the county health agencies OR not through the department health but they're working with the hospitals in the M. S. because that will be the first point of contact so keep can you add anything about the local EMS and have you get feedback from certain counties or or certain police departments or ambulances and what they're doing. I haven't gotten information back from EMS there actually housed under the department of health but all of our list serves that we have our peace apps are of firefighters of all of our law enforcement all of our dispatchers we blasted we blast that information out in multiple ways eight as soon as we get it so that everybody is informed of what's going on and what the plan is and things like that they also exercise this at the state level they do it local levels but we also exercise pandemic at the state level so we I know that you don't have the plan yet but I'll make sure that we follow up on that and get that plan to you but we do have it and then individual of divisions or departments have their continuity operations plan that even gets even deeper on how the department is going to respond to you know a pandemic or any emergency I know the state police is just revise there's crime lab I see I see everybody is already revise there's to include a specificity on the cold in nineteen. Well. Could have one more follows. A not really a question but you know the any plan no matter how good it has it has to be executed and when when there is a case that shows up it people need to know I do one two three automatically before I call anybody and that has to go right down to the ambulance driver so that's the important thing that we do and you know exercising or testing that plan is the most important thing in in your area I think thank you Mr chairman. Thank you and members if you want to go back online you can watch the of public health meeting Monday it's it's third say for you so you can. get up to date on information there. And I think C. fifteen is Representative rye that right. You're recognized. Which one ET it's may fifteenth yes Sir. The store you went off the board okay put your life back on and revenue group you're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman I I I will see with some of the senator bond's questioning. you know the health department is one thing. The disaster of the nature there we're gonna be looking at two me involves your agency in your people and more specifically the state police and the National Guard or going to be involved. My question is who who is the lead person in your agency. That understands. About the needs of the ambulance driver the first responders the ones are going to be there. The save god forbid that there's a outbreak in the nursing home like a covered out west. Who's the are they prepared your tell us. This came up thirty days ago and the Arkansas is prepared I'm not saying that and I and I think we're I think we're disoriented. I'm not sure we understand the complications that we're gonna face so who is in charge. Director Gary is in charge of the division of emergency management that houses the emergency operations center and he oversees all of the planning we have a seat at the state police we have a seat in the E. and the emergency operations center and lieutenant Brad land is the one that holds that seat for the state police that is coordinating with all the other mercy support functions and pull in that information back to of the state police. Well. My question is. House thoroughly prepared are we at the local level. In Irvine. The door a. St get me. I prepared are we we able to deal with it. To deal with that you know someone is identified as safe from St gap identified in Russellville at the hospital. Hello hello hello hello qualified are we in a and with the with the with the endless drivers and the EMTs and and what are are you are you telling us it every ambulance service in this state and is the the same year that the state police as the other thing that worries me is did you make the point that the gear we're is that is it in the troopers cars or is it headquarters here in little rock or is it a to distribute quarters were where are those protective suits. I've come right come up and and they tell you about the inventory that we did at the state police as far as the ambulance drivers in the EMS I don't know I can honestly say I don't know how prepared we are they fall under the department of health so I don't have access to that information and and I don't know. Well it just and I'm not trying to be difficult. But I'm telling you if this goes like it it perhaps K. in. Then in from you know we're we're going the NO we will be in a bind. And and and a plan to me is half the battle and and you're just making the statement now that you don't know about a half hours and to me that's the basic level that's where it's going to start those are going to be the first people. And then it's going to be the your available I'm a breaking and right here and I'm all at. Colonel answer the question but. The largest of the V. Bennett in public health and it worked really get into policy and not budget but but I move that **** with finishes ladder questioning but remember there's public health meetings coming up and we're we're really getting into policy rather than budget here I will let me I wish she finished at the call I appreciate vice chairman was Carl were were of the we're is we're or other suits. Thanks Sir will run out must overtake the quickness and our CID companies we have six companies around the state we have surplus also in a is B. headquarters but we have that throughout the state in just kinda elaborate a little bit during our meetings with department of health and and mims was there and was people we had discussions with them they gave us a list