House State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs Committee Part III
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Bills discussed (1)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
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HJR1004
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HJR1004”
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Pre-2017 bill |
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Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
0:00
I'd like to, any of y'all know Don Allen. I thank him for the lunch. He was gracious enough to
provide this for the committee today, even though he very seldom has any business
Speaker 4
0:21
with this state agency committee. Are you
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
0:29
saying the highway department did this?
He did. Well, we haven't paid yet, so I'm sure Don Allen would be glad to give the bill to our fellow. I think
we should be presenting the bill. We can do that. Yeah,
exactly. Sounds like one. Representative Barnett, if you would sit down. We have a little problem that has come up. We've got to get a clarification with you. It has been brought to the chair's attention that you have an amendment to this bill that's on the floor as it stands today.
Representative Jonathan Barnett
Unverified
1:08
Is that true? Actually, that is true. I
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
1:13
think it's a one-word or two-word. Unfortunately, though, Representative, you cannot be on two agendas at the same day. So we're not going to be able to hear your Constitutional Amendment because you are on the agenda in the chamber this afternoon. I just found this out. It was just brought to our attention. I apologize. But in order to make sure that your Constitutional Amendment is heard,
We will allocate some time Friday afternoon when we meet again to hear yours, if that's agreeable with you and agreeable with the committee. That's agreeable. Can I ask a question? Yes, sir.
Representative Jonathan Barnett
Unverified
1:53
We're just trying to get this stuff straightened out. Yes, go right ahead. I guess my question would be, if you're not going to vote on this day, vote on it today, For information purposes, is it good to go ahead and talk about it or not?
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
2:14
No, sir. We cannot. It's not allowed by the rules of the body. It's just prohibited. I'm sorry. Okay. Even though we understand we're not doing it by the vote under the rules, we cannot have, you cannot be on two agendas on the same day and you're already scheduled to be on the floor with your amendment. So I apologize, but that's the way the rules are set up. We'll have to schedule you some other time this week, and I will visit with the members of this body and see what they want to do today.
Representative Jonathan Barnett
Unverified
2:50
Another question, please? Yes, sir. Okay, so at this point in time, I don't know exactly when I'm coming back. You're going to let me know.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
3:00
Is that correct? We're going to just sit. If you just hold where you're at, we're getting ready to get this worked out right now. Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. Members of the committee, you know, the tentative plans were to meet Friday to vote on this because of the amendment on the floor. What is the will of the committee?
Do you want to have another meeting or just wait until Friday and let the representative run his bill at that time? I'm opening the mics up to any conversation to try to get this. We want to make sure we get everybody heard. and we want to make sure that we follow the rules, and we want to make sure of the
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
3:46
will of the committee. Representative Bernard. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
3:49
We're not scheduled to meet this afternoon, sir.
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
3:51
No, ma'am, because we have been a failure. That doesn't solve Mr. Barnett's problem.
But on Friday, the e-mail that was
sent out, sir, if I understood it, we were going to meet Friday after adjournment? Or Friday morning at 9. We're meeting on
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
4:10
were supposed to determine at that time the ones that we were going to vote out, sir? Is
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
4:16
that correct? We're going to have to actually vote them out. We have three or four pages on our agenda, regular agenda, and we
were trying to meet on special orders and try to get this resolved
where we could at least get our members to have the chance to run their bills. Friday is a full docket from the agenda. I think the Senate, in vision with Senator Madison this morning, she would like to have the meeting set up for next Monday morning at 10 o'clock to run the joint House and Senate to hear the committee, the constitutional amendments and let's vote on them as a body. So we're under a timeframe here of trying to either let Representative Burnett come
in Friday morning in here at the regular meeting or
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
5:11
Yes, ma'am. That's the reason we're trying to get this straightened. Everybody will be happy. If we can, I mean, I'd rather meet at 845 and hear his than to meet Friday afternoon, which I'm trying to go home for meetings Friday afternoon at home. So I'd rather meet at 8.45 on Friday morning to give time to do this
rather than meet upon adjournment Friday. Well, we're going to
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
5:37
have to meet Friday to vote on these. At 9 o'clock? That's what was sent
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
5:42
out on the e-mail. That's what was sent
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
5:50
out on the e-mail. My understanding, the e-mail from her staff is it was on Friday, and we can do
it Friday morning if we get through with all of
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
5:58
these hearings. Well, that's, I mean, do we have that full agenda at, I mean, you know?
