JBC-Special Language

Members if you'll take your state will start in just a moment. Members please take your seat or call the meeting to order. Thank you for being here. Any comments culture. Okay just for a little housekeeping this morning if the special language has anything to do with a general revenue or shared simple services we're going to allow the the language to be presented but we won't take a vote on it because we're still in discussion of our estate we've got to know where it fits within that before we actually start taking vote to no one what we've got what we don't have. With that we will ask that represented Ladyman come down and we're going to take up C. one S. B. fifty one and he does have a handout that will be passing that not not with this one. As with the other one. Sorry about that. Representative Ladyman if you'll come down introduce yourself and you're recognized. Thank you madam chairman. A committee H. B. fifteen oh eight I just got some comments or I want to read so get my thoughts one down here to give you some background on why I filed this bill. In twenty twenty two. The Arkansas pharmacy association requested funds from the Arkansas rescue plan active twenty twenty one to. sorry SP fifty one just a representative Leding. Wrong seat sorry about that. You're recognized amendment to SB fifty one. Of. This is a. It is really An attempt to get funding for something that's already been appropriated. So DHS has a ten year plan to replace the residential facilities and other facilities at the five human development centers in Arkansas. Over the past two years well actually four years of the residential buildings that Booneville H. the C. has been replaced with new more modern facilities. Now let me stop right there and Because these facilities are old but there's a big advantage to replacing these facilities that were built back in this one was in the forties the others were built in the seventies except for Warren I think it was built later but these are old facilities with air conditioners all lighting there would be a tremendous savings. In operation operations and maintenance if we did this. The old buildings that Booneville we're recently built for people suffering from tuberculosis in the nineteen forties this project that Booneville is nearing completion the warrant a species nor facility with more modern residential buildings which might not require any replacement. The and again I'm talking about the ten year plan the plan I was told call for Jonesborough HTC residential facilities to be the next project to be completed after Jones world in the Conway HTC would be updated. In the current budget there is fifteen million dollars appropriated for these reconstruction projects. But this budget item is not funded. This amendment would require DHS to fund eight million dollars for the of the appropriation in the twenty three twenty fourth fiscal budget. One of my proposing this amendment the buildings at the Jonesborough facility were constructed in the early nineteen seventies the residential buildings are too small for the population at the HTC. In many of the buildings there are two and I believe maybe three residents sleeping in a bedroom. The H. the C. R. these residents home. This is not a hospital that they are at for a short time these people lived here their whole lives many don't have families. They deserve better living conditions. The medical facility in many of the offices and meeting rooms are in house trailers and have been in house trailer since nineteen seventy. Before the COVID nineteen pandemic I sat in on engineering architectural planning meetings for the reconstruction of the buildings at the Jonesborough HTC. These plans were on target I thought to begin this year but when I asked DHS when construction would start I was told there is no funding available. I ask what happens because I thought we had funding last year before the pandemic and didn't really get a definitive answer on that I've talked with members of the H. S. I've talked with members of the governor's staff. And I really not got an answer to the question that I'm asking. I feel that I had no option. Other than. To file this amendment to require the funding being put in the budget. I did not want to do this I talked about other options I waited until the last day that an appropriation bill could be filed to file this bill. I'm asking this committee to fund to this eight million dollars in the next biennium as was previously planned the residents in the human development centers deserve better places to live I've toured all five HTC's we've actually had public health joint meetings at I think three of them. and I've toured two of our state prisons. We provide better living facilities to prisoners then we do to these residents of the HTC's. Who are there than you know not for anything that they did you know they were born with these deficiencies. I don't know where we can find the eight million dollars. But with the projected surplus and some the carryover balances that I've seen I'm confident we could find this amount of money for this project which is so badly. So. Today as the chairman said there's not going to be a vote so I'm not going to ask you to vote on this. But. I would ask you to help me find this funding to treat these individuals with the respect and the adequacy that we would want to be treated with if we were in their situation. Madam chair with that I'd be happy to take any questions. Representative Wardlaw you're recognized thank you president Ladyman you and I've talked about this numerous times. But one there a. Strategic plan it sometime and they remodeled or built some units at warm they went to bait bones will remodel over Booneville in Jonesborough was always supposed to be next is that not correct that's correct that that was the eighteen year plan. Robin is be extended because COVID that yes you're correct and so this eight million dollars just continues that plan so in in some respect we should probably ask the department to redo that plan to make sure that the maintenance is done on these facilities are going forward because Conway is is supposedly after Jonesborough and now we've delayed that another four five maybe even six years because it'll