Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs - Senate

Quickly and I appreciate staff accommodating this specially Blake thank you. Of. The. Okay. Our. And. If you yes yes Sir we can and if Senator Clark come on and we'll we'll have we're gonna go ahead. It started. Well. Please sit down Sir Gilmore we we will get through this as quickly as possible let me make a couple notes which might save a whole lot of people a whole lot of trouble okay. Of. Senate bill three seventy nine at this moment is a moot point and I'm going to bring it back on second reading and then I'm going to either send it either five withdraw the bill or send it to interim study. Senate bill three ninety five and several people signed up on this on this up I am going to send it to interim study and I appreciate all the specially the dealers and the other interest people who have come and talk to me and Mister Smith I did try to call you this morning I was going to give you a heads up on that but if any of it so you could I could say the trip you to answer your phone okay but but we're going to work that out I I've heard some some good things from some long time friends dealers that were not on the call the other day and have some middle ground that would work too but this is a complicated issue and we're not be able to get it done by April seventh and so I I can count so that's what we're doing this now Sir Clark is here so we do have a quorum and up. Either representative Wardlaw those two things you I fell only here for those bills you know you want to stick around and watch the festivities you're welcome but I didn't wanna make that clear to everybody and Represent Wardlaw indoor center Gilmore you are recognized on a House bill fifteen seventy nine. Mr. For make make sure the green light is on. It's a little tricky there it is okay. Thank you very much for a let me present this bill and I have my very worthy colleague reviewed Wardlaw here who can. Feel free to jump any point but basically this is a bill that just four sets parameters between agreements with dealers and manufacturers it's agreed to bill as I understand it and we're happy to take questions. Senator English. Absolutely I will turn. House Bill fifteen seventy nine. Two two years ago center we build transportation to transportation committee the that was not agreed upon of the manufacturers were highly highly against it and it was to set some primers are having some troubling may represent Wardlaw could other gentleman introduced himself or record yes hi there my name is Matt Cavenaugh with the Cavenaugh family dealerships Cavenaugh please proceed present and what was going on with the manufacturers were asking for unreasonable extreme conditions one thing that they're asking for is easy charters these Chargers are close to a million dollars a piece and I want to be out public so two years ago we Caroline all add up to fix some of the the warranty issues and this bill today is more less clean up and and kind of picks and some of that Evey stuff that was done and like I said many factors now agree and everybody's happy and so you can buy out. Other questions Senator if. Thank you Mr chairman thank you representative Wardlaw take my question I remember this because your body before the committee And I know people they have long term memory of. The budget before the committee. You senator Johnson sent Joe to conference struck. And when you came out. I thought we had completely dealt with we we did we did we did yes ma'am that you know because there nobody was really trying to work things out the end that's becoming more and more. It was made and it was estimated we said go to a room and we came in here we Senate disabled we fixed a date now tell me exactly what you're trying to do now because I read through this and I'm looking at other manufacturers or including without limitation I read all this stuff and I still don't understand the bill so what are you doing and tell me line by line what it does. A center Chesterfield thanks for a asking that question of the bill last session was much more comprehensive and was a challenging negotiation between dealers and the factory the bill this session is is much simpler the industry evolves and we just update the bill to meet those those changes in the Greek to now get agreed to what I mean are. Because my partner hope to die yes that is later in a dental road St but the if it is agreed to it is I would hope that you that you would be forth coming with us thank you yes injecting it and if I may I was for the discussions last time as you probably remember center yes and and those were very heated to at that time I will I will tell you that it is agreed to and and that's clear given the fact that there's no opposition to why is it that I'm always involved in he did this because your name is what. Thank you Mr thank you senator. Other questions. Anyone from the audience like to speak for against the bill. If not was the will of committee. This is Rick would you like to close I'm close thank you of. I have a motion by Senator Chesterfield seconded by Senator English all in favor say aye. Posed. Thank you thank you graduation gentleman your bills passed of. Let's see. A center Kroll you've got to look all bills that I think we can get through quickly and and center Tucker has won a moment we'll get to that Share your please identify yourself the record us the parole district three I'm actually gonna up hold on five thirty five I talked are that and they've got That's just on a couple boxes that's fine of any questions percenter crow on this bill. Senate NO because I know we got to get thank you yes ma'am and I love this area of the state. Of these reasons and I think it's been undersold. West bank of the diamonds that are as big as all get out helped a lot but I I really do appreciate that thank you so much thank you motions property. By Senator Clark. A roll something here thank you for finding a way to do this of. Without a. Doing it the other way. What's up with the I think that you'll be proud of. Thank you senator come on. Okay any other questions for senator Kroll. And what the audience like to speak for against the bill. Not senator you're recognized close thank you very much I close appreciate about. Hello motion do pass by Senator English second by Senator Chesterfield all in favor say aye I'm. Lows thank you so much of. Senator Tucker of. House Bill fourteen eighty five. US representative in it And so I would get it done last night but we we did work late I think everyone will stipulate the center of please introduce yourself senator thank you Mr chairman was Clarke Tucker a senator for district fourteen this is a bill that would create especially license plate for Little Rock Central High I'm as you all know we have a number special license plates in Arkansas there is not one for Little Rock Central High it's certainly deserving is one of the most historic places in our state for a number of reasons but primarily because of what took place there in nineteen fifty seven which the edible ACP has on its list of the ten most significant developments for African Americans in the world what took place in central and central in nineteen fifty seven so what we obviously we have Little Rock Nine in statue on the capitol grounds as well so this this would create a committee member of license plate for Little Rock Central High as a central grad I'm proud to be bringing this bill the House sponsors representative and it is essential I read the other two co sponsors Rep representative Alan Central High grad represent McCall's former teacher at central and also I'm happy to be able to report that the other central high grad who works on the second floor in this building and that being the governor is in full support of this piece of legislation as well I did here she is supported center Senate Chesterfield have a question for senator. Yes Senator Clark. I'm wondering why I should vote for since I did my student teaching there and I was just summarily dismissed. I'll I'll I'll on the floor and just. Represent any any other questions for Senator Tucker on this bill. Senator. You there what is the bottom line it's it's a little tricky yeah there you go. Thank you senator Tucker thank you for offering this Just wanna make sure I understand so if the Fort Smith national historic site decides it needs a plate it will need to separate bill but an exception has been created so that if there were support that could happen. That's right so right now the law stands that you can only create especially license plate is if you eliminate another one I really don't want to get into that with this piece of legislation so I created exception to that rule