we push that some the recommendations out through the fusion center to law enforcement agencies so we would have been able to get that you we whether engaged in other discussions of not only protective gear but once you expose what's the property con so those of this questions I've had with AJ here you will continue to work on that plan you know we just can't put the switch overnight they were hung percent ready but real attention is on this at this time but again I through communication is been outstanding I want to say that we have a meeting to state police headquarters right after this. I mean when it first broke and say Hey what's the best way to attack this so we're doing the best that we a hundred percent full proof no but we're we're heading that direction to make sure that you know use our first responders and be the first one to come up on this type of thing but they are hardy discussions going on and would be our best the state please be prepared to assist other agency because of statute by statute we're to assist agency for all of law enforcement so we will step up to the challenge thank you colonel I have to budget question okay Senator zero the first was it is it goes back to the the virus do you have any estimates. Budgetary related of cost us or had to deal with it or the is there anything in this appropriation is these appropriations that deals with funding quick funding. A week you know so you can move forward it on an emergency basis. Yes Sir we do have one to the state funding that we that we can access until the federal funding starts comin in and then we can use that we can use that federal funding we have appropriation to to get that money out to the counties and locals yes Sir this question is directed to page two forty seven. Under the appropriations twenty eighteen twenty nineteen twenty six million five hundred and eighty three dollars. Budget is a hundred and thirty eight million seven hundred and fifty seven. And then we jump over to the legislative and the agency in the executive recommendations it's two hundred and twenty six million. What what what what is the difference we will we see we actually expended twenty six million and we're requesting two hundred and twenty two hundred and twenty million a recommendation from legislatures to to well. What one of one of the one at the gas. The the appropriation includes any federal money we might be getting and those are always tied to emergencies so fortunately we we didn't have those emergencies that that rose to that high level of a reimbursement funding but we want to plan in that direction A so that allows for that appropriation to be there in the event that we have emergencies that were reimburse from the federal government that we can get that money pushed out to the state local and county officials thank you. Madam secretary thank you Mr chairman for your understanding thank you Representative would Senator Irvin you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair I just want to reiterate it just to close this discussion. As needed and as things will change or arise we will hold public health committee meetings as needed or as requested by the Arkansas department of health and twin there needs to be an update let me just give you an example of where we are in comparison to other states the directive that was issued by the Arkansas department of health on Monday morning about nursing homes residential care facilities assisted living facilities and that goes the any other residential facilities that maybe under DHS that directive that was was issued in Arkansas on Monday morning was also issued in the state of Washington on Monday morning despite the fact that Washington has already encountered these death in a nursing home so we are ahead of the game because we are paying attention and coordinating closely with the trump administration and with the other states and learning from what they're dealing with we're listening to those folks and I just want to remind folks that alternate not Nathaniel Smith is the director of the Arkansas department of health is a world class physician that has seen these types of situations in person in other countries he is very very experienced with this level of epidemic that we are dealing with in the country and so he is constantly in contact with the CDC and all officials across this the country and the world quite frankly so doctor gonna blood so I know our Surgeon General is very engaged in this as well I just want folks to understand that com and attend the public health committee meetings go online and watch that go online and watch the health department as well and a final note things are changing one of the things that we were told as a state was that these diagnostic test for this could be done to request and lap core but that changed late Friday and. Late Monday afternoon because quest needs to be able to respond to the west coast where there'd there'd that need is so they're holding off on that for Arkansas call Arkansas and doctors or hospitals because they're trying to respond to what's happening on the west coast the lab core that is still available so there's a lot of changing information because we have to respond in the country as a collective team to do what we can so I just I just want you to know that all of that is being coordinated and they are communicating the best I can through the hospital association the healthcare association that joined us in the press conference so just remind folks before we jump out there understand that this is being well coordinated from our state and our executive branch and governor Hutchinson as doing and an incredible job pulling all those folks together so thank you for let me say nice thank you senator all revenue derive your question. Thank you Mr chairman Jamie