Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development- House

All right members we're going to start with we're gonna change order just a little bit we're going to move representative wing to the top and he is going to present House Bill sixteen eighteen to this represented the device or something you're. Good morning committee thank you chairman I was Carlton wing I represent District seventy North Little Rock insure would house bill sixteen eighteen merely transfers authority of the commercial bait ornamental fish and catfish from the State Plant Board to the department of agriculture this is agreed upon language I have Secretary ward here with me if you'd like to ask him any questions as well the fourteen pages of this bill is just merely going through every part of the code where head has to re name things and change things from director to secretary and it's really just that simple happy to answer any questions. Committee members you have any questions of representative wing. I see no one signed up to speak for against the bill what's the will of the committee. I have a do pass all in favor hi any opposed. Congratulations your bill is passed thank you Mr thank you Committee. All right we're gonna move on down the agenda. And we're going to go to senator call Wells bill is being presented by representative rye representative right which identify yourself and your can present your bill. Thank you for letting me be with you here today As Bob Dylan said the times they are changing and they are changing in Northwest Arkansas back in nineteen sixty nine there was law passion were retailer actually could only have two hundred hands that's plan a. And things have changed tremendously and this needs to be upgraded to seven hundred instead of two hundred because of the desire for Tyson all the other big companies that actually. Raise chickens and eggs and what have you all the things that go with it and I just ask for a good vote because they sure do want this to happen because of they are growing tremendously. Thank you representive the Committee members do you have any questions. Seeing none of us will of the committee. We have to do pass all in favor. Any opposed. Why thank you. Well maybe I thank you. All right we're gonna move down we're going to go right down the list Senate bill three sixty two is there someone here to present that for Senator Hester. Senate bill three sixty two. Okay will contact him and see if he's going to come. Six. We're gonna move on down the list. To Allen is going to go to House Bill sixteen forty five but representative McCollum has sickness in the family and can't be here but representative Pilkington is going to present it but he's not here yet either so we're going to go on down the list. We will go way down the list because Pilkington got the next six. We're gonna skip down to House Bill sixteen sixty two represented correctly represent. Identify yourself for the record and then your authorized representative bill at representative Chad per your district twenty five. to introduce this bill all start with why we need to build June June unless I'm sorry June eleventh of this year were no longer on a bill by a livestock antibiotics over the counter. So we are this bill will allow the basically allow what we're doing now to continue. So the feed stores. Can still sell antibiotics retail stores all that good stuff you'll still have to have a bit prescription client that relationship We've managed through the department health everything's good the pharmacy board is okay with it I really thought Brandon I could be here soon get it get his input but. so I've. I'll take any questions I know it's it's very simple it's not really complicated but. A county all county is because it we're doing it now we're just going to continue to. I've got a terrible toothache and sidemount style five talking outside I'm out that pulled this. I'm sorry is there any questions. You're recognized. Per year so you're saying that now we can do that usually but so we have to have a vet's prescription and then we could go by that is that what you're saying yeah right right now we do not have to have a veterinary direction because those medicines are not lay there there lay there over the counter and the FDA ruling to sixty three that'll go in effect Jan eleventh of this year will make that where those are prescription labeled which we will have to have a veterinary prescription and that client relationship okay thanks and I have no also need to add that that is also why we added the emergency clause to this because if if not we would have that kind of a black gap between when the law federal law ruling verses one state run if if we get this their committee and on the floor thank you thank you Mr. Any other excuse me any other questions from the committee. Seeing none what's will of the committee. They have to do pass all in favor. Any opposed congratulations your bill is passed I thank you chairman thank you Committee. Okay we're gonna go to Senate bill three thirty nine Senator Caldwell is a representative for senator Calwell here for three thirty nine. All right we'll skip over that then tell. Okay all right we're going to move on. All right I see it represented Pilkington has shown up so we're going to go ahead and we're going to go back up to the agenda. And we're going to do house bill sixteen forty five. No fifty five correct Sir sixteen fifty five yeah yes. Okay and if your dentist by yourself and then I've asked representative Pilkington if he will give us an overview because he's got six bills here yes and it's all basically the same so he's going to give us an overview if you'll be. Tolerant. But we're going to hear the gist of it all one time share you're recognized fantastic thank you chair the committee for let me be here today representative Aaron Pilkington district forty five Johnson Polk County Like you said I've I've got six bills at all a revolver on entrepreneurship in encouraging entrepreneurship there's a group called right to work I I know when the representatives down here early in the year visiting with with leadership and other members resented Garner shake your head because she's she's with the group as well yeah it's just trying to help small and new businesses be able to to have the foster better environment and so when the things that we did was we found that by just as being able to encourage not force which is encouraged you the awarding of funds and grants and contracts to some of these new business that's that's life changing and most the new businesses that that occur in most states actually produced some of the biggest job gains that we say and so just by doing that we wanted to kind of create a package we wanted one bill but you know of the way the code worked it made sense to to chop him up but like the chairman said essentially they're all kind of on the same idea we're encouraging ATC to to do reports have a more about reports about economic development with and with new business and the other RGS encouraging the awarding of funds five percent by two to new businesses and so like I said the shall encourage is not a shall it's we just saying that we would like you to do it we want you to do it but if you're not able to make that five percent number we understand but I think it's about basically creating a government here in Arkansas that encourages people to go make the leap to start of business to go out there and do new things and and I think honestly after after COVID was seen a lot of people finally make that jump and willing to to risk it and and I just want to be a state that really encourages that I think you know we think about the legacy of some of our bigger employers like Walmart things like that I mean those are San Juan is a story of entrepreneurship here in Arkansas and I want us to be a very pro entrepreneur state though so that's why Randy's bills there's no opposition there is one thing I would like to say on sixteen sixty I. Talk to ATC they they think it actually better the report went to at TSS and so all men that on the Senate side obviously we're kind of getting Lane this session but I've made a committee to do that and we can do that a concurrent amendment and then that way or not having to go back for because I just I I don't have the amendment with me yet but I'm promise and I've made that commitment and I've done that in the past and I've always entered my word about making those amendments on things so it with that that's kind of the broad explanation of anything as I'll take any questions there are thank you representative that was very very helpful is there anything in any of these particular bills that you'd like to address specifically are you would you like me to go down a lot I think we just got down one by one okay we're going to consider do you have any questions about sixteen fifty five sixteen fifty five any questions committee. Do you have anything you'd like to add for sixteen fifty five specifically. Yeah. Okay to have a motion. We have a motion do pass all in favor. Any opposed. Congratulations eighteen fifty five US pass okay your can president sixteen fifty six. that one is a to require poor concerning fund support organization or programs for individuals or a new business like I said it's it's a shall and we're just wanting to to have this report so that we can see how we can better healthwatch readers in the state so any questions committee. I have a question is there is there any of money any state moneys involved in these yeah okay. Okay. What will the committee. Okay we have a motion to pass all in favor. Any opposed congratulations you pass sixteen fifty six the president sixteen fifty seven. Hi this is to encourage the awarding of workforce development finds new business like I said it's a shall encourage nada mais um obviously a new businesses being able to get some that workforce development money could be a game changer for them if they're able to go in and hire some of that additional staff and and and you know really coming up their business so by that's why I think it's important that we make sure that we're having to focus on them even if it's just nearly five percent okay. Committee any questions. What's the will of the committee. Okay do pass all in favor. Any opposed. Graduation to pass sixteen fifty seven thank you can present sixteen fifty eight all right Uh this is this is another report one that's concern economic development funding supporting organizations obviously there's there's money for work force but is also money for economic development and so we're just saying thank five percent for the economic development shall encourage not a force but just hoping they would and so just wanna make sure that these entrepreneurs are in the mix okay thank you. Any questions from the committee. What's so we'll do pass all in favor. Any opposed. We got a little action there. Congratulations your bill passed. I got to I got to sixteen fifty eight. I was do we just do fifty eight. All that's passed yes my by the night sorry in fifty nine yes the old man your goal. and this is again This is another just to encourage award of of certain economic development funds