ALC-PEER

The chair she's a quorum the meeting will be called to order before we get into the business of the meeting today or call my co chair vault to make an announcement. So this mornin Ron McNair Representative McNair got a phone call saying that their house burned down last night his wife got out she safe she get they got out with her powers and that's all that they've got left he's on his way back home if you want to give a donation to help them I have an envelope up here we're asking that you write a little note on a sticky note for them to give them encouragement during this time and then that way we don't have to keep a list of who gave what it'll be a nice little note for me to him and I'll try to get a card today and have here Friday for everybody to be able to sign before we give them the money but please remember them in your thoughts and prayers because other have a rough few weeks thank you Mr chair. Thank you Jr vault and again of remember Ron and his family your thoughts and prayers we appreciate your help in that regard members you do have a supplemental agenda that is that your your desk and the. It's with respect to department commerce were a division workforce services I would entertain a motion to suspend the rules so that we can add this to the agenda I have a motion second. All in favor say aye. Does know that motion carried it will be added to the agenda. Mr press will begin with the agenda item be cash for appropriation request thank you Mr chair section near the cash fund request the first item B. one is a letter from the department of correction division of community correction this is a request to increase crest to create any appropriation section with a hundred thousand it's been in forty in this section will allow the division to spin proceeds from federal asset forfeiture settlements accord Arkansas code these funds must be maintained a separate account requiring a new section to spend the funds for the committee's information the division made the same request in February for the prior fiscal year they had not received forfeiture funds prior to that time. The next item B. two with a letter from the department of education division of elementary and secondary education there to request the first request increase preparation into line items by one point six one million in this being at forty will allow spending a grant from the Walton family foundation or mathematics curriculum in middle and high schools the second quest is to increase the preparation that third line item by three hundred thousand Disney spent thirty allow the division to support career and technical student organizations. The next item be three the letter from the department of education northwest technical institute is request increase appropriation by six hundred thousand it is being thirty will allow the institute to purchase equipment for their new welding facility and perceive a training purchases will be supported by an office of skill development grant. The last item before the letter for I'm sorry letter from the department of education division of career and technical education this is a request to increase the preparation by two hundred sixty thousand any spending authority will allow the division to host professional development classes and classes for about funds currently at the arch for education service center and through registration fees. Any questions on any of those items. If not they will stand reviewed will move to item see in these are approval items list to see one. Thank you Mr C. one begins of various temporary appropriation question these are items for approval. C. one a is a letter from the department of agriculture natural resources commission is a request increase appropriation by fifty thousand it is been twenty will allow the department to work funds for the unpaved road program in funding comes from a transfer from the division of environmental quality. The next item is C. will be a letter from the department of commerce it's request increase appropriation by ten million and it's been thirty will allow the department to reimburse school districts that paid it training fee FOR career centers the letter notes a new funding formula with an act in two thousand eighteen this request is a one time payment to help during transition is I'm support of our work force two thousand funding. Next item C. one sees a letter from the department of finance administration enforcement is request increase appropriation by fifty thousand it is being thirty will that apartment to pay overtime for enforcement officers for activities related to cover nineteen this act this activity will be funded by Gen ready with the intent to have it reimburse with coronavirus really funds. Next item C. one D. is a letter from the secretary of state is requesting increase a preparation by four hundred three thousand nine hundred forty nine and is being authority will allow the office to pay for eight new capital please corporals and two sergeants eleven those positions were approved at the personnel subcommittee last month and positions will be supported by the state central services fund. Next item C. one ease a letter from the department of commerce economic development commission it's request to increase appropriation by five million needs being thirty will allow the department to support the administrative costs of the Arkansas rule connect emergency corona virus program the letter also provides a break down how the five Billy will be utilized four point five million of which will be for professional service fees for these information Sir will be a request in the next section for care the preparation for the same program this item in this section is support budget revenue. The next item is a letter from you a mess it's requests increase appropriation by three engine twenty four thousand six hundred according to the letter that he spent thirty will allow the university to spin funding from the cares act which exceeds their current level of appropriation. Sure those are the very separate publish requests and any questions on any of the items under C. one of. Sixty four. Right Dotson thank you Mr chair on. I guess it's page five here the Arkansas real connect emergency coronavirus program the five million dollars. Just question on the the four point five million going toward professional fees is that. Is that actually helping by any thing or is it just for consultant services. Seems like a large part of its going toward. At at a flick this to support the ninety five million that we're going to help in the next section but will get an answer and the few would identify yourself for the record please. My name is Steven porch I'm chief legal counsel for the Arkansas department of commerce. And to address your question that is to support the ninety five million dollars that we're asking to make sure that we have the funds necessary we've used UAMS to help us we have a contract that's coming up also they have B. R. boots on the ground so the speak and we want to make sure that we have the capital we need to make sure that all of the things that we're doing for robin particularly with these cares act funds are done in a timely fashion and that way we can know that we've utilize the money. That the deployment would take place as scheduled we have several that supposed to be deployed by December thirtieth for a little bit before there to make that money helps us get you aim is as well as other things that may come along to make sure that those deployments hit that mark so then we can about four and a half percent of the total that we're going toward it to make sure we're getting everything done all our tees crossed eyes done it before the end of the year that's absolutely correct okay thank you. Are there any other questions. Thank you for. If not I'll entertain a motion to approve the items in C. one I have a motion and a second any discussion. All in favor say aye. Pose no motion carried will move to Adam C. to. Thank you Mr I am CD's begins the cares appropriation request the first item see to be I'm sorry see to a is a letter from the department of finance administration disbursing officer it's requests increase appropriation by one hundred fifty million news being thirty will of the department to process payments and reimbursements to cities and counties FOR eligible expenses from corona vice really funds. The next item see to be is a letter from the department agriculture and actually we have a new letter at your death the you'll see outside of the regular gym the packet it's a letter from the department agriculture it's requests increase probation by five million the niece being thirty will allow the department to establish a cost share program for me processing facilities that are expanding capacity to meet demand letter no Sir reimburse and be at the city five percent expenses there's been a change from yesterday today that will now be at ninety percent of expenses and the program is modeled after programs to Missouri and Oklahoma behind that letter you'll see more information about the program. The next item is a letter from the department of commerce economic development mission to see to see in the regular gender this is a request to increase appropriation by ninety five million the new spending authority will allow the department to implement the Arkansas rule connect emergency corona virus program the previous request an earlier section was to support the administrative costs for this program. In just a moment I would have Representative of Meeks and senator English to address that I'm C. because they've been involved with that but before Anon entertain any questions on the other items I have a question on the hundred fifty million dollars to the cities and counties I don't know whether Allen or Jake and and it's with respect to. Is there a formula or has a decision been made as far as how that will be divided out between the cities and counties identify yourself for the record please. Jake plea DFA office a budget element by a chief of staff boring fights in finance administration either one of you I'm just to wonder if there's a formula on how the hundred fifty