House Rules

Start with Senate bill sixty six if you'll come to the table introduce yourself for the record out in addition cell for the record and then you made again after I do this if you've not signed if you want to speak for against the bill make sure that you signed up to do so. And you might again. Know what you can't what is yourself yes thank you madam chair Senate district thirty five center Tyler deems. Nothing in the House District ten many medical engine and now recognized a vice chair here's for a motion. Therefore I'll make the motion I just wanna make it clear and and that we meant no harm to this bill we all of the concept we all did we talk about it but we also appreciate you all coming to the table in fixing the concerns that weight we have because we all of the concept and with that I'll make a motion to expunge the vote by which Amendment eighty N. S. two three nine was adopted all in favor say aye. Opposed no. Congratulations your expenses happen now you may present your amendment. Thank you chairwoman committee members thank you for having us back here this week to present this bill again I do have an amendment this amendment incorporates the changes you saw from the last Amendment couple of quick changes as you can see on page three and four some minor changes we do have one additional change with this amendment which will see at the in the middle there it says the fourth one thousand page four line thirty four delete method and we're adding in a method that holds an identity assurance level to which is I a L. two and that is an industry standard that make sure that the license or ID that's being presented is it official ID so we thought that was an important thing to confirm. Are there any questions. Seeing no questions as any right here to speak against the amendment for the amendment what is the will of the committee for the amendment. Motion do pass all in favor say aye. Is no now you may present your bill thank you Sir thank you members happy to be back so thankful that we were able to have this conversation and and take the time to thoroughly review this bill because it needs thorough attention and so thank you for that the option to come back and present this I I know we we took adequate notes of some of the concerns and questions that that we received from this this this body here and I'm thankful to report back that we were able to get back some some more clarification and hopefully answer some of the questions that were were asked last week we had last week we met it's so I want to start off by saying we we sat down with the largest identification company in the country because there were some questions about this bill Senate bill sixty six about us the data security for the data integrity of how verification process would work and so we we did our homework and when you reach out to some of the third part of the largest third party H. identifiers in the country this company is escalating yep they date just for background context they do eighty percent of the driver's license across the country they're in in issue issuing government I. ID's across multiple states everywhere eight eighty things such as check and verify money orders and checks systems they're involved with tickets they're involved with at background checks with with government agencies really to unemployment checks and all it's so This this is the largest companies we ask them a lot of questions you brought us we want to make sure that we had a thorough knowledge and so what sort of things we ask them just it about the execution of this bill this company has has direct working knowledge with this bill because as we said before Louisiana is ahead of us on this is our to pass. S. as in the law eleven other states have have. Very similar if not identical language in front of their bodies now in almost a total of twenty states have communicated reviewed and so while we see a growing we're thankful for that they have already reached out to the media to talk about **** sites have already reached out about how do we how do we the contract with them so they have direct working knowledge about how this would execute and here's how here's that was described so the the process would be their software would come in as a third party entity and with their algorithms and software which would be the gatekeeper the door to the rest of the contents of the the first stop of at the consumer as a go there that they would it would see the they would then have a process to review government issues I'd ID's into it to whatever process that they would like to set up with a commercial entity with a private site what the adoption we just added into the The Amendment clarifies the A. I. L. to certification process to make sure is of the highest standards and so that's the first step second thing that we ask them was how do we how do we prove that you work and checking identification if you can't retain the data that was a great question that this body asked us to to check on there are three ways that the third party identifiers can prove that and so the first is is that they can aggregate data and conceal identity to prove statistically that they were checking for for verification second thing they can do they can geo tag inside of a state boundary of the total number of I do any checks that were performed in third they can prove service date from the date service started to to an end date work to continually servicing and so they. They believe these are proven a provable aspects where they can prove that identification was confirmed accurately and also confirmed without holding any retaining any personal data from anyone and so I hope that helps give clarity on how this would work insurance that not only will it be done well but will be done in a way that can be proven proven without holding that personal data and to add to that a couple things we do give your hand out which does kind of list that out for you in case you have any constituency ask that question because it that will likely come up and also just as a reminder in the bill we do require that that third party identifier delete that information and there is a cause of action if they choose to not do that so it is a common upon them to delete it for their business model but they also there are ways that they can still prove that they have done their due diligence without having to have your name attached to the to the website and that's what's in front of you. Another one of the questions that was brought up was around the the agency's at replacing this or how would this execute how would we be monitoring this bill and into effect and wanna make sure we're clear on that so we did work with our attorney general's team to work on the language to make sure that this is something that is defensible in a court of law there will not be there will not be any agency involved as far as policing or monitoring the the AG's office will not be involved with individual litigation but how what this truly does it sets a framework for cause of action to help strengthen the ability for a citizen to bring civil litigation today a if if a citizen can prove damages