as well so. State Bank and questions committee. Well. Okay do pass all in favor. He opposed. Sure. Okay cancellations of past you can now president Bill sixteen sixty thank you this one is on contracts awarded and is the one I said that I would amend to take eighty CM but TSS and there's well so like I said they just felt like they would be better it's a report so it's not it's just want to know where it's going and so like that they thought they would have the data in house to be be able pulls Report way easier and and so that's why we're gonna make that amendment on on the Senate and sat thank you. Any questions committee. What motion do pass all in favor. Any opposed. Congratulations you have passed thank you it will give you a minute to catch your breath I'm sorry did you have a question. I just had a comment I did I just am so excited to have these bills passed right to right to start as a great organization and we'll hear more about it hopefully and economic development section when we and the subcommittee so I agree yeah thank you very good what do you want me to run for president code bill sixteen seventy three while at the table are you want to what if you catch your breath urine because Senator Hester and we hate to hold up percent no that's that's fine I've got two other committees I need to be into I'm gonna hop over there see if I can run a bill real quick all right back and we'll we'll do you last when you come back. Welcome Senator Hester what a pleasure to have you here. Thank you for having me if you identify yourself for the record you're so that your bill state senator bart Hester thank you have a bill House members it Senate bill three sixty two. And the second one on your calendar members. So this is the this is a bill you know course there's always amendments to but the really just it helps to with the appointments of the board and right now there's a lot of as we seem to a lot of different boards and commissions there's a lot of restrictions on who you can appointed you know they have to meet certain criteria and the main purpose of this bill is to free that up and just and just allow the the governor to appoint people that would be good for that we know that parks and tourism is really important state of Arkansas there's a significant focus on it and so if you kind of look through here that used to be it required for people for media including when you no newspaper television radio and so we're we're adding you know internet to that and and basically just moved that instead having for requirements down to just one requirement from that from that particular field removing the requirement that somebody be historian of Arkansas history I remember requirement that somebody be from culture or art and that's not all those things aren't valid in good things it just really restricts down the amount of people makes it very hard to find sometimes qualified people to point to these boards and then some other simple things just saying that to a majority of members can call a meeting so I'm happy to answer any further questions Committee do you have any questions. Senate president Gordon recognized I've got a quick question one I had a couple of concerns for the the emeritus position that. That take that's basically two people right now and no one eleven eighty nine years old and one of the it just seems a little tough to me to give an emeritus position to someone and then for their service and their work and then take it away even if we could do something without the per diem maybe I just is there somewhere where we could. Not do that until they. Sure I understand the concern yes what can we do to. Yeah well you know the in and I'll be honest that that was my that was my amendment to the bill that was not provided to me from parks and tourism just the reality is we have some people have been on these boards are an emeritus positions for life they have voting rights they chair committees and sometimes they've been there for you know ten twenty thirty forty years or whatever it's been and maybe just don't have the same vision and maybe they do you know I think if they are qualified person should get that appointed the governor could appoint right back to that position I just think that giving somebody a lifelong of one of very few positions we really have a lifelong position just isn't you know something that I wanted to add to this bill it again if they're the right person the governor can appoint right back. Any other questions. Beatty representative baby did you have a question. Okay. President Cozart did you have a question yes Sir thank you Mr Senator Hester I think it did most all this language come from parks and tourism that it did okay that's all my questions thanks okay. What will the computer anymore questions nobody has signed up to speak for against it anymore questions committee. What's the will of the committee. Okay do pass all in favor. Any opposed. Congratulations senator your bill is passed thank you members it's always a pleasure to come to the upper chamber he he's not he's my neighbor by the way I have to be nice to. Not really just while he's here. Okay we're gonna let's go back on to the front page of the agenda House Bill sixteen forty five represented by a caller has asked to have me put that on deferred so we're going to move that to the deferred list she's got a little more thinking she wants to do on that so we'll. And I have I sure appreciate your guys latitude this morning this is a city. Okay representative Beatty are you prepared to present house bill sixteen seventy five seventy six seventy seven and ninety. All right let's take a one time this is your day. If you needs a. The survey for me and All right man welcome if you will identify yourself for the record and you can present a house bill sixteen seventy five. Representative Howard Beatty District ninety five. Westward Arkansas department culture okay man. Go ahead make certain I've got in the right order here a House bill sixteen seventy five as an act to amend the law regarding farm mediation and amend the law concerning the initial mediation meeting and and for other purposes Basically the background a brief background is the pharmacy ation program uses independent third party for the mediator to conduct confidential meetings to provide farmers experiencing financial difficulties and creditors expecting their loan funds to be repaid at an ample opportunity to discuss the options that are available to everyone in mutually resolving their dispute an issue of participation in the mediation program is completely voluntary no once forced to accept mediation and if mediated no one has to agree to anything that they do not want to agree to the programs open to farmers and secured we secured indebtedness totaling twenty thousand dollars or more. the department's proposing a minor update to this law which currently provides the following the initial mediation meeting shall be attended by the farmer the creditor he served the mediation notice and the mediation to have at least the meeting shall be at least one hour long and may be continued for a longer period of time at the discretion of the parties involved other creditors of the farmer are strongly encouraged to attend and may attend all mediation meetings the provision would indicate that if the parties reach a quick resolution on issues they apparently must remain in the room until the one hour has passed so by eliminating the time requirement of this of this act the amendment would allow for a quicker resolution of the mediation issues instead of the parties have just stay in the room until the the time expires additionally the phrase is strongly encouraged to attend and may attend could send a different message to the creditors so simply providing that other creditors may at ten is more consistent in messaging the department also proposed to resolve issues by means a provision to read as follows the initial mediation meeting shall be attended by the farmer the creditor who served notice notice and other creditors of the farmer may attend all meetings and with that I'll entertain any questions. Thank you committee event do you have any questions. Representative what. Thank you Mr just out of curiosity are there are on or large number what's the frequency of the mediations or is it more seasonal at certain times I'm just curious about this if you could elaborate just a little further on the fork frequency of the mediations I'm going to defer to the experts. Yes Sir I'd be more happy to get you the the exact numbers but I I would say that you know certainly over over the over the course of the covert virus that there was there was an uptick I think there was just a of a willingness and people dealing with a lot of challenging situations that there was a lot of mediation people try to work out there's those issues now we're kind of getting getting passcode that those numbers are declining so it's it's not as high as it had been over the last few years but but it it buries its because Arkansas also brought in and in our agriculture industry it's it ranges from real property is yours to livestock producers really across the board on our agriculture industry so it's Affects the entire state and our industry but those numbers have declined recently. Any other questions committee. Seeing none what so will. Okay I have a do pass all in favor. Any opposed. Congratulations your bill is passed okay let's go down to sixteen seventy six. One second I think I got these out order is. Thank you Mr chairman thank you Committee. House Bill sixteen seventy six an act to amend the law regarding certain diagnostic services and testing related to animals and amend the law concerning livestock poultry diagnostic services and to amend the law concerning canine brucellosis and other purposes background canine brucellosis is a so now like disease meaning it can spread to humans in humans is known known as indolent fever in the past year five years have been two hundred ninety two cases detected in canines in Arkansas nationwide a hundred two hundred cases of human infection are typically reported each year. dogs infested may become infertile have difficulty getting pregnant a board in late stages of pregnancy or give board the stillborn week puppies that may be done just a few days after birth spaying or neutering with long term use of antibiotics are not a hundred percent of the active in managing this bacterial infection the proposed legislation slightly amends the name of the department's laboratory it's been noted that the lab is referenced by different names throughout the Arkansas code in the department appropriation bills and the department opposing the name change both for consistency and reflect that the lab provides a wide variety of services to the agricultural community and is not limited to strictly livestock and poultry discussing a little further current law requires reporting of a positive test for canine brucellosis which has been in effect since two thousand and three and requires the test results to be reported to the livestock and poultry commission it reads if a dog test pasta positive for canine brucellosis the owner