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
6:04
Well, let me ask you this. Let's ask the body this. If we let Representative Burnett come in Friday morning and hear his presentation at 845, y'all want
to vote on Friday? Good morning and get them out of here. Not to mind. I can make arrangements
to be here whenever it's the will of the body, but I'd like to have as many people from the committee here where we can have a full hearing and get a vote out. That's what I'd like to do.
That's the reason we're trying to balance this out to make sure we get the members here because this is getting to be
a pretty dicey position and time frame, and I want to make everybody have a fair shot
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
6:45
at the vote here. I just think it's harder to try to have a full committee upon adjournment on Friday when we – I mean, I'm going to do what the Chair wishes in this, but I just think it's really hard to get all our members down here Friday after
Speaker 41
6:59
adjournment. I'm just trying to do the will of the committee. I understand. Representative Wilkins, do you have a comment?
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
7:08
That's what I was – I wasn't sure if we were having a
budget hearing on Friday morning. The budget hearing is tentatively may be scheduled for Friday morning also. And as the speaker said the other day, we're going to be
out here the first of the month. And so everybody's getting squeezed. We're going to just have
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
7:38
to work. I may have a problem with the joint meeting on Monday because joint retirement meets at
9.30 on Mondays, and I have two bills there that I'll be running at that meeting, and I think some of the senators on there are also on state agencies. I'm not sure, but that would be a problem for me to meet at 10
o'clock on Monday. Well, so noted, and I would forward that to Senator
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
8:07
Madison. Right now I'm just trying to get a house business in order and taken care of.
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
8:15
But I agree with Representative Wilkins about starting at 8 o'clock if that's possible. Is that okay with everyone? Let's
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
8:29
do this. If we start here, let me ask the committee this. I think we nailed this down here real
fast. If we start at 8.30, Monday or Friday, Representative Burnett, you'll have your business in order.
You'll be ready to present. We will let you present. and then when that's presented, we'll vote on these constitutional amendments and get them out of there and get through
Speaker 46
8:59
with them. Is that okay with everyone? Mr. Chairman, I would
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
9:03
suggest maybe we put a time limit on the presentation because I think this will be the third
Speaker 46
9:09
time we've heard from them, either subcommittee or this committee, for this particular amendment.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
9:16
One second. Representative Rodger, do you have a question? Would you
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
9:24
turn your lights on when we talk? I don't think it's appropriate that we start doing time limits in midstream here when we have not set time limits on the other presenters thus far. The next thing is you indicated what Center Madison would like to do. What would you like to do? I would
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
9:41
do what the will of this committee wants to do. reason I'm up here, just trying to take care of our issues and get it worked out.
She suggested that. She did not put that in stone. She just asked, would we be able to? I said, I would
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
9:54
talk to the committee and find out today. Can we make a recommendation back to them that we make Monday appoint adjournment to
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
10:04
vote on to finalize our constitutional amendments? We can certainly bring that up.
Speaker 55
10:12
Yes, ma'am. Representative Schlenker, do you have a comment?
Speaker 34
10:17
Well, I was just wondering if Senator Madison would agree to the following Monday.
