Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs - Senate

There's one cavea. Every member all eight members will have to be notified so if you and I promise senator rice that fact now course it takes five we do it but we're not gonna skip anybody just that if they object then we won't do it even if they don't want to sign it that's fine but but they have have to be notified to do it so if you're you're looking at doing that you have to comply with that. A ruling by the chair I guess we'll call it okay we're gonna try to go through these quickly as we can center Petty you have an amendment for a Senate bill five oh four. And the staff will pass that amount. Thank. Senator penny you're recognized to identify yourself and present your amendment Senate bill five oh four. Thank you Mr chair jim petty Senator district twenty nine. Please proceed so members you pass this out the other day there was a minor amendment that needed to be made and while we're making that amendment went ahead and addressed one of the questions at center Chesterfield had dealing with the fine and that was on we added their construction and I'm sorry see a person who violates this section upon conviction shall pay a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars we we answered the other day it was just it was a simple traffic fine we added that as additional care for clarification and then also the the defense to the prosecution meaning if you were walking on a based on a broken down vehicle that needed to be in there as well. And then also the the other one was dealing with which seems redundant but making it clear abundantly clear that a pedestrian is not someone in their vehicle under the statute and with that that's all there is and I would appreciate a good vote. okay sorry we we know we have to we have to adopt the amendment yes sorry and I understand we we can go ahead you are ready to run the bill after its amend that's right okay awards will committee on the amendment. Motion do pass on the amendments are stacked. centreboard seconds in discussion. Anyone the audience won't speak for against the amendment. If not questions on the amendment on favour say aye aye opposed. Congratulations Sir you adopted your amendment would you like to have a president Senate bill five oh four as amended would like to president stay at five oh four as amended by I'm happy to answer any questions. I think Senator Chesterfield reading some a letter have a second to do that. I'm just thank you Mr Smith says something that you're recognized. I think you turn your he turned it off. They're all different that would be needed there all different. Need. Okay I'm just I'm in one of these people us to stick with the. Lines thirty and thirty one. How is it different the substitution different from what is already on the. Nine thirty and thirty one currently reach regulates the ingress and egress of a motor vehicle The Amendment say aye regulates the ingress and egress of a motor vehicle so how do we change that so that was one of those bill are did that and because we're on such a time schedule I'd just add I just let them leave that in there you are correct was no change on that line one delete line thirty five and substitute the following we have moved we have changed personnel to a capital P.. And and yet I'm not seeing. Highway work zone means an area on or adjacent to highway or street of this state we're construction reconstruction maintenance or any other type of work is being performed by construction personnel why was it made a capital. Is there something different there than I'm missing that would be capitalized no ma'am that was just to the bill are dressing up playing in the first letter is its first word in the sentence Senate is not the first word sentence. Current language is not in the current language is the last word in the sentence on page thirty thirty five and the original bill that he presented it is a small pizza AS or any other type of work is being performed by construction personnel which is not the first word the sentence but the very last one I was just wondering if there if there is a reason for this is this strictly a a medical change that is unnecessary by BLR the latter I think bill are again in the interest it was not substance substantive and there was no I agree there is no reason but in order to get this over here in a timely and I'm ecstatic and it's all right pardon my speaking I'm stuck on my. Always appreciate your medical picking although I will point out B. R. did make a change they they change the period to a a comma I mean a semicolon and then added the word a-ant so that they may be able to recommend personality a proper now thank you so much. Five oh four one oh that's pedestrian the when. Okay all right that you're okay with the grammatical you live with it. Okay thank you well that's different. But this is we want to make sure you're okay the Graham correct okay in ma'am that was added from your comment the other day or your question the other day about what the penalty was for your. That's what the penalty was that we took. Well you didn't make me do anything you just you just you taught me another lesson so I tried to help. Thank you yes ma'am. Any other questions for. Senator. Anyone the audience like to speak for against the bill. If not senator penny you're recognized your bill I am closed I would appreciate a good vote okay motion most of the pass as amended motion do pass as amended by Senator borders or second. I'll second that