shall report the test results Arkansas livestock and poultry commission. the reporting should be made to the department of agriculture. Instead of to the commission so that's a proposed changes to me in the provision to read if the dog tests positive for canine brucellosis the owner shall report the test results to the Arkansas department agriculture the commission only meets quarterly and reporting to the department would require allow a more rapid and appropriate response allow for better control suppression and reddit cation of animal diseases throughout the state additionally the state veterinarian is an employee of the department and would assist the owner in the local veterinarian and and the decision regarding the best option for the animal or animals in question the legislation requires that dogs have to have that have been spayed or neutered as a result of a positive test must have a subsequent negative test before leaving the premises of the program proposed legislation should make reporting easier the program will remain the same it just ensures that the public will have the correct information regarding the reporting of the disease and the name of the departments laboratories being changed from the Arkansas livestock and poultry Commission veterinary diagnostic laboratory to the Arkansas veterinary diagnostic laboratory. With that I'll entertain any questions. Our representative Cozart you have questions. President buddy I just had a kind of a question about the dogs I said that I would take that these are more farm dogs and just the domestic dog in our yard the contact this disease from probably cattle of some sort is that correct or is it just open the dogs from anywhere or are contacting this disease. Our secretary ward a funny one. Yes Sir it's a similar it's it's it's across the state Sir it's you we we would certainly work close with apartment health as well they've got a public health veterinarian we got a one health network between us and former building game fish there but it's it's not just farm dogs it's really across the state that an animal can contract that you're I will I will add to your not trying to get on the feral hog Stump there but you know we we know that they care less open dog just happens to you're coming contact with the pair harder they can catch it that way but but it's it's a state or a follow up please yes so is it is there any are we looking at any legislation it is there any I mean I know we I know we vaccinate or cattle and check them for brucellosis so is there something we can do for dogs to protect them from that do we know. I'd love to know because I've got no take to farming to keep at home too so. Well it's a lot smarter than myself and my up years ago milking in the in the dairy industry my father in law contact Bruce Los's and have that and carried at the rest of his life the scars from that so it's it's funny how it affects different people so. Identify yourself for the record yes Sir Patrick fiesta department agriculture livestock poultry director into address the question just a few moments ago mainly where we see the pauses or at some of the breeding facilities gently eight out of ten of cases that come in or from my brief facility yeah of this force bikes nations will have a program involved in that that is something the health department it is in charge of in your local veterinarian but I believe there are some vaccines available for that okay that was my question you know I just take my dogs up don't do what they need to do so I'm not sure if that's part of it or not I need to make sure. All right thank you Mr. Thank you any other questions committee. What's the what's the will of the committee. Do pass all in favor. Any opposed. Congratulations your bill is passed will go on down to House Bill sixteen seventy seven thank you Mr chair House Bill sixteen seventy seven an act to amend the law regarding livestock to amend the law regarding livestock running at large to amend the law regarding financing and repeal the law regarding fencing districts and for other purposes as you know if this bill thirty four pages so I thought I would just go through each page to the committee hopefully to make certain that that you read this but I I point that out because this is one thing that I was committed to to working on when I came to the Legislative you look through this bill there's a lot of repeal and strikeouts in in in this legislation you probably knock out the twenty eight pages out of out of the of the pages that are in front of you so with that I mean that that pretty much since the Mr mates is pretty good bill so what I'll give just a little background and I won't read each of the pages that are here for you committee of the statute regarding fencing livestock running a large date back to the eighteen hundreds and some of these have not been altered since the the nineteen forties current law regarding livestock at large requires a person take the animal in the possession to take extensive staff. to provide public notice of the animal the county Clerk and justice of the peace must arrange for additional public notice an appraisal of the land owners required to post a bond for the animal and is not permitted to dispose of it for one year to give the animal's owner time to claim the animal this subchapter requires each county to maintain an enclosure for holding animals found at large on a public highway current law also provides for township to vote to formally fencing District and the appointment of a fancy Board. The fencing border reviews plans for building offenses and generally ensures that the fencing in the district is compliant with the law to the knowledge of the part of agriculture there are no active NC boards in the state this is led to inconsistent animal confinement requirements across the state and a general lack of enforcement are remedies for this meet this issue. The proposed legislation you have in front of you update modernizes and clarifies twenty seven different statutes repeals fifty nine antiquated laws regarding livestock running at large and provides better avenues for enforcement and the resolution of any dispute. Discussion points would lead to that this this legislation proposed legislation modernizes the statute by removing the antiquated language and references to servants reflecting modern forms of communication providing modern circumstances of animal and land ownership it removes a significant amount of languages I as I noted earlier own procedures to handle an animal that was found at large it removes the burden off the county Clerk in the justice of the peace instead of allowing a landowner to directly contact the Arkansas department of agriculture with the description of the animal the department will maintain a publicly accessible record of all animals currently in custody of him pounders in the state the legislation also repeals of subsection regarding the financing districts this subsection will remove unnecessary on use provisions creating a clear and enforceable law departments work with farm bureau the cattlemen's association and the national agricultural law center on these revisions with that will entertain any questions okay thank you by the way I I remember when we amended that last. Any questions from the committee. Seeing okay representative Paul I just wondered if you could add a penalty for anyone that runs into offense of a farmer and then leaves the scene of the accident allowing animals to get out on the road and that is a huge problem everywhere and I don't know that we can solve it but thank you for this bill I appreciate it but if we could ever solve that issue. That the owners of animals that get out for lack of their own you know yeah problems that creates a lot of issues for a lot of folks that thank you we will work on that next time thank you Howard I think you can get it done representative Beatty. What's the will of the committee okay I have a motion to pass all in favor. Any opposed congratulations your bill is passed and let's wipe it wrap it up with sixteen ninety House Bill sixteen ninety as an act to amend the law regarding return to service for essential seasonal staff members of the department agriculture no the purposes a little background some of the the Arkansas Code requires state employee retirees to weight a hundred eighty days before they may return to state government service this pro proposal clarifies current law to allow essential staff members to return to service after retirement without the hundred eighty day waiting period it includes regular retirees and those who have completed the deferred retirement option plan it defines essential seasonal staff members and employees of the Department Arkansas forestry commission the Arkansas livestock and poultry Commission or the State Plant Board who has specialized knowledge skill or training pertaining to necessary duties or tasks to be completed in times of emergency disaster clean up extreme weather or other circumstances deemed pressing by the secretary of agriculture the current language is somewhat unclear but could be interpreted to exempt essential seasonal staff member from the hundred eighty day waiting period however Arkansas public employees retirement center or a person as stated in the current language it does not exempt a central seasonal staff members from the hundred eighty day waiting period and Department transformation insured service an office of personnel management has indicated that they somewhat agree with a person key points the proposed the proposal would allow retired department essential staff seasonal members to return to service without the hundred eighty day waiting period it enabled the department to quickly hire retired employees to restock respond emergencies throughout the state. It would reduce the cost of outside contractors during an emergency by enabling the department to recruit and utilized trained retired employees it limits the use of essential staff members only to during a period of of emergency or to train others in the preparation for emergencies this proposal would enable the department and its divisions to mobilize personnel during emergencies such as wildfires extreme weather animal disease outbreaks mass plant infestations such as Bo we've or other emergencies that pose a threat to human and other life property or the agriculture industry the proposals also needed due to the current labor trends in ag where the average age of the labor force is rising and retirements are likely to increase without this legislation change a shortage of workers with the needed skill sets to address emergency. Will occur. With that I'll entertain any questions. Members have any questions. Seeing none of which will. Do pass all in favor. Any opposed congratulations your bill is passed thank you Mr chairman thank you Committee all right I thank you the at this time we're gonna go back up and and pick up to sixteen seventy three Representative content are you prepared. Recognize yourself for the record thank you chairman representative McCollum had a family emergency is not able to be here today so he called me this morning asked about run this