also something that it rarely guys should miss one. In Saint Louis Missouri. there's a case of this is going on okay and this this person is contaminated with this sickness. They sent the person home under quarantine. It should in staying on she went to a Kantar knows over four hundred right yes Sir what we're getting in policy again I'm okay we've gone way beyond what we need to do you have a budget questions asked okay I got a budget all right okay okay the this would be for him that this man sat answer questions on page two seventy two thirty two eighty Sir. You say a budget they're on two seventy that mentions five thousand you see one on seventy two the mansion seventy five thousand only on the line H. other page is mentioned in a certain amount and then we're requesting that each of those amounts again for this year but we're not showing how much actually was spent from the previous budget on those Sir and I wish you county clear that up Sir. those are actually good like at a fairly recently from the public safety act of twenty nineteen I know all your first page two seventy thousand acted in twenty nineteen. Recently for overnight board members and everything else is you see dealing with public safety Arkansas public safety trust those are all recently added by The if a it was a public safety trust fund with the increases in telephone fees so the S. that's why you won't see anything in the actual there was no expenditure for nineteen. A. User yes. Six thirty that you revenues late you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair of the holding two year thing mobile budget committee meeting I'll be offline with senator bones and represent wouldn't explain them years of experience of training with the locals on pandemic exercises and also like to thank us secretary could look of not wearing her hat today appreciate that so well we'll get off line with thank you Sir. Thank you any other questions. Alright we're voting of emergency management budget executive record of recommendation have a motion and a second any discussion all in favor say aye opposed. All right. You get a grant had yet. If I get a copy of. I will hand out we're gonna go back to the top the sheet to the department of public safety. We've got updated numbers. We'll give members a chance to get all of it in in hand and then Where the department a it back down here which twenty. Okay real good. Ask any questions you need AS. If members will raise your hand if they do not have a copy it so we'll move didn't have copies. Does everybody have a copy. Are do we have any additional questions if you had time to look at it. We'll give you a minute or two. Reddit Kevin off you're recognized for a question thank you Mr chair this is going to be on page two twenty three. There is still is actually no history is this a new appropriation is that what this is. Yes ma'am that's the appropriation just for the secretary's position at a public safety okay just wanna make sure thank you. At first salary impersonal matching. Any other questions revenue Wardlaw you're recognized. Thank you Mr I guess you go to page two seventeen and be the new page two seventeen we got look at the actual on regular salaries it shows fifty three thousand two hundred thirty six dollars budget amount was fifty four thousand and change. The agency request an executive recommendation is fifty two two twenty seven. Who who and what positions are we cutting their and how are we going to do that in the future. That program came over to the apartment public safety with one employee and he we've he's still a part of the department he still ministers as program Mr we have my fear is if you look at that page hand the following pays we have on the executive recommendation less than the actual and my fear is you guys going to come to council in June or July and want Exter appropriation and. If you're going to do that let's do it here instead of there. Jake do you need to come day will. Thank you Mr. We're gonna bring Mr bleed appear. You know there's a forty five day role but I really have no idea how to explain it so what Allah Jake explain that. So on two seventeen. Of the agency request is just what was authorized we can make that adjustment here if it's if it's easier I don't anticipate making a request during the fiscal service in my point did you guys is going to back room and throw these numbers together no service now I will say the less so a law enforcement support office or position was something that we had to get with the agency and pull out of what they have just because that position was lumped in with the into larger fund and larger appropriation. So unlike the other pieces here which we can pull out of in kind of large established lines from previous from the other agencies budget the law enforcement so for officer was something that we had to sit and work with the agency and figure out exactly what those numbers needed to be. Mr on what come back to this in a few minutes. Are you get to the question you centered thank about it. Revenue Dobson you're you're a. Thank you Mr chair on page two twenty three of the new the the department of public safety and miscellaneous agencies fund is that just something entirely new. This for what we're the previous numbers on that. That is new that the secretary's position okay I guess so you have the room we just discussed that of. Reviewed Cavenaugh you're recognized thank you back on page two seventeen order operating expenses on the actual letter there's no data there. So are we saying that there were no operating expenses for this position or you know there's got to be some that's why I'm asking their the operating expenses I think were incurred by career it is part of their broader agency operations. The. The the funding sources would have been coming