million will be split between the cities and counties there there is a a working agreement between the Arkansas municipal league in the Arkansas association of counties and in how they anticipate utilizing those fines and ate my understanding currently is that they and anticipate kind of splitting those funds are down the middle so that each each entity would have seventy five million dollars to to utilize for cities and counties in the seventy five million dollars to use ours for cities and towns and then for the initial amount for the county's at a little after that will it be up our per capita or it have we not gotten that far down the road yet the center I'm not sure that they've completed that discussion process there's still a number of variables that are coming into that discussion they're working closely with the the the vendor the contractor that we brought on C. T. E. H. and their understanding they're gaining at a greater understanding of what qualifies for a female reimbursement what qualifies for direct reimbursement and then there's also still some some out reach to the congressional delegation and man pieces that may be Thank you. Senator bond is it your question for. This. Now I think a cut you off I've got a question on this and the ninety five million but I'd it the seems that are we getting ahead of ourselves a little bit here the chairs ACT steering committee had recommended approval. I guess for up to a hundred and fifty million dollars in my understanding was that the cities and counties would come back to that committee and then before a LC to get that final approval we're we're not there yet are we. Eight at think that's an accurate statement we're not completely there although the steering committee is is your awareness and appreciate your service on that committee that at the request of the steering committee has set aside in committed a two hundred fifty million dollars but it will be on a reimbursement basis it will be on a a transparent basis as to how that moneys utilize and what that money can be utilized for them and we may very well this body and the steering committee may recommend some this body but there's been no discussion about the disbursement of these proceeds so far zero. Is there something that's going on the I'm not aware of where the bodies not aware of well. He the discussion between there's been ongoing discussion between the municipal league and the Arkansas association of counties and in what their needs are and how they how the cities in the towns and then how the counties are prioritizing those needs they've been tracking their sales tax collections as as we move through this pandemic and they've been watching and looking at what cost could qualify and what changes could be proposed or have been proposed as as the care stimulus continues to evolve so there's been a lot of internal conversation that it hasn't come back to the steering committee so there hasn't been an updated presentation also we brought C. T. H. on in this process is well and they're working very closely with the cities and counties. And so the the last question that what do we need to do this now. Our concern is that as we want to make sure that we have the appropriation in place four of the steering committee the action that's been taken to obligate up two hundred fifty million dollars as we were close to September so we want to make sure that we have the appropriation place in as this develops we'll update the steering committee will be more happy that date members of the of the the legislature will but we feel like it's important to have the appropriation place at this time so that they can move forward when it's appropriate. Thank you Mr chairman I do have a question of the ninety five million I don't. It'll be more for the department of health and the estimate. Mr date the at the end. Following up on what senator bond I mean is there a. Is there a chance that the cities and counties will start dispersing this within the next month. I think there is a strong possibility that they will need to start disbursing. Right Senator hammer I believe is it your question for the this senator. You're recognized thank you. So listen what you said the answer to the questions once you get to appropriation today if something goes a direction that we as a body do not necessarily agree with. Because what I'm hearing is all the details are worked out. What's the process then for I mean we're gonna be appropriation once we do it's gone right and so what what do you think as far as if we as a body disagree with the way that the decisions are made about how that's going to be appropriated out to the counties what's going to be the recourse to stop it. Well center it it'll be it'll be appropriated believe it won't necessarily be rate it won't be released in mass it won't be up just a. A payment made to the municipality or to the to the case it'll be on a reimbursement on an approved process so it'll be like the other there up disbursements within the the corona virus relief fund it'll be on an as needed as reimburse basis okay and do you know some counties I think projected to do worse than what they've actually done based on on their sales do you know of in the discussion how that's going to play out as far as who would get reimbursed for the money or not if counties have actually held their own pretty good do you know as far as the method of disbursement and who's going to have access to that money if that's going to be used as a criteria to whether county would or would not get access to the money. A. A I don't have a direct answer to your question because I'm not I'd have to go back and ask questions as to have as to what. How counties or fearing whether they're faring better on with respect to their sales tax or what their needs might be I know that there's there's an ongoing concern or question and the the heels ACT proposal that was put forth had a couple of of conditions or have a couple of eligibility opportunities within that that that they were really looking closely at one of them was for lost revenue. But that has not that hasn't passed yet so that's still a. A discussion point an opportunity point but I'm not I'll have to go back and do some research and try to get you an answer for your question okay I appreciate thing Mr. Senator Ingram you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair up I assume that for instance area is this of an adequate comparison when we have a tornado or flood FEMA sets up guidelines that cities and counties can get reimbursement now. I would assume this cares act sets up the eligibility for the reimbursement acts all we're doing is funding the money but the the cares act and what is eligible for reimbursement it's it's is what's going to be eligible it's not a **** nilly that we're going to pass out just dollars to cities and counties without any without any guidelines this is just strictly reimbursement that they set the guidelines on correct. That's correct center there are there are a couple of variables to that in the fact that they've made an exception that cares dollars can be used as the twenty five. Percent nonfederal match for FEMA so it could give cities and counties up at a unique right a new opportunity to leverage some of those resources but you're absolutely right there are the treasury department has continued to provide additional guidance on how the money can be used the categories of the areas that the the cares funds can be used and if this money is appropriated and the cities and counties do not expand or they don't expend all the funds appropriated of by the end of the year of tell us do we lose the funds or are they eligible to carry those funds over of in the following year eight. Currently they're not eligible to carry the funds over the funds will be released on on a disbursement basis will continue DFA will continue to to monitor all the cares fines as their release so any the way it currently stands as any money that's not fully utilized at the end of the this calendar year December thirtieth is to be returned to the treasury so there's there's at this point there's not a carry forward okay thank you very much. Representative Dotson you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair just sitting here listening this discussion I guess the question comes to mind what if the city's need like a hundred million of this and counties only need thirty million that we've split it seventy five seventy five I guess what what's the What's the plan. I mean right now you it seems to me is if you haven't actually figured out a plan you just want. Us to give you a blanket a hundred and fifty million authorization and then you fill in the the blank in the details afterwards and that actually that's becoming consistent pattern seems like Before we approve this shouldn't we have an idea of how these funds are going to be used and then more specifically to the senator's point if these funds are used by the end of the year we lose them I mean it doesn't go back to the treasury of Arkansas goes back to the federal treasury and so is there a deadline in place that these funds have to be used. By a say the first of December so they can be reallocated when we can use and the rest of them before the end of the year and some other right. Way for broadband or some other type of allocation or or need. Representantes in their you make are a very good point if the fact that will continue to to track the dollars and there are DO internally and they've within the steering committee the steering committee has has been very focused on full utilization of the the corona virus relief fund and as we move into October as we move into November will continue to look and and we provide and an accounting of the money that's been allocated and then what has been spent and what continues to be on hold for disbursement as as needed as you requested so as we move into October as we move into November we'll continue to update the steering committee will continue to update what that number looks like and then there there are opportunities that the steering committee the administration is looking very closely at one is the