What day is that? The 23rd? No, I think that's going to run
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
10:25
a little, that's going to run close. Oh, okay. We're going to have to get this out here the first part of next week because we've got to move over to congressional redistricting, and it's going to take up the rest of our time starting next Wednesday morning. Okay. Thank you. So, I mean, we're, this is important. redistricting is more important. And we've got to get this worked out within the next few days where we can move on to the, and still let the committee members listen, run
their bills that would like to. Representative. Chairman, I just
Speaker 65
10:58
meet at 8 o'clock Friday morning and we have some that can't be here. We'll just try to work around
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
11:08
them. Budget is not meeting on Friday, we just found that out. So we will meet here Friday morning, 8 o'clock, Representative Barnett. You're first on the list to listen to your proposal. And from there on, ladies and gentlemen, we will vote on those proposals as a body Monday
– Friday, I'm sorry, Friday. And we will try to schedule with Senator Madison in the Senate an appropriate time, first part of next week, to have our hearing. Is that an agreement with the committee? Best we can do, because next week we've got to get on some other issues. That
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
11:48
means, yes, ma'am, Representative Bernard. I've heard so many presentations, and could someone clarify for me, out of the original 13 that we had, or 12, which ones are still active?
Because I'm a little confused. I heard somebody, it's
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
12:04
just a shell, and somebody... We're going to go down the list right now and try to get a handle on what we have left, if that's okay with the committee. So that's what we're going to do. We're going to meet at 8 o'clock Friday morning. If you have your amendment run and ready to go, we'll listen to you.
And sorry for the inconvenience and your members and guests, but that's the rules of the house. Have a great day. And we will send you the bill for lunch.
Speaker 17
12:34
All right, we're going to go down to SJR
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
12:41
1002. I'm going to ask to amend and send that back to ISP interim study proposal and
try to get something worked out where we get a better handle on what that does, so I'm going
to do that. S.A.R. 10-0-4, Rep. Nichols, are you ready to run yours?
Yes, Mr. Chairman. Would you, if you
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
13:28
hear S.A.R. 10-0-4. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Committee.
I think my resolution is a clear-cut, simple resolution.
And this is based upon my experience with our session that we
had this past year, the fiscal session. You know, we passed a constitutional amendment calling for fiscal sessions. and my experience with that has led me to file this bill. My experience was that, of course, it would not be as bad as next time, but joint budget was held in 171.
And if you're not on joint budget committee, you really didn't have an official role there. And even if you wanted a place to sit, a lot of times you had to worry about the various state agency heads there who were there concerned about their budgets. I think in one sense, to be frank, it was almost a waste of time for those of us who were not on joint budget. I think from a government spending standpoint, I think it may be considered wasteful government spending because of the amount of money that was expended on that effort.
And I think we've had experience with it now. And I know the commentary, a lot of folks were shocked that the amendment that we put on actually passed. And I think it's also difficult for some folks to want to serve in the legislature when they realize instead of giving up 60 to 90 days once every two years, now they're looking at also the second year giving up their professional endeavors during that time.
And I just think that is something that we can allow the people to vote on since we've had experience with it. And I'm afraid the longer we wait, the more difficult it will become. It will become ingrained as a way we should be doing business. But I know the leadership trying to take care of those of us who were not on joint budget, we were told that, you know, well, your standing committees would meet. and conduct whatever business that might be appropriate for a standing committee to conduct.
Well, my two standing committees, Judiciary, did not meet at all during that session. And my other committee at that time was Ag. And the ad committee met once in this room, I think, with a joint meeting with the Senate ad committee, and we entertained a delegation from Turkey. And that was the, you know, they were here to learn about our system of government,
and I think they were even recognized in the gallery of the House. But I don't think we were really doing the state's business at that time.