if you're creating a license plate for something that's been designated by Congress as a national historic site they're only seven of those in the state so we're not opening some huge loophole here obviously central is is one of those so the exception would be in there for what you're discussed discussing enforcement but you would need there's more to the bill if you look at it you have to have a and designated entity to create the plate and help. This is contribute to the cost of the play with the FNA so you would need to pass another bill with with to put that in the code you would need to create that exception again because I want to be in that thank you that's that's the clarity I'm looking for right there thank you. For any other questions for senator. Anyone in the audience like to speak for against the bill. If not motion do pass by Senator Chesterfield is our second second by Senator English all in favor say aye hi. Opposed. Okay. Motion passes thank graduation Sir thank you members especially Senator Hill thank. You get that senator. Okay of centre Petty. A if you wanted is are you ready five oh three. please go the in the table we're gonna try to get through this thing quick enough that I might actually get lunch today instead of where it's been. The survey please identify yourself the record interview should bill is this on the blue in the green lights on it's all perfect. Thank you Mr chairman Senate jim Patty District twenty nine. Senate bill five three is creating statute for obstructing an intersection to prohibit the blocking of intersections I think that probably is appropriate for me we've got a situation in my home town where that happens very frequently currently the the justification for the proposed legislation is within municipalities is a traffic problem when people drive in the intersections when the light is green but there's not not sufficient space for their vehicle to move completely through the intersection causing them to remain in the intersection when the light turns red then cross traffic when it's green they're blocked from proceeding because the vehicles in the intersection and it's not currently in statute and as as I have personally experienced that is not it is not currently being observed by most to drivers. That's it in a nutshell there are other representatives from state police I believe we're supposed to be here that. If not I'm on my own but Happy to answer any questions any questions for senator Penn. Sir Chesterfield. It helped me understand. I'm driving I have a light. I'm in the intersection. Like turn three. I have nowhere to go. So what would you have me do. So currently very good question currently is very much. The situation that I'm envisioning is is is during rush hour traffic and the the light turns green but there's no room for you to move through the intersection and get through the intersection but you move out there into the intersection anyway traffic is not moving so you're stuck there in the intersection so what I do the appropriate thing to do is to wait until there is movement and then you move through when there's adequate space on the other side of a lot. Like in Little Rock. What was that like the Little Rock would that would be a huge thing here what is. Because you don't know. When will the. Shall we establishing a penalty here. If that happens because if I'm going across the Broadway bridge and the light changes I'm stuck over there then I'm stuck in the U. wanna penalize me for. What you don't is there is there a civil penalty. No there's no. It happens every day. Is just an everyday thing. And we've been living with it every day since I've been in this state. And even in hope Arkansas which is not the major metropolitan area that we think about what are you making this a a crime. Are we making it a crime crime The the proposed statute as written Does does not. It is not specified in the may I clarify I think yes section proceeds do that's referring to a violation which means you get a ticket and yes I am fine but it's it's as far as it being something to criminal record thing I don't I'm not off speculate beyond that but but it is it is this is a traffic violation but as a traffic violation that means in my insurance costs go up every time I get one. So that's my concern that I don't want to be paying. That center but never never would on what was on the status of fine if I'm out there I've got the green light I'm out there hoping the traffic moves on it doesn't then I'm about. There's no way you can see or I know when traffic is going to move especially here. I mean there's no way that I can know that I've got a green light. I'm supposed to proceed with the green light but you want me to just sit there and pray somebody moved home and if they don't then I get a ticket because I get caught out there people do it up for me was a big deal. L. it at home it is a big deal we have we have we have tried various things invent urine we've tried various things from police officers out there directing traffic during this time uh but thank you for the clarification I was the I thought the question was regarding a new penalty and this particular bill well title it is traffic laws so I. Are you satisfied with your satisfy the answer but are you you this finished because I'm trying to deal with the Russian may because at Springdale Springdale Van Buren that whole area. You're talking about just slowing the traffic down. Even though people have a green light you don't want them to Percy that's what this is about right. That is correct thank you and and I'm gonna recognize Senator board a moment but let me say that I don't think that this problem is unique to the northwest corner I've certainly experienced it frankly all over the country and I used to live in this city that had a painted box in the intersection and more less said don't get stones **** enter the box when light changing keep the box clear and that was also for pedestrian safety center board. Thank you Mr so senator Petty so what I'm envisioning in Van Buren is there's where interstate forty there's an off ramp on the highway fifty nine and I have personally experienced traffic congestion there so what I'm envisioning that this is going to do is those people who are coming off the interstate. They're gonna they should did not come off the interstate and sit in the middle of the intersection. They should wait until they can pull forward so that they're not stuck so that these people come in this direction. Don't. Yeah stop it is that what we're trying to solve that is exactly right and and yes. the district the air you describe the is just part of that overall area there that that are coming in four different directions and and traffic will flow if everybody will observe and moves when they have the adequate space to move forward but when you have the turn lanes in the other things you can actually really slow things down if you just decide you're gonna move into the intersection and be forced to sit there and block everybody else and we wait and we backed traffic up because people these these people who went into the intersection at stop or blocking flow so that people who actually have green months can't go exactly right okay thank you. Sir Clark. Where is our dog and others on this. This is a state police bill. Police here are they I was looking. zero. And it and it is been approved by the the the governor's office but I who is your other the our our doctor could question I have political center Chesterfield. Because they classified me as an aggressive driver because I drive fast but when it comes to situational intersection overly courteous to us you know I don't want to be stuck on intersection I don't want to block traffic I'm gonna let people and. But that being said there's intersections because we're not just talking about one intersection this bills with every intersection there's intersections where if you don't go when it's raining this doesn't say when it's changing. If you don't go when it's green there's everybody from this side turning right into the same thing and you'll never ever go. Of. And the I don't. I would love to hear their rationale. Of all making this long. Because again you know our professionals illness and so I would really like to hear from them fifty two things in follow up and and I don't know that they're here they. Outside maybe two things one as long as you will run for Senate we need more courteous drivers I don't like to see you move to Van Buren and demonstrate how but sometimes situation not and not to interrupt you but. Sometimes situations when you deal with the same situation day after day you learn if you're not aggressive you don't go anywhere five