Insurance & Commerce - Senate

Okay we'll just change to ten fifteen that would be good to see everyone this morning we know a lot is going on here under one Beals in different places Senator hill is doing that himself so we're going to get started the first bill would be Senate bill ninety four a senator Hammer you're here you're recognized. Our let me check on something here hello Senator. Yes go ahead go ahead you okay. Okay. Okay. No you okay which time. Okay Senator Hammer you're recognized. Thank you Mr Senate bill ninety four has a a amendment that should be engrossed in after the last man is still good bill may be better for us to a good bill not just for the sake time I'd like to yield to both to give the finer points I think Mister chairman and maybe some folks assignments pick on this bill so respectful of time if that's okay we'll recognize both to speak Kim Hammer state senator by the way District sixteen you're recognized please identify yourself when you're authorized thank you thank you senator Murdock is both ran general counsel Arkansas insurance department the mission of explaining committee what you have before yourself it's out it's out Senator Hammer about a year and a half ago yes the insurance department and pharmacies what sort of improvements we can make to the baby and licensure act we advised in one of the more significant loopholes or problems insurance departments had with baby and enforcement. Relates to health plans that are issued outside Arkansas which which have subscribers in this state or employees in the state of the current language of the premium licensure act it only applies to PBMs who administrating health plans in this state and so if an employee resides in or not I mean I'm player resides Illinois a it has forty or fifty employees in Arkansas our current language would not apply our PBM requirements for consumer protection issues for the Arkansas employees is one of the things we did in this proposed bill is to apply it to all health plans that are issued outside Arkansas with Arkansas residents subscribers this is much like Senator Irvin did recently with their prior authorization bill we should not modify that to apply to all subscribers in the state so it this is common in the insurance code we also have extratorrent territoriality provision. Lies are insurance bill dates to policies issued outside this state which that residents in this state to run a more significant things this bill does it regulates PBMs which are administrating health plans that have employees in Arkansas just for those employees that's the first thing it does the second thing it does is it increases finds about provide lace you for one thousand to five thousand per per violation we usually proposed a ten thousand dollar fine however after meeting with PCMA the PBMs was defensive and came up with five after the original bill was filed the other thing this bill does is it removes reporting requirement for rebates and spread pricing is simply allows the commission to audit for that yes cancer Dismang I think Senator Irvin last time we met were concerned that are we not remove the powers of the Insurance Commissioner or alter his powers to audit or exam PBMs it's so I'd be submitted to senator Hammer to be alarmed Amendment you'll see it in the proposed bill this is essentially that nothing in this subchapter shall limit or alter the powers of the insurance commission to conduct an examination so we tried to be responsive to members issues last time this was up I'll be glad to answer any questions. Thank you as a matter of record outs to assure that same concern that senator dole senator state as it relates to a ID's authority to make sure we are in and most of that of colleagues the members is there any questions. Yes just one so we're and paid for what you just said is is this is this your is it shows bill the it is not officially an insurance department bill that we support it because we are trying to make improvements for senator Hammer to the ASX two so okay met with the pharmacist as well okay there's been a little bit of talk going around about that this was actually the you always bill that you you know that you actually initiated and come up with so I just kind of want to get that record straight and let me actually and if I may center I approach them and I ask them to help craft this because one of the things that continues to happen is the outcry from pharmacists and so this was a hundred percent initiated at my effort asking them to help be able to pull this together Is talaq ship full responsibility for that thank you senator thank you. Senate Johnson you're recognized thank you Mr chairman just a quick question Senator hammer I anytime I see ward pharmacy benefit manager in a bill my ears perk up and I feel like that we're back to playing the whole game of whack a mole but ever since I've been is Senate we've been dealing with this this is in response to what some people might call a moving target and that we are constantly needing to Tweet the law because they change the way they operate is is that a fair statement in my opinion it would be and I would add to that senator Johnson that this bill is not going to have an effect on anybody except for those that continue to try to move the pieces to their advantage and create a unfair of level field and so this bill is in reaction that you know companies are doing fine of the companies that are are recognized net income alongside try to be good partners I don't think this bill is going to affected all the B. some adjustment maybe in some policies that will have to be re adjusted according to this but for the ones that are that are doing what they're supposed to be doing it will hurt I would also point out. To support what you just said center Johnson last time around we had to add additional staff to the insurance