unemployment insurance trust fund that could be utilized to for any of those remaining dollars to our to to help fill in that that gap fill in that Pool that has been utilized during this pandemics yes there are there are. Conscious efforts in place to make sure that we have full utilization of the dollars so if you made a request yet for the unemployment trust fund. Amend week we can't move these funds over there without that requests coming through this committee. That that's correct Sir and the reason we haven't made that request is because of course we don't know how much will have left over so for the steering committee has set aside funds for a number of different projects those are being utilized those are being spent my expectation is that the situation's going to involve as we move closer to that deadline in December will have a better idea of how much money we have and it's my expectation of well being or a request to this committee to CT appropriation necessary to fully utilize whatever funding is out there. I'd also point out that you know one of the kind of ambiguities we're dealing with now we don't know what's going to happen on the federal level and there's a law of a building Congress that's being worked through the last version of which would have extended that deadline out until September thirtieth of next year so we might have a little more time to work on this it all just depends on how this works out in Washington we we really can't depend on what Washington may or may not do So I mean I've before we approve something I mean this is a lot of money hundred fifty million dollars were talking about I think we need a little bit more of a plan before we go through an approved something where we'd we don't know what. The allocation is going to be whether it's going to go to cities or counties how it's going to be spent if it's going to be on a per capita basis the. Smaller counties are going to get more focus or larger counties where there's more of a concentration of coronavirus I think we need a little bit more details before we we go forward with this thank you Mr chair. Thank represented Dotson senator Hickey you're recognized. Yes Sir come over here to the left I was listening to you closely and of course once we do the appropriation I know that this is a the legislature would not have the approval I did hear though that you said that. Eight approval would still be required who would be given that approval to the cities and counties. Earlier in the conversation. We said the third we know what is going to just go be dispersed out that there would be an approval that would still be required and I know for a fact that through the D. F. and A disbursing bill although deep down inside of it we had actually give the authority that once we do the appropriation. We're out of the loop when I say we I'm talking about the legislature of this body voting. Who will be doing that who you if and I was going to make this up but if you have garland county in plastic county both coming up here and saying that I need to yep Senator sample I seen you there is why used your county. If the. If the most and we need a million and a half is going to say that how that's going to be just just burst out. Eight I fully anticipate that. Once once the methodology is decided once the coordination between the Arkansas municipal league and the Arkansas association of counties that we will we'll take that plan to the up the care steering committee to have their. A review of that have their discussion and approval of of any disbursements prior to any disbursements being released okay that should have been done before this was about here today this this committee or this legislature the selected. By the by the state by the constituents of this state that's our job. That should have been done before hand I mean I understand we always get down here we There that it was half and half. How can we not have a plan to know. Where it's going to be disbursed maybe certain parts of the state have had higher cases in maybe they do need more it's just this this is this is something that's supposed to be brought before this body who was elected by the by the citizens of this state to make sure that we feel that it's equitable so why I don't like the way you do this and I'm I've had this issue time and time again and I always hate to sing it always seems like I'm negative a lot of times. Because you know I get that thrown only but it's not that I want to see is that we're doing good business and that this body is doing what what we want so again my question still not been answered I'm not being disrespectful to you Sir I heard that they said that there was going to be in approval so is the are you telling me that the carriers. Steering committee is the one that's going to have the approval what once we do the appropriation. Are they going to be the municipal league. Season county are the county's how's it going to be. Hey I'll make a commitment we will we'll take the. The process to the stair this care steering committee for their review and for their approval A and I don't center I very much appreciate and respect your. concerns and and that the comments that you raise in I think that the steering committee is is conscious of that as well that they want to make sure that they're it it's equitable across the state that. The small towns rules real communities as well as our larger cities in the state and and counties are equally considered in that so I it's your your point very well made and I respect that okay I wouldn't mind hearing from some of the the members there on the steering committee that's the the Senator Bahn here senator Irvin or somebody like that I mean is there a process that we want to go down I mean this just let's just throw it out here in this open meeting because the way that I see it yes we do have legislators on there but we all know that it's that committee is stacked with the executive branch so let's just say it the way it is and if that's the way we want to proceed then that's fine but let's get it out here on the table that the executive branch is the one that's going to be making the decision on this not the legislature so. Thank you Sir. I thank senator Hickey I will let senator Bob respond and I've got a couple more in a cute and I would anticipate a motion but US senator bond you're recognized. Well I have been saying since I'm not running for reelection to maybe I should just be making all these decisions personally and on the and the nonpartisan fashion. but now that I think the the the problem that caught my attention on this is that this hundred fifty million what was presented by the cities and counties in good faith over a month ago awhile ago was it we're not sure what we're gonna in the but we want to set aside up to a hundred and fifty million and that cares acts during committee decided to do that with the idea they would come back and they haven't come back yet we've heard nothing more in the committee on how the money would be used do they even need the hundred fifty million. I know there's discussions going on behind the scenes and I may be the last one here but the committee hasn't recommended approval of any formula even the exact amount to this body yet and so that's why I'm personally feel like it's premature because there hasn't been a proposal come forth and I don't see the urgency to have the appropriation currently without the legislature having more fax. Thank senator bond Senator sample you're recognized and then Representative Ladyman thank you. Amend since these making sure broadcast and everything I my phone is laid up real quick. And that before Representative Dotson bird up about capital. Was already on my phone. But. The. Hi one now. When when this pandemic started the highway department took forty percent of their term back funds. And so that meant to to head to lose four percent for references for counties. Can can this money be applied to that loss of term back funds. Under the current guidance that we have from the federal government no this money is limited to expenditures incurred in responding to the coronavirus so unless there's a connection between that road project and somehow another impact of the the covert nineteen pandemic now you could not use that. Okay the city seven up. testing sites that would be covered right. Because that was for competition. If you. Yes if it wasn't already in the budget and wasn't already covered by department of health it we one of the issues we've got as we've got so many programs out there right now doing in the different responses on a statewide basis we got to make sure the what's going on that local better level isn't already being covered by another program. Well this was before the city the state even got any testing sites house or county had had seven testing sites in hot springs along. And so. To me that looks like that should be inexpensive this would cover yes and there's some involving I think guidance coming out and we just got some a couple weeks ago regarding the pay roll for first responders for example if the city or county had a first responder that they pulled off of whatever they should be doing and dedicated that person to being involved in corona virus relief than the salaries even though budgeted could be used I think as a reimbursable expense so that's one of the areas that we're trying to work with the cities and counties to bring them up to speed and educate them on what exactly can be covered with this money. Thank you thank you Mr. Representative Ladyman you're recognized thank you Mr chair I'll be brief but because love this been covered and and maybe this is repeat but I think I heard you say that loss of revenue could be covered with this money and thank you said tax sales tax separate. Representative. In the proposed legislation at the federal level that the heels ACT proposal that was put forth it had a provision in there that would allow for loss of revenue or lost revenue to be an eligible item currently it is not. It is not it isn't okay if that was a covered that then this body does need to hear that because loss of revenue could be for a lot of things and you