bill So he'd be senses a regret to camp here today house bill sixty sixty seven is to amend the qualification for licensure for better technician that banner technologists while that sounds like an impressive big title the reality is if you look at the bill all we're doing is adding or a bachelor of science degree in animal science with a pre veterinarian emphasis currently right now my understanding is to take the test you have to go to a S. U. B. B. we're just trying to expand this out my understanding is a issue is is neutral this bill they're they're not opposed to it they understand we have a vast shortage here in the state of Arkansas and that we're just allowing if you go to a At get a degree a bachelor's degree in science in animal science with a pre veterinary offices take the exam thank you would you be able to take it and and and be able to be a certified so that's that's essentially it very short simple sweet bill so all right well thank you and I appreciate you coming in on short notice and and help us out with this a committee do you have any questions. Represent a Garner yeah I have a question is just because I'm not as familiar with that Neri technologists what is the difference in the degree programs. This clinically. Pass. I'm sorry I I am not able to I would say I think representive Vaught may be able to help add some clarity to that. Question. I'm I'm sorry I'm I'm I'm all I have is my nursing background is very different. Degree with a BSN in nursing and sure nursing school program sure with all the clinical aspects so I'm trying to figure out what the differences between a poultry science degree or a or a bachelor of science in animal science and of that tech program. Yeah I I thought you represent I might energy I'm sorry search and we have got a whole list of folks that I think are very well qualified to explain yet and that worked there was a great yep Senator Garner if they do not. I'll give you another opportunity that is that a good everybody okay. Any other questions committee because we have several people interested to speak. Okay all right what we're going to go ahead to the list and there are there are several people signed up as always I would ask you to the US to sink into the point don't make your comments personal it just to make a miss clarity can for information's sake force okay the first one up on the list is Caitlyn. And I think it's for Frank's. Yeah look at me I got it. Against. Thank you Mr chair. Okay. my name is Caitlyn breaks CBT I'm a certified veterinary technician in Arkansas and I'm also the president of the Arkansas veterinary technician Association maybe TA is opposing this bill as it poses a major threat to our level of patient care that can be offered day to day in practice in an email I sent to you all I mentioned the comparison between the curriculum for an animal science degree verses one obtained from an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program I hope that you'll have some time to compare those curriculums if you did not I do have every curriculum offered in the state of Arkansas for every university so if you're interested in those I have those available if you did I hope you noticed that those curriculums are vastly different wall animal science programs are great for preparing somebody to go into the agricultural fields of farming or ranching they do not teach any veterinary nursing skills whatsoever and all science majors don't have to take classes that apply that teach and apply click clinical skills which are required to work in a veterinary hospital these clinical skills and didactic learning can only be accomplished through a veterinary technician program that we do have one veterinary technician program that is offered in person and that is at issue Beebe there are so so also several other online options I have two girls that work with me in practice they're currently taking their courses online so there those as well. anybody can study and practice and take an exam whether you're from that field or not if you study hard enough so just because you can take this test having not gone about tech school doesn't mean you're going to have the skills to do that job suppose that I got an animal science major in here right now and ask them to put in an IV catheter can they do it. Can they do endotracheal intubation. Let's say that hit by car comes through the door and that patient is critical is that person going to have the knowledge and skill set to jump into that situation had first and Put forward this I'm sorry I'm so nervous the arms you're crazy. well they have the know the protocol to implement trauma care that could potentially make or break that patient's chances of life if you have a terrible outbreak of canine infectious tracheal bronchitis A. K. A. kennel cough that person going to be able to know how to stop the spread of in hospital and to treat the affected patients accordingly so they can avoid knows come you'll illnesses such as pneumonia probably not. So they also I'm sorry. I graduated from ACB in twenty eighteen and some of the knowledge and skills that I was taught include anesthesia which includes induction monitoring and post operative care pharmacology radiology clinical nursing hospital management just to name a few. animal science majors also do not have to participate in a two hundred and forty hour externship that you have to have at the end of your schooling process there but tech program when I was attending a S. U. B. B. at the end of that program but you do have an evaluation that must be signed by a licensed veterinarian if you do not pass that evaluation you very well may not go through go through and be able to take your B. T. any at which is a veterinary technician national exam. And even there are there are even some graduates that go through the program that struggle to pass that test their first go around it's not an easy task by any means. individuals that only have a bachelor of science are not equipped to take that test nor in my personal opinion to practice better medicine because they have not been taught how to. Think of it from the human side so I don't any of you are aware that a CVT is the better equivalent to an are in so if you yourself or your child or grandchild were in the hospital would you allow them to be treated by somebody that didn't go to nursing school. Forgive my position but most of you would probably say no. many people consider their pets to be a part of the family nowadays in our livestock producers rely on veterinary teams to help stop the major issues before has the potential to wipe out entire herds our client should be able to have the confidence to know that the care there Pat or livestock is receiving is coming from a CVT with proper education and skill set to take care of that patient myself and countless other cities across the state some of which were here today we are really proud of who we are and what we do and we love our jobs and we we would hate to see our profession smeared by people that are in experienced and putting our care patient care at risk because they don't know the skill set and the knowledge behind what we do I hope that you'll vote no to this bill and thereby preserve the standard of care that are veterinary patients receive on a day to day basis thank you thank you very much the Committee having McGee a representative McGee. Thank you Mr I just. When you mentioned the issue program the online program and. And so if if someone with animal science degree decides they will do that there's nothing that prevents them from doing the online program that's correct they would have to go back to school so the way the bill is written it stating that they don't have to go to a veterinary technician program they would be able to sit for the test with no battery knowledge whatsoever okay so they would have to go back to a better technician program just like everybody else and pass it to be able to activity any how do people want to follow up yes hi how to people this for my information really how to people that are doing it online if get the hands on clinical experience that's a great question are they working with the vet at the time they're doing an online yeah from Monday I didn't do an online program but through the girls that I work with my understanding is that a lot of our online programs will reach out to veterinarians in the state and help you find somebody to work with to achieve your skills list because there is a link the skills list that you must complete for certain courses okay thank you thank you Mr the representative Beatty. I was going to kind of follow up along the same lines of questioning once you want to take the exam and and pass the exam or on the hands on you you've got to be employed by a licensed veterinarian take to actually discharge the duties of the surviving that tech yes Sir would you say you learned more in in that classroom it had a issue or are in a college then you learn hands on working with directly with the veterinarian in quality and the on the job training side of of the duties that you have that's a great question also I learned everything that I know at a CV B. it's a great program they do a lot of obviously hands on work there there are obviously things are going to learn and practice that you did not school that's just how life is and that's with any profession you're gonna learn things in real life that you don't learn at school but if I had not gone by a CBB for example those emergency situations if a dog comes in that has to have an IV catheter right then and there because they're chock I wouldn't know how to do that if I had not attended school follows please go ahead on site when when these issues happen happen and and they bring that animal in it is that something you do independently without the supervision of the veterinarian there with you in those emergency cases it depends on what you're needing to do so practice that has different levels of supervision that you can do certain tasks under different levels of supervision so it really depends on what is needed but generally speaking we are very well aware of how to start CPR and those trauma protocols that if you didn't do CPR that patient might not make it because I thought and my last last one because because I think right now we've got If my numbers I was given correct maybe a hundred seventy certified that takes in the State of which fifty two were an active so we've got a hundred eighteen to service the entire state of Arkansas so I think the intent of this proposed legislation is to improve that pool of resource to take care of the folks in the state take care that the issues in the state and I had the could you could you speak to that of of how many other certified that deep they are there more than one in your practice yes I there are two of us in the practice I work in an obviously your larger practices which have more doctors are gonna have more technicians because generally speaking you want one technician per doctor if you have the ability to have that so we have to at my practice and I do realize there is a shortage but this is not the way to fix that sending people into the field who