out of cash but as far as the actual operating expenses for that position we do have a fifteen thousand that we're seeking for appropriation going forward to support that office but the actual amount of operating expenses we're talking about one position here I don't know that we were able to turn the. We don't have the actual amounts the of operating expenses incurred by that one individual to department FOR read but we were able to determine. What they would need going forward that's what's in the budget request okay thank you. Rep represent Cavenaugh he threw. Okay of this go to Senator hammer. You're recognized thank you Mr chair. The is the reality that you're creating beat through the transformation we've created these new break out to the budget and the reality is into you get into it we get a year's experience under bill you're not exactly gonna know penny for penny where everything's going to shake out this is. For lack of better term best guess based on being able to move the numbers over from where they work to where they are and these get it pretty close but the reality is we won't know to we get years history we're relying on the agency data to help us believe on some of the smaller pieces that got moved around so to some state yet what we're working on here is moving them over in a public safety getting them up and running in their shop and then going forward will be able to develop that past history. Okay thank you. All right. The no more questions reserve Wardlaw. You good all right we need a motion is that correct. I have a motion detector reckon second any quick did discussion all in favor say aye opposed. Alright members we're gonna move over to the law enforcement if twenty you got floor my next presentation begins on page two eighty two which is the Arkansas commission on law enforcement standards and training the law enforcement standards and training provides basic training for new officers specialized training for certified police officers and us says by twenty percent by police officers the division has six told corporations there's one change from the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. The fiscal twenty one legislative record is four point nine million which a slight increase over the fiscal year twenty. On page two eighty three was our first appropriation which is the law enforcement standards operation. This general revenue funding appropriation provide for the operations of the commission on law enforcement standards and training. Legislative recommendations three point eight million which is a slight eight increase over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount this is due to career service payments. On page two eighty five you'll see our next appropriation which is the nine one one training and education. It's funding sources G. R. this division uses this appropriation FOR personal services and operating expenses of the Arkansas commission on law enforcement standards and training nine one one training education. The Legislative recommendation is two hundred sixty four thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there aren't any changes. On page two eighty seven you see the fallen law enforcement officers appropriation. Which is funded from the fallen law enforcement officers beneficiary fund this appropriation provides for personal services operating expenses and grants to provide support and assistance to the beneficiaries of fallen law enforcement officers legislative recommendations twenty five thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. On page two eighty nine you'll see the fallen law enforcement officers which is funded through G. R.. This appropriation provides for personal services operating expenses and grants to provide support assistance to penetration beneficiaries of fallen law enforcement officers. This legislative recommendations for seventy five thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. Our next page you'll see the law enforcement training program. This appropriations forced the personal services and operating expenses of the law enforcement training program funding is derived from ten percent of each booking in administration fee collected after a person is convicted of a felony or a Class A misdemeanor the fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendations three hundred thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there any changes. Our next appropriation special training cash. The commission on law enforcement standards and training is is cash permission for operating expenses and capital outlay associated with special training fees are collected from state agencies for the use of the training academies facilities for special training of their police officers legislative recommendations for three hundred eighty thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes Mister chairman that concludes my presentation on law enforcement standards and training. Okay members any questions all law enforcement training. Seeing none of the motion seconded wrecked we have one in a second. Any discussion. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. It is adopted. State police were twenty you're recognized Mister chairman my final presentation starts on two ninety six it is a division of Arkansas state police. The mission of the Arkansas state police is protect human life and property in the state of Arkansas by providing the highest quality of law enforcement services to the public. The division is a total of eleven appropriations of which six have changes one was transferred out of the division and one was discontinued. The exact recommendation is for thirty one hundred and thirty five million which is a decrease of seven point three million but this is due to the appropriation transfer that we previously discussed. We will now go through each individual corporation line item. On page two ninety eight you'll see the highway safety program. Arkansas state police utilize this program to the highway safety office to purchase child safety seats to provide education administration of the child passenger protection program legislative recommendation is four hundred ninety four thousand which is the increase of five thousand over the fiscal year twenty operas around this is due to an increase in the grants and AID line item to anticipate additional awards. On page three hundred you'll see the highway safety program federal. The Legislative recommendation is for twenty four point seven million which is an increase of four thousand nine hundred over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount this is due to career service payments. On page three oh two you'll see the homeland security federal. This appropriations utilized for a department of homeland security grants. The Legislative recommendation is one million which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. On page three of four you'll see our next for creation which is the automated fingerprint identification system or aphis. This is funded through the state police equipment fun the automated fingerprint information system provides state of the art computer filing recording in matching the fingerprint records this corporations funded through special revenues connected from fees for criminal history background checks legislative recommendations two point four million which is a decrease of a little over a thousand over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount the changes are in capital outlay which is part of a partial partial restoration in the previous fiscal year for software upgrades. On page three oh six you see Arkansas state police operations. We just wanted to the division of Arkansas state police fund this appropriation is the primary operating account for the department of Arkansas state police. Approximately sixty percent of the total funding comes from general revenue the remaining forty percent is derived from a variety of sources the fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is for ninety nine million which is a slight increase over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there were changes in the following line items salaries a matching operating expenses conference travel professional fees in capital outlay. First salaries a matching that is career service payment for the operating expenses it was increased in fiscal year twenty slightly decreased and fiscal twenty one but this is all for increase anticipated increase fuel and I. T. expenses. Office in travel was increase for training needs for IT and legal and various other departments. Professional fees they were increased for fiscal year twenty even this is because the agency anticipates officer promotional training. And capital outlay was a one time cost in the previous fiscal year for a concealed handgun carry license filing system replacement for aging canines A an unmanned aerial vehicle among other items. On page three oh eight you'll see our next appropriation which is the various federal programs this federally funded appropriation is utilized by Arkansas state police to support various programs. The fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is for over a seven hundred one thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorize amount there aren't any changes. On page three ten you'll see the confiscated funds transfer which is funded through the court awards fund. The division of Arkansas state police is authorized that they're seeking the approval of the chief fiscal officer of the state to request a transfer from the appropriation. Here in for confiscated funds transfer to the main it's in general operations. The fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendations two million. Which is an increase of three hundred ninety thousand over the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. And. These are air changes to the operating expenses and the capital outlay line items operate expenses this change to align with anticipated revenues means reduced to offset the request for capital outlay capital outlay was requested or increase to cover CID crime scene scanners will alignment systems and among other Items used by the agency. On page three twelve you see our criminal background checks which is funded through state police equipped to the state police equipment fund this appropriations utilized by Arkansas state police to conduct conduct a criminal history background checks. Special revenues collected from the free fees for criminal history background checks and the federal charge for FBI background checks the fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendations for five million which is a slight increase over the fiscal year twenty those line item changes were within matching which was work career service payments. Operating expenses which was increase for to replace and car cameras. And the potential increase in cost of FBI background checks converse and travel which is a one time increase in fiscal year twenty for training for new ID bureau staff a capital outlay. Which was increased in the previous fiscal year for it evolved in each crime software. And movie move Arkansas software intent in car camera servers. And for this fiscal year the agency anticipates a virtual server eleven live scan devices among other. Expenses. And on page three fourteen. You'll notice are transferred appropriation as previously discussed the A. when which was the funding sources division of Arkansas state police. The appropriation was transferred emergency management practice seven oh to the appropriation totals out