take two or three years to do Jonesborough is that correct that's correct and it probably does need to be increased and I ask bill R. for the last ten years what's been spent on construction and maintenance at these facilities and is pretty high when you've got buildings that are fifty five years old with their conditioners lot of been replaced but the maintenance of keeping those facilities up is tremendous and they all have probably fluorescent lights you can go with LED lighting statements by money but you're right they will be there will be a need for more maintenance what the proper time represent Ladyman you have my. Thank you. Any other questions on this. CNN manager I do want to recognize some of the parents of the individuals that are in the human development centers that are here today someone grow from a long ways to to hear this so I appreciate them being here thank you you're welcome thank you all for coming we appreciate it. Thank you. with that members we're going to go down to see to which is SP fifty three do we have anyone from the FNA or DHS that can present the governor letter. This market manger up on tap. And if you come down introduce yourself for the record and you're recognized. Thank you senator Clark what form this determines you know mine just as a reminder this is a code amendment just so you know. You're recognized mark. Our thing measure more quite forming services. Misty Eubanks Department of Human Services CFI. You're recognized to present thank you and so these changes these what we presented our governor's letter just for a changes to the preparation for the Division of Medical Services of the first couple changes those relate to moves and changes that happened during the biennium as part of the reallocation of resources process as we're just taking those things making those things permanent. also asking to remove some by special language in section eleven of the bill this special language essentially is quoting a court decision from about thirty years ago we think that the usefulness for that has gone on the court decision is what it is it's not like we can undo a court decision is just there's just will seem a for that to continue being or special language is less for asking for that to be removed. Student and then section twelve is some language relates to the personal care the Medicaid program which in there just for for the our our rules already consistent with that and so again we we think that having the language and special language is superfluous and others in need for to continue and so with the spirit of I know that you all have been wanting to clean up special language and pull things out that's what we're Committee removing that that have answering questions. Thank you members do we have any questions. Seeing none what is the will of the committee. I have a motion. The motion second all in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Thank you congratulations. Also going to present a C. three. H. B. one one one eight is better this is for the secretary's office and for our shared business services within the department again we do have some I'll just mention those I noticed a personal committee some position changes that are related the reallocation of resources they've been made we're also asking instructional Levin regarding our transfer authority for reallocation of resources there is an amendment made back in the budget hearings to reduce those from four to to however as we have course nutrition nutrition Under Secretary new state Medicaid director and we discussed internally and with DFA with the governor's office we think that flexibility is important for management of the overall Medicaid program is are asking for that language to be restored back to allow for for reallocation of resources through the year. And then on section thirteen special language we're asking removes some references for some job titles that are no longer utilized at the department hello that happy answering questions. And just I have a question so you want to go from the two that you had been taken down to the back to the fore and the reasoning behind that is it's will continue what we have now right now we have the bill to do for the Senate budget hearings there is an amendment that came from DFA to reduce that to budgets and talking with them it's we use that that reallocation mechanism to use several items one is allows us to be more efficient with our preparation are positions because as we have needs we can move things around rather than coming to you to ask for new appropriation or new positions inside helps us keep the overall numbers low lower it also allows us to make sure that we're addressing all the needs with the Medicaid program as needs come up. Members do I see any other questions. Saying none. Got a motion the past I have a second. Second all in favor say aye. Closed. The eyes have it. With that we're gonna move down thank you all for presenting thank you we're going to go down to see for H. B. eleven thirty three senator Bryant if you introduce yourself and you're recognized to present. Thank you madam chair elect of secretary of state's office here with me just case got for the questions. This this is and just as a reminder this is one will allow you to present but because it does have general revenue we're just not going to be taking a vote on it but I do just wanna remind you understand thank you thank you committee for your consideration when the time is appropriate for this this amendment this is are in relation to Senate bill three thirty five which is still waiting House the House blessing I get it through their. This this is a result of of my request to the secretary of state's office to address needed repairs to the Vietnam memorial and what I found when I ask for those repairs is is they don't have any money for that and not only that that I have any money they don't have the authority to do that through our current statute so Senate bill three fifty five not only changes the statute but also allows for for funding state funding to go to the sex secretary of state's office for that. In the in the request I learned that there's twenty five memorials on or State Capitol grounds all they needed repair all that do not have