Centerville seconded. Any other discussion. All in favor say aye aye opposed. Congratulations to you pastor bill thank you members thank you Mr. Now. All rent Senator English we move the we move the chairs to confuse everybody but your we have one for you of course of senator Wallace and representative McElroy. If the. Senator Wallace you and your representative McElroy are recognized to present House Bill fifteen forty eight thank you Mr chairman of the record senator Dave Wallace district nineteen in. A representative Mark McElroy District sixty two. We members of the. Mr this is really simple bill it did. It the. Removed just a few words of. Legislative language. They can easily be replaced or modified the rules and regulations specifically what we're saying in this. Bill is that when a person applies for a driver's license. Rather than having to wait thirty days we're removing. A House by all right let's House it like it said. Has there's a. Board center says applicants must have in his or her position a ballot destruction permit probably issued. Not less than thirty days and that's what we're removing when we moved in the not less than thirty days which means a person can be issued the about a permit and then take the test five days later ten days later what a rule regulation that our law enforcement. It says the. So we really just removing some. Language is not necessary what this does. And here's our problem we have folks who have parents they're trying to get their children the driver's license go down one day. They will Should the permit and now they've got to come back three days later a second trip who were really hurts is over the Delta who we have our H. two a program. And it cost quite a bit of money to bring those individuals over. They're all of the bill age they all have driver's license in there or at least most of them do driver's license in their country of origin. But then reciprocate over here so they have the skill set but not the license and so the our farmers are paying pretty good made by those folks over. They hit the ground. And they can't. Work. With all the skills because they don't have a driver's license. And that's the crux of this bill. And with that I will stand by for your questions. Senator hill. Senator Wallace of I appreciate this bill what you're trying to do here because I know where I live at. If you have a drive to little rock to take the test now. Written and the driving part they have to make two trips parents have to take off work two days we have a limited number facilities in our area now which needs to be addressed drastically to get more testing facilities I thank you for this thank you Sir. Since. We have some folks signed up to speak on the bill We do. Well we have to sign on and we have one on hand one four actually have two on and one for and I will then I'll start with the captain land the state police feel come for speak on the bill. If you want major mark more to come with you yeah can both go then the table if and Leicester's different. If you are coming from different directions. Okay. Okay at your on the same line so I'll have. Okay please both of you introduce yourself the record captive bred lan Arkansas state police. Okay. Of. Your recognized to speak on the bill thank you. Yes Sir as he said the health bill fifteen forty eight states an afternoon's never been licensed within any jurisdiction shall not be permitted to demonstrate ability to drive so right now our driver's license centers or they're not troopers are civilian employees we have fifty nine of them spread out throughout the state and. Right now when you come in you take their the written test you wait at least thirty days and it doesn't have to be exactly thirty but you must wait at least thirty days you're not thirty days that's a time as opposed to be practicing with somebody over the age of twenty one all of our exams give protest in your communities on public streets there's solid driver's ed where you've got that extra break panel that you can push over there so it's the athletes coming in we prefer them to be a practicing with their parent that way when they come to us they're they're ready for their test already nervous when they come to see anyway So And Senator mention the H. two A. workers and I and I understand that. But with that which but they sure a words we have to run them through say which is per department homeland security what that does that tells us there if they're lawfully present and they're what they're in the state is sometimes we don't we don't get immediate responses for that may interrupt you just a moment a captain of is that part of the reason during that thirty days that that review by of homeland security is done is that have when you all have that is that the window to to make that inquire. So you were right when they come to us to take their the written test we run them through safe out of all at least I kind of speak more neck she's she's all more knowledgeable nice but could you address that yes Sir what happens is when you have a a for an applicant coming in they have to be run through our system made it systematic alien verification system that's through homeland security that verifies the documents that they are in fact correct and what that does is a lot of times that delay is it because of the thirty days is the delay because we don't get a return with the say verifications for up to forty five days and that's due to all the problems at the border because of right now everyone used to be process