department because of the number of claims to continue to come in and so you know our goal objective is that if we can send a clear message that we want to be partners in the state of Arkansas but we want to be good players like some of the other companies are being good players then hopefully will minimize the workload on the agency and kinda level the sing off a little bit. Thank you senator thank you Mr chairman thank you I'll just be back in a little bit on his comment and your your response has the is there this your assessment a rule who does it say that we have gotten better over the years with some of the complaints have the reduced what have you seen as a trend over the since we started this but we have seen significant significant PBM improvement in complying with the maximum allowable costs low in our safety net reimbursements quite significant however one of the problems that you've got is that a lot of the act currently does not apply to an outside state the state plans I forgot to mention to the committee in the last fourteen months to give your name idea how many out of state plans that use PBMs for insurance for Arkansas employees we have over twenty seven thousand drug prescription claims declined because the law right now will not apply to out of state plants so this is a significant loophole before you that we feel is imperative for the legislature to shore up in my opinion thank you any other comments members into questions. Seeing none is there anyone in the audience to speak for or I do have one to speak for a couple of. Public tours with side pharmacy. You're recognized speak for. Please introduce yourself when you're recognized as thank you Mr chairman my name is pulling the sum of pharmacy owner from Fenton Arkansas as well as to other sites across the state and Danville for instance in Conway in little rock thank you for your time today and allow me to speak for this bill. Seven three things in my opinion of the person is in regards to what it Mr Boone said and the aspects that companies that reside outside of the State of Arkansas and utilize their million dollar loan. Lawyers and their opinion banks to allow circumventing the intent of the legislation and so this bill instance have clean up bill that allows for closing those loopholes to circumvent what this committee and want this legislation Biden's intent was to ensure a fair level playing field. As a practitioner to give me an example empowered and care for patients in Missouri and I wanna ship medications in the Missouri I must become licensed in Missouri upon getting licensed in Missouri I am agreeing to follow Missouri pharmacy law just because I reside in Arkansas is not mean I interventions Winchell's I want to basically allowed by the second point ever gone skinny fighting fee structure. Right now Allen said that wearing hearing there is a fifteen thousand dollar cap. Right so when appearing in any of the current violate that hit the fifteen thousand dollar cash out and then they are free to maintain just their date Act payments below ten thirty one cents and then recover that retired in two thousand plus money on top of that and duration of that building statement. So for that reason this reminds me of what I've said nine kids I'm always comparing Charles and we're not action team yeah once you go outside and play I want sentiments later they're not shooting hoops they're on their iPad watching team it's going right. There's an PM certified everything they can to circumvent our laws more power to them what I'm asking the Commission today is for a good vote to close those loopholes and stand with providers and patients in the state of Arkansas thanks for time have been taking questions and comments thank you committees or any questions. Seeing thank you for your testimony Mexx will have speak for a John Vincent CEO Arkansas pharmacists association. Please introduce yourself you're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman members of the committee I'm John Benson CEO of the Arkansas farm association representing twenty four hundred pharmacists and student pharmacists and fill it members instead of Arkansas just want to go on record to say our organization is supportive of this legislation because we pose appreciate the bill sponsors create the members of this committee I can't really add anything above and beyond what doctor as a share but just want to go on record in support so thank you appreciate it. Thank you any questions from committee. Seeing none thank you so much for your testimony. Senator hammer you like close review. Thank you for that you need to be said it's been said Mister chairman and I think Blake who's a constituent of mine runs of pharmacy in Benton and locations kind of summarized at all and I couldn't to probably top what he said so with that Mister chairman I'll close Preciado good vote. Thank you a committee motion. Most to do pass by Senator Johnson. Second by Senator Irvin any discussion on the motion. No discussion was with a committee all in favor say aye. Impose. Congratulations your bill is passed thank you Mr chairman Mister chairman and thank you members committee one seventy eight I'd like to pass over there's an amendment that's coming coming down I don't have been engrossed members own that way when it comes committee I'll be able to read it it is agreement it is an agreed upon amendment that I think is gonna bring support to the table or at least minimize reduce the opposition at table so that's why I want him to one seventy eight in a letter run through the process of members all. Thank you thank you. Our next will have House Bill thirteen forty nine scented Dotson. Thank you Mr chairman Mazzy IT team exists in all the business owners. With the issue would be hopeful that it. You're recognized thank you Mr chair house bill thirteen forty nine is Legislation