know counties and cities could could ask for money. That was a bad investment was not related to this virus without vetting of that request. You know money could go to the wrong thing so I guess my question is the same you know who does that bedding that's been asked before so you only respond but but I think that is something that really needs to be watched closely is this loss of revenue question thank you Mr chairman. Thank Representative. Representative Dotson you're recognized for motion. Thank you Mr chair just sitting here listening all this it seems as if we don't have a complete picture IMPLAN on this just yet I'm hopeful that this is Tuesday by Friday you could possibly get a plan put together and give us some details on it ideally what I would kinda like to see is something where you make the proposals and the steering ACT steering committee actually proves specific proposals in the future but I understand if you want to move forward with this and we can discuss it but I move we hold this until Friday and give them the opportunity to Come back with a plan to the full council for potential approval on Friday. That's proper motion I have a second any discussion on that and I would assume. That a. With there's not much time between now and Friday to work at a detailed plan and it would just be up to the council Prodi whether they wanted to act upon it or whether we wanted to the late four months but that of the motion would be to hold it until Friday. Any discussion on the motion did you will. If not all in favor of the motion say aye. Opposed no. The motion carried will hold it the soonest right to counsel without any recommendation. And then we'll just go from there are thank you of this deal with all the separately since that see the let's see to a the see to be is a part of agriculture. Any questions. Any questions on the part of agriculture request which approval item. I have a motion to approve it I have a second. Second any discussion. All in favor say aye. Opposed no that motion carried now the department of commerce I would like to senator English and Representative makes if they would go to the table just give us a brief overview this is ninety five million dollars for the broadband. I know you made the presentation to the steering committee and if you would go ahead and identify yourself for the record and it just again just a brief overview. Thank you Jane English senator I thank you know for all for a very long time we have all realized what a dire predicament we are in with the status for broadband but in and lots of people have worked for a long time on the potential and how do we get what we want to be this corona virus has really exposed are are a lack of ability to be able to help our students are educational facilities our families are working at home people are it healthcare people to be able to really do the kinds of things they should be able to do it's too bad to have a corona virus but here is an opportunity to use a few of these dollars to help us move our state from forty ninth and fiftieth in broadband to a different place well a lot of peoples Representative makes has worked on broadband issue since the day he came into the legislature lots of lots of people in the legislature have worked on broadband one of the things I'm I find really exciting about what we're proposing to do is a really great partnership that senator Irvin has worked on tirelessly to bring the voter I mean the broadband ID program together with the rural connect program so they were making sure that we're using all of the resources that we've got with both programs and their intertwined too often we have programs operating or here programs operating or here and never working together but she has done an admirable job with you a a mass and the department of commerce in trying to prove that all together so that we do have a really viable program that we can use even after corona virus because obviously ninety five million dollars is not going to solve our problem is gonna be a lot more than that but hopefully we'll get a lot of other people out there in the. State of Arkansas involved in broadband for their communities. Thank you senator I Representative Stephen makes courses the senator said I've been involved in this very specially since the twenty fifteen one became chair of the technology committee Arkansas as you all know is a solid fiftieth when it comes to broadband deployment to our citizens one bright spot we have is that our schools or were in the top ten in the country as far as having our schools connected that's thanks the leadership of our our governor but unfortunately the pandemic is brought to light to the issue of now that a lot of our kids are at home we just don't we don't have internet access and again were fiftieth in the nation and that's because we as a state have not made the investments that are required in order to get broadband out to our citizens also thankfully this is issue that are governor's made a party I had a meeting earlier this month he with the senator English and I the governor asked me how much we need to spend on this I said a hundred million dollars he said he felt that we could do that and so that's where the hunter million dollar figure comes from I'm just to kind of put this in perspective and give you an idea of where we're going to be out with this there's roughly one point three million households or housing units within the state of Arkansas the average cost is between one to three thousand dollars to connect especially the more rural areas do a little bit of a math and we're looking at between five hundred and a billion dollars worth of investment to get this dog some will be required from the state obviously the private sector is going to have to bear their burden department of commerce roughly they've estimated it's roughly in the middle of that range I've just given you so as the senator said this hundred million dollars will not solve the problem but we have every expectation it will be a very good start get us out of fiftieth and be a good first step to getting us to where we need to be to build a infrastructure for the future so with that Think will be available to answer any questions anyone might have thank you Representative and senator although my co chair and I both represent rule districts that have a lot of issues with broadband but once we got into this we find that even people in Pulaski County you know that we think is an urban area have the same issue so it's a real issue I appreciate your work on it I would note for the committee that we also got an email that my culture and I did this morning from senator Irvin she's not able to be here but she's very supportive of this and has worked on it as have many others Senator hammer you're recognized thank you Mr chair there was some discussion about relaxing the requirements of the S. P. as far as who could access is money I know there's election the coops haven't been in the rock band business before but they're making good efforts what was the route what was the end result of whether you can get here can't. Yes so those discussions are still ongoing we can have. Mr porch combat the the intention is to allow them to get involved in. Well we're hoping just universal you wanna try to relax the rules as much as possible so that we still maintain the integrity of the system but we allow as many as possible to have the opportunity to to participate all passed over. What we're going to do is I'm currently working on a rule to include electric coops this is something that the FCC allows looking at some of their guidelines and I think that the he could work for us as well that way we can try our best to make sure that everyone gets an opportunity to get some of the ninety five million. To be able to deploy propping are at a at the I would one see the illustration used was would one see you know two guys and basement your million Bucks and a couple years later end up in the paper about it but for some of these companies you know like first electric that are you know making the major investment or very put money out I would just advocate that they be allowed to be considered for this because I know they haven't been up to this point so you know would appreciate it if if they could be all the coops or some other businesses that are you providing utilities of another nature like collectors you're something else could be mixed into the group that's all I would request thank you Mr. I think most of our positions would be is it anybody that's that's capable and can officially do it we want to just deployed as as quickly and efficiently as well as possible any other questions. If not thank you I would entertain a motion to approve. A motion and a second any discussion do you have a question senator bond. Have a question I mentioned earlier I'm sorry I was you're recognized I just I just want to point out how. Incredible it is very important that we move out of the basement broadband I raised at the cares acts during committee and asks may the motion the Senate we approve this contingent upon the department of health reporting that they believe we have enough money in the care sack fun to meet our PP testing. And tracing needs in particular considering going back to school and that wasn't done and the motion passed but I would like to hear make the request from the executive branch that we hear from the department of health Friday on that issue where we are money winds on find understand we need to do this but I think as a legislator also needs to be informed what our department of health is says they need to meet the pandemic at least through the end of the fall and particularly how their projections meet with UAMS is projections for cases which I think is something that we've been missing I just think the legislature needs that not against hundred million so that before ninety five million but I think we need to be informed as to how much money it's going to take they're projecting to meet the health crisis. Can we have that for Friday Jake group were you listening. I'm sorry. I can. Yes you all can be dismissed like you. I'm sorry Mr bleed. As you go for it did