in the end and the second part that I wanted to address in that in that rain is the the the law will be applicable to both directions and so if they're abiding by the law in both directions to traffic should flow much smoother and in both directions if they both wait until there is adequate space and they don't come in and fill up the intersection they should move under so I would like to hear their rationale hi the state police if it's their bill and but and I'd like to you know I would like to hear from some traffic engineers. Any. Anyone here from the state police or department public safety We. Your. Let's let's do this if you or your agreeable Center pay we will hold it we're not going to make you leave the room or we'll let you set by for a minute we'll try to get the the staff to contact someone and state police are actually Mr Hammond just came and I'm he's at the affidavit but we uh we've got a little bit of agency staff on this and we'll we'll do that I almost asked German Daniel is a certified police officer if he could do that but he certainly can't speak for the state police so if we could get them enough maybe Mister givens if you could get someone to contact somebody state police at least get a statement which will accept your opportunity to do that and if you would just hold on we've got a couple other bills Senator pain you've got another bill I'll let you go ahead and are you are we are cleared the intersection one have it was so no that's what we have okay well that do you want to I've always wanted to five oh four Nance if you'll pull it down temporarily five oh three yes I am happy to pull it down I apologize to the committee I thought I thought that they were going to make sure where we are in the session and it's very ones okay what I'll allow Senator pretty come back to five oh three and will allow me now to present five oh four so recognized you identify yourself the record will go to five oh four thank you Mr again jim Petty senator district twenty nine this one I believe is a a little more straightforward it's a safety issue currently this is going to create a statute twenty seven fifty one twelve oh six were pedestrians are prohibited on controlled access road ways in many parts of the state pedestrians often walk close enough to the control access roadways to be struck by legally passing traffic or traffic legally pulling to the shoulder and so back. Reading a statute prohibiting restaurants from being on controlled access roadways it would create a separate safer traffic flow for pedestrians and motorists that's the statute would target a very small percentage of people that are indeed creating a traffic hazard we obviously here occasionally of unfortunate events where people get struck and and made unfortunate demise. Any questions. Senator Chesterfield. I am awake again and I am full of questions. So help me understand. This is a prohibited on controlled access highways as used in this section. If something happens to an automobile. In the pedestrian. Big and the driver becomes a pedestrian. We're saying they're prohibited. To be on a controlled access highway. But it's okay if they're driving but they can't walk. Very very good question and I can answer this much easier than this you do not have it but that that but the proposed statute some item be again twenty seven fifty one twelve oh six as it shall be a defense to prosecution of the statutes that that the pedestrian was first within the vehicle legally up on the roadway and exited the vehicle due to mechanical breakdown or other emergency. So now we're going to put what kind of penalty in place somebody walking on walking. None related to what you described in your question as far as a break that's just say in general we know that there are people with some of them have mental illness or something of that sort and we find them wondering about. I would not want to put him in jail given the fine. Because they're walking. Are controlled highway. Are we can that would what is the panel to hear back. Again for question there there's not a proposed it's fine in this. Currently reading and and your question as far as the the the mental health obviously there are situations like that that are going to occur I know in Van Buren they would put them in the vehicle and they would try to prepare for try to get them to the proper location whether that be mental health or if they're under the influence maybe the the drunk tank. All right then if there is no penalty why are we considering the bill. Again. I. Reshape the question this was was brought to me by this the ASP and I assume that they would be here today was told that would that would be here today to to bring land center in defense of the state police we are kind of moving these meetings around and I get cut them a little slack on that and I appreciate the drop and appreciate you being able to come over and run this bill that I would like to say in kind of Ridge response to senator Chesterfield well that if you're driving your car and it breaks down you're not a pedestrian you're stranded motorist and I think we have to use a little common sense and recognized if you got to walk back to the next exit to get help for your vehicle then you know he's trying to be as safe as possible but I don't think that's what your bill is about a stranded motorist it's about a person that's just walking pedestrian or and it does specifically address that yes Sir Robert Clark well I haven't finished you you know I'm sorry Senator Chesterfield and I appreciate your interjections share and explain the difference between a stranded motorist and pedestrian but it's a police officer does not see that car within his or her review they don't know what you're stranded person or not you subject to arrest. So I'm trying to figure out I need to hear from the state police as to what what are they trying to create eight laws about things that have happened for years. Years and all of a sudden we're going to put a penalty on it. The normal flow of traffic Lino I am an aggressive driver and I know. I see people walking on the street and all I do is try to avoid. I move on with my life and now there's a penalty in I guess I just don't understand why we need to regulate everything in life. Because there are some things that are not regulated bowl every such order. It may not be aware is made me of one of. Let I think it's government overreach I mean that's that's my view and I like smaller government I don't like government entity everything. Unless you know. Maybe I'm in the party of small government because to me this is just governmental reach and just too much to it with putting in here that are going to unnecessarily burden of police in the end because you're gonna have to pick up the people that are walking. Thank you. Thank you senator Clark. The initially I like this you see people are the situations a lot of times are walking on the wrong side of in dark clothing and not they scare me The horror of the hospital the. But then I look at. You know I I thirty from exit one eleven that's the hot springs exit to Little Rock you have an access road some of the places to walk all the way from one eleven to Malvern and on. It's a long hike over highway sixty seven and most of us are pedestrians and we don't think about that I used to walk a lot but if you were over in this area said that then you want to go down that way. There's you would be prohibited. Of from going. Issue with models out of the the way and so well overall I like it. little concerned. the you have the stretches of. Highway word again if you were walking. If you were if you were a pedestrian how would you get there. I appreciate that it. Again. A very small percentage not sure that percentages hopefully maybe they they can tell staff. Okay any other questions for service. Any body in the audience like to speak for against this bill. Not. Senator you're welcome close thank you appreciate the input that and would appreciate a good vote. I was will the committee. Motion to pass by Senator board. Your second. Senator Blake your bill fail for lack of a second thank you or with the. She did receive this I'm corrected by blood so Are we going to go back to. Five oh three are we going to. We have does anyone know we have a wife and state police Mr give do we have anybody okay well we tried of Mister I I would just like with five oh four I don't think it should be considered and so I would ask that we continue to use it will will hold them on the Division until we get some access routes okay I cannot guarantee when and if we'll meet again I can't tell you when the sessions good And then there but if we keep I will run through the tech that's my attitude about