stand before they entered now they're coming through and they're not being process until they're after so there's so many people coming through the border that sometimes save gets clogged up so it's not the thirty days it's affecting the farmers it's the forty five day waiting period. That they have to get the save verification back. So the delay is actually coming from home security not blaming them but that's where it's coming from yes Sir because we have measures in place right now to help our farmers get that thirty days Wade I think that there just needs to be some communication between the ones that need the need that thirty days way versus the ones that actually need to the practice. Before at let's shall answer yes Is questions I'm wondering is there a a pattern you see of those that fall into those two categories I mean how many percentage wise are there really okay they know how to drive it just get the paperwork in those that you more or less determined they simply have learners permit and needy is capsugel practice. Under age or over ager for applicants which ones do you let's start with for an applicant you know we just passed a bill out here about military over deployed license expired we renewed it but one of the core back so well that's assuming you already knew how to drive when you are deployed so we small detail but you know you don't you don't get to go overseas come back get a driver's license if you didn't have one. Per local typically with your H. two ETS the ones that are coming through now their south African so they speak English and they're able to communicate we do have people who literally come into the United States one day and they come and see us the next day so some of those people have never been in a vehicle before you know women in certain countries on allowed to drive so communication is a problem as far as language and then you turn around and in you get the vehicle within thirty days even after that thirty days is still difficult. Okay as far as your H. two A. workers I spoke to some of my exam is up in the wind Jones for area just to kind of get an idea I think they've had one who was under the age he was eighteen who had never had a license and that was been that's been the only one that she said it's failed. It I appreciate what Senator Wallace is set also thinking can some of this be accomplished to everyone's satisfaction by rule. I think so I think I was working with the F. and I up I up I really is that if they have a valid license from the home country I have no problem with we're trying to waive that thirty days. If if the thirty days if this bill passes we've we've in effect waive the thirty days and would put could you all by rule set reasonable time plus a procedure that would take care of the concerns that to Senator Wallace and representative McElroy who brought forth as well as. Meet the things that you all have on your responsibilities. I think we probably could that's something I pride need to visit with the estimate about but I. I think we probably could at my conditioner every case here I don't know if he's rated. To speak on it or not are you not in one. You have to get to the table for you could speak but but be patient will come to your mom Go ahead with this would you will take away the thirty days that that puts a fourteen year old be able to come in and take a test drive and test in the same day with an exam or not we just feel it's a public safety risk it's a risk to the absent the examiner and and the public is or after giving those tests on public roadways if if this is passed in its current form parents were not legally if they wanted to practice with their child before they came and take take protest they legally could not get on the road with them if that makes sense I remember I remember. Way back when we do that Senate Chesterville. Walking down memory lane. I remember going in and taking my written test and taking my driver's test that afternoon. And I guess I didn't know we had we were now requiring parents to give you the written test then come back. If we couldn't drive we're going to take the test. Thank. And we're in the country with one car for three families. But we knew how to drive long before we took a Chester. So I'm trying to figure out looking at just the wording of the bill and not all the extraneous stuff about what you've been speaking it doesn't make sense to me that I would take a written test and have to wait thirty days to go back and take a driving test because I would be stupid to go down there take a written test and I couldn't drive. And making this is you're you're you're going back to the times when you and I were doing that senator but I can remember of my daughters correct me if I'm it may have changed since the Capitol but I'm I'm I don't understand why I can't written test yeah and then there was a wait period that they had a learner's permit and they drive in a Car with the a licensed adult nonpayment twenty one or eighteen but it any better driver than you are yes she's much. But not at that moment but that's that was is the current law and you want you get that learner's permit you have the legal right to practice with the drive with the glasses adult in the car is it eighteen or twenty one twenty one it used to be eighteen. Not that I remain okay well course favor for my time there might but that that was a procedure where would senator Chesterfield not to test you took the test and you walked out with the trooper and gotten your own car and he