the authority of the secretary of state's office to do those actions yet to set up a commission you have to get funding from the propriedade or to the commission and then you've got to go to the secretary of state's office. There's seventy seven thousand four hundred fifty six dollars currently in the fund again that's all private money raised through those the biggest donation there's fifty thousand for the gold star memorial because this requirement we put a monument on grounds that you give us an allocation of a large amount for that for that for a memorial. The rest of it is it can be used for the other monuments but when those funds get extinguished that fund goes away so therefore when there is a large issue the secretary of state's office as using funding out of other pockets to just basically shore up put duct tape on it but they haven't been able to actually do the repairs they need to and so myself up you know as as a citizen that invites visitors to our capital we want to celebrate our twenty five monuments memorials Little Rock Nine firefighters memorial but we don't have the funding or the or the Avenue to be able to to actually make those shining pop in and celebrate those on our Capitol grounds so that was the intent to legislation were asking for under thirty thousand dollars to be bored social services on an annual basis to be able to. You cover all our monuments memorials for visitors. Thank you Speaker Shepherd you're recognized thank you madam chair I'd like to hear from the secretary of state's office as to this I think Senator Rapert mention that they are prohibited or not able to do repairs to monuments I'd like that where is is that in code what's the basis for their inability to to Maintain those monuments okay yes Michael Hary general counsel for the secretary of state's office also served as the chairman of the capitol arts and grounds Commission. yes that's in code that's in the the language of the fund itself that that money comes from an initial deposit like if there's going to be a new monument or new memorial area ten percent of what it costs this must be deposited into the fund that can only be spent. For a restoration preservation basically so if there's any need any necessary additions alterations Technically can be used to repair like some a catastrophic events such as what happened to the ten commandments monument but there's just simply not enough money in there to even do that. And there and there's no other provision and the secretary of state's secretary of state's appropriation in terms of maintaining the Capitol grounds I understand this relates to that specific fine but is it the secretary of state position that there is no other ability to be able to maintain those monuments is just part of maintaining the grounds of the capitol well no that's that yes we we have a general you know Grounds appropriation to to care for the grounds and that's what we generally use for the upkeep but if something happens it's simply not enough and some of these particular monuments memorials have language in them that restricts state funds for instance the medal of honor. That specifically prohibits the use of state funds and because of that I think a session to go maybe two sessions ago they had to reconvene the commission reestablish aboard so that they can raise private funds to add two new names to that and add more puzzles and things like that and actually center just a bill that we had an issue where a a good friend of hers was not on the Vietnam veterans memorial because he didn't in west in Arkansas he was born and raised here went to school here we moved up to Washington state you listed there so he was never on the the original list of names so we had to add that name because of we didn't have the funds for that in the fund that they're now doesn't allow for alterations or additions. And she she pay for it out of her own phones. So this will help alleviate things like that. Thank you any other questions members. Yeah. Notice my you're recognized so just make sure I understand so there's no we've got monuments that were not allowed by law to use any state funds on is that what you're saying. I'm confused I believe Yates the there's one one it doesn't allow for state funds and that's the medal of honor Madeline this state funds to be used for maintenance right and not all of them have specific funding sources anyway so there's the far far more fallen firefighters memorial they have a fund that gets replenished with the license plate fees portion of the the firefighter license plate fees that goes to that but say something like the Little Rock Nine moral does not have a dedicated fund for it if there is any anything that needs to be done on that that exceeds what's available okay I mean but then you're saying there's not enough money available in your grounds correct it took two to take on a major project if if something were to happen. What is your current budget I mean what we. Okay. Curt with the business office if you come down and introduce yourself. We recognize. now man director the business office for the secretary of state's office to address your question let me just back track a little bit on how we have been paying for expenses for monuments to this point in in the business office for Europe and with the sectors offices two thousand eighteen basically most of the expenditures for any maintenance any ongoing repairs any utility services for these monuments is come from the secretary of state's either grounds budget or are general operations budget out of or general opts for yeah that makes sense of what this would do the problem with this one right now is that it's not recurring and predictable you get ten percent for every new monument that is bill for example the gold star monument to Mr Hary talked about was a five hundred thousand dollar monument we got fifty thousand dollars to go into this fund you any kind of a major repair on a monument is going to take out tens of thousands of dollars if there was a quick catastrophic of into a monument or deductibles twenty five thousand dollars just general maintenance on the Arkansas middle honor commission that we had talked about you would cost twenty to thirty thousand dollars in when you