it okay thank you. Senator Hammer can you be quick or if you can I will go ahead and but I let you go if you promise to be quick. Senator hammer Senate bill five eleven I've got a couple questions but you go ahead present first. Introduce yourself the record. Thank you Mr chairman Senate bill five eleven I'll show you the key points we have the excess of problem in the State specially in the city with regards to individuals that like to drag racing or public streets it's increasing the danger accidents occur police chases occur so what this bill is intended to do is to put another tool in the toolbox in order to curb the drag racing I want you to notice on line twenty five if you would please this is permissive that a law enforcement officer may impound at the law officers discretion of vehicle if it is a subsequent offense so no words of somebody's been ticketed previously for dragging a drag racing and it was in the second offense within notice online twenty eight five your fence then the officer would be permitted by this bill to impound the vehicle and the procedures for impounded the vehicle would be the standard of policies that are currently in place utilized by law enforcement and so what the bill does is it allows the officer that if he or she stops a person who has been issued a ticket before for drag racing that officer may have the discretion to impound the vehicle and then we go through the normal process is to get their vehicle back and that's the the long and short of it will be glad to answer any questions. Senator you it says online twenty four motor vehicle operate in the race for a drag race now Izard clear definition of race versus drive I I know what a drag races but not every race is a drag race that's when two cars stopped light turns green and they take all as opposed to some of the stuff I've seen on interstates where you've got of. A Dodge Hellcat and the charger going a hundred fifty miles an hour which is not a drag race that's a road race this is cover both instances up I'm asked the bill drafter to model it out of existing language for which tickets could currently be offered driving my two thousand sixteen Chevy spark I've never had that opportunity but our sandwich talking about when you're driving down the interstate and you get to charters lined up beside each other and they are racing down interstate I believe that would fit under this class Kate but but this terminology is straight out what's there already I literally had that happened driving Conway night before last yes Sir and they were two Dodge Chargers and I'm not picking on Dodge I'm just saying that it just happened to be that these are extremely fast cars we had the colonel Bryant last year testified A. L. C. that there probably speeding now was not people driving ninety five and a hundred is people driving a hundred forty two hundred and sixty yes Sir so I would discover that senator do you believe yes Sir okay my interpretation is was educated yes it would and that's part of what intended to do because if you're you know if you're driving seventy eighty miles an hour somebody if two cars are in a hundred twenty miles an hour there's no question if it's questions when it's already documented that we're seeing an increase in that that's part of what the bill is intended to address can go on you too and put speeding Arkansas for you where you can find some videos that will make your skin crawl I mean and you see some of it but you know it's just it's amazing and we've got to do something about it thank you senator board. Thank you Mr chair I like the bill I just but I do have a question yes it's it's hard when you know we refer to code and I wish I knew all the code but I'm just being transparent I don't and so when you get over here to the impoundment on the back page it shall so an infant the owner operator or other person may contest the impoundment my curiosity is if I contest the impoundment. Am I still out something I mean it could you just go into you know since we're putting that in the law could you give me a little bit of detail on how that works sure Page act alleging there is I was told because of question was raised when I ran this by a few people we we had to make sure that due process was in there and that's what that's all about establishing what is already existing due process so that there could be due process person that would want to contest. You will. Sir Clark. Yes Sir Trevor this is certainly a serious offense and dangerous. We then we do something on this last session. I do not recall I mean we're we've got something on but and evidently that wasn't enough. Of. I don't I'm sorry go ahead no I don't think I could be wrong I don't think we had the impounding option and that's my. That's my little hang up. It's not that we shouldn't in town. It's that we had a long meeting last night that had to do with towing yes Sir and the fact that we turn somebody over. To the to private business to charge whatever they want to charge for however long it may be in this particular case it may be warranted but I have a hang up about it here is. And it just I don't care who you are as a private citizen and what you've done you. That that's got. For me to be really careful with that we're gonna have to have a commitment to fix that but I think you got a good bill and if I may address at that we we have put in there specifically I thank line thirty two through thirty four what is the current towing policy so this aligns with what is currently allowed in a New York had a long meeting last night that is a you know that is the issue within itself and I will be honest with you are the reason the on line twenty five I put may instead of shall was just to try to keep as much of a discretion in the hands of the law officer before they do that and I would also point out I intentionally wrote the language or had the language written intentionally this would not be on the first offense this is that it could happen on the first offense it would be allowed to happen on the second offense or subsequently after that and it does set a five year limitation I try to be used I try to be as fair as I could but also figure some is out there drag racing and ever got ticket once I just felt this was as far as I could go but ill push it a little further down the road this is again this is not fast driving this is a very dangerous. A thing and I don't have a problem put them in jail put him in jail for a second offense put in jail for Wall. But you know. I have mentioned judge Judy the session. But I Watson judge Judy religiously that's where my legal contract. In this whole thing is not just in Arkansas. And. And when we walked in we send people's cars there it's to lose their vehicle the and we ought to if we're going to take somebody's vehicle will just take it we shouldn't put it in the hands of private business to take it and so like again not a lot law like your bill I think that anybody doing this especially getting called the second time because brought was brought up here so you don't get caught the first time or the second time you've been doing that a lot if you get caught us all like that but we've got to fix the the towing and storage part of that thank you senator Hammer aye if this for February I have all kinds of great ideas we can fix your bill I want volunteer on this late date but I certainly agree with what Senator Clark was just saying and and that I I I almost think of a standpoint of if you're if you have a conviction of racing or drag racing on public highways in the past five years your cat the sort on a probation at that moment and to to have a father violation is is extremely serious thing and I appreciate you bringing this bill I think we might have a little bit more work forces Senator Clark solution to but to I thank you for this because this is this is not just another technical violation this is in some cases could be a life or death thanks so thank you thank you for bringing any other questions for senator Hammer. I just hopes and what I'm sorry you for years is okay thank you sorry. Anyone from the audience like to speak for against the bill. If not senator you're able to close now thank you I'll be very brief the. It's a bad deal going on out there and if you've already had ticket once you I'll please raise your raise the awareness level of those that are doing it that the next time just know your your car could be impounded and hopefully it'll cut down on the greater that I hope to save somebody's life and with that Mister chairman I appreciate a good vote of the committee. A motion for Senator English do pass second by Senator Clark a discussion. All in favor say aye hi. Posed. the eyes have it Senator