regarding E. sports tournaments in the state of Arkansas so what this legislation does it defines the sports tournaments and clarifies that paid E. sports tournaments are not do not constitute gambling under Arkansas law these boards essentially the world of competitive they're it they're the competitive video games like halo multi player games that that maybe maybe Maddon for various things like that rather than physical sports. You get a bunch of kids together and and maybe even college age and and beyond it's a competitive industry where I get together pay a fee when prizes that sort of thing kind of like if you're if you're having a bass fishing tournament or any other type of sport this would just define it within Arkansas law that as a game of skill that that these are allowable eight it's an industry that's growing throughout the the country in popularity in fact Over eighty schools in our group Arkansas offer E. sports as an extracurricular activity and the Arkansas activities association has category categorized it as a competitive activity Colleges are also getting in on the act colleges nationwide now offer tens of millions of dollars in sports scholarships and six Arkansas colleges offer E. sports scholarships so it's it's becoming a bigger deal and just making sure that everybody knows that it's it's a it's competitive industry but it's not a gambling deal is is a important as far as I know there there's a lot of uh discussion about this in the House representative Ray worked with the various if interested parties and came to compromise so as far as I know there's no known opposition at this point we're happy to answer any questions. Okay senator Boyd. You're recognized thank you Mr chair so I'm I know you said this bill we you just say it again this is not for games of chance this is our games of skill right correct games of skill. Senate Johnson. Thank you Mr chairman Senator Dotson I'm I'm leaning toward supporting this bill. I had to look at this ward up to find out exactly what it was about and I generally like the camera up on new things and all this but I want to use a non digital analogy and see if I'm saying this right. If a. Senate is buying and I go to area this having a really good golf tournament on a good course we pay a hundred dollar entry fee to play golf. And if we do well and when we might get a golf bag or the driver or even even if the price is not necessarily cash but the quick one but it would be based on how well we score right is this the digital equivalent of that absolutely multiplier game where you know. Competitors come in they instead of a at a golf club they have a remote control in their hand in their plan maybe golf on TV or on the screen or some other type of tournament type game competing against each other okay and the only real I wanting caller problem it will clarify on page three lines twenty nine through thirty two that seems to imply. That the casinos that are licensed Arkansas can can make book on these games is that correct. Well it just. If there were to be any wagering done on on games of chance or games of skill in the state only casinos would be the ones authorized and it clarifies that under this law so you have no knowledge either in favor or against that that the casinos are looking at making book on the sports terms but if if anybody could in state can only be those that were and to my knowledge only casinos would be the ones authorized and it it it make that was one of the concessions that was added to this piece of legislation to make sure that there's no question that only casinos are the ones that could possibly do that I don't know if they're currently offering that on on you know high school teams or or what I don't think they are what we've we haven't prevented might try to do it four years ago the so I couldn't that you know in Las Vegas you can't that on you and now the basketball she bent on everything else but but I'm I'm cool with the bill I I like the fact that we're he's people being competitive and kids have fun with it I guess adults to let him make a few Bucks or whatever but but I really want to sometime revisit the thing about the scene knows because I. After years ago when I really resent a horse racing many years ago I read a book by a very smart person that said that if you can bet on it you can fix it and that's why I'm you know always looking when I see something like this so that is not that kind of abuse but otherwise looks like a good bill thank you senator thank you Mr president Senator Dismang you're recognized thank you and so I just wanna make sure I understand. See this is a bill that allows gambling monopolize gambling on sports in Arkansas that I'm just bear just just make sure that that's what we we have here. It doesn't allow any additional Elegy for. Anything that is not currently allowable. Little little out of your lane thank yes no I I As far as the. This is not a statement on on gambling as far as whether or not it's allowable or is not allowable but just as far as this is all about the E. sports tournament aspect of things to make sure that that portion of the industry is allowable under Arkansas law and defined in Arkansas well I mean except for twenty three dash one eighteen dash one oh three. Eight two but. But I do appreciate you that bring the bill out that think I understand generally what you're trying to do here and and enjoyed your presentation. So along those lines let me what let me listen Hickey go for sale as long the signs of will always of that I was worried if we cross the Mr try to get some pass put video of Mister Dotson dancing because I have no issues with this but yes or any time that a casino any time that a casino is could be involved in a situation like that that in my opinion would be considered gambling now I think that we went down to the this road and that's where we're