have twenty five monuments perpetuated over time because of their age and being out of the weather we're going to use the seventy seven thousand if we were to pull that up very quickly and we would have the funds to replenish this so the grounds budget is you in regard to your particular question is for all of the grounds for all of the capital and we have. By the time you enter special maintenance and grounds we have about a million dollars to make a little over a million dollars to utilize however best fits the needs of the capitol building so we're contracting all this work out and that's why you can say cost twenty five thousand or twenty thousand or whatever may be these contractor most of most of the work out for example if there's power washing done because of that the nature of the monuments of the because of the damage that could occur we do contract out to professionals if we do the talking and concrete work we also to contract that out pump repairs for example in the fireman's of mine making cost several thousands of dollars it one hit. So those are things we do from a periodic basis and pull from whatever funds we can get from sectors budget okay thanks. Thank you any other questions members. Send up. You need but. Thank you ma'am you're recognized so much I just need to know if the name was ever added to the Vietnam. Over three hundred dollars to add a name to the anomaly and and. I will have to apologize on that the engraver that we contacted to the business has simply. For lack of a better term goes us so IBM's grounded with the month I've issued a demand letter issued to that individual in the business we have reached out to another engraver item all male that is offered to do it for half price actually so. We can get that done within the next couple weeks is the time that's the time frame that I've been here. Thank you appreciate you coming thank you Committee thank thank you with that members were going to go down to C. five H. B. eleven oh five Senator Hammer if you'll come down introduce yourself for the record. And you'll be recognized. Thank you ma'am chair Kim Hammer state senator district sixteen and if so so co chair like have Daniel Scholes with me please yes please recognize yourself for the record the initial stricter selection commission. News. I'm sure if it's OK for second time Daniel give the lay of the land if that's okay you're recognized thank you thank you my German this is a simply request to allow the SPC to use existing revenues existing appropriation to do something which is required by fort of House Bill fourteen fifty Shorty fifty seven thank you that cleared the house floor with ninety something votes no dissenting votes yesterday what's asking to do is trying poll watchers who are not election officials we currently do all have run all our training expenses the the same funds that we're trying to utilize as election expenses because poll watchers are not election officials we felt that we really needed clarification that we have the authority to use these funds in this way in order to comply with the requirements of of the of the bill that appears to be progressing quickly through the legislature and manager if I may so when we were here before last time the bill is not even made it in the committee just for the sake those are those questions last time is now cleared the house it's coming down to the Senate when the reasons were back before you now is because we're running short on time and looks like the bill will be progressing through and so if the committee will grants from grace to allow this to be done if the bill should get killed on the Senate in that it doesn't happen but if it does get through the Senate in running short of the US special language times we thought would come back for you in just seek the committee's blessing. Speaker separate you're recognized thank you madam chair so as I'm understanding is this is just to provide authority now that poll watcher that to provide the training poll watchers it would it be correct this would not in the end require additional funding in other words if you're expanding to this are you going to be back next year the following year to say now that we're training poll watchers we we need more money to be able to provide to to run our elections. No Sir this is a you know in the grand scheme collections that going to be a fairly small expenditures but it's it's be significant up particularly the set up expenses that you would exceed what we can do through operations budget so we need to access these funds but no I don't it is a paid It that the answer the questions now we have the funds to do this we have the authority. Thank you members. Any further questions. CNN do I have a motion. Motion to pass second. Second all in favor say aye. Jose night congratulations thank you rasher members of the committee thank you with that members we're going to go down to D. one which is going to be representative Ladyman if you'll come back down introduce yourself for the record and you'll be recognized. And we do have a handout on this one. Representative Jack Ladyman district thirty two. To have the right paper this time. Committee in the in August of twenty twenty one during the throes of the COVID delta variant when hospitals were beyond capacity the infectious disease physicians managing the outbreak call the Arkansas pharmacists association requesting pharmacists to administer outpatient monoclonal antibodies to infected patients most at risk of hospitalization and death. Within a few short weeks a hundred and twelve pharmacies from around the state mainly in rule areas were able to join the fight treating over twenty thousand patients. They provided this service without knowing but assuming they would be compensated for care. However they were to find out that insurance companies did not recognize pharmacist for providing this care in their system and the federal government a hearse a program for the uninsured stop paying all claims for care when funding was depleted even for claims that had already been submitted so so would not cover this pharmacists and health care providers. We're told not to collect cans from the patients so they provided the service is free to the patients. The R. per money