hammer the graduation too fast thank you Mr members committee. Okay a surfboard if you will take the chair I'm going to run Senate bill five oh seven. Our Mister chair feel introduce yourself to an on Senate bill five oh seven thank you senator again. Mark Johnson Senate district seventeen of Senate bill five oh seven is is is a bill that simply brings our our new technology our law to match up with the technology of. The what what this authorizes is not prohibited in Arkansas at this time of. But to put this has to do with something that's called a high mounted stop lamp it's a pulsing brake light and basically what it does is it to. It doesn't blink or flash or strobe but when the driver presses the brake pedal the lamp pulses. Not Blix flashes a strobe which not that type four times and then rely remain solid and that's that third like the one that's up in the back window of most vehicles as opposed to the two brake lights that are on the either side of the rear of. The this helps alert trailing drivers that the vehicle is stopping and according to the national highway traffic safety administration pulsing third brake lights can reduce the risk of being rear ended by up to fifty percent in some states has been questioned whether these conflicts with the old law that that predate pulsing last meeting flashing light like a merging vehicle have but that's not what this does are the largest manufacturer of these for the US and Canada is brakes plus improve Grove Arkansas these are safety devices and many and insurance companies offer discounts for the so of both the state police and department transportation are good with this bill and it simply clarification is not illegal to use these day but we want to clarify and bring our code up to date with this new technology that will help people from the rear ending someone so I'll be happy to answer any questions our. Senator Murdock. It got sent thank you a chair so tell me again how to physically works so what what what is located I work so was in the back window in the middle what we have that that that that bring life to set what we call the center Brayden Lowery yes Sir and what it does now when you press the brake if this comes on like your other two brake lights that's what happens now this but I mean would you agree with that with the new this technology the the and it's easier to describe and read exactly what it says if you every time you depress the pedal it pulses. Four times and then remain silent so still just coming all remaining silent while you've got the pedal down it goes that that that that I guess it's like Beethoven I'm. Okay thank you thank you ma'am have a questions Senator Chesterfield. Thank you Mr chair up. Senate Johnson I look them up. It will be tell me well you probably have one back a car no I don't have a pulsing light in the back of my car I want to close but you have a client that yes ma'am I'm trying to figure out once again why do we need a law. To do what's already being done you can buy these things online. Right now. But Amazon has them if they still have people working for them. Update Adam. And you can ban from various other people why do we need to codified the is that it's okay if people already doing it and it's not illegal. Senator it's not addressed in the current law but we want to make clear of the limitations of it must be this kind of a pulsing light and not a strobe or flashing or something that could be distracted or confused with an emergency vehicle well try to limit in the law the application of this new technology in a manner that I hate to say keeps it between the those parameters but but ultimately spells out what it is we're we're just we're recognizing any technology so we do need legislation but we're we're limiting exactly the application of it let's see there's the route for me. If I can already do it. It is not against the law. We keep adding stuff to the law. In my view is not necessary. If I hadn't seen on online I can orders thank him anywhere I want to put it on my car there is currently no provision. They say is this is illegal. So why are we kind of find that which is not illegal right now. I thought I just answered your question is to clarify what. Portions of this new technology are allowed in Arkansas and by X. that explicit. The fifth definition then the. It's something that's outside of that that as I said could potentially be confused with an emergency vehicle would not be allowed well. Supposed next week. There's a new kind of technology is better than this technology we're going to have to come back and say well instead of the lights that pulse we've got the license to something else. We keep going down a slippery slope share this is job security for legislators as long as there's new stuff coming along we're gonna have not come if you're anywhere security. But. Answers your question but I I kids it's a little open ended it's difficult for me to go any further than what I just said that I do have I am very much some concerns about it because we continue to add to this already legal that anywhere in the you know you. Order it. Nobody's made it illegal. But we're gonna make legal what's already legal. And that's there in lies the rub thank you yes Senator English you're recognized. Thank you so I guess one of the things there is there is a prohibition on the use of flashing lights so what is that prohibition now. It in line I'm not sure the exact definition of the flashing lights but the difference is that you can't put something on your vehicle that makes you try to look like to a emergency vehicle and I'm without going too far down that rabbit hole many people remember that the blue light rapist and he used a light that tried to emulate a police car and therefore people would women would stop and he would rape them and that's a horrible thing and that's why we have limitations on who can use those types of emergency lights but this clearly defined something different that's been determined by the national highway traffic safety administration to help reduce rear end collisions. So how many companies do you think there are that many these things This high mounted stop light I'm not sure but I know that the largest manufacturers and per Grove Arkansas. I guess I would have a little problem are we trying to help the. Manufacturer employing well. With this legislation or we help manufacturers all over the state but we're we're not really helping them as much as we're clarifying the limitations and the applications of their product to any any motor vehicle. I guess I'd want to know how many how many other companies there are out there in the that do produce the same product. We'll make sure that that that that is open for everybody not we're not I mean I don't think it's that big a supporter of every manufacturer and state but I was one make sure that we're not. Putting stuff so we built the box around and and help make other companies non competitive. Senator Clark recognized. Thank you. Mr. Senator Johnson. For this in the state. I'd have no idea Senator. Other top of what that does something different that's. Of. The problem I would be speculating to say this but I would bet that we have and I've seen personally seen vehicles the headlights that hi in my opinion whether they crossed the line or not I believe they were trying to emulate emergency vehicles are police cars illegally but I guess that's a judgment call whether they do or not but I have seen such things I think okay I'm I'm being told that there's been hundreds of tickets. Okay and I would that would change my mind if we have somebody here to testify about tickets being written on something that's incident I would say okay we need the wall because. But I'm not a. You that's not what they were telling me so. If we're not having tickets written and and we don't have anybody but here the of any abuse that we know of I understand that there may be other states where there's problems. And where they need to all. But. Do you know of a reason for why we clearly need this law. I will try to. Narrow down my answer to you Senator Clark and it's similar to my answer to Senator Chesterfield. Keep your priorities straight Center thank you got saying Sir Clark finished. Okay senator hill may I respond to Senator Clark just very briefly and I don't think I answered his questions where You senator Chesterfield made a valid point it's if if it's already legal why we need to do this well. It's not addressed one way the other in the law because the technology didn't exist you know before the Wright brothers we didn't have an FHA so we didn't need a law regulating airplanes of this is a new technology and the federal government an agency that checks these