And so I would just like to see the people, since they've had experience with it, vote on it again. And this is something that can only be changed by a constitutional amendment. So I try to make it simple, and that is just do away with it. if there's something else
to be done, tweaking of it, but it's all going to have to be done by
constitutional amendment so I think the state I think and taxpayers are better off if we meet once every two years instead of every year I'll be happy to entertain questions the way I asked our committee attorney to draft it, that was just to repeal the law of the constitutional amendment that we passed. So I think the questions that you have on this are policy questions
because I don't know if I'll be able to, I don't even have a copy of the bill in front of me or the resolution, so I may not be able to answer particular questions about what line 20 on page 3 means or anything like that. But my intent is just to take us back to the way it was and see what, because I think that was a better system for the state of Arkansas. I'll be happy to entertain any questions you might have. Representative, we have several questions here.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
18:26
The first one is
from me, and if I may, I'd like your thoughts on the physical session. In light of term limits, can you not agree or would not think that That gives a time frame, a learning curve for members who are just now coming on board and comes on every two years that gives them a more in-depth training and learning of the
budgetary process of this state and where the money is. Yesterday in the session where the issue came up about not having the information, not being knowledgeable about the budgetary programs, and these freshmen and all most likely would not be on the budget committee. We're sitting here, and it gives them a better understanding of where the finances of the state, what their status is, and where they're going. Could you kind of help me, work me through that?
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
19:33
Well, I think the complaint from some folks about not understanding the budget process, In my view, some of
that could have been taken care of by even attending the fall meetings after the elections would have taken care of some of that. And also
attending the budget hearings that are going on right now. I know there are some non-budget committee members over there, but still there's a lot of non-budget freshmen who are not attending those meetings.
But we did have a larger turnover this time, I guess, in the House. And it's just no matter what, there is a learning curve. And I think if you are on joint budget, that fiscal session, it is a learning experience. But if you're not on there, then all you end up really doing is casting the
vote in the afternoon on the budgets.
And I think each individual member has a responsibility to learn about the budgeting process
and dig into it and talk to staff. And that can be done in the interim. And if there is a need to
have a session, the governor has the power to call us in the session if there is an emergency that we need to address. I just feel like it's a good system in a sense if you're on the budget committee.
But a substantial number of us, even Chairman Clark, this is my second term, and I have not made it to the budget committee yet. So I will see, I guess, another session next year that will, to me, will take a lot of time to come out and
vote in the afternoon. But I also recognize
that my knowledge of the system now and the relationships that I have with various members, you know, I may be able to accomplish some things that way.
But I think it's just it sounds good on paper, but I think in the details of it, it was just taxpayers' dollars were just not spent as wisely. Follow-up question, if I
Speaker 82
22:03
can, Representative Nichols. If the citizens of
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
22:09
this state voted on it and
we work at the will of the citizens, Correct. I don't know if we've had enough time to get a feel or the citizens of this state
have got the feel that this is viable or not viable. Would you not agree that just one session may be a little,
Speaker 86
22:31
trying to change it after just the first physical session may not
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
22:36
be a little short? That is a valid point, the problem, the reason I thought
about that. But I also thought that the longer we go on, the more institutionalized it becomes and the more difficult it will be to change it. That's my concern. I don't think the people necessarily want us to be a full-time legislature.
And I think we're getting closer and closer to doing that. Thank
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
23:05
you. Representative Penard. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Nichols, have you attended any of the budget meetings since we began in January? MR. Yes, ma'am. Not as many as
I attended during the fall, though. Do you have the opportunity to attend and do not?
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
23:28
MR. Well, I have to choose where I should be and what I should be doing, and sometimes There's conflicts with what I'm trying to accomplish and when the
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
23:39
budget committee meets. Do you feel that your attendance at the joint budget meetings is helpful to you? Yes, I do. I think it is a
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
23:51
learning experience, and I think one of the best learning experiences that I have gained that really started this year,
a little bit my first term, was the special language committee of
joint budget. I learned a whole lot about state government in special language.
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
24:09
Well, let me ask you, the first fiscal session you
had was after you were elected. Is that correct? Yes, ma'am. And did you run for public office knowing? I don't know if you knew whether we were going to have fiscal sessions at that time, but you knew that there was a possibility we would have fiscal sessions.