are unprepared and don't know how to do the task that are required in a veterinary hospital or not gonna fix that problem if anything like I said they're putting our patients at a major risk here said they're not familiar with the to the skills that are required to be a veterinary technician the way we can fix that problem is to help support our veterinary technician programs and we can even start more of those in the state I've had several people in Northwest Arkansas reach out to me concerning starting one up there as a you as well so we can do that to help include improve that pole number. Thank you any other questions. Thank you thank you testimony now to speak for the bill let me see. Gary Newton. Thank you Mr chairman members of the committee I'm Gary Newton with Arkansas learns which is the voice of consumers of education of this bill was initiated because Arkansas as every other state in the union determines who is eligible to sit for the exam there are three states Alaska California Wisconsin which require no education whatsoever but instead provide alternate pathways including on the job training alternate degrees every state is different. What's unique about. Those three programs as well is that Arkansas has an endorsement process so if you're licensed in those states where you had to have no education and you come to Arkansas and choose to be licensed you can be licensed in Arkansas with less requirements then we burden our Kansans with of. This does not impact licensing in that it only. Creates more eligibility to sit for the test we have hope that it will also inspire these pre vet pre professional programs that are for you institutions to seek American veterinary medical association certifications to expand those programs to also include these things that are included at the only school in Arkansas which currently offers it we know a lot about. Private monopolies in Arkansas we seem to have a public monopoly and that only one venue offers the opportunity for that tax representative Beatty's comments earlier about the number is staggering it should actually be flipped in our view that you should have more fat Tax surveying if you were. Veterinarians and yet the number is higher on the veterinarian side so all this bill is about is about expanding the pool it to only those with higher educational attainment it really is counter intuitive to think someone with a bachelor's degree it with the animal science degree with proof that emphasis that really only has two or three electives in their whole for your experience should have to go get an associate's degree at one institution Arkansas simply to stake the test there are other licensure issues surrounding that this is only about test eligibility so that might encouragement to you would be Arkansas right now ranks as the worst state in the nation by the arch bridge institute for the nation's most burdensome state occupational licensing. This is another example of so it's a little step but it's a step in the right direction to include this to expand this talent pool and simply give people the opportunity I think it was raised earlier that you're under the supervision of a veterinarians when you're working as a vet tech and it I know instances of people who have worked in veterinarian's offices for five years and will graduate with a four year degree and still cannot sit for this exam so I would encourage you to to think that think about how to grow this up. This workforce talent and I appreciate your time and consideration it's my first time in this committee thank you for your testimony it committed you have any questions. Seeing none thank you thank you. Now signed up to speak against is Bruce Holland. Please identify yourself for the record good morning I'm Bruce all and I represent the American veterinary medical association and I'm here today to speak against this bill thank you committee for for hearing me up I'm not going to rehash low the testimony they can that Caitlyn give our position is exactly the way she stated if there's the big difference between the degree program based in animal sciences and the degree program based in technology and those technical skills that are required for veterinary tech to have. I think that most of you know there was a there was a bill passed earlier in the session that gave veterinary technicians more responsibility it seems counter intuitive to me to come back now and lessen those requirements of those with what their pre record should have before they should set for that test and. I can tell you we talked a little bit about The. The people encouraging others to become vet techs Caitlin did mention this never testimony but we were talking earlier she goes out to FFA organizations and that and to public schools and talks to those students there and gives them a run down on what they're opportunities might be in this field it's expanding Arkansas may be behind the curve but they're more more of them coming out and we shouldn't lessen the skill set they should have before they set for that test we should be encouraging more people to do it so. With that Mister chairman I'll take any questions there's a couple veterinarians coming up behind me they can give probably better testimony that I can on this issue but that's our point of view. The representative Betty. Yes Sir how many members do you have in Arkansas they remember your association I believe there's about eight hundred eight hundred out of the hundred and seventy certified vet tech how many of those are members of the organization I do not know. They have their own association and a link my could speak to how many members they have okay I was just thinking that you would also want to be expanding your the membership your association by increasing the number of that takes it we would have in the state. We were all for the vet techs they're an important part of of what the veterinarians doing their practices but we we need him to be well qualified before they set for those exam I think another way to look at this too is we be setting those people up for failure when they start to set for the more their national boards that type of thing if you did could study and pass the test then you're just gonna get further down the road and one on the understanding that you're really not prepared. One one follow up if I'm sure of the latitude of most of the folks that would maybe decide to go and sit for this exam Would they probably not already have a relationship with an established veterinary practice and they've got to you know because they know they're going to have to go in and and be hired by a veterinarian so if it is probably in consultation I would assume they're just not gonna say well I'd go sit and be certified vet tech if if I could do this so they they also have some interactions with veterinarians to go again because it will be seeking employment so do you think that this the passage of the bill would would increase and may bring more folks into the certified vet tech designation where they would then be trained on site on the job training under the direction and skills of a trained Arkansas veterinarians yeah I think the way this program is set up so that they have that training going forward you know I raise cattle I'm a cattleman I have about eight hundred head of cattle at one time and I make a very good bet technician for cattle okay but when you start seeing other species you know the dogs and the cats and everything else that's going to come in to a veterinary clinic this gonna have emergencies I wouldn't be suited to address those people at all and I think anybody that would want to be a veterinary technician would certainly have to have some kind of love of animals and and that sort of thing but of cattle that didn't make me a good bet technician for for dogs and cats thank you for your answers thank you. Represented more you're recognized thank you Mister chair. Thank you for your testimony one quick question is if someone came into your office as a veterinarian or another veterinarian in the state with a pre vet degree and they had passed the exam for licensure how likely would it be that your office or other offices would employ this person I'm not a veterinarian and I don't think that's a really good question for me but there are a couple coming up behind me that I hope you licensing questions to. Get thank you anyone else have a question. Thank you for your testimony thank you Mr chairman. Okay looking down the list I see no one else I end up to speak for speak against rob Connor. Good morning I'm rob Connor I'm a veterinarian in Mountain Home Arkansas I've been of it for thirty four years employ approximately fifty people eleven veterinary technicians and assistants nine veterinarians. I have a bachelor of science degree in animal science pre vet. I was the top animal science graduate in pre vet. Back in nineteen eighty five but so I think I can speak on both fronts. I can tell you as a graduate a college graduate with a pre vet emphasis animal science degree. I'd be very qualified to help to you and chemistry organic chemistry physics speech from. I would know none Jack squat about where to put a catheter tank to address the question I heard earlier I worked at Kentucky fried chicken so I did what a lot of young pre vet students to still today they come to me they visit with me they hang out they disappear they go enjoy their summer they do whatever else they're going to do. They don't even come home for a jobber skills many many until the getting closer to graduating and then they start thinking about a job and then you start thinking about their skills and I say graduating veterinary school okay so I would say those young people wonder young too they have money to make they have they don't want to squander their their youth I can't say that I blame there's plenty of time to get your skills and get your education but I would say there is a big big difference in a clinical the knowledge of base of an animal science degree. Pre vet and the clinical skills training so. That would be my personal experience and experience of all people that I've seen come through my door and thirty four years. Okay thank you Sir any questions from the committee. Present day. Just to the maybe a little more from what you said you you mentioned that the number of assistance you had S. distance how many of those are licensed vet techs one one half three graduates of your state school. All have won a license that tech I have a veterinary assistant. Has been with me for twelve years a kid chart. She probably passed your test. And and then just a quick follow up of the amount of time and and effort and energy that that you places the veterinarian over that clinic and the direct supervision and on the job training and improving the skill sets of your vet techs can you speak to that as to the progression from when they arrive at your office to where they are now on and especially with one that's been there for twelve years as soon as to how that improves in that skill set discharge those duties improved with your hand sewn on the job training well and and you're right there a lot of issues in the state of Arkansas