things out and tells you what you could put on a card which you cannot put on a car and mandates many safety items including collapsible steering columns and safety glass and and rated tires and all these things they've they've determined that this thing can help prevent rear end collisions now If you're going to allow this modification you want that modification Sir Clark to be something that is within the parameters of of accomplishing what N. H. TSA said we need to do but doesn't go beyond that to include something that is possibly a. Creates confusion with emergency vehicle so I think it's clear it's clearly drawn to make that distinction and it certainly legalizes something people might be already doing but it it it puts parameters around the that product so it the only does that and doesn't go beyond that I hope I answered your questions on the. It puts parameters around. Is if we haven't had tickets is Senator we haven't had tickets. And. We don't have any by abuse of the. We have in a wall that may actually eliminate another product. That would also be permissible that we accidentally wrote it. Because now it's in law and then they would have to be tickets because we as a legislature said. The here's the way it's got to be of. Do you see my point their search results I do but I think the difference is that this is not a saying that only this company's product can do this I'm not a patent lawyer but I know enough about these things to know that this is probably a generic item that any manufacturer that can make as long as it to follows whatever then it's a guidelines our own what you could have again get a mention the fact that it doesn't blank it doesn't flash it does it's not a strobe it's just it it it makes of the four pulses and then stays on solid I'm trying to draw that distinction and I've I've yeah the libertarian streak in me kind of lives with the direction you're heading and what Senator Chesterfield said but but I think you were talking about a specifically defined product in need and something that. In a I remember when I first had the tail light the brake light that's in the rear window and I was living in Washington DC at the time and someone would hit their break on that thing would come off I made it I thought oh that's a police officer. And after years of seeing it you realize now it's just a break by it's matted Honda that you can see it sometimes when you couldn't see the ones that are down on either side of your bumper so we will get used to this but it does call your attention to this car stopping and I need to stop and so that's that's the logic of and I hope if years we've we see that at recognize the benefit in reduced rear end collisions by this law I will note that we've had the state police has joined us and I don't know would be appropriate to have off to join us few trooper could you. The state police is neutral on it so there's no problem there and it it that again as I said we the bill is to narrow it what would not include anything that might be seen or. Perceived as an emergency vehicle okay Senator Hill you're recognized for your question. Thank you senator I want to clarify one thing that I said last night I did say that I had actually heard at the state police is what would not make sure the for this I want to clarify did hear from a pair last night they are neutral that's one to clarify what I had said yesterday on that just wanna be clarified but on the flip side I also want to say doing my investigation kinda like Senator church builder did I talk my share and I will tell you Lonoke county sheriff is totally against this. Thank you thank you all right any other questions. Seeing none anyone here. The audience there anyone in the audience would like to speak for against the bill. C. ng none. Senator would you like to close for your bill I would and I would like to say with all due respect Lonoke county sheriff sometimes I think when people see legitimately say legislation and they misunderstand it they have a very proper opposition or lease questioning about it and I hope that the sheriff would would look at this more carefully especially the fact that the regulatory agency for motor vehicles nationally has said this is a good thing and will reduce collisions so that's what we're doing anybody turbine involved in a rear end collision I was involved in one just a few months ago on four thirty traffic suddenly stopped and I was able to slow down and barely missed hitting the car in front of me but the one behind me was rear ended and pushed it into may so these are the kinds of situations where this little bit of kind of something that causes your mind to notice this car from his bat stop I really need to respond can help maybe not may not be life saving but it very well could but it could certainly save injury and cost whiplash a lot of things that they should should be good to stop so I would appreciate a good vote and I'm clubs okay what's the will of the committee. Motion do pass I've got a motion do pass do we have a second. Sorry Senator your bill does not of. Okay so we got a motion do pass away now I have a second and discussion on the motion. The Senator Hill but. May I ask you of. You said the which the county sheriff was against the law can you tell me what a separate red means stop and that's what Okay all right that's what I want to clarify thank you okay so. We've got a motion do pass we have a second we've had some opportunity for discussion in any further We have. Senator Patty still here. he is here did you sing texture something. Our meeting So. Of. Okay stand by representative Collins. Would you okay our representative college please come forth and present the house bill eleven oh one. Thank you. AS Greenon in this room okay sorry. Thank you I appreciate you guys so eleven a one was Fite yourself sure inter Collins at. State representative so this was one of the first bills at out of the house this session it can be before got bogged down and tied to another bill that failed that has my position but really the bills are totally separate I'll tell you where this came from and and see if it's something that you all want to support this is brought to me by constituent of veteran who observed in the law that we had a thirty percent disabled rating or higher could get the disabled veterans plate hello thirty they could not it he felt for himself and for fellow veterans that that was an arbitrary cut off point and felt like we could honor the veterans below thirty percent with the play as well course aren't not being better myself I wanted to make sure that was something that the veterans community wanted it wasn't sent you know there's not some reason why we're doing that so I take it to the veterans coalition they pull the membership everyone was positive or neutral on it there's no opposition to bring it down to ten percent and thirty. So that's really all the bill does it just as if your ten percent disabled or higher you can get the veteran plate don't pay the fee for renewing plans one dollar instead of twenty five dollars or whatever so to me all this bill really does is it's a way that we can honor our veterans who are disabled even in a relatively small amount it's still sacrifice they made something worth honoring I believe with it but the plate and also it ultimately says in a little bit on their fees so I I think that's a positive as. And I believe that any questions. Representative because I believe this the got ninety six votes in the house yes so it's not unanimous was pretty close the other thing I would say is my My dad was a disabled veteran forward to he was ambulatory is fine but this would have honored him as you just said so as it's a good bill Sir Clark is question. However I think. The we have another bill that we turned down earlier this year that sheds a different light on this because I like the idea of honoring veterans. But we had another bill from house member who is a general. wanted to disable. Bedroom plate not to be able to use handicapped parking and Leslie what to another process and we said no to that on the set we should know if they have it. And so now low. Lowered it to ten percent versus thirty percent. I think creates a problem. Of everybody's going to want to honor that. Thirty percent E. L.. Your bill is handicapped parking but now we're going to include a whole bunch of other people who can use handicapped parking. Who probably shouldn't be using handicapped parking he had a you know he had a point but we do want to make it harder for all those veterans who deserved it and didn't need to go through another process you have an answer for that I do appreciate the question and I I did I supported general berries