Is that correct? That is correct. MS. Now, let me ask you, in the fiscal session itself, did you avail yourself of the opportunity to attend the joint budget hearings that
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
24:45
were held? MR. I sure did. I think I attended just if I
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
24:52
could find a seat, I was there most of the time. MS. Did you find that helpful? MR. Yes, I did. Do you have any measure of sense of that with term limits, and most of us in here won't
have the opportunity to have further service on the other end of the House in the Senate, do you feel that this gives in this era of term limits, do you feel that having that opportunity to learn more about the budget in those fiscal sessions is helpful in
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
25:30
your short six years? MR. Any time I attend any meeting, I think
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
25:36
it is educational and helpful. MS. I understand that.
So your answer is yes? MR. Yes, ma'am. MS. Yes. Okay. You indicated you think the people of Arkansas didn't know what they were doing when they They voted to have fiscal sessions. Did I hear you say that? MR.
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
25:57
I don't think I said that because people spoke on that particular issue. I think what I
said was it was a surprise to a lot of folks.
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
26:07
MS. Well, maybe to you and other elected officials, but I think the people ñ I give credence
to the people's vote, as I'm sure you do. And so I'm very leery about overturning the people's vote on this just because it would make it easier for us elected officials to serve as a legislator. Do you not agree that it's our responsibility, whatever those duties are, to serve once we're elected?
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
26:45
I certainly do, Representative Penards, and I'm not trying to legislatively overturn what
the people have told us about this issue. What I'm doing, I'm asking them to take a second look at it and then to, in one sense, I
think they'll be making a more informed vote because we do have a little bit of history now
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
27:10
to look at it, how it operates. Do you remember what the
vote was that passed this referendum to have a fiscal session?
Do you remember what the percentage of the vote
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
27:25
was for? It was a healthy vote for the amendment. I
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
27:28
don't remember the exact percentage. It was quite healthy. Yes. So I believe the people have spoken on this issue. Mr. Chair?
Mr. Chair? Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Representative Nichols. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Representative Hopper? Thank you, Mr.
Speaker 96
27:44
Chair, and you asked one of my questions, and I'm going to pass at this point. Thank you. Representative Sheatham.
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
27:53
I've got a mouthful of cookie, but I'll try anyway. Mr. Nichols, you
know, I don't think I've met a person since that vote was taken by the people, and I agree with Representative Pernard that we should be willing to accept their wishes. I'm not sure I've met a person after that vote that says, I should have done that. They all say it. We misunderstood what that title said. They said, you mean you're
going to be up there more? And I said, yes, we are going to be up there more. But would you not agree? I do agree. Thank
Speaker 90
28:33
you, Mr. Cheatham. Mr. Nichols, do you have
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
28:35
any idea of what it cost for the fiscal session, State of Arkansas? I have not tried to
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
28:44
gather that data. I know it's out there. It is a cost. It is more expensive now than it was. And I think prior to fiscal sessions, I think the legislative council had a much bigger
role during the interim, and I think they could have, you know, they can address a lot of issues during the interim as a legislative council instead of having a budget session. Also in one follow-up, Mr. Chair, if I may,
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
29:09
just, and I like your amendment, you know, I don't know if it's going
to get out or not, to be honest with you, but I really like it. This is something I thought of after it happened. But what really concerns me, I guess, about going through that is the fact that we are
keeping a lot of people, I think, from being able to run for the legislature because of the time spent here. We all spend a lot of time on our duties, but it's become more of a full-time job, and I think years ago we saw more people being able to take off for a short time from their job to come up here and serve, and now we're seeing more old people like me that are retired and have the time to do it, but we don't get to see as many of
the younger people unless they have a business like Mr. Steele has and is
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
30:00
able to participate. would you not agree I would agree and I know when I was being interviewed by
some editorial staffs and that was one of the questions they were asking and and I don't I'm not going to say I would not have run because I've always enjoyed watching the legislative process and wanted to be part of shaping public policy of the state of Arkansas, so I would probably
run anyway, but I think for a number of folks that are trying to build a business or have a profession, being off away from
it once every two years is a lot easier on their business or profession than having to take off every year
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
30:50
for it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
30:56
I'm through. Representative Pennelly. I might object to the word old. I probably
wouldn't have objected if you had said old. But I know you didn't mean to imply anything
by the use of the word old.