you have a question or not unfortunately no I did not I was trying to figure out another issue my apologies I should pay more attention quickly senator Bob go ahead just my motion occurs committee did not get a second well Sir just to be but. To go. But not most was that the legislature should that we should hear from that the health department. Saying do we have enough money set aside for our testing tracing MPP needs particularly consenting our teachers and staff we're going to go back to school and our kids are going to go back to school make this approval contingent upon that so I know the legislature were all in favor of doing this but I think we should hear Friday from the department of health on those cost projections before we see approve the entire hundred million that's my take on it I know there might not be agreement on that but there's not a number one has to meet the health needs of the pandemic and we all know the broadband money's not going to get out there immediately sent. So should we have somebody from health portal body to give us another port yes Sir yes Sir absolutely okay part we just do we do have a motion all the floor for approval of this item is there any other discussion. All in favor say aye. Opposed no that motion carried out of his approval moved to see three. The Mister C. three begins the appropriation or fund transfer requests. On the second page is a recommendation by the governor to transfer seven hundred ninety five thousand from the Arkansas highway transfer fund to the state highway and transportation department fund Blair knows funding lex by paving preservation projects this seventy nine five thousand total represents twenty five percent of the general revenue surplus to remain at the end of the fiscal year twenty twenty Arkansas highway improvement plan of two thousand sixteen directs twenty five percent of any surplus to this transfer fund and requires ale see approval to move the funds to the department the plan uses surplus redirects other revenue sources to our dot with the goals pretties fifty million and state match in order to draw down available federal aid for the committee's information the surplus was not sufficient to produce fifty million a state match so at twenty point eight million release from the code nineteen rainy day fund supplement of proceeds from Arkansas highway improvement plan. The next appropriation questions in the supplemental agenda that's outside of your religion the. It is a request from the department of commerce Arkansas division of workforce services. I believe it's the last page of that packet the supplemental agenda packet. there's a letter requesting a transfer of eight hundred million from a federal employees benefits line item and one appropriation section to a disaster relief payments line item in another section according to the letter the transfer is necessary to provide emergency benefits unemployed or cans is pursuant to the president's executive order on August eighth the division has special language in the bill that allows the director to make transfers after prior approval mail see. Our members were going to address these items separately of first on the the the how would transportation and senator DISMANG you're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman and just just a couple of questions Moment first we we didn't anticipate or surplus and so we transferred twenty million eight hundred thousand out of the cove it rainy day fund and now we're saying now that there is a surplus we're going to go ahead and give them twenty five percent that surplus to. And I mean I almost feel like you can't have it both ways we do that all based on the argument that I believe is an incorrect argument that we pledged for made a promise or commitment to fifty million and that was never the way the legislation was written but so we reach that fifty million and now we're going to go ahead and do another seven hundred and thirty nine thousand whatever it is of in addition to that and in a way in your you're getting prior surplus that you already had tapped into in your getting this year Sir plus and then I want to talk a little bit after this about the process because I think we missed the process on the Kobe and rainy day I released the committee could you tell me why we would even go ahead and do this twenty five percent. yes and the reason we made that transfers because it's required under law okay so the. Twenty million eight hundred thousand dollars. That we transferred over because we said there would be no want you know no surplus and what was not required in law was a transfer fifty million dollars that right correct that was a commitment made by the governor there was a commitment but not a commitment made by the legislature because it was not part of the law. It was not in the law no Sir okay at any other thing just about that twenty million eight hundred thousand it was transferred over you know by the law it is supposed to go into this fund transfer balance and DO in and to to to what would happen from there is exactly what we're doing today have a discussion about it and let a LC approve that final transfer for the seven thirty nine thousand instead we bypassed that fund and that additional legislative oversight in this little meet thing with the code rainy day The funds we did not force that to go through that fund this this transfer fund and I just wanna know a little bit about the the logic used in doing that especially when the law said it was supposed to be transfered to the transfer that this transfer fund. To be honest I wasn't aware that we had not place it in the highway transfer fund but it's certainly something that we can look into and figure out exactly why we did. I mean I would like to because it by past anything but you know the the what is the big six I can't remember what the number the gate whatever it is the approval by the you know a select number of of legislators for that twenty million eight hundred thousand dollar transfer and Bob ask completely the a you'll see oversight of that transfer I in my opinion with that again I mean I I think in also are you aware what what is the balance left over the highway department now A in this economic development fund I do not have I do not have that but I can certainly get it for you and I agree entirely if if we should have put that in that transfer into the highway transfer fund I need to figure out why and get back to the I had this discussions with the if a prior to that transfer being made so I I'm I'm I don't think I had it with you but I know that there were at least staff a DFA that was familiar and actually had work through that process and made some arguments that a little vague on now about why they were able to by pass that that transfer fund at a in in and I also would just like to say because this was another commitment that was made outside of legislative intent in my opinion of because we're making the argument right now it's for real preservation we're gonna make this transfer well when we had good times and we were we we had you know excess surplus we still transfer those dollars to DFA it was still supposed to be for preservation and now we have this money set aside over it I would department for economic development projects in the and I think that needs to be re looked at by the department and I think that was discussed with the governor's office a maybe they everyone have that mutual conversation but let's get back to utilizing those funds for the the intended purpose in the legislation thanks for time. Any other questions on this item. Representative Dotson thank you Mr chair at Jake my my question is if we do not. Approve this transfer for that does that money just stay in this account for the next year to be applied toward the fifty million dollar match. That's a good question legally it would stay in the highway transfer fund until this body approves that transfer out what year it is the credit is applied to of a you know as senator DISMANG pointed out this is not laid out in law this is more of an annual commitment to the governor's making how we would credit that out would really we just have to look and see I guess when we make the transfer what year that that would be applied to so. At it I'm just trying to think through the the process here. We're going to have to commit fifty million dollars for the federal match for the next fiscal year correct at some point in order to draw down that money. Right and so this is. Almost a million dollars of that that we're going to need and we get down to the end of the fiscal year in June and. There's going to be a request from us if if revenues aren't hitting projections and if if and we don't know what they're going to do for the next year if this continues to be a a a a a a prolong thing we may need this eight hundred thousand to to to go toward that request in my off base in that. A it's very easy to first see that we would not get the fifty million dollars that was originally when when when that twenty five percent of this surplus law when it was adopted the intent was that that twenty five percent of the surplus would in an of itself it's provide at least about fifty million dollars when you combine it with the other streams of revenue that we're dedicated to highway work at that time it's receivable to say we're not going to hit that number at the end of this fiscal year given that no I don't think you'd be office okay. I would leave it to the chair but met seems may be prudent to hold on to this until we have a better idea what the fiscal years going to look like toward June. Thank you Mr. You're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman I appreciate I'm not a member the committee and don't really have a dog in this fight but I do want to provide a little context to to to some of the comments about the the transfer and senator DISMANG is right it was not part of the legislation with regard to the highway package but I do think that every member of the legislature needs to be reminded that. As it was going to the legislative process in order to get sufficient votes for this legislation to pass. Many in the legislature