was designated to pay for the impact in care of cope with patients. It was the right thing to do to compensate pharmacies for their patient care whether through arpa funds or other state appropriations. In twenty twenty to the Arkansas pharmacists association requested from funds from the Arkansas rescue plan active twenty twenty one to pay back local mom and pop pharmacies for funds expended to give treatments for COVID nineteen these were treatments you know these were not the shots preventive these were treatments this request was denied by the Committee former governor Hudson to review all requests for funds the Committee. Requested more information and to my knowledge that information was given. The request was still not approved when the committee brought a request to fund a large lake requested by the fish and game commission of before Legislative Council in late twenty twenty two I question them them on why they were funding a COVID nineteen non related project ahead of the pharmacies request which was definitely COVID related. Again they said they needed more information. That is the last I heard of this request for funds. The committee established by governor Hutchinson was eliminated by an executive order in early twenty twenty three. Since that time. No request for the American rescue plan funds have been considered or paid to my knowledge. So I filed this bill to get our small. Irma sees paid for services they provided for free. Because they understood they would be reimbursed either through insurance or are. If I've got some of my information wrong there pharmacist here who can come down and correct that information and if you have questions that I can answer I will call one of the pharmacist up to to help answer those questions you have a hand out. With the pharmacies request in front of you. It's three pages long. I have five pharmacies in my district mom and pops who are requesting these funds. I know many of these pharmacist personally. One of my personal forms I'm known for forty years. I think there request our ons request. Look at this list see how many pharmacies in your district. There are a hundred twelve pharmacies. The small pharmacies not Walmart Walgreens. In Arkansas requesting funds. The total for all one hundred and will request is seven million seven hundred seventy six thousand four hundred ninety two dollars. That's approximately an average of seven thousand dollars per pharmacy this requesting funds. Some are much more some are much less but that's the average. This bill request that the small businesses be reimbursed. I believe the state should honor this request and pay these pharmacies. The only negative that I've heard is that the request or excessive and not accurate. If this is the case I think bill our audit could audit these requests to make sure that they're accurate. So with that I'd be happy to answer any questions. Senator Hickey you're recognized yes yes Sir representative Ladyman up I appreciate you bringing this to let me stay on the front end contingent upon those numbers being correct I'm for this because I think that's what our full funds were used for. I guess I'm a little confused and we may have to get staff up here so we're bringing this through special language every request that we've had through arpa as always came from the governor's office or the executive branch through the FNA. After consulting has has said that that's what improved expense. Do you know of has this ever been submitted to our consultant so they've we know that this is an approved expense for our performs for the life of me I couldn't believe that it wouldn't be but that would be the first that would be the first thing that we would normally do. Well back in twenty twenty to an automated call somebody up here to help me with this but I know it was submitted through the entire process through the committee that that would forward those over to council for approval I know we went through that whole process and there was questions about the data and you know was it accurate didn't need to be of chains audited or whatever but it went through that whole process. The. I'll ask you what is the process now for those funds that committee is is this mandate sure well as my understanding may be some other leadership here can can answer that if we've got an actual Procedure that we're going to use for those funds now was my understanding that that. It was my understanding that those were going to come from the executive branch to peer. But because we actually have it is somebody need to talk or if I've not got the floor ma'am. You do have the floor thank you. I don't know what's going on over there up so it's my it's my understanding maybe staff right here needs to needs to say we actually put legislation legislation in place that required any of those requests that come from our party go through. Is it appear it actually K. it is does is the peer subcommittee is that what's in the legislation or ales. Okay Council or Joint Budget that does have to be approved through there so. You know I guess it's it's just seems a little odd that were that were coming through special language will try to get this I would be happy to present this appears if you all want to forward it to the committee but now I've asked what is the process and the only reason I found this on the very last day I was not getting an answer. Madam chair may I staffing question. Sure. If you don't mind Kevin. Given the Joint dish yourself for the record please. Kevin Anderson Behr of Legislative Research. Let's just talk just about or performs I know it's is other funding here and represent Ladyman is you know I guess he's thinking maybe G. R. if it doesn't come out or both but I think we need to exhaust that first. So. We have not been presented of course with a letter from the governor questions these phones or from today that's correct is where the appropriate I guess that's where it would normally come from yes Sir okay. Since we're in session are those funds are able to be access through legislation such as this the Arkansas forms without a letter from the governor do you know that off the top of your head no Sir that the the language. No we we cannot get to those funds up to legislative bill or