Maybe I would like to offer this for your consideration, Representative Nichols. My experience has just been the opposite of what my good friend Representative Cheatham has said, and that is people that I talked to said, well, now maybe you'll pay attention to the money and how it's spent in that fiscal session, and that's why I voted for it. So I think, you know, in our discussions we may have been getting different responses from our constituents.
With regard to let me clearly ask you this because I thought you said yes to this. Did you clearly understand that the commitment of time in a large sense that you were making when you ran for state legislator? I knew it would take a cause. In the broad
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
32:02
sense of the word. In the broad sense, of course, the annual sessions had not passed then. But you knew that there was a possibility of a fiscal session.
I knew there was a possibility, and my approach is
whatever I'm going to be involved in, I'm going to put in
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
32:24
the time necessary to accomplish the goals. Well, I have
certainly seen that with you, Representative Nichols, and I understand that because I have the same level of commitment to serve the people. Just a second question. and now the cookie monster over there got me, I've forgotten it over there, but basically
did you wait to a certain point in your maturation until you could run for the state legislature? MR. I
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
32:59
will say this, Ms. Penartz, I think it may apply to you, is that my maturation I guess you would call it, I think has been very, very helpful in shaping the legislation that I propose and trying to get it
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
33:14
passed. I would agree with you, sir, and would you not also agree that for those who are younger
in nature like Mr. Steele and those of us who are more maturated both professionally and otherwise, that we bring different diversity to the house. Is that not correct? The diversity is great. Diversity. We bring diversity to
the house. Diversity is a good thing. Okay. Just yes or no is sufficient. I'm going to have
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
33:42
to get John Walker over here
to help me out with you. Just yes or no is sufficient.
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
33:52
Yes. Okay. Thank you. I know you lawyers like to elaborate, but yes or no is just fine with a simple
girl like me. Mr. Chair, thank you, Representative Nichols, and thank you, Mr.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
34:07
Chair. Well, before I recognize Representative Hutchison, I would like to say that those citizens who are watching us today have certainly had a lesson in that we do not just take our jobs lightly. Representative Hutchison, it's your turn.
Speaker 117
34:23
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Representative Nichols, I'll ask you the same question And I've
Representative Donna Hutchinson
Unverified
34:29
asked everyone, these are all probably good suggestions. Why is yours so unique that it should be chosen as one of the three, especially considering it was just a few years ago the citizens voted for this, and the first time was to discover the problems and the kinks, and we're hoping the others will be corrected.
So why is yours should be one of the three, considering all of
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
34:59
these are good suggestions? Well, I think what I am proposing is something that has to be handled constitutionally. Some of the proposed amendments, I think, can possibly be handled legislatively. And it is fresh on the minds of the people. You know, it hasn't been around that long. We just voted on this, what, three Novembers ago.
And so we've got an understanding of the concept. And I think in trying to work with the session, I think that we had a better system when we were meeting once every two years. And I just want the people to take a second look based upon the experience that the legislature has had with annual sessions. Any
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
35:59
committee have any questions?
Representative Nichols, thank you for your presentation. I'm sorry, does anyone from
the audience like to speak against this idea, proposal? All right. Thank you. Now, Representative Pernard, I
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
36:19
want you to notice that nobody came up to speak against the Nichols bill. Next
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
36:38
He's going to do his Friday. And Representative King. Does anyone know if Representative King is going to run his this year or not? Representative Hopper, do you know if Representative King, what his intentions are, or does anyone? No. We'll tell him he'll be here Friday or otherwise, but it's not necessary. I just thought you might know. I appreciate that, but
we're trying to get out of here. It looks like that's all that's here today to run their proposals, and we're going to
go over the list real fast to suit to everybody
who knows what's going on. We're going to meet Friday morning at 8 o'clock in this room if it's available. We're going to meet House Joint Resolution 1001 from Barnett, 1002 is going to interstudy. We've already heard from 1003, Representative Hutchinson. We've heard from 1004, Representative Nichols. We've heard from 1005, Representative Klemmer.