at on that thing I have no issue with your bill but in the end if if if there can be best placed on the thing then it would definitely be get one so that's where I'm at thank you one one thing is if it was simply an entry fee and there was no possibility of anyone making money based on the result meeting a wager on who wins or loses which. Is the gambling part of this and that's what a casino which would book if you will if they took the book of business they will be working on Wednesday House Bill so and they would put some type of. For risk assigned to you know the the the people that are competing and that's what it last that's what deadlines allows for so I guess is the it is what it is of simple if it was you pay a fee. Do you participate. And that's the end of it. There's no possibility of gambling what you allow for that with that sentence. But anyway this is a comment I have a question. Any questions from committee. Is there anyone in the audience would like to speak for against I have. Login Horton. From the sports. You're recognized to speak for house bill thirteen forty nine. Hi Logano complicated form that. Please introduce yourself and you're recognized. Thank you thank you chairman and members of the committee I am looking Horton on the heavy sports coach and director Hendrix college in Conway Arkansas I am honored to appear before you today the testify and the importance of the sports and education in our state for the past seven years I've been committed to promoting the growth and development of the sports in Arkansas. Through my working curriculum it to coaching championship winning teams I've been giving the opportunity at invaluable asset and the transformative powers that you sports can happen students and as an educator I firmly believe that you sports has the potential to make a real difference in our communities. The sports is an inclusive activity that provides students that may not have an interest in traditional activities a a place. It promotes teamwork and communication life skills while creating space for students to connect with something much larger than themselves side something that we associate like being a fan of football or anything else you support your teams and your your activity. The community and culture of the sports played a vital role in success of countless students across the states but one in particular Kevin a student I adopted in twenty eighteen is definitely a a result of these ports success under McKinney vento Kevin was classified as a homeless student which allowed him to continue his education in my care he played ease port for me played a title called rocket league which is essentially soccer with cars Through this program Kevin not only improved his grades from being an alternative learning environment to improving is self esteem and confidence to later graduating high school on time and following his per his passion to finding a community of gamers which now he works and lives in Illinois and that is a direct result of of playing that game. Kevin stories one of many that demonstrate the incredible power that you sports and education has the change lives. However with the with the current worrying this limits the potential impacts impact of E. sports in our state and prevent students like Kevin from accessing the opportunities that they could to thrive that's why I'm here today as a representative of the sports community the urges to support H. B. thirteen forty nine this bill will help us create framework for you sports that allow us to hold safe and successful student events across the state. And by supporting this bill you are helping us students. Hi in paving the way for growth and development for E. sports as an industry in the state it's sports and more than a game it's a community a culture and a passion it brings people together developing life skills for the future thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you senator Johnson I think first. Thank you Mr chairman a coach I have and am flabbergasted to hear that Hendrix has of the sports team. Is my alma mater and I have to tell you when I was there we had one computer on campus and if used punch cards so I know I'm seriously dating myself but I have learned that you today that this is not just of an interesting thing it is obviously something that can reach young people as you mention the gentleman that is now in Illinois I applaud this but I have to I was not shocked at what senator Dotson said about the bill but when you said that when she said we have a team of Hendrix and the coach that's what I was my whole or horizon opened up to the potential but I just I want to thank you for finding a new Avenue to help young people appreciate that and Mister chairman only thank I want to to add to that is I should know something was up they said the triple A. wants to sanction it so anyway thank you Mr chairman thank you coach for coming in today thank you senator you're recognized just a quick question do you know if and any other state and this might be for Senator dot son but do you know if if the this framework that exist in other states I'm assuming that it probably does but do other states also have the language in there about allowing it for gambling purposes there is no a sports legislation at their at this there's there's no E. sports legislation in other states this will be the first this is the first of okay I was just okay all right and okay that that that's interesting and I appreciate what you're saying and I I and just for. Mister chair now we have some students here hi I don't know if we hi so just a second to to let them know this is a bill that might affect you guys so you're here in the committee room and a sauna take kind of this a little bit of a personal opportunity to so welcome you to the committee but also to understand that you know this is a piece