built that that was it or a fixed but I understand that you know that I want to make that change and that's where it is. There is an issue under current law you know if you're thirty percent forty percent fifty percent even up to ninety or a hundred percent you don't necessarily have an inventory issue so there are lots of people under current law who have that license plate and they may park in a handicapped spot they may not you know there's many who don't I thought the general very a lot about this and you know he said he you who also has disability would never park in a handicapped spot with that because he doesn't have a majority issues but I recognize that there will be people of below thirty percent most of whom will not have influence or issues who will technically be able to park I think that's an issue that should be solved but I don't think that issue starts with this bill I think that issues and current law that probably we shouldn't allow that license plate to let you park in that spot but but but again between nine thirty and a hundred range you've already got. Quite a few people have any ambulatory issues so I don't think that's being created by this bill that particular problem both the would have been created by this committee because this because committee disagreed with that position so the. It you know it is it possible to have. Two different plates I now realize that legislation it would be impossible for you to do but. The because a one hand we will honor the veterans absolutely that there's no. It's easy to see why so many votes but on the other hand. We don't want to create a another problem as we continually do here because we're going on a motion and. And what on or somebody. Understood I will say that between ten and thirty percent we're not talking about it an overwhelming number of people I mean we're talking about some thousands of people statewide. again I'd I'd. I understand that. That people don't like the idea that somebody with no inventory issues can park in that spot but I don't think that it moves the needle in it and makes it a difference we'll we'll let let me move it because you know we're in this society we're all about victims okay when we open it up to those thousands more people then we've got people who truly are handicapped who may not be able to find handicapped parking. We do currently again I I understand this or who and so now we've got the domes who we are actually penalizing. by putting more people on the spot so you don't need to be there and I I think that's something that should be fixed and and whatever else. No I mean I I think that can be fixed with regard to the whole system we've got but it again that is all current I mean that's that's just that's just what the legislature you don't like your bills and of which is saying something considering. The R. philosophies on things so of I think. I can see what I got so many votes and I appreciate the sentiment I think and I'll probably be the lone dissent but I think we're creating a problem here that we don't need to create. Senator English. So. There are already two license plates out there a DAB place plate ended the B. plate you move your your Michael closely thank you so there are already two license plates out there for disabled veterans one is the DA the plate and the other is that the B. plate one has thirty percent or more and one has more Disability by the veterans administration that's what this all goes on to so somebody with a ten percent. disability what we're moving it down to it is barely recognized by the department of defense and the department of Veterans Affairs as being a disabled veteran you don't have to have served anywhere or anything you might have just been in the military for a while so you know I I have gotten calls because folks who actually are disabled that or are all the sudden the seat. The people out here with the with the eighty pads or the B. tag under we're the world of these people come they obviously weren't in Vietnam where they work someplace else but so I think that's that's a concern I have is that we establish one more. Or an additional thank you we need to be consistent. About in and bring it down to ten percent I mean my husband retired military of the public my whole life that way and so many of our friends are disabled veterans but when you start bringing it down to you almost is given tag out to everybody. Well I I appreciate that I guess two things I do want to say in response if I may so this section we're amending is disabled veteran plate section and it does say that they have to have been determined by the VA to be a disabled service connected veterans so that's what that has to be I mean that's just in the statute currently that's not being changed And with respect to the ten percent that allow more people there that I was very sensitive to that I that was the main concern before I even would agree to bring this bill I wanted to make sure that was not the the view of the veterans coalition as a whole that that that it was going too low I because I didn't want to do that I want to cheapen anything frankly and M. as to the low I'm sorry I'm sure they didn't think it was too low well they did it but I but I you know their opinion matters made more than just my opinion is as someone who didn't serve I wanted to make sure we weren't devaluing something in their assessment and and they didn't feel like it I think on the other side of that are those folks who actually are more disabled his day everybody's getting a tag everybody was around getting a tag and I think that's that's where the problem there is a little bit of what you're talking about is are we the meeting it I'm we were opening it up to almost anybody's called like the specialty license plate thank you pay your money and you can get one and I think so many of these folks feel like if you're going to have a license plate like that it should mean something and that's why I ask for their opinions because I'm going to be the one to tell me if that was the case whatsoever I would. Any other questions representative file. Anyone in the audience like to speak for against the bill. If not to you're welcome to close representative Kyle thank you I appreciate it yeah I appreciate the questions you know ultimately I I'm just trying to do something that I think will be viewed as positive by veterans community the feedback I've gotten from that is that it is that's why presents why I'm back here if it the end of the day nothing else we're reducing fees a little bit which is something that I think is valuable so I would appreciate motion. Motion do pass by Senator Murdock Mr second. Second by Senator Chesterfield. Any discussion by the committee. I'd like to say that the I appreciate you thinking of our veterans representative because I appreciate the comments by Senator English and Senator Clark sometimes we take something out of it simply gets a little complex but regardless of that the fact that senator Wallace is your co sponsor is important to me because certainly he is not just a veteran he's a hero and thank thank you for bringing it and uh if there's no other discussion I will ask for the vote all in favor say aye. Opposed. Noes have it. Thank you to bring your bill sorry. Which one of. Okay. Okay I will let you do whichever you feel adequate to do Senator board is going to run which one first Senate. Senate bill five oh three for a senator Petty and we've already presented it so I don't want it with the committee's permission we're just going to go straight to questions because there were a lot of questions about the internet this is the bill on the intersection you're interviewing identify yourself the record you're recognized state senator Justin Boyd district twenty seven discussing Senate bill five of three and have with me captive bred lan Arkansas state police thank you for joining us Kevin I'm sorry we're having put you on short notice on the problem please proceed center. Or or captain if you're the it's time for your for me. It just a quick explanation leisure have questions there's several states have a bill similar to this rule also more to this but this does if I can kind of give you visual you pull up to an intersection and you're turning left a traffic stop turned and left the this would uproot you from internet intersection and keeping that traffic block for the cross traffic so they're like turns green then you know you will have the intersection block so that that's the purpose of this. I assume we're ready for questions and Senator Chesterfield. Thank you in thank you for your service to our state. My concern is this how do you enforce this people do this every day right this is becoming