related to veterinary medicine and we're all trying to fill in any way we can but I would tell you that everybody's a little different right and they walk into that work environment some start in a kennel some men become assistance to our technician some of the system veterinarian to the best of their ability now I will tell you that You know so I struggle with who ought to be able to set for your test. Because I would say this though that. A college degree kind of does not equate with skills and training it might allow you then to go on and become trained or to to but. I really the value of that employee right now as a veterinary assistant is in their desire to learn their desire to work hard their desire to grow and learn things and I wish I could say that I had a whole staff full a registered veterinary technicians and that's a goal of ours but I do think this is a swing and a miss in my opinion on you know whether or not and an animal science degree would be equivalent with training you know because it is absolutely not. Okay represent alleged you have a question. yes just what's the reward for forgetting this vet tech live what kind of salary are we looking at I'm just one way by will go well it probably would vary from region right regionais read I am by this out a licensed veterinary technologist graduating from of that not better for your veterinary technology program I know at our clinic forty thousand Bucks now I have a veterinary technicians and Teknaf veterinary technicians and assistants that are north of that. But that's good okay. Any other questions. Thank you Dr Connor we appreciate your testimony. Okay I'm looking I'm not seeing anyone to speak for Megan Harrington I believe it is speak against. Gehring ten. My name's make hearing and I've been a certified veterinary technologists for fourteen years I set the seat not too long ago visited with the all about another bill. I attended Purdue University where I obtained my bachelor's degree in veterinary technology and during that time I developed myself into the medical professional that I am today through didactic and hands on clinical instruction and received that during my vigorous education and training in about a teaching hospital. The vendor technology curriculum for just an associate's degree I have a bachelor's but even just an associate's degree. Is rigorous and compatible to a small scale xcelerated veterinary school there are general prerequisite courses in math and sciences and there's veterinary contact hours that are required to enter into those veterinary technology programs the required courses for credited AVMA accredited veterinary technology programs will teach medical science communication critical thinking decision making and clinical application skills integration of nursing technical and medical skills under conditions that reflect how graduates will use those skills in veterinary practice or critical. The curriculum includes general education as a prerequisite and specific veterinary technology courses and content. The veterinary technology programs that are accredited by the AVMA are very specific to prepare these graduates to be proficient and clinical applications of veterinary practice unlike of pre vet student in animal science those animal science degrees I have several general education courses to prepare prepare those degree holders to apply to graduate school much like Dr Connor said it's very as science based in chemistry and biology in the sciences but there's no veterinary courses. So it prepares them to work in agriculture settings but not in a veterinary practice the students don't get any specific course training and pharmacology Anastasia diagnostic imaging clinical pathology medical terminology surgical nursing immunology or any clinical instruction this required of an AVMA accredited program and that's not gonna prepare those graduates if they don't have that education to be able to perform patient care at a high proficiency you can warrant you can learn things and do things hands on and you can learn to do the skills but the education behind why drugs work the way they do and understanding different pharmacology is critical to what we do in day to day practice. Our current practice act definitions are veterinary technology means the performance of all aspects of medical care services and treatment of an animal where veterinary client patient relationship is established a veterinary technician is a person who has received an associate's degree from the college level program accredited by the AVMA. A veterinary technologist which is myself means a person who is performed veterinary technology services and is a graduate of a four year bachelor's program accredited by the AVMA. The problem with this bill is that patients suffer from negligence when people skip out on the didactic learning of why we do what we do in medicine especially in things that Rick could result in life or death outcomes like indecision pharmacology. Understanding the why and the specific drug interactions and contra indications and patience is essential to prevent adverse reactions and even death in our patients by allowing someone without the proper training and education of veterinary technology to sit for board examination to become credentialed our state undermines the hard work of those who are dedicated to our current profession or veterinary technologists and technicians and such are professional standards back twenty five years after we just sat in the same seat and tried to bring it forward like less than a month ago with a veterinary technician specialist bill. This legislation would move us from the most desired state to live in right now is a technician to one of the least putting us in line with those three states that have the alternate routes. This would actually push the qualified technicians out of an already bleeding profession that can barely make a livable wage and while no other state allows an animal science pre vet degree holder to sit for veterinary technician national examination without first going through a veterinary technology program of some kind there's no other states that allow a biology degree holder to set for those nursing board exams either without going through some kind of nursing program I want more veterinary technicians in the state just as much as anybody else because we could sure use help at our practice but lowering our professional standards is not the answer because patient care suffers we already have a first class AVMA accredited in state program at ASU Beebe and I would rather see encouragement of enrollment into our in state programs then deterrents there's also several pathways over ten actually accredited affordable distant learning opportunities for working adults who are already in a clinical setting working in practice to help them attain those credentials the appropriate way. In reviewing the curriculum which I have brought for you today. A bachelor's of animal science degree in the State of Arkansas you will find that outside the general education requirements which is those chemistries the biology's the science base things only four to five courses of an animal science previous bachelor or pre veterinary bachelor's degree would transfer into an apply potentially apply to a veterinary technology associates degree program. I have a bachelor's a program only four to five of those courses would apply to an associate's degree. This means that only sixteen to eighteen credit hours over a hundred and twenty required of a pre veterinary degree would be optical. This shows the true difference in the curriculum of a pre vet degree versus a high level skilled veterinary technology curriculum that's going to be established in a veterinary technology program. By allowing this to pass the opportunity for negligence and malpractice goes up and the standard of patient care goes down because a general lack of knowledge. Our practice that currently states that anyone can work as an unlicensed veterinary assistant under the direct supervision of a veterinarian and they perform services that do not require the skill and the judgment of a certified veterinary technician technologist or veterinary technician specialist and that is to protect our patients for negligence the practice that currently states that. There is already a role in our veterinary practices for a bachelor's of animal science degree holder as a veterinary assistant to assist those doctors and those technicians in any any way shape or form through restraint animal just basic care and husbandry we have several roles within that your practice in almost every practice is probably hiring binary systems right now so there's jobs out there available for them. The advanced training. Other credential veterinary technologist or technician permits us to perform under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian meeting the veterinarian is not present in the premises where the animals being treated at the at the time. So as a large animal veterinary technician many times I go out on to a farm and the veterinarian is a phone call away. I'm assessing those patients and based off my medical education and assessing those patients that I relate back to my veterinarian they are able to make a diagnosis and prescribed to those patients. There's several times we have to make judgment calls in many situations that require medical education and training. A bachelor's of animal science degree holder would not be paid properly prepared to complete these tasks with a high level proficiency or accuracy for example if an animal science degree bachelor's graduate was to become credentialed and was ordered to administer dexamethasone to a down cow under indirect supervision and did not perform an appropriate physical examination or ask the appropriate medical history questions to the client and the cow was pregnant the drug administer would actually abort her calf. And that's you know that's an economical lost account a producer. That's why education pharmacology is important because we understand drug interactions and what happens. Furthermore if an animal science bachelor's degree graduates to become credentialed and was ordered to monitor patient under anesthesia and left the pop off valve of an anaesthetic machine close because they didn't know any better we kill the patient matter minutes. That is why clinical and didactic education in anesthesia is essential we're a medical profession this is not a profession to lower educational standards for thank you. you mentioned you had a information did you need us to pass it out for you if you would like I would like that that would be wonderful I have accreditation standards and guidelines for interpretation from the AVMA and it also has basically syllabus for pre that programs the Senate or so this reprieve at programs that are animal science degree prevent every focus for university of Arkansas in university of Arkansas Monticello okay let's give the committee just a minute to look that over and see if they have any questions we appreciate your testimony yes Sir. Members if you look that over and and did everyone get a copy. Did you guys get a