of legislation that may or may not affect you individually as students they're sitting behind you so you know I just thought it might be interesting to hear from them if if they play sports and and what that might be like in their life because that might be kind of a fun thing to have them be part of this process for a second. If they yes and and Senator Hickey has a question but if if you all if if the committee would give me some latitude here to ask the students I'm totally put you on the spot but this is how you learn welcome to the process welcome to the committee. Please introduce yourself first and then you're allowed to collaborating center. Yes Sir my name is kal right I'd seen East Arkansas Community College okay and for city Arkansas if that's mine okay. Yes I did I did do is sports in high school yes it was a newer thing so it only came around my junior year and I graduate in twenty twenty one so is a newer thing but. I went to a small high school passing Arkansas so yes and we only had maybe ten people on the team but. Also play other sports and so those sports was a super populated but like the kids that play sports didn't wasn't involved in any other activities they was by some kids only duties board so it is definitely Avenue. Where are the kids can meet other people and live. He's a college coach like I know. There's a few colleges with teens and like. This in general the sports video games in general been very inspirational to me and. I've been planned on. My whole life a date just help me a lot okay cool what what what's your favorite game. Probably halo hello okay cool is in a very brave of you to step up to the minute can to be on public records the part of the process of the committee meeting and so I applaud you for that thanks for us stepping out thank you for testimony. There are you Senator. Yeah absolutely thank you. Are there any other questions from or skews me I'm sorry Senator Hickey a yes Sir for like the last question when this poking fun my colleague centre Dotson I do I do have a legitimate question here just just so that I'll know and. Do I just want to take on a little bit so let's just say that you know somebody does get in there the representatives there winning the prize is. Have we seen through other states or anything have there been a distant like sponsorships or anything like that that have came to those students who have done this so in other words I understand we're sitting here saying with this bill that is limited you know limited to the prize money however is there been other compensation that we've seen or we thought that out and we have any type of and I don't know if we want me I mean but we want any type of a parameters on that thing that you all looked at I'm not sure if that's a question for me and in this circumstance I'm I'm not as familiar with the bill or the or the D. in the legal dealings. And in that size okay so. But may maybe that'll be a question for somebody else and again I don't know how I feel on that is just you know if if that if though if that is transpiring you know there is other copper compensation is coming in because of that and and possibly that's good I'm not for sure so right but I just I just want us to a place set out to make sure that were that were all good with this is we're looking to put this in the in statute. Senate is mine yeah and just to comment on that they can and I think I can answer that I mean these gentleman in the back of sure watch the videos there are tons of sponsorships that are associated with these boards and there's you know you to pages dedicated to watching other kids play video games the re runs of what they have done those are all sponsored by somebody for content millions of the use of. And so yeah it's incredibly popular man in some venues you could pack at a football stadium what to watch the sports more so than you could the football game itself there you know it's incredibly popular with kids. So what you have there is a ton of sponsorship that occurs in in there's. This young man women make fortunes off of these ports their talents gaming. Senator what to that point I mean it in may and I don't know this again would be to the sponsor of the bill and how this is written but to that point of sponsorships it may create a situation where if a casino with the sponsorship for a terminal for an individual player and they were the only ones allowed to be able to place wagers on these that might create some sort of a conflict I don't know you might need to think through that senator Johnson I mean I I think I love a levy sports in the whole framework around that I agree with you one hundred percent agree with what the students that but that might be an area that you want me to look at before we passes out. I don't know I think the question may be is this is has nothing to do with the. Participation in and what is done for you individually as for your skills and all that's good but now we're getting into something else and the control mechanism where the fences are and how we make sure this is the tight end right piece of legislation because it may be as we say in this business unintended consequences you know is not the intent of the of the sponsor of this I'm sure to have any of these things go off the rail but whenever you have these terminate these terms inside of a bill it can. And you the first one with the first one skews me we will be the first one so they're just some concerns that we want to make sure that we do it the right way and that's what the senators are. Bring up these points for nothing against what is boards is yes right you sponsor left in the table as well can operate in but. Senator you will go back to the table you will are you are you to test it are you have a question thank you so much for your testimony I have another. Jackson a cough with Americans for