to seven point three which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount. On page three sixteen. You'll notice are discontinued appropriation Arkansas is a state utilized this appropriation to provide extra help salary and fringe benefits for the concealed handgun license program. The agency did not request this for fiscal year twenty one. Our final appropriation is the eighty F. a bond long. This appropriations to lie utilized for agency construction projects the fiscal year twenty one legislative recommendation is four hundred fifty thousand which matches the fiscal year twenty authorized amount there are any changes. Mister chairman that concludes my presentation. Thank you Mr Twitter indefinite questions. Representative all you're recognized thank you Mr chair I know that we just went through transformation and and try to condense everything is there a reason why highway police does not go under Neath public safety. Yes ma'am I believe that's a constitutional side of the highway department I think the previous history before I became the director easy that they did a the legislature did look at that but right now it it's it's a constitutional officer the highway department okay thank you Sir. Represent Dotson you're recognized for a question thank you Mr chair And I'm just. Make a wild stab in the dark here is under page on page three of seven your operations. Is that where your driver's license testing. personnel is is house or is it on a different page. Time of the driver lost examiners energy is yes there be in this so I see you're you're requesting an increase in the positions will will some of those go to a driver's license examiners. Yes Sir up prior to me I'll and form center has tried to get a chance you but we have added to driver's license Xander's in troop L. in triple a those are by far our highest number of people to be tested in addition to that we but using technology to to where you can actually schedule your skills test so we continue to look for ways to improve our customer service in the D. Ellery excellent thank you. Thank you Representative and represent Kevin off you're recognized recognized thank you Mr chair we are to the right on page three oh one. on and the grants and aid. It looks like there were seven point nine million in nineteen and we're asking for fifteen one really have a couple of questions on that. What is that used for. That is our highway safety program and we have our subject matter expert your Bridget white and highway safety but we do a lot of functions out of that principally which is which item are you referring to on page three I want the grants and the aids I was wondering what you actually do out of that program what's actually funded with that line item. Okay hello one second mail do that today. That's all federal dollars thank you yes yes yes Sir. I'm just curious but grants and stuff that you sure we we do a lot of what we call step grants for local agencies that were able to focus on things such is seat belt distracted driving to the FBI speed we also and this do a lot of advertising on different programs we have like click it or ticket the drops over get pulled over of numerous programs through that and we administer that they are highway safety program I'm glad to announce that we're one of the few states in the nation that lately that the last three years or offer tally axes have gone down the state or other states FOR tally axes have gone up and I think it's it's are highway safety the department has done an outstanding job including. We always below the national average and see bill use we are now improve that from our latest study and also or R. child restraint we've improved in that area also in use in those type of devices in this line item is this one of where the areas where we help with the child car seats is this one of the pro is that's where that program goes through or is that a different. I believe this committee under the one F. E.. and that's where that comes that we do we do a lot of stuff of the UAMS children's hospital summers are our troopers are a child safety seat technicians are properly trained to educate the public on how to use those devices and one final quick question you professional phase what is it used for love those advertisement through our advertising agency to promote a lot of times you'll see these commercials on TV you know click it or ticket drive so we're get pulled over and those are what does that money go okay thank you. The Representative would you in fifteen arch yes Sir you're recognized thank you Mr chairman. level a committee in your department do an excellent job. You've got a good out reach program with the safety program and then the the highway patrol is very visible and in the C. ID is assisting the shares so your doing actually job I'm always concerned about the that will pay these troopers. And I see in here that we Actual salaries were forty five million eighteen nineteen and we budgeted forty nine million and the legislative and agency request is fifty four million seven hundred eighty four thousand. Is that going to give all the troopers an increase or how is that. Hell how will that additional money be used so far as salaries are concerned yes Sir just a first following thank you for your your comments I'm very blessed be the director the Arkansas state police we have dedicated men and women for you don't know working right have or eighty fifth anniversary of the state police was four maybe five years ago under governor funeral. And we start with thirteen Rangers we now have five hundred fifty eight commission troopers and the Arkansas state police we're very fortunate we work with the legislature we were able to get a five percent raise Last the session again and and that was from the rank of trooper up to major