Representative Baird is in the process. We have not heard what he's going to do yet. He has made no indication. Pierce is going to run his Friday, 1008, we're waiting to see what Representative Baird wants to do. He'll have to run his Friday, Representative King, 1009, his Friday, if he runs his. We've heard from Representative Ingram, and others have been tentatively withdrawn, but
we will notify the sponsors to make sure of that. So, if that's any, I'll take any questions
Speaker 41
38:25
from Representative Hutchison? 10-10, Representative Ingram? Indication before he
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
38:42
left that he wasn't, but, you know, that was just a brief conversation with Representative Cowley. He's better, if I understand him, but he's in Texarkana, the hospital in Texarkana.
I thought he was here in Little Rock. We were going to go see him the other day, but he's at home. He is
out of the hospital. Hi, Larry. Anyway, hopefully he'll be able to let us know, maybe somewhere to contact him. Yes, sir. How many do you have on your list? The number Y do you have on your list? That aren't still. That are real bills that they aren't still. We have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
And then some of those we don't know about. No, those are ones that we've heard from or are planning on presenting on Friday. and then we have one, two, three, four, five that has been withdrawn tentatively and one is going to enter a study so it's one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and one of them it could either be withdrawn or run we're not sure yet 1001
1002 10-0-3 10-0-4 10-0-5 10-0-6 He is undecided on whether he's going to run it or not. And then 10-0-7 is up for Friday morning. 10-0-8
is undecided whether he's going to run it or not, where he hasn't made his decision yet.
I can't hear you. Would you please use your mic where we now participate in the discussion, Representative. Representative King said that
Representative Donna Hutchinson
Unverified
40:52
he would probably withdraw it, but, you know, that's just what he told me. Well, until
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
40:57
we hear officially, we've got him on the list for Friday, but I'm going to try to catch him and see. And then 10-10 is Ingram.
And 11, 12, and 13 has tentatively been withdrawn. Is that right, Representative Hodge? You withdrew. You're 11 and 12, and we have not heard from Representative Cowling, but when he talked to me once, he said he didn't think he was going to run it. We will try to contact him, and maybe Eddie, Representative Cheatham, could you contact Representative Cowling, and if he wants to run it, would you stand in his place on Friday? He certainly won't, if he wants to run it, we won't have a fair hearing and let everybody
invite. Do you have a representative? Who raised their hand? Rodgers. Rodgers. I know that, Tiffany. I thought it was Rep.
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
41:50
Klemmer there. I'm sorry. Rep. Rodgers? I would like to make a
recommendation for Friday that we listen to the constitutional amendments and that we take other business on the agenda and that we reserve our vote until Monday that would allow committee members that cannot be here on Friday who actually
have bills that are going to be or amendments that are going to be considered the opportunity to take part in the voting process. When are
Speaker 123
42:20
we planning on having the vote Monday? Whenever
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
42:28
you schedule it. When we raised the issue of meeting with the joint at 10 o'clock, we had several people that had objections. I mean,
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
42:36
you want to do it? I think I even suggested after adjournment Monday.
I'm trying to be respectful of a committee member's...
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
42:45
Absolutely. Okay. Absolutely. I mean, that's what we're here for, is to make sure everybody has a fair hearing at this
body and try to pass out good legislation.
But Representative, who had their, Representative Bernard, do you have a
Speaker 133
42:59
question? I just wondered, are we looking at nine solid ones? What we're
Speaker 66
43:08
going to do, when we get to the voting part of this process,
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
43:15
we're going to have, we're going to meet, we're going to declare a quorum, and we're going to start with HJR 1001, Representative Barnett, what's the will of the committee if I get no if I get nothing from the committee we for lack of a motion it fails and we're going to walk right down those who are on this list it will take approximately less than probably 30 minutes if y'all have made up your mind and we have certainly
discussed these issues well enough that we should know it was certainly in representative Rogers is right those members here in the body who has resolutions they'd like to get out, it would give them a chance to do their, for lack of a better term, would be their power of persuasion with fellow members to see if they can get enough votes to get theirs out. Otherwise, we're going to go down a list. I did not expect being in here longer than 30 minutes to vote.