in fact a majority of the legislature demanded that there be a commitment made from the governor's office that this transfer would be made and in fact the letter was sent to all of this assuring us of that and that is why the legislation was passed now it's not in the law and as those of us who voted to allow that transfer to continue remembered that is why it was done is because in order to enact that legislation and again some agreed with that legislation some did not and that's that's the way the legislative process works. But it was part of the discussion about the highway program about that transfer occurring and that commitment was made and obviously if there if there is the ability to keep commitments we felt like it should be done since that was what was told to the legislature at many of their request. Any other questions. What is the desire of the committee this is an approval I have a motion to approve a second any discussion. All in favor say aye. Opposed no. The motion carried. That Jake you what I'm sorry you much keep your seat. I will lead on the. The on the supplemental for the eight hundred million. For for services you give us a little overview of for what you anticipate and and what the current status is with the federal government alter all the unemployment so the president issued an executive order making some additional benefit payments available to of folks who currently get unemployment insurance those benefit payments though are to be provided through FEMA through a federal agency that is not the typical agency normally these call these sorts of unemployment funds come from the US department of labor and said these are gonna come from FEMA and they were going to be provided at a a match were an individual's payment would receive three hundred from the feds if the state were provide one hundred dollars this is for anybody who makes a minimum of one hundred dollars in their unemployment insurance benefits. This is still being worked out on the federal level we're still continuing to get guidance but our understanding at this point is that the one hundred dollars that the state has been asked to pledge we'll be credited or we will receive credit for the money we're already spending through our traditional unemployment insurance so as a result in terms of how much more additional we will have to spend we will not have to spend any more than we're already spending to pull down the additional three hundred dollars so the request is for you today is an eight hundred million dollars request that we would like to transfer between lines within the department of workforce services appropriation one of the questions we had when this came down was if we have appropriation for unemployment insurance and we have if you recall during the the fiscal session we added a significant amount of appropriation precisely for that purpose can we use that appropriation if the money's coming from FEMA not the department of labor we decided is that the department workforce services has a disaster relief funding line in it they have special language in there acted allows him to transfer appropriation from one line to another with the approval they'll see so we're asking that this eight hundred million dollars be transferred from the traditional unemployment line which has I think three point eight billion in it up to that disaster relief line. That should be sufficient for the three hundred million dollar additional benefit that the federal government would be offering. Thank you Mr bleed representa Wardlaw you're recognized for comment and a motion. Thank you Mr chair of Jake you and I've talked about this couple times in the last few days. I'm comfortable personally will making a motion to approve the eight hundred million so you guys can get this to our constituents as soon as the you find out the moneys come in that way these guys have funds to live on whether living through these tough times. The the issue I have and you and I've talked about this there are a small number of people in our state that are drawn eighty one dollars which is our minimum it will have to bring those people to a hundred if I understand this correctly so we will need a second motion Mr chair. To give the chairs of this committee in the chairs of counsel the authority to approve that small appropriation to cover that nineteen dollars for those people is that correct J. yes Sir so this program is limited individuals who received more than one hundred dollars and we do have a small population of folks out there who do receive unemployment benefits that is less than one hundred as it stands now they would not be able to participate in this program so the proposal that was made was that we would go to the steering committee request up to and we don't have a final number on it yet but up to four million dollars in corona virus really funding to make sure that these folks can get up to that hundred dollar minimum and can therefore participate if we do that of course will need appropriation to support that transfer and so what we would like also in addition to the request that's today it occurred to us at the last moment the we would wanted to avoid having any kind of emergency request that came up to request that additional procreation so yes you are correct. Mister chair at the proper time in one discussion is over all be ready to make those two motions but we love S. this know what will what if. It changes at the federal level. Of and it's not three hundred if it's if it's four hundred or five hundred and some people have a partner with that course you might not have enough appropriation but I think what we're wanting to do is. Deal with the appropriation based upon the information that you've given us as you understand it today. So is I yes so if for example the guidance comes back from the federal government that in fact the money we're spending on our traditional unemployment benefits can not be used as match or this somehow or another we have to that the scenario changes where we have to provide that one hundred dollars from you money. Then I think that we would have to revisit the issue either with the chairs of a LC or with this body in some kind of an emergency meeting if necessary depending on the timing of that there's a lot that is unknown right now under the executive order of Congress acts and puts legislation and to provide additional support to unemployment benefits then this is no longer an issue there's also I think some legal challenges out there but we felt that since our meeting today we can go ahead and present this is an issue with you seek your guidance and input on it and then as it moves toward as it evolves we can revisit it either with the full commission the full LC or with the chairs. Senator hammer you're recognized thank you regarding the person's making less than a hundred dollars in unemployment now is that not historically because they haven't been working a job that would have paid in for them to receive more than a hundred dollars or. I mean that unemployment benefits are based on prior earnings. so it would be a reflection of how much they had earned when they were working right so when we bump them up to a hundred dollars it's going to allow them to access the three hundred dollars coming down from the fed which may be more than what they were making when they were working full time or part time that prohibited them from Guinea up above the hundred and five right on the wrong on that. Eight if I can have of workforce services Brian you want to come up here help me answer or cerise. I I don't. I'd. Your tell to do yeah it's been a long time since I've been on unemployment one put it that way a. Identify yourself for the record please raise children first director division of workforce services. Right existing director for finance for workforce services. You may address Senator hammer question. Thank you senator hammer Alaska Brian Hicks to to respond your question please thank you. Yes Sir of we your see some guidance from department of labor just this morning on this issue of the less one hundred because that is a national issue of what to do with the folk individuals that are receiving less than a hundred dollars which as you point out are. Those that received lore read income from their work and they need to be a more need of the three hundred dollars or the extra hundred for four hundred of old. The guidance that made it very clear that just adding additional money say from the cares ACT to make up the difference would be insufficient to qualify the person to receive the three hundred the only option the available to the states for that is to legislatively raised weekly benefit amount to at least one hundred dollars but just paying the actor just so they'll have a hundred dollars so the guns this morning said that would not qualify the. Okay so to the question asked so that if somebody's if somebody's making less a hundred dollars and the unemployment. Would that not be an indicator that they haven't been working a job that is the I mean they would have gone above the hundred dollars if they'd been working in a forty dollar job at ten dollars an hour yes Sir okay because what we're about to do is we're about to put people in a position where it's going to be easier from stay home and make more money by getting access that extra three hundred dollars and it is to be called back in return to work and maybe you don't want to comment on that but if. Well mmhm my apologies I was not aware that that guidance from the department of labor so it sounds like it correct me if I'm wrong here Brian but it sounds like we do not have the option to raise those folks up to that one hundred dollar minimum with coronavirus money or other dollars and so at this time I'm not sure that we necessarily need necessary appropriation to make those payments well we will still need the appropriation to make the three hundred to make that to make the eight hundred million but not the three million. Yes. Did you you got a dazed look in your could you all click talk a little longer to clear that up but the you if you'll give us just a minute again this guy's just came out this morning