copy. I think we might be a couple short if anybody could share. Okay. Does anybody have any questions now that you've reviewed the material. Would give you just a couple more minutes I notice speed reading. I did try to highlight the courses for make it easy. They're very good with it. Okay thank thank you I appreciate your testimony I'm not seeing anyone else signed up to speak for against representative Pilkington are you ready to close for your bill. Well rounded up. Thank you chairman and I appreciate the testimony today bill for against this bill you know as I was thinking to myself I'm gonna ask also what got me into it. but the reality is I realize why he asked me to run this bill I have a master's in healthcare administration absent on public health every term is my fourth term doing this act it these this fight is very funny it's very similar to the fights we haven't public health all the time the tear Force when a parent Indies Indies deos you know you you just heard some by some at some antidotes about some terrible things that happened I've heard the exact same thing one of an APR and you know did this it would kill the patient will we also have in the city that you make those recognized states things like that. And and while I appreciate the testimony the reality is is we're just talking about who can sit for the test like I said the very beginning this is a super simple bill it's you know it's barely I think ten words. The reality is is one of that people's being consistent so that it was a hard test that some people even in the program that they currently do can't even pass this test is that not the point that we have that we set a standard as a state and we have to have people to rise to meet that standard my understanding is if they are so unprepared to take this test then we would see a massive fail rate from these people but I don't think there I prepared I think the fact that they have a four year degree compared to the to the people who are now have a two year degree to to take this test. I think in reality allowing these people to suffer this test the test will will separate the wheat from the chaff and we will have more of that tax you know currently right now I think they said there is a hundred seventy do you know that fifty to or considered an accurate over thirty percent of our vet techs are considered an active in the state I can understand what a great state to practice in right now you have no competition we have state sponsored monopoly. and and so with that I think this is a good bill simply what we're doing or memory I think but what the actual bill is not but the boogeyman is the simple bill as well allowing more people to sit for this test to take this test and I think we have a strenuous process I think we've done a lot to injured occupational license here in Arkansas where when the worst states in the country for it and the reality is we need more people in the field we this is an this is this along with a lot other I was a health related industries we need more people and so I think simply by letting more people set for a high standard height bar test is is a good thing and I think we will see we will not see the doom and gloom that was presented to us so with that I I ask for a good vote I think this is good for Arkansas and and good for good for our industries general create that and that I'm close okay he. President Bill Clinton has closed what's the will of committee. Okay do pass is there any. Questions on the motion did you have a question just want most. Ask you one question. About the motion yeah. Okay. Okay we have a motion do pass all in favor. All opposed. The nose had I'm sorry representative could. Okay we're going to move on representative Vaught would you prepare yourself to present the house bill seventeen OO seven. Seventy seven. I am. Thank you Mr chair seventeen oh seven. it's a real simple bill right now you can look up anybody's name and find out where they live what their permits are that they hold how many. They're wastewater management there. Five litter management whatever it is on their their soul management on their farm we're just making this where it can't be just found you've got to actually for you for it or figure out a way to get to it but it's just not where you can look my name up and target me. Okay. Was going to be targeted. Members are there any questions. What will the committee. We have a do pass all in favor. Any opposed. Congratulations your bill is passed thank you now would you present seventeen oh six yes ma'am yes I remain so as many of you know we are a farming state farming brings in nineteen billion dollars worth of economic Impacto our state every single years of farmers are very important in our state and. But we have lots of state agencies that. Farmers have to go to to get answers they have to go here and they have to go here and I have to go here and it's not like all centrally located and we have an act apartment which I think is very the ceiling in which everything agriculture should be underneath so this would moved by what is called red five which is a state regulation not has nothing to do with the EPA has nothing to do with the federal government period it was actually written by Randy young who is that ARNC that and that's what we came up with rate five ACT and. Again I think the department is the best place for auger related all Act related things to be businesses to base so we would be move in ready five over there M.. What got me started down this rabbit hole was the different places that you have to go with the former. You have to go find questions and and. Several farmers have gone to the EQ and ask questions and they don't answer your questions but you need somebody to guide you with questions with the answers so it kind of leaves what I would say leaves farmers very vulnerable over here where they can be sued in targeted if we don't have people in departments who know about the agriculture business and I would say D. E. Q. for several years as had nobody over there who and this is no fault of their own probably. They just don't have people over there who can answer the questions that farmers need to be answered and that's what. Got me started on the S. and. Right US secretary ward and I had a wonderful same call with the act apartment secretary at Oklahoma and they went through this they went through moving their rank five over to their ag department so we're not inventing a new we'll hear it is something that's been done by other states you do have to go through the federal government to get it done though to get it moved over. So we had a case file in Arkansas at one time but we do not have a K. folk here anymore so we don't have a rec six rec six is done by the federal government it is a federal government permits again ray five is not. That I will never have another break six here in our state that'll never happen again I JBS as already said bill never build another hog farm here that will build another hog farm period here not just a break five days will not be building anymore and so. the likelihood of us ever having to break six is Milton nine I truly feel that this is a positive move for farmers the farm industry in our state because it's so frustrating to have questions that you can't get the answer. Rag five is about waste that's what it's about waste and the department of agriculture already deals with waste with chicken litter so I'm pretty sure they can handle doing waste with with our rate five I'll take any questions. Committee have any questions. What will the committee. Do pass all in favor. Opposed. Congratulations your bill is passed ninety eight and are you going to run Senate bill three eighty three yes Sir would you do that please. This is the time to land bill most foreign health care RT I believe you have an amendment I why do I forgot yes does everyone have that amendment it's been passed out right now sorry about that Mister chair I forgot I had I needed to add a representative period to the. To the bill. Yes it just as and that's all it does all it does. I have a motion to add the amendment. All in favor. All opposed. Is have it okay go ahead as amended at most foreign held agricultural land in Arkansas as crop in timberland of the top five investors and agric American agriculture land are Canada the Netherlands Italy the United Kingdom and Germany in two thousand what year did we do that and we've started doing reports as of October twenty twenty one if you remember Blake Johnson ran a bill him and referred senate Johnson sorry and representative Lundstrum to start doing reports saying how much agricultural land was actually being purchased by other countries and since that time we've had two hundred fifty thousand acres that have been purchased by other. other countries I might have to have secretary ward. Come help me a little bit because I'm not quite sure what else I need to tell you about this bill The report submitted to the department under act ten forty six shows an increase of seventeen thousand six and on thirty four acres of foreign held agricultural land in Arkansas since October twenty twenty one. I believe the a lot of amendments was made to this in the Senate a lot of concessions was made which made the forestry industry more satisfied I mean several concessions was made I see Howard Chaykin has had yesterday so I think it's pretty much an agreed upon bill from all the industries now. Okay we're gonna have representive ward come within the table with our secretary will Secretary wars. Sorry buddy. Yeah yeah yeah. And then when a defy yourself then I have a question. Yes Sir westward permaculture thank you what What country holds the most foreign held eggplant in Arkansas. I don't have the number of permits Canada has has the largest in its service involvement in a lot of that's within the before St industry okay that's. Represent hawk did you have a question thank you Mr chairman okay so representive prayer came in a few meetings ago on on a China bill so I'm I'm assuming this is like China plus ADD I I've got a few questions of the realtor right how we can stop this like our house they're gonna be T. to say because China is not going to come or the Netherlands or Canada's not is going to come and say Hey we're here we're gonna buy land they're gonna use a third party to to be able to do this how how what we're that we're the teeth to stop this and if if it does if it does go through our realtors can be in trouble our title companies in trouble like walk me through that if you can. Yes Sir I think that's a very great question and that's that's really been one of the challenges I I think on this topic in general there's a there's a lot of concern across the country not just in Arkansas importers of agricultural land and it's more specific to those countries that have been bad actors and are not not allies of the United States and as a whole so it is it is a China plus sort of sort of a bill what what this does is it does not add the office of agriculture intelligence so the discussions that we've had we we do have five full time law enforcement within the department so this would I would be adding additional step