Now, we can do it Friday morning. We can do it Monday. it's up to the will of the committee. Representative Hopper, I'm sorry.
Speaker 5
44:27
I'm going to put my glasses back on, I'll tell you. I have a
Speaker 134
44:33
question, but it's not on the subject that we're talking at the moment, so I don't want to muddy the water. Please don't. But before we leave, could I please have a question is what
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
44:43
I'm asking. Thank you. Who has a question on the yes representative
Speaker 117
44:48
robot? When is our joint meeting? What's the date?
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
44:50
We're trying to get it set up with the Senate as today. We're going to try to work that out as soon as we can get the agenda here. At first, it was recommended from Senator Madison that we meet Monday morning. But there's a conflict here with the committee. So we've got to go back, and I think Representative Rogers made a suggestion of Tuesday. I said Monday after adjournment. We can do
that. If that's the will of the committee, it's fine with me.
Did we get through with this Monday? Is everybody in agreement?
Let's close this chapter of our committee down Monday. Yes. Okay, so we're doing this Friday morning. Monday on adjournment,
we're going to meet and vote on them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And then Monday upon adjournment, we're going to meet with jointly? Wait a
Speaker 136
45:44
minute. Wait, no. We're going to vote Monday. On adjournment.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
45:51
Upon adjournment. Okay. We're going to vote Monday. I want to make sure we're all on the same page. And I'll sit up
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
45:58
with Senator Madison, Representative Limmer. Could we not go straight from that into the joint? It will be fresh on
Speaker 86
46:03
everybody's mind. We can certainly do that if it's the will of the Senate. Right. I know we have to coordinate with them, but would you mind to make that request that we could meet and that we could
Speaker 142
46:12
go straight on into their meeting? I agree. I'd like to finish this up Monday. So is everybody happy with that? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
46:19
And as far as recognizing us, you do a pretty good job considering you've got 20 kids.
You know, it's like having kids and you call them by the wrong name.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
46:27
I just want you to know we understand. If I say Kimberly and Russell, wait a minute, Representative Hopper had
Speaker 144
46:35
a question she wanted to ask before we adjourn. Representative Hopper. We've had some discussion down here. It brings me to this point in that we don't have, there does not have to be three recommendations come out of
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
46:50
this committee. It cannot be any more than three out of the joint body.
Correct. You can send zero out, one out, ten
out. You can send every one of the House and we'll take them in order in which we get them out of here. ones passed first is going to be the ones presented first in the joint body. If we send none, we have none. If you send ten, we're going to take the first one, and when we get voted on as a joint, the first three that gets approved, that's
the end of it. If you're a fourth one, I'm sorry. That's
Speaker 144
47:23
just the way it has to work.
I'm sorry. Pardon me. I think that sometimes gets lost in the discussion. I think even back to the resolution that passed that Representative Nichols is now trying to put before us that year, there were only two initiatives on the ballot from this body, correct? That is correct,
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
47:41
and we've had years where we sent nothing out because they were all found with insufficient and better benefits of the state of Arkansas.
Wonderful point. Without objection, we will meet you all Monday at 8 o'clock.
Agenda
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
Speaker 4
Representative Jonathan Barnett
Unverified
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
Speaker 31
Speaker 34
Speaker 35
Speaker 41
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
Speaker 46
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
Speaker 55
Speaker 65
Speaker 17
Speaker 70
Speaker 82
Speaker 86
Speaker 96
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
Speaker 90
Speaker 117
Representative Donna Hutchinson
Unverified
Speaker 57
Speaker 123
Speaker 133
Speaker 66
Speaker 5
Speaker 134
Speaker 136
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
Speaker 142
Speaker 144