so just one second thank you they Mr. If this is anything like the paycheck protection program the rules will keep changing. Wonderful federal. Yes the eight hundred million appropriation transfer request is to pay the benefits of the three hundred in the state to chose to the extra hundred the three million procreation was to read to increase the A pains in nineteen dollars given the guns this more that will not be something would be appropriate. The take legislative action do that in order to which we. Thank you so. Did you have governor's executive when and if that changed. You know and I guess. This body could decide whether. If if if it changed before we met again with this body wanted authorized the chairs to sign an emergency approval just with respect to that three million or whatever but we can we can come back to that I've still got some questions. Senator hammer you three I thank you I think we got up there thank you senator Ingram. Thank you Mr chair the let me make sure I understand where the is this money going to be drawn out of the unemployment trust fund or is this the the is the disaster relief payments going into the trust fund help me with this. Of the disaster relief payments will be funded to the department of are to the vision workforce services similar to the actor six hundred and that it will be an extra money not run through our trust fund but it will be provided to work force to make the payments as of the people are deemed eligible. I will drop down from the US treasury okay and this this will will is this considered just to a. Of special payments in it doesn't go against the employer's experience that is correct Sir okay thank you. Representative Wardlaw you're recognized for motion. Thank you Mr chair to get this mask either way my motion almost keep two motions for the same reasons a chair made of a point on a moment ago in case that eligibility changes so the first motion I'm will make is for the eight hundred million dollar. Of appropriation for you guys to make the three hundred dollar payments from the US treasury as you just explained with that motion I want to suspend the rules for counsel for the six day notice in case those rules change to our we have to match that hundred or that amount changes because of congressional action so that's the first motion if you will take that one of Mr chair not come back with the second one or the the the motion is to approve the appropriation for the three hundred with provision with the waiver of the six day room for counsel to meet if those federal rules change only amount of the three hundred that's right. I have a second. Area number sixty. You're recognized yes Sir I just wanna get some clarification because this happened last time. If that were to happen are we going to allow other other items on a see a gender is it going to be limited to this. I think I could you up up your. I don't care as well as included in the motion to Wardlaw I would say we can limit it to this investor will the committee that's fine I've Senator Bledsoe as agreeable that's fine with me yeah and if there's something else for we need to have a motion on that particular separate items so that it could also be then we can do on each separately so I think that be a good plan thank you Sir yes Sir. Any other discussion on the motion. Or this motion is to approve the eight hundred billion dollar appropriation with the Provision that the six day Rule for council meeting and special a meeting would be waived in the event the three hundred dollar monthly of a ballot is change. All in favor of the motion say aye. Pose no. That motion carried. Of that item is approved with that provision represented Wardlaw you're recognized for another motion. Due to the concern of this pandemic and how it affects our constituents I want to be sure that we do everything we can do to have fast action on these folks so with that I'd make a motion that we authorized chairs appear and the chairs of counsel if he comes into light that we need to match the eighty one dollar for folks under hundreds of that we can authorized that cares act of appropriation at a moment's notice and that would just be for to make up the difference between the eighty one or somebody's between eighty one hundred just to get them up to a hundred to qualify for the match at the federal rules allow that. I have a second for that motion and a second that would be to allow the chairs to act on an emergency basis just with that specific provision in the interim between the next meeting any discussion. Mr I will add that if this came up and we were have and the committee meeting for the eight hundred million without objection was Senator Hickey I would say we could put this on that agenda at that time and stood of emergency action and he just gave me a thumbs related items yeah okay yes thank you. Any discussion. All in favor that motion say aye. Does know that motion carried thank you that we will move to item see for. Thank you Mr chair I don't see for it is the rainy day fund release requests. This is the letter from the governor request a transfer of a hundred and seventy eight thousand six hundred seventy eight from the rainy day fund to the DHS division of dell the division of developmental disabilities the letter says the transfer will support special and picks. On the next page a letter from the department's planes and state general revenue funding for this special indexes move to the B. category and are say it may take several months before items in category B. R. funded and this delay would prove a hardship for the program. Any questions on this item. It is approval item to have a motion to approve I have a motion to have a second. Second any discussion all in favor say aye. All opposed no motion carried that item is approved agenda item D.. Thank you Mr chair run section the now budget classification transfer request. The first item the one is a request for the department of correction parole board and this is transfer sixty five thousand it's being authority from professional fees to operate expenses the transfer will correct your budget allowing a contract to be paid from the proper line item. The next item the to this request for the department agriculture in this to transfer thirty eight thousand six hundred and spin it forty from operating expenses to professional fees the transfer will allow the department to modify their aggro led national polls are planned through a project to reduce data entry errors and employee data entry efforts. The next item the three is the department of corrections division of community corrections and this is a request to transfer a hundred forty thousand spending authority from operating expenses to professional fees the transfer will allow the division to pay their medical contracts. The next item number four is for the administrative office of the courts and FOR request to transfer twenty thousand spending authority from professional fees to the conference to travel the transfer will allow staff to attend the children's bureau national meetings as part of their grant sure those are the cities and days gender. Any questions on any of these items. If not they'll stand reviewed item eighty. The shares the committee or the miscellaneous federal grant appropriation requests. The first one for the department agriculture this is requests for twenty six thousand six hundred and a preparation to spend federal funds. They have a grant from the US department of agriculture to support the increases specialty crop production on school grounds and highlighting innovative selling methods this request support a part time position in the effort and this item is one hundred percent federally funded. The next item number two is for the department agriculture in its request for one point four six million appropriations been federal funds they have a grant from the US department agriculture FOR the fourth legacy program this grill go towards protecting the four hundred ninety five acre recharge area for the hot springs in hot springs national park is I requires twenty five persons they match the match is being done with Arkansas national culture resources council state grant funds. The next item is also for the barber of agriculture it's similar to the last request this item request nine hundred fifty five thousand it's being authority to protect a ninety thousand acre conserve force corridor along the Selena washed our rivers inside some this off item also requires twenty five percent match. The next item number four is again for medical for this is for the natural resources council this request for six hundred and six thousand six hundred thirty appropriation to spend federal funds they have a grant from the EPA for watershed based plans water service plans develop to reduce pollutants to levels or store that does the eighties the waterbodies this request knows the forty percent they match it there's required is already been met and so the department the match came from a combination of general revenue and cash funds. The next item on the files for the department of commerce economic economic development commission this is a request for twenty million appropriation to spend federal funds they have a grant from the National Science Foundation for research infrastructure improvement program the program provides support for sustainable improvements in a jurisdictions academic research infrastructure this item requires twenty since the match and that match will come from general revenue. The next item number four six is for the department of parks here Jim towards in historic preservation this is a request for four hundred thousand appropriations been federal funds have a grant from the National Park Service as part of their annual apportionment of fund state offices and this item is a hundred percent fairly funded. Number seven is department Human Services division of aging adult and behavioral health services this is requests FOR six twenty seven million appropriations been federal funds and they have a grant from the department of health and Human Services to plan implement and evaluate activities to prevent and treat substance abuse is these