rode with you and I'll never forget I set the goal fully station in Conway and he had me drive around the block he told me to pull up third party was by far under any wrote at my office and so so I had a violation right straight out of the box but they've changed that Senator with the idea you get the rules of the road first of the new practice Dr and I'm I'm just trying to determine can we work this out where if this bill passes you all by rule can put some restrictions and because this just says not less than thirty days and that would seem to apply in every situation if I'm understanding that right of any other questions. Search for thank you so I just want to state I do have a fourteen year old child who has a permit and Is there any way that my child could learn to drive on a public road legally without having a learner's permit first. Not that I'm aware of so all the learning would have to be done if it were to be done legally it would have to be done on private property somewhere assuming that's weaker within the correct an insurable right okay thank you. Senator hill. They were. We're back to my my issue on this was I have parents having take off two days. The to do this who need to work and make money to put food on the table for their parents for their family and we're not addressing that with this in this administration money to drive to Little Rock. What we have seen may not health we don't have a sitting cabinet right now. We well it's for yeah you say one wrong with that yes you don't how can I help you if you can help me most counties have a testing center. Lona llanos evidently lawn of does not. Yeah the roof fell in on their abilities are one in Jackson that's not the issue I was told I was told that you didn't have an instruction or having issues getting one because I'll for to school up at the facility. I've been. TalkTalk Hager he's aware of it okay. All right. Other questions. Okay. Captions by thank you for your testimony thank you Major you also dentist filed with your okay all right of. US thank you S. speaking for the bill is Grove are. If you're there by yourself for the record. Good afternoon senators and Mr chairman Edgar Meyer with the agricultural council of Arkansas where an industry trade organization that represents farmers landowners and agricultural business is involved in row crop agriculture in Arkansas. I'll be as brief as I cannot see on email the kind of elaborated our position on this but we see this is a red tape reduction bill that does I think Senator Chesterfield it hit on the head this is something that's going to make life easier for all our Kansans and all Arkansas businesses there's an arbitrary thirty day waiting period that that that that is in the code and all we're trying to do is eliminate that thirty day period we're not doing anything that that affects the mandates that are in place for safety that require written tests for people seeking licenses or by people have to get behind a wheel and to a skills test those things will still be required from our perspective we're we've had issues with this with our members who have H. two A. workers that are coming over here they need to get him to work let in most cases they are very familiar with vehicles they drive in their home countries they have driver's licenses in their own countries but they come here and those licenses do not reciprocate and they're not recognized as valid in Arkansas so they have to go through this process and it's it's very cumbersome and delays their ability to go to work and causes a lot of problems in these farming operations of. I doubt it is a very simple bill in our opinion and we'd be happy to answer any questions on anything that may be you know of questions you all. Centreboard. Thank you Mr I agree with you to senate bill that might be my concern is that it's a little too simple There seems to be one problem we're trying to address in in my mind I'm looking in my we are of citizen legislature I have a fourteen year old and I'm scared by the thought of her getting her. Taking her written test and then her driver's test the exact same day so. But I guess my question is have you seen my fourteen year old learn to drive. The adviser be no but I have a daughter to and she's not quite that age yet but And and I am gonna do my best to to teacher the rules of the road and to make sure she is ready to both take a written test and be behind the wheel but I think there are a lot of. Yeah issues with distracted driving and so forth that that are out there but again we're we're not trying to do anything that that that doesn't make them road ready that we still would require the state would require the written exam and behind the wheel exam in order to get licensed and as far as what we're doing and this bill if it's passes is taken out the mandatory thirty day I think there could still be rules and regulations that they could come about to try to deal with and a particular cases related to you know. First time drivers or things like that the. Senator Murdock. Thank you chair I tend to agree with the The bill is quite simple in it would make it. Easier because generally I mean I've never experienced anyone going to take the test or even taken my child to even start addressing testing and T. O. he or she could drive yeah we don't even go down that street until you're eligible if you will so this just makes it more efficient that if you are eligible and ready and as a parent I choose to allow you to do this you know then certainly we get