an act or anything like that the way it is set up as you know The executive gets the information and then that that committee was deciding now the executive is deciding they submitted to council or Joint Budget and then those chairs Senate the appropriate subcommittee which is peer and if appear before the appropriation to make this expenditure and if that's of committee that approves it take that reports goes to full council and once that's adopted then the moneys release entity. And I thought that to be the case so representative Ladyman that that's kind of the thing as far as accessing or before ones. We're going to have to get the letter from the governor's office. Or for or from the FNA to peer first so it's not like we can just transfer. This particular build appear we need to get that letter and then really it's just is it don't even have to go through the legislative process at that point if peer approves it and then goes to full full joint budget then that items been approved in those funds are available for disbursement well senator I understand your thought process there I don't disagree with that but. I believe I was on council as you were last session and I believe we gave the authority I mean we are the funding branch of government not the executive branch they execute we fund we we control the purse strings so we gave that. Okay all right my up and not and I want and I want to I want to go back and say I'm I am for this request I wanted but okay but those funds are different because that's those those were federal funds that came with some strings attached if I remember correctly and that's why I wanted Mr Anderson to come down we literally have to have the executive branch to send it to us now we did structure it so that we inserted the legislature into that. You know so that it it says it takes both of us to do but that I don't think that that's a that that's a a process that we can skip proctor well let me and maybe this is a question for your staff here but it was my understanding and course this was back in twenty twenty two maybe I'm remembering this correctly but We voted to give that power for those funds to the executive branch through a committee of that that's what I remember maybe I'm remembering correctly so could you add to that could you could we have staff to address that yes you would you mind Kevin if you yes Sir it's it's it's in the legislation on that that whole process and I just laid out is in legislation is that what is for it but as far as whenever the art of funds coming in. Do you do you not remember word for those not where does not to stipulated by the federal government that. That the governor the executive would have would have the control on how those would be expended was that not within that or do you have do you remember that. Yes Sir it's it's in the language that the the executive will submit a request to council right so I hope I'm being plain here's so so let's just say that that the legislature wanted to by pass the. The the executive branch through legislation. It's always been my understanding that we could not do that. Do you know that off the top of your head does that require some research I don't know how we would do that I know we can always get creative but I don't know why we do that. Again to represent placement I'm for doing this I hope the executive branch D. F. and a you know has submitted this to our consultant I've heard through the kind of the back door that they have already I thought it'd already been approved and with your comment earlier with your comment earlier that you know we did come to towards that steering committee that the past executive had set up I would have assumed that they had already had already been through that process so if that's the case it sounds as simple as getting the different ages to submit that letter to peer. No I appreciate your question yes Sir thank you Sir well manager that I'm I've got some more understanding from this discussion here so I you know I I'm not opposed to the governor's how they're doing this I would be happy to go back and talk with the governor and the governor staff and see where this that is and try to break it loose I just really feel like that we we owe these small businesses you know the money because I believe they spend it thinking that they would be reimbursed and they have not been so I would be happy to go back and talk with the governor's office on a project that. On. Senator Dismang you're recognized and before we move on from that because I mean it I've already had this question I've asked the question I'm never going to response on this because there's some things missing off the spreadsheet that we have for the request and some things that don't make sense to me the one I think we know how minute much was actually paid in claims because the way that I'm reading this we're wanting to be paid for the claim and the unpaid claims what we're wanting to be paid for the staffing associated with the claim and we're wanting to be a paid for the equipment associated with the claim I mean in my opinion I understand the unpaid claims I don't remember what I think the request to be is to be trued up way past that so many inside the club Allen is a component that pays for overhead and pieces that equipment and everything else. Plus you know of mmhm some have profit you know we're perceived proper whatever it may be. We're paying for the staffing the equipment and the claims and so again I think you're paying in excess of may be. You know what should be paid out and I've never got an answer on that and I've also never seen the column says what each one of these entities were already paid which I think is important for the discussion. To make sense. So before we keep moving this and keep saying well this is what we should do on make sure we understand what we should be doing and I think that's part of the problem of what's gotten is here and and what people are trying to understand exactly what it issue we should pay. Well. I understand your thought there but I don't really and I don't follow what you need. I want to know specifically what has already been paid that's attributed to the staffing and equipment costs that are on this schedule there's something