items have been fairly funded. I remember aids again the chest division of aging this request for six point seven million appropriation to spend federal funds have a grant from DHS for education drug abuse prevention and treatment services and this items also has been fairly funded. The next item number nine is again DHS its request for three million appropriations been federal funds they have a grant from DHS to provide crisis services outpatient treatment services and support for the Arkansas state hospital it's one hundred in fairly fund. Next item again is the chess it's requests for nine hundred sixty one thousand appropriation they have a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide counseling to those affected by code nineteen this item is a hundred in fairly funded. Nicks item number eleven is the just division of county operations is request for seventeen million and appropriations been federal funds they have a grant from the department of housing and urban development's response to coronavirus pandemic among and individuals and families who are homeless is one hundred and fairly funded. Next item number twelve is again county operations of the just it's requests FOR six point seven million appropriation and again for the US administration for children for the community services block grant to respond to Chris front of ours and we'll have thoroughly funded. The next item thirteen again teaches division of county operations request for a hundred thousand appropriation to spend federal funds another grant from the US administration for children's response areas for which a presidential disaster has been declared and it's what if the fairly funded. Number fourteen is the chess division of aging it's request for a hundred and twelve thousand in preparation the evergreen for the USDA for area agencies on aging AS one percent fairly funded. Number fifteen is DHS division aging's request for two point two million appropriations in they have a grant from the H. D. H. H. as to promote health safety ended and independence of older Kansans and again Hudson fairly funded. Number sixteen again DHS is request for three point two five million appropriation it's another grant from DHS for area agencies on aging to promote health safety independence holder Kansans and so items hundreds of fairly funded. Number seventeen is the department of health it's request for one point one million in appropriations been federal funds they have a grant from the CDC to improve infection prevention and control knowledge and practice and is items one hundred in fairly funded. And number eighteen as last items for the department health its request for a little over one million appropriation they have another green from the CC to support staffing infrastructure and supplies to implement community vaccine clinics and strike teams is items one hundred in fairly funded Representative Dotson you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair my question is on number five and eighteen five is department of commerce economic development commission. Have someone here. Identify yourself for the record please merry Davis fiscal division manager ADC right Representative Dotson has a question thank you this twenty million dollars could you give us a little bit more details on what it's going to be used for House going to be used. I'm is for the app score grants for data analytics I don't know the specifics of their five year plan but I can get that to you. All right thank you if you would get that. Did just what do you have a question on that senator Hickey. You're recognized. So do you already have the appropriation for the. Four million dollars at the state's gonna be required you gonna come back to us for that yes we are we have that it's built into our general revenue thank. Any other questions on this item. Thank you. Ballot item eighteen is that right represented Dotson department of health. Yes. And identify yourself for the record please. Don Adams deputy director Arkansas department of health Jill Thompson chief financial officer Arkansas department health you're recognized thank you just reading through your your deal on this this million dollars it looks like it's going to be used strictly for a flu vaccinations or will it also be used for Covin or anything else any other type of accident nations and also. Could you define what is a strike team. Yes Sir it is specifically for flu vaccination efforts in working with providers out in the community to do mass vaccination clinics and also strike teams would be teams that could be mobile and go to particular areas that may be having an outbreak to do vaccinations. Okay so. I'm assuming that if if we do have some sort of vaccination developed for cove in nineteen. That you'll be coming back to do this sort of thing more in mass yes. This is would be a good model for us to to also distribute the covert nineteen vaccine when it's available okay thank you. Any other questions on any of the items. On agenda out of a if not they will stand reviewed. Item if. Thank you Mr chairman section at this the this is the performance fund PAYPLAN holy con transfer requests. These quests my agencies increase spending authority to pay regular salaries extra help and personal services matching or to report on a transfer from the performance fund is only one department on the schedule on the second page in this request from the department of education division of higher education FOR one hundred thousand appropriation for extra help requested the spending forty is needed to complete the student information system update and FOR paid internship. Any questions. If not I'll stand reviewed. Now the reports. Mr section G. begins a quarterly reports the first one is for DHS inter agency and inter divisional match fund transfers this report shows the quarter inter agency division match and transfers as required and special language and on the second page report shows over three point one million transactions from the individual divisions fund accounts to the corresponding grant payment accounts. G. two is the office of Attorney General cash settlement fund and the shows the quarterly cash connectivity the report details by settlements and shows the balance of cash funds on the first page and on the next page in the following pages are the cash receipts and distributions. Next item G. three is from state police and the ship this report shows asset forfeiture expenditures for each quarter of the fiscal year the second page of the partials seventeen thousand one hundred twenty dollars in one sense and expenditures for the last quarter at the TPC zero one hundred fund this is the fund for federal asset forfeitures. And on the third page it shows eighty eight thousand five hundred forty seven expenditures in the fourth quarter out of the T. P. C. zero two hundred fund this is the fun for state asset forfeitures. The next item is G. for it is the federal grant applications and this report shows all applications must the agencies in the last quarter of fiscal year twenty twenty. Gee five it is the federal grant awards and this portions all wards to state agencies in the fourth quarter of fiscal year twenty twenty. The last report is G. six this is the eighty Q. status report on Bellavista hazardous waste removal and this reports part of a special language the agency is the twenty million an additional appropriation and the ability to receive ten million in loans from the budget stabilization trust fund to remediate the underground fire citing Bellavista. Into the report total expenses incurred by the state today are one million Tregian thirty six thousand eight hundred with forty one thousand of that occurred in the last quarter all expenses will be paid out of the hazardous substance remedial trust fund and a loan from the budget stabilization trust fund is not required the bill of this the property owners association and soon the ownership of the project and complete a fire suppression in June two thousand nineteen and is currently working on a restoration plan reports state agencies actively investigating potentially responsible parties who could be held liable to stay for the cost of remedial recovery actions at the site. Sure those are the quarterly reports any questions on any of those reports. If not they'll be filed Adam H.. Section eight speed gives the mother reports the first ones H. one the rainy day fund report and the this report shows rainy day fund incoming distributions as of the end of July the last table at the bottom of the page shows project distributions in the fund balance of sixteen million six and eighteen thousand five twenty five forties information since the components report there have been three distributions to the economic development commission through development enhancement fund accounts totaling two million three to twenty five thousand I released to the at a release with D. F. fund does not require a LC approval should ale C. approval on Friday two days rainy day release for the Special Olympics the new balance will be I just seventy thousand lesson that leaving the balance of fourteen million one hundred fourteen thousand eight hundred forty seven. Next item H. two is the budget the revision trust fund report and chills cash flow loans throughout the fiscal year as of the end of July there twenty five point nine million out the loans in the cash balance is a hundred thirty nine point eight million. H. three Mister we did not receive the back of the report from the treasures office will move forward to agenda and the engine to H. for that's the state central services fund report this report shows the fund balance and disbursements as well the expenditures of each agency supported by the fund. And the last four H. five as the carrier's act report and this report shows deductions from the one point two five billion cares funds and steering committee recommendations pending governor's approval as of the time or the poor. Any questions on any of those reports. If not they will be filed and our next meeting will be September the fifteenth. If there is no further business to come before the committee the meeting is adjourned.