prosperity. He's going to speak for if you will introduce yourself and Yes thank you chairman and committee my name is Jackson a cuff here with Americans for prosperity I've helped it put this bill together since the beginning I'd love to address some concerns that I've heard well sitting over there so the purpose of the bill the bill was never to involve gambling at all other than to separate the paid E. sports tournament from gambling the line before the one that you guys were concerned with which is line twenty seven speaks on wagering on the outcomes of all E. sports tournaments are not affected in this bill so we are not trying to affect any gambling legislation that is not the purpose of this bill that's what we were very open within the beginning on the house side it was stated that we did not want to be a part of that with some individuals who didn't didn't like that and and we made some concessions to further that away so The state record give me one second there is also this would be the first legislation in the nation for E. sports and part of that could could be looked at as scarier why are we doing this but really it's meant to show the nation that Arkansas wants to lead in innovation and lead in E. sports and that were open for business and we want more tournaments we want more organizations here spreading tech and innovation in the state. there is also currently the law and it is five sixty six five dash sixty six six dash one oh for in that is talking specifically about gaming devices in it is stating that it is unlawful for a person to set up keep or exhibit any gaming table or gambling device but then it also speaks on Me trying to find a. Essentially using a. Using a video device or digital device and getting something in return utilizing that device is is not allowed so that could be stated that that is very similar to E. sports but I just want to clarify a few those things I've been in the E. sports scene since I was a kid I was I was unlucky enough to be their prior to when E. sports was in high schools and colleges so sadly I never got to experience that in my schooling but I did experience it in my hobby in everyday life and and I'm very passionate about the growth of it and would love to see it grow in Arkansas. Mr Wyatt why was it necessary in your view to put this last line in there as it relates to casinos yes so the the issue with that was that the the specific individuals were worried that by stating by putting this law forward in this legislation for that it would open up gambling and so we just wanted to clarify that we have no effect on that so currently those who are registered for any gambling activity in the state those would be the ones who would be will able to if that was the case now specifically speaking on. Again on this bill the the goal was never to even get involved in any gambling legislation our our goal is not to affect gambling legislation at all but it was just in that last line it was to practice that those who are already registered in the state of Arkansas to gamble are able to to do what they would need to do a sensually again just pushing ourselves away from the the regulation of those. Senate Johnson you're recognized thank you Mr chairman district a five. I from your standpoint certainly is this the senator Dotson's call and representative race call but. We don't have a problem would you your organization have a problem with on line twenty nine at page three if we change the word only to no more than it would read No casinos licensed regulated by the Arkansas racing commission and the Arkansas casino gaming amendment twenty eighteen Arkansas constitution amendment one hundred may conduct wager on the outcome of an E. sports tournament which shall be okay with that I'm I'm not opposed to that the the big thing that I I I think it's important is again just that this I want to E. sports to to drive I don't want people to be scared of it so the further away from any gambling or gambling legislation that that's fine with me I am I think the important thing is that it is very clear that the bill is not meant to affect any gambling legislation state you're trying to distance yourself from the average age yes yes and and and I I'm I appreciate that very much I'm just you know that a whole lot of money has been bet let's use the super bowl for example the NFL at least they claim they're not involved in gambling which they used to say that I don't know if they still do but but their dates and event that happens I mean British bookmakers make book on whose will be elected president of the United States and certainly our electoral process is not directly involved in that I guess I get somebody out there that will you know make book on what they're gonna rain tomorrow night and again if it's legal in that area that's fine but I want to make sure your okay with if we basically said okay you Arkansas casinos this is not something that you can bet on I worry about it both just from corrupting your support which is I think all of our concerns and you've express that the way you've discussed namely but the other point is that to as I said earlier if you can bet only. You can fix it and I worry that My daughter is of a computer person she. crass apps for phones and things and she has K. educated me that you'd be blown away with some of the things that hackers can do and so I'm I'm not saying that they're hacking your tournaments the skewing the the results but again if if you could bet on it somebody would probably try to do so Mr chairman I would leave it up to center Dotson whether he would like to make that little tweak or not and that was just I want to bring that for the committee thank you thank you senator yeah I'm sorry I have to run but I am not opposed to gambling okay and I actually disagree because I don't want an outside right now only the casinos are