they can bring civil litigation already what this does is provides a better framework in a clear liability standard that's that says we as a society believe there is harm being done to our children and we're going to outline that in so that there is a a cause of action framework for citizens to bring litigation. Are there any questions. Nobody signed up to speak for or against the bill is there anybody that would like to speak for or against the bill. Sing NO one what's the will of the committee. S. motion do pass any discussion on the motion I have a little bit of discussion that I would like to stay on the motion. So we receive hundreds of emails hundreds and hundreds of emails and at no time did Joe feel like your bill had been killed right correct because we ask with there was a lot of questions that was asked and we needed some clarification on those on those issues and that is our job as a committee is to make sure that everybody is on the same page and that everybody understands exactly what the bill does so I felt like the hundreds and hundreds of emails I know you all did not see and but it was sent out on your behalf which we received that and now people out there think that that is what changed our minds on this bill that's not what change the mind on the bill the bill needed to be clarified I appreciate you all taking the time to meet with members and get clarification on the bill and I appreciate every committee member who gave their input and that helps all out with this bill and with that all in favor say aye. Opposed no congratulations your bill is passed thank do pass as amended. Yes thank you chairman thank you Committee thank you members. House Bill a. I don't see there you are house bill thirteen eighty representative Collins please recognize yourself. For the record and then you made again. Thank you madam chair inter Collins the representative this bill thirteen eighty is designed to update and modernize the sampling permit that we have under law for various alcoholic beverages so it does three things the first thing it does if you're taking it from the top is that it allows a wholesaler or manufacturer representative to conduct the tasting event on behalf of the retailer or sister retailer with the tasting event that is is somewhat common to have a wholesaler or representative there and it's often their product and they just want to be able to let those people do the serving for the retailer make things just a little bit more natural in the context of of the sample second section is just cutting the fees in half the issue with the fees is that they're just too high so there's not allow use of the sampling permits for beer wine and spirits it's currently thousand dollars this would cut it to five hundred in for one of the three it's currently five hundred scripts two fifty the idea is just to make it something that the stores would actually use and and could be useful to them and and try to get interest out to their product in the third thing it does is it changes doesn't really six significantly increase it in fact it actually in most cases doesn't increase the size and quantities of the samples so you see what it was was it was kind of micro managed here it was three one half ounces of wine or two two ounce servings of beer or two half ounce spirit servings and what people were finding is with those restrictions being on the size of this of the serving it made things a bit more difficult form. And so the changes here or is this a six ounces of one eight ounces of beer or two ounces of spirits and so what that does is gives more flexibility to the retailers to use whatever you know serving containers they want to use but the key thing I want to point out the dollars that we change that and to or so before you could actually get all three of these at once and now it can only be one or the other so the total amount that you consume under this would not exceed about one point three standard drinks so that's not gonna do anything to get anyone inebriated anyway. with that I believe that there I I'm not aware of any opposition to build retailers support this bill and be happy to answer any questions. Are there any questions a representative Wardlaw you are recognized. Thank you madam chair. Couple things but where where does the money go this collected from these fees well it's collected by DC ma'am I'm sure what they use that for. You may hear from the Department ABC. I guess it's time we find out who you are please recognize yourself for the record. Hello good afternoon interment rector Michael Lewis for ABC of that money goes to general revenue. I. So if you change that and to an or would they have to say multiple permit fees to go do that or is it just. No I'm sorry that I I was unclear the for the into the orders in the sample sizes so the permits are staying the same there's one permit for all three or one permit for one of the three that will continue to be the case I also want to mention I'm sure to mention before there's no fiscal impact on this and they believe that some people believe I'm not sentence he believes but the people who brought this probably that they'll be more people who will pursue the permit and so it may not be as if you can in fact last question manager who who brought you the bill who asked retailers. Are there any other questions representative more you're recognized thank you madam chair thank you representative Collins I see that you cut the licensing fees or the permit fees and half of what happened did you think about going lower. I mean I guess to some extent it's arbitrary I don't know that there's any perfect number but cutting it in have seen market would be enough to make it worthwhile in the in the opinion of the retailers who will be the ones who would be pursuing these permits. Are there any other questions. Representative Tosh you're recognized. Thank you madam chair representative. The way I'm reading the language that you. Have struck from the old law and replaced it with these new amount on how much alcohol could be consumed of. It looks like that you've limited that amount which. I for one truly appreciate doing that because the way that law was re written in you correct me if I'm wrong but they actually under the old law is long as we passed this one out here the laws in existence now they actually could could consume up to actually when they left there be under the influence of alcohol according to state law would you agree with that. Well I wouldn't quite agree with that I I do think that it was if you consumed under the old law all three of these things I think that would put you at about one point three standard drinks so it would be pretty unusual for some I mean it's it would be pretty unusual for some to be inebriated or anything significant at that but I think that any one of these none of the none of the one of these would exceed about one point three drinks either so I think it's not a significant difference but I don't think of the old law if you did all three that it it would put you in the red and I I don't believe so follow Madam to recognized well maybe I read it wrong but I would somewhat disagree