somehow we know what we've not been paid I want to know we've also been paid and I think that should be a column on here said to me to know whether or not of a pharmacy is made whole it's you know the total claims had been paid minus. I guess I'm I'm assuming you're saying staff and equipment related to associate expenditures. Well I tell you what my Hill if I can call one the pharmacist up to tell you not special language Sir but I do appreciate that. Thank you and I just want you special language we don't allow people to come up and speak for against I'm asking for information there's been people sitting down here with other but I also want to record recognized that in fifteen minutes we have to be out of here and we. And we have three others that we need to hear so well the the dress Senator Dismang and I'm going to ask Senator Dismang you're recognized well and and part of my suggestion was homework because I think you've already agreed to not present the bill I was saying as you're working through this I think it's important to have all of the information presented to us so we can make an informed decision at some point whenever that may be and just for the committee and anyone that spoke today is an agency individuals being called up by that in member presenting not a not a I mean that that's that's your determined if our state I understand. but I think we need to be specific on what we need they've been asked to provide information twice so I mean with the the ninety you told me they want you want claims paid is that correct. That's what you want. Is that all you want. You want something else how many specific representative Ladyman if you can get with Senator Dismang after so that we can continue on with the rest of them and then that way he can tell you what his concerns are we can do that offline so you make sure you be able to get the information that you need all right thank you senator thank you. With that members were going to move down to out can. Can hit your button. Sorry Senator Rice you're recognized questions representative lighting light representative Ladyman do you mind coming back yet Senator Rice I missed him. Rigen light even if you will just when you're getting the information again I'm I'm for paying claims will give me an answer for why there is no staffing are quick but on some of these whether other ones their considerable charges the unpaid claims is in the title drought there but I dislike some definition why there's no. Acting whether some staffing and there's not another's staffing equipment zero some of them well I think I think I might be able to answer that okay go ahead I've talked to these these pharmacists in my district extensively about this and some of the pharmacies had to rent and other building the antibody the infusion takes two to two and a half hours. And so they had to rent another building they had a higher travelling nurses because they could not handle that with their staff that they had. In. I know you're mad expenses and some didn't yes exactly because they had an extra yeah I do the judgment and let me just say is some of the hospitals charge to an fifty dollars to do this in fusion the pharmacist in charge anything I understand and I mean my son went through that process so I know I know that happened. That an answer my question okay thank you. Thank you representative Ladyman with that we're going to move down to day to Senator Chesterfield you're recognized and just as a reminder this it has general revenue or central services we would do a presentation but there will be no vote just as a reminder for everyone. In center of your introduce yourself and to be recognized for the record thank you. Thank you madam chair Linda Chesterfield Senate district twelve. You're recognized yes I think I'm running into a similar issue is with Representative Ladyman Senate bill three twenty eight is to ask what appropriation Philander Smith College health program expansion grants with the department of education what we're asking for is five million dollars for the purpose of training certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses this is come before pure before. Let me be clear it is coming for periods come before council we did not get a positive we missed it in council by one vote getting a positive response I don't know what the process is it seems some people know I don't know but I thought it was imperative that I filed this before the deadline so that we could bring it before this body and say we need these funds we're talking about an area not only does it provide for the training of certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses which of which are in huge of need because. We have RN's doing what these people are supposed to be doing and we're losing nurses we have a nursing shortage this would provide that it would also provide for a committee of full market and a little health clinic for that school me for that for the college and that's important because you are in a food desert in that area and to be able to feed the people in and around that community would be a great asset so at I don't know what the process is. I don't know who the consultancy's get no we had a consultant but I would appreciate some guidance as to how to go about this because it is from our funds. And we've gone appear we gonna council we need the money they said we're going to put it all when I consider this right now I think you're a part of those discussions so I need to know what to do thank you senator Chesterfield. Well. I think from what I understand the process now did you know we don't have the the Committee anymore is that the governor has to present a letter so D. F. and I will have to get with the governor to present a letter it would go to peer and then peer would vote yes or no and then you can go to so do I need to take the bill to the governor orchard D. F. and a first what is the process. I would think we need to talk Senator Rice if you. At the other recognized and rights I don't have an answer representative just fill on the Webster is it a prostitute center for let me let me give you a little bit of background to I have. Ragged people I have pushed I have big. For funding that is in the same predicament that