a bigger problem so made certain that when they make that left turn and they they blocked an intersection and the other light turns green everybody's their stall I can't go anywhere so and how long has this been going on for quite awhile okay in the world it is done. It did not stop and that's that now you're going to have to go out here why you have people who are committing murder and all this other making I mean you gotta go I can deal with an intersection right you have the manpower for the. I we do traffic enforcement everyday I understand you do have that. This is not just make it clear to me your job it seems to me that we're talking about traffic that is within the city. Traffic that is out of the city you're going to have to be everywhere in order to do this and I you know if it was something new and I understand we're getting more and more self his driver's right. And their ways of enforcing but is already against the law to just stop is it not. I have to go back in and do some checking it. But this would prohibited the blocking of the intersection itself. If I'm going on the scene across by way reach which is state three. And I need to make a left turn. On okay right. And out of traffic coming I got a green light right I'm just gonna sit there. If you can proceed through there but I don't know what I'm gonna be able to proceed to their so I normally would go on out there wait for to move and then I make my laughter that's good now that I have a penalty if I do that right because I've done that since I've been in this city right. That's troubling for me. To me it's just governmental reach an unnecessary because people do it every day I mean. Is what I do so you go put me in a county situation that I think is uncomfortable and unfair but. Do you understand my position under I'm so that way I got a is that is the question thank you thank you senator Phil senator murder. The help Senator Clark is in I'm sorry. Okay I wanna be sure I understand this because you know I understand the law gets impeding traffic understand the turn signal laws understand the law four way stop a sale that because there's a whole lot of people don't. Okay so if we pass this law. At what point. Do I not enter that intersection if the lot first took it when flight turns green if there's I can't enter at this point do I set here Evonne midway through what I perceive as midway through the green light because on come to this intersection all the time and about how long it stays green do I sit here. and by the way if there's a motion detector and that creates a real problem because I don't moved that then we ain't going anywhere or is it just or is it once it turns yellow that I don't enter what what point. Great question. Yes once you're pro center section if you cannot safely turn left and clear that intersection what you start your turn then you would need to buy your judgment brought by your judgment if I. And so is that what turns green and I know the law. Okay I know the law and I'm going to obey the law and that light turned green and I can enter over there although I think that probably before this lot changes I will be I should sit here and all the traffic behind me with their horns blaring. I'm supposed to sit there for upon your discretion I get a ticket. Right with all due respect. If that light turns green for oncoming traffic all get you through stop that's a different thing if I hold the laws as they are now this is it's green I go. Right now we're saying no even though it's green. He even though it's green you can't necessarily go. And in like to it now if you said if it's yellow don't go and like I said I know the situation because there's times as a conscious driver that also a even though everybody behind me want me to go we're going to walk this intersection and I'm not going to go right you know but I don't know that I wanna make a wall. Does that make sense I should say thank you. Johnson remarked I'm I'm I'm just going to there there aren't the votes in here to pass this bill right now I'm gonna respectfully pull this one down and okay you know if if it's the will of the committee they think we can get to and come to consensus on five oh four. You know if they really want questions will present that one down and we'll ask Is Senator Petty what he wants to do are you want to go ahead and run five well. If the if the committee I make a comment let's is it yeah I'm kind of gonna hit into let's just pull them both down and we can bring back another day but it's your call on behalf of senator Hey yes and I appreciate that but I'm I'm read this committee and I feel like. Today it will you're not gonna get article the Russians answered with the with the without objection I'm gonna leave these on our agenda I'm not guaranteeing it for when we meet again but I will let them stay on the agenda for that for that time. A is there a any other. Legislator run bill. If not then Thank you Mr vice chair. I just say I hope we do meet again next week I'm anticipating a bill from the house so I I hope we can meet for at least House bills not Senate bill to the Committee earlier I plan on running through the day and we're we're session and we committee can make we will meet and if some reason everybody stands up and says sine die then we won't meet but but based on that those those presumptions we we will take up a bill property tax anything else come before the committee I am asking. This. I'm on the. Is. I think we're getting a little tired Center center rights. Hold the button to answer it'll. Are you sure would you clarify for me toward the end of the session. If there is any attempts to extract bills out of committee which five signatures can do that the entire committee be notified before that happens. I will make that pledge to you senator rice now that doesn't mean it still would just need five of the eight to have to sign but we will make sure that every all eight members of the committee would be notified and section instead that's that's always been satisfactory thank you all rights that that's what you ask for correct thank you Sir centrist feel I've I signed a bill out today. For senator Hammer. Under special circumstances it's not what I usually do. And that this young man needs to graduate because it everybody else do that I was at work on it okay but for which committee from this committee I thank I don't know which committee is high yes education because the young man this is dying and cannot graduate classes on the counter yes I am okay with transportation okay we're all beginning to but what you all do have my pledge that I will make sure that every single one of everyone thank you even if it's just by text that we have signed a bill out if I have five signatures in a couple of you I haven't been able to reach you will be contacted even if we've already reached the threshold. Hold on Senator questions for them. Really something is something that I miss and is anything going on because of his extractions you know there was an effort yesterday to extract a bill and now we're at the end of session people are gonna be looking at the possibility of signing bills there was an effort yesterday. But now yes on the floor or okay Senator Rice aye correct me if I'm wrong Senator Rapert you're simply asking that if that eventuality comes that all right members of the of the committee are are notified that that is being done. Is in the problem I've had with with that being done ever. and and I'm just sign one out. I will ever committee member to know that's being attempted because I'm not be able to partition other member some information that would change their mind for or against. But when you just get five members to sign out and then you're going to tell me the tell the other three it's been done. At least they're notified but it's after the fact. And and that's all the rules. I guess you could do but if there's any attempts to extract bills from this committee I would. Appreciate the courtesy to have discussions I make every effort not just to do what I said a moment ago Senator rise and make sure all eight members are notified VOL also have a moment of once all or all notified have a moment in case someone that early sign it out wants to change their mind can or an extract and retract that signature. Sir Murdock excuse my ignorance is our is there conditions by which that can happen or that could just be with the military and just because five people in the rules no but is there conditions for that. I would just do it just. It's it's sort of like that eighteen senators can do anything they want the five members of this committee can do can sign something that. Yeah any other comments questions announcmenet. If not we're Jr.