we would use them our law enforcement officials to to help in that regard so most of that will be just working with the local law enforcement as and law enforcement general not just local but state police and broader to to find ways to be helpful federal agencies as well you we we do know and just from the reporting that if if it's China there's bad actors that it's often difficult as you as you pointed out to to get to the bottom of who owns it or is it a shell is that third or fourth or fifth party to try to cover that up so this would be what they would be working on Estrada and cover some of that I don't think you'll be easy at all I don't think it'll be of a slam dunk you know this bill passes and we're going to come with the lists by the end of the year here's a here's everybody that's been doing it that way but it will take a lot of work to to help to try to under cover that not just from from us but all the federal law enforcement agencies but but more specific to your point on what happens if if someone does find that I think the the the law that the bill has provisions for for due process but it wouldn't would be targeted at a at a realtor or or someone who was in maybe involved in the transaction but it would there would be a process through a court of competent jurisdiction due process to to work through that and then divest of theirs **** if it was found to be held by one of those countries. Okay thank you are there any other questions. Representative they I just wanna take a moment to I make a comment on something that secretary ward stated your five law enforcement officers there to part of a what a great job and service they do for this state there five for the entire state and the efforts that they put forth and and and taking care of of our Kansans is to be commended and they very seldom get the thanks that they deserve so I want to take take a moment to say thank you to you and those officers. Thank you representative Beatty and I concur with that whole heartedly any other questions or comments from the Committee. What's the will of the committee. Do pass all in favor. Any opposed. Congratulations your bill is passed we've got one more committee at best for last representative McClure. It's going to present the house bill seventeen ten. Yeah you got two minutes but don't let that Russian go ahead. I yield my time. Representative Rick McClure district twenty nine. And I know it has been a long rush morning for most office and yes I do need a few minutes to explain this bill so if you will indulge me with that. This bill deals with the establishment of a rule economic development initiative. The real economic development initiative is a collaborative effort between if you House members. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission research. And planning and development district directors. Initial planning begin and when the twenty twenty census was released and twenty twenty one. According to R. BLR and per the twenty twenty census approximately seventy one percent of Arkansas counties or fifty three counties lost population between twenty ten and twenty twenty an average loss of population in those seventy one percent counties is nine percent. Was six counties losing fifteen percent of their population just between twenty ten and twenty twenty. And the seventy one percent of counties approximate hundred fifty thousand R. Kansas live there it's about twenty seven twenty eight percent of our population. Municipalities counties and regions and decliner showing signs of economic stress many of you live in some of those areas represent those areas if we do not address those areas those declines will continue and we will see major issues developing medical care elder care the development of food desert's an overall decline in quality of life. Education can also suffer as many two income tax families will not be able to find that secondary job for their family. Real economic development projects are often limited to local efforts committee real communities lack the staff necessary to undertake potential economic development activities even when the community as a potential fit for business. Many existing federal and state programs cannot adequately addressed economic issues in rural areas do the program restraints or other factors. The ADC spent hours sending out surveys analyzed analyzing results to confirm what we suspected many are real communities on the verge of economic collapse but we can't address all the issues there there there's no way we can. Many issues pop issue being housing we cannot address not with this issue not with this bill Broadbent was a very high on the list that's being addressed workforce training was very high on the list we're doing a much better job and I think we're going to get even better with that obviously educator pate was something that needed to be addressed and it's being addressed communities just need some direction hands on assistance to the local level. Survey respondents identified one of the top things that we could do is someone to help them and economic development process needing people to an initiate the key word initiate economic development projects at the local level. Some people who could help with the grants for state and federal levels someone who knows how to help small cities counties and economic development groups the the process it's amazing how much some of these areas were unaware of services available to them. It is a time consuming in off process and often needs to be done at the local level many times with meetings in the evenings and local officials many times what we saw was those that were charged for economic development in the small towns of small counties were a volunteer or someone who for several other hats so it wasn't their number one priority. I believe the state should proactively implement programs and policies that further the advancement of the economy of rule Arkansas and allow for the combination of efforts so that all regions of our state may prosper to the largest every possible. Eighty suggested reconsider working to the planning and development districts. What is laid out in this bill fits the original purpose for planning and development districts we have built in strict guidelines if funding is available because I know that's a big question if funding is available they will be charged with again the word initiating some real economic development projects and marketing a much different approach than sitting back and waiting for an email or enquiring. Planning and development districts work the projects locally which must be owned if it's a facility must be on by county city or an economic development organization a different approach than asking for an increase staffing that would put ATC staff on the road to try to cover all the state many many hours of travel staffing and even probably a needing I'm assuming needing to add support staff projects must be directly tied to job creation or retention we have good community development programs of the ETC. This is for job creation and job retention job. Expansion or what we call business retention and expansion is traditionally been eighty percent of growth in an area I think that is relatively true for many of our areas or small businesses that just need a little help perhaps with the infrastructure prior apps with some type of workforce training many times you have to be at the local level to be aware of the industry needs they don't even know who to call and know what it takes to keep a business in the community and help them expand. As a local economic developer myself or my County I understand the very different layers that we have available the tier system that's based on your unemployment rate population investor right the number of jobs those are good those are good programs there's nothing wrong with those programs. But a lot of these areas do not have someone to help them through that process. Those processes I have had some success but it is limited obviously there are big projects such as ash flat in what we seen in Mississippi County and a few other areas that are more complex things that sometimes you need to use new new market tax credit opportunities on EDA grants. Most of these counties just do not have the experience or the time available to market initiate and work economic development projects. But the real economic development initiative the planning implant planning. development districts will apply for grants that will be located at ADC. The Legislative Council approve the grant projects planning and development districts will also be required to give to report annually to the Legislative Council. This is to make sure that we're staying involved and make sure that our dollars are being used for the intent and make sure the removing the programs along most of these economic development projects will be smaller in size. My personal guess probably thirty jobs or less in most cases these projects probably are not going to make the evening news these projects will hopefully provide jobs so families can continue the rule lifestyle. Perhaps we'll keep an educator or medical person or a food service person in an area because our spouse now has a job opportunity for a two income family. Realistically some areas have more challenges than others as our cancels we should make an effort to provide economic growth opportunities across the state. We have ten years of evidence that continue to do what we've been doing are doing nothing will just result in more decline. In twenty thirty what will the census shall if we continue on the current path. So hopefully we can help some communities I know we can help them all hopefully we can help some at least stabilize their economy hopefully we can generate a turnaround in some areas and with that I'll be glad to answer any questions that you might have. Are there any questions by the committee. Representative. Thank you Mr president Michael right so we don't know where the funds so the funds for this thing right do we have an idea where we're going to get that from the general fund so I mean because it sounds to me like I mean I I agree with you we we need to do something for rule Arkansas but select or create creating something and just hoping and praying that we're gonna get funds for it and there is an appropriation bill that has been filed the budget that has been set is there are eight individual planning and development districts around the state each of those planned development districts would have access to one million dollars in grant money to a ETC they would have one thousand for staffing operation to add to their current staffing that they already have because they're the ones that are already processing most of the D. A. grants anyway so we have something in place it would just need to be approved okay thank you. And any other questions. Is there anyone in the office will speak for or against. Lace and. Okay. All right. Well committee motion do pass ACT. All in favor say aye. Post. The Clerk recognized thank you thank you very much. Saying that nothing else I certainly appreciate you it's been a long day we got a lot done today thank you.