you're talking about here for mental and behavioral health. It it's got service across large part of Arkansas so don't feel isolated because it. It's the money at the process may be the problem but I'm I'm I'm person to well good because I appreciate appreciate your circumstance thank you so much it it seems odd because this came as a recommendation from the previous administration. Deciding when it got to pee wee one accepting those would accept and all the other money we sat one looks at these. And it's very frustrating because there is a need out there for nurses there's a need out there for certified nursing assistants and I'm just frustrated because processes become. Up for me discombobulated for a for lack of a better word. Senator is recognized yep and I probably should just be quiet here but whatever all that stuff would come through everything else was not approved there was a there were multiple request and what happened Senator Dismang and and some of us others with or before and we were getting down to a to a balance that what we wanted to make sure is that the true calls that'd be had been expended out there for like the health cares and that's one of the pharmacy I thank you as long as we can come up with that these were legitimate expenses that somebody had been reimbursed for we were trying to prioritize those because what we did not want to do is spend all of these funds and then all of a sudden of someone such as a pharmacy use them as example showed up at a legitimate expense right there that was COVID related which was totally what are we supposed to be in for from the beginning that we had not totally spent all those and then just said well you're out of work so the process was slow down because of that I hope that helps explain it and then of course what is happened is you know we've got a new administration is coming in from you know governor at I know you know that from the from the past governor and you know the pool they decided to change the process which which was their property so that's kinda where we're where we're at with this thank let me explain my problem my frustration I keep hearing about we. We've decided that we needed to do something different right in the middle of what we'd already done. That's my frustration I don't know who we is I still don't know who lease I'm a member I was a member of peer I was not aware of that with that I'll be quiet about this Madam share obviously there's a process that I must go through as soon as I figure out what that process is perhaps they can put it in writing and that would be very helpful to me put it in writing so that I know I need to do step one step two step three thank you senator tester bill. And with that in Philander Smith College if you today and I wanted them to be able to be here if they need to give testimony but I what I would like for them to be recognized. John Payton thank you all right thank you. And that's going to take us to see three and we're getting really close is this going to be similar to the same situation not okay C. three is to ask you to re dedicate those funds that you have dedicated the last on all this is a newbie okay see three is to provide funding for the establishment of a commercial driver's license training program for the department of education that would be housed at the Arkansas Baptist in all the four C. three is actually for the historically okay you start getting I mean the start date all written story telling us get like college sorry of course directly by college universities over the last several by NEM's this the General Assembly has provided funding for H. B. C. U. programs and H. B. C. U. programs serve the needs of African American students Hispanics whites all can go to the schools but we have a diverse of of of low income people who can pass the praxis. The praxis. The ACT and get the nineteen. The nineteenth has been a hurdle for a lot of children. This provides the summer bridge programs this provides all Act man's Dr green to come to the table. Is the with an agency he is with shorter college. Only agency folks can come. We normally yes and okay language arts we just file you know state agencies all representatives in state or out of chains and says I was on special language of it's been a while but what we're trying to do is to provide some abridge programs so that they could go through intensive training be able to pass the ACT at the end they've almost had a one hundred percent pass rate went with this intensive care it also provides for students to. Don't have enough money to finish out the year the scholarships have been a great success especially poor children I'm coming to acid an appropriation be made again. Thank you senator Chesterfield to have any questions members. Seeing none we won't take a vote today because this does deal with general revenues create you presenting that and with that we'll go down to which is the for which is the CDL training hi thank you thank you so much we are trying to establish an Arkansas Baptist college means Arkansas Baptist college a commercial driver's license program they don't have the funds. The program they have been working with the trucking association and others to get this program in place it will cost approximately one million dollars seven hundred fifty thousand of that money would be further training in the set up of the equipment that you fifty would be to provide the security necessary to make sure that the equipment is not get taken somewhere up that you know that people sometimes do so we're asking for million dollar procreation for that program we're also going to work with Mr weights because we know that if we can get individuals trying to to do this a lot of those ex offenders a lot of people who couldn't otherwise have professions can go to the CDL training and become productive members of our society. Thank you senator Chesterfield do you have any questions for the senator Chesterfield. Seeing none center I thank you for presenting that I appreciate it thank you very much thank you. With that members The following amendments to these bills are approved and released from the subcommittee SP fifty three H. B. one one one eight H. B. one one zero five and with that members we are adjourned.