the lieutenant colonels and colonels did not get a raise which what I feel is appropriate we need for more the troopers where the where the rubber meets the road so. Yes we continue our the number one problem in law enforcement today doesn't matter if it's in Arkansas FOR ITS in Mississippi anyway if recruitment retention right now we have troops school we have thirty five people it now we're in week six and you being a former trooper you would know if we were strong believer if you know where that blue uniforms in earnest I will be given to you and you know the last five years we lost about twenty nine troopers year and with the the addition of the budget approved and the governor Hutchinson we were for the first time we're able to say Hey we can have a true school every January in the past is becoming director five and a half years ago. We had to split for school between fiscal years than one year we can afford it and we look to you is that. Doesn't mean interrupt your business at the million dollars yes Sir it is or the Senate you gave us twelve new position also school and FOR well right uh we lose about twenty nine troopers year and you know it's it's of a to we've changed some things are hiring process that to get more applicants but we were committed to having qualified applicants so we want to be competitive I know of the conversations we had last time was they will continue to look at ways to prove recruitment retention with our agency we're probably the second highest paid agency in the state love the little rock PT's ahead of us but I've had the commitment of numerous members here that you all are committed to to make sure that that that we have to pay to be able recruit retain these these officers. Because it is a proper problem nationwide. At a always tell you all this that. You know what other job I don't think anybody in this room has the job of your own audio video it hours a day and and you get Colin trouble breaks out you have to go to the trouble you not run away and then when you get there you got to make split second decisions so very tough job I want to thank the legislature the governor for their commitment to public safety that issue of the race was well received among our troopers that was a morale booster but well I just wanna thank the legislature for your committee to public safety just a man and that we're not doing in a we need to do more because they are the frontline has there on the highway and see the and all of them but we appreciate what they're doing thank you thank you Mr chairman. Thank you reviewed on your comments we certainly do appreciate everything the law enforcement does for the state of Arkansas we have another question. Reviewed Senator hammer I will go I will get you Senate will you today Senator hammer you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair can you a drill down a man on the concealed handgun licensing program of the fees and where it is in the budget and can you talk about that a second. Yes Senator hammer as you know the last session reduce the fees FOR model one hundred dollars to fifty dollars for a concealed handgun license and also reduce for the by fifty percent the new sixty five and over from fifty to twenty five in the renewal from thirty five to twenty five we work with the legislation last year because we cut that it did result that what we anticipate was gonna be about a one point three million dollar deficit we were able to work with the legislature in and members of it in this room here to increase the this driver's license checked by a dollar fifty we anticipate that was going to raise about one point eight million with the remaining balance of that we want to improve our see ACT. A division of several sessions ago we had twenty new positions for see a CD but we receive no funding well we're monitor that income is coming in now It took three four months to get the database set up to the click the driver's license fee so we are our projections William instead of one point eight million where our projections going to be a hundred thousand so we're gonna have a shortfall there that we will need to make up but I have the numbers of license if that would help you have me we've issued and all that if you if you want to go that far in the woods or you tell me what you're looking for I guess you know when we run bills like that we get those fiscal impacts that kind of gives a snapshot of how it's actually going to impact no just wonder with the history now are we the indictment I just wonder what the accurate numbers are as far as how it's impacted your budget. A good example of again of attest five for this body before and concealed handguns that fluctuates year to year and unfortunately in our society we have an active shooter situation somewhere in the nation we usually have more people pop for license but in example FY eighteen the license was eighteen thousand to ninety two FY nineteen was thirteen thousand seven a one and through February of this year eight thousand eight hundred seventy five people plot for concealed handgun license so we project for FY twenty around thirteen thousand which be equivalent to nineteen but if you're member nineteen there's a lot of conversation going on that these fees were going to be reduced and I think that's why we see probably a reduction in nineteen and twenty and the number license okay thank you thank you Mr. Thanks center. Any other questions. We'll take a motion now for executive Rick we have one we have one and a second. Any discussion. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. You have worked as the work good work today we will be back in here tomorrow morning at nine AM forty eight yes senator wit by mid that. And we're going to the flag of lists so we your nine AM in the morning we are adjourned.