with that but anyways if I'm reading it correctly but my point is the language you. But in this law now will even reduce the amount out in less than the amount of of the blood alcohol level when they leave their it be less now correct. I believe to be very close to the same as it is what it is now and I think again I think it's about one point three total under the old if you can send all three of those under the new based on the ounces and based on the standard drink sizes I'm aware of it be about one point two if it was wine zero point six if it was beer and one point three it was spirits and I think under the old it was a combined one point three I believe. Are there any other questions. Saying no other questions at. Mister John beach Board is here to speak for the bill. Please recognize yourself for the record and who you're with and then you may begin. So long. I'm John beach for them with yellow rocket concepts and lost forty brewing. And. yeah we just we have we've always found the retailer's be great partners as a local as a local manufacturer of the year you know it's a great way for you at the tastings are a great way for us to. Come back to the you know to really do some good guerrilla marketing and you know get product and you know get our new products and get our local products in front of customers and the in a way that we can't do it you know other major retailers let you know it's virtually impossible at a place like the Walmart career nine fifty fifty at whole foods as to whether or not we can. Get in there and you know get our product in front of you know in front of a. If any people soon. So we're in support of you know tastings are there any questions. Thing the questions thank you for your testimony thanks. Representative answers you are welcome to close for your bill our thank you I'm close for the bill. What is the will of the committee motion do pass. All in favor say aye. Opposed no. Congratulations your bill is passed thank you. Next we have house bill eighteen thirty nine representative Graham like you're recognized. Please introduce yourself for the record and you may begin. Hello everyone my name is Zach Graham xterra representative for district fifty. I brought this bill before you few weeks ago house bill thirteen eighty nine AT and I I've I've done some work with some of the committee members that some issues with the bill essentially what this bill will do is it will require all casinos in the state of Arkansas to do background checks on anyone who has anything to do with concealed gaming this is anyone who would work on machines work in the work at the casino provide services for the casino and a few other a particular and facets If there any questions I will ask all come to the table from the F. and I. Representative more you're recognized for do you want her to wait come to the table up to him to come if they're questions will have. There are with the questions. Please recognize yourself for the record and then we'll. But representative for more ask thank you madam chair Paul gearing DFA. You're recognized thank you madam chair thank representative Graham look I think this is a great bill my question to you is. Arkansas Senate not currently required to get federal background checks for these individuals working around the tables in these game machines up to represent more of current law law in Arkansas permits the casinos to a federal criminal background check on their own employees of the General summers already authorized that and that is what we're doing now this law would also extend to those service industry employees that are not employed by the actual casino. Are there any other questions. Seeing other other questions there's no one's a signed up to speak for the bill or against the bill would anybody like to speak for the bill against the bill. What's the will of the committee motion to pass all in favor say aye. I was no congratulations your bill is passed thank you committee house bill fourteen thirty two representative Fortner you're recognized. Please identify yourself for the record and then you may begin. Thank you madam chairman Jack Fortner district number four. You may begin. I bring a bill fourteen thirty two to you today and it seems ironic that I'm bringing a bills labeled liquor since I don't drink. This bill I'm bringing this on behalf of my local Country Club. And this is not an expansion or a new bill this is for clarification of a bill we passed during covid you member at that time we agreed to let businesses that state all open that had a valid liquor license and we're a restaurant to supply limited amounts of take out like for example Italian meal you can get a bottle of wine or a pizza you get a six pack. Of there was a little bit of It was a perfectly clear there was a term a term in there that said private clubs and with the help of the alcohol beverage we have clarified that and where this where everybody seems to be pleased and this would allow country clubs in a wet area to have the same ability as the other restaurants to supply takeout food and I'd be glad to answer questions are there any questions representative Wardlaw you're recognized. Can you explain to me what a sealed containers going to look like. Well if it's a beer can it won't be popped. And if it's a bottle of wine they will construed to top or top to court opinion. So most of what. During that a country clubs typically in a Cup are mixed drink so how is that being sold and how is that being put in a sealed container let me rephrase my question since year essays coming out okay in my understanding which is limited and I appreciate that question In the instance of the Country Club. They are they're going to it's for wine. And bear. They did mention there's a then these groups there are numbers that specify how much alcohol can be sold with to go meal. It would be like a. Lane bottle. Sealed. It. Follow nine chaired it in your remarks you made remarks to a private club or to a wet area. If I read this correctly on page one line thirty six going on page two it says a private club holding a valid alcohol beverage that would be in a dry county so with that not allow them to basically be like a liquor store in a dry county no and thank you and that was that I think I want to hear that from the A. B. C. okay that was part of misunderstanding. Thank Lewis interim director the ABC private clubs are actually issued in wet counties in dry counties so that it doesn't necessarily mean that you would be having a liquor store in a dry county the bill actually specifically provides that this is not accessible to private clubs that are in Draconis. Last question representative Fortner are you a member of the Senate Country Club. No. Okay. Are there any other questions seeing no other questions there's no one signed up to speak for the bill or against the bill would anybody like to speak for or against the bill. Sing nine what the will of committee motion do pass all in favor say aye those opposed no congratulations your bill is passed and that's what I do have. That's all for today. Yeah I'll stay seated for just a second I have an announcmenet please please.