to take care of a one trip and then want to go to the workers situation is certainly helps us to be able to get people to work sooner if they show up in the country and now the only question that I do have just a question at the A. S. P. mention the time frame is not a question but is a time frame that I understand I guess is necessary for them to get to it the people were verified but that's not a S. P. deal what you're saying is I miss you that's not eight legislative delay you're saying let's take the Legislative delay away whatever ASP has to do to determine what they have to determine we we understand that takes a period of time let that be the period of time but let's be ready to give them their test is one of this is that what is that what we're trying to do here that's absolutely correct we're obviously y'all don't have the real ability to go address the save act stuff in the federal law that's a whole nother issue we're we're focused here on this arbitrary waiting period that has caused problems and it was mentioned earlier that there are ways to do waivers but we've inquired specifically about that and been told no yes so we don't want to get in the way of a SP and what they're doing certainly because we we appreciate that work but at the same time we want to be efficient and allow people to go to work and even the youngsters that have shown their parents of proficiency in the it will show the the Isher of the exam they're proficient and driving then we can continue to keep everything will. Thank you. Senator English. So thank I guess I'm I'm questioning I'm wondering I see big the kids that we we need that but I I thought I don't understand it we have a lot of young. Folks coming in across the border and we don't if we uses waiver we don't have the time. To to check them out in their background and their legal status and so on and so forth and who's a criminal who is not a criminal do we are we taking that away with this thirty days no ma'am there's federal law. For for any individual seeking a life that they have to comply with and so what that waiver does then isn't it explain that I guess I'm I'm not quite figured out where this is the save act as a vetting process it's a federal mandate that goes on with that they've got a driver's license or not correct and and it as long as they're seeking something legal which would be a driver's license in our cases everybody that's coming in is. Doing it by the book so that they are in compliance with all the different federal laws. Other questions. Thank you. Of. Is there anyone that's not signed up for the audience that would like to speak for against the bill. If not senator Wallace you're welcome to close. Well it to the. Okay okay Sir well as happy with your permission I'd like to ask to Mr one Hammer good D. F. and I'd come forward because we may have a couple questions for him. As well as his. And. Senate Joe in fire sales for the records and I'll recognize Senator board to ask questions Congress. Wayne Hammer could ministration for driver services a motor vehicle. They want us to hurry so all the sauces meditate counsel for the Revenue Division. Stop yes good question. Just to clarify if if we pass this bill as is is there a way to write a rule that clarifies my concern of my fourteen year old getting a permit and then trying to take the driver's test on the same day make I wouldn't plan on having my fourteen year old do that but that and then some other parent who is a fourteen year old who drives like mine would would do that this is a DFA does not administer the testing requirements so that would not be a rule that we would promulgate okay I would be a slightly okay so state police would have to answer the question right we are thank you okay sorry all right. No other questions for the FNA okay senator Wallace you're welcome close and we're going to try to wrap this up I apologize to everyone but we have this little rule that we can't meet one century meeting and proteam is been lenient with. Senator Wallace you're welcome close. Thank you Mr I appreciate the state police all the information they gave and speak on the bill not speak against the bill. what this does is simply remove the Legislative portion of this. Our state police who do a great job objectives can still. To the rules and regulations that they need to do both what it does is it just it made it will give us it will give our state police the ability to the state make a distinction between. The ability comes over already has a license another state fully qualified been driving for ten years from that fourteen year old child in the rules and regulations that they can adopt. We'll make this more efficient will actually give our state police more freedom okay. The motion do pass by Senator board second by Senator Chesterfield any discussion. All in favor say aye. Posed no no. The ayes have it congratulations senator thank you Mr thank you members. Senator Rice quickly thank you I know we've got to go it is my intent to use this form to let the committee know all right members committee no hi I intend to ask for sign out I get senator Brandis is bill of HB sixteen ninety two is the R. dot construction manager general contractor method of procurement is everlasting sign that. I will I think we will be able to get that Senator Rice and that we we will try to meet in the morning I don't have a date time yeah I mean I have a tomorrow I don't have a time but we'll let you know protium says we gotta go to work in there so we are turn.