the ones that are able to do different things within our state because of the way that amendment the constitutional amendment as written so I'm I don't mind that language and I don't mind gambling I just on east fourth I really don't I mean if you're free market person I mean that's free market and thank game on football and I don't think it's correct to football or basketball or if the house and those measures have been taken to eliminate that so I'm not opposed to that I just those two statements lines twenty seven to twenty eight twenty those are in conflict with one another the way that is written and so I just I think you just need to make a decision about what you want to do with that senator Johnson and because if you did know casinos then you might be opening it up to outside the outside of the State of Arkansas gambling folks which is which is not what amendment one hundred talks about and maintain so I I would just I would work through it. You senator may Mr I've got an amendment for the committee to consider that will strike. Lines twenty nine through thirty two on page three. And the only other thing it does is it changes online twenty seven it strikes through the one so it it'll just be a be under that so it the strike last four lines of the bill. And I think that should take care of the concerns that I've heard here it it'll leave it just as it is right now with any other. We're not changing the constitution or not changing what casinos can or can't do but it will remove the explicit authorization of casinos. To only conduct wagering on the outcome of it used for the sports tournament. Okay could you have a question yes thank you Mr chairman and senator Johnson thank you this amendment I just well let me ask you this and is your question on the amendment it is only a missile let's let's let's let's get a motion that we go as adopted it as much as or I would move induction of the amendment. Hold on I'll defer to Senator Hickey. Thank you here here's my thing or sitting in here and whenever we first started and I'm talking about the amendment. You know we kind of the more the more we pass through this. I think there are some other questions and I think there's some good things about this I really do sitting here the whole thing is new to me maybe I'm I'm dating myself I mean you know not really knowing about this tops the. Personally I would like for us to kind of hold up on the amendment make sure that we look through everything thought all this thought all of this out to make sure that our movement is correct because I personally don't know what's everything that might be included under Amendment one hundred I want to make sure that you know there's not some language in there I heard what Senator Dotson said but that there's not some language in there were we're required to do something or not required to do something whatever it comes to these types of I just think that it needs a little bit more betting on the outside of this committee before we bring it back that's where I'm at so the question becomes is there a motion for amendment for this amendment there's no motion. Okay. I think the question is is amended. What we driving for me not even just read I read B. one differently than maybe others said wagering on the outcome of the sports term and it's not authorized under this chapter it doesn't say that is prohibited it just says that this chapter does an authorized gambling it's mute other than that. I think it's just it's just I think you were maybe covering yourself by trying to say I'm not trying authorized gambling it may happen somewhere else in code but that that's the way that I read that I'm not even sure that that's a necessary piece language period I don't think it accomplishes anything if the concern is gambling but but if you. I think it all goes to I mean should we have a further discussion do you feel comfortable with your level of understanding of the bill may matter my level of understanding of the bill is. Now with that particular part off I agree with the committee it's something that obviously was was added to since I agree to run the bill and I didn't realize that that last line was specifically or I didn't read it to that specifically authorizes casinos to do gambling so as it stands right now I'm not running the bill like it is without an amendment on it to fix it but. Item be there I don't think it changes the status quo. If casinos can offer wagering on this type of Sport right now they still can if they can't right now they can't but it doesn't change the status quo one where another it just make sure that this section of the law doesn't explicitly authorize or disk you know prohibited from happening. Senate Johnson thank you Mr chairman first call centre Dotson thank you for being here willing to fix this I just I'm sorry centers not still here I want to respond to something she made she said and and I'm not per se disagreeing with just want to point out something that. If a while ago their book book makers around the world that make book on literally everything this account rain tomorrow that's what they do that's fine but I don't like the implication of of of bringing Arkansas casinos into this but this would you know they're gambling sites where you can bet on sports in other states from Arkansas when your phone and all that and I my only concern is we can't do anything about those caps of things but we can do something about what happens in Arkansas and I would sit I want to create your amendment and I would would like to to maybe rather than leave it I can complete the lines twenty nine through thirty six completely out but actually just you know make it clear that the Arkansas casinos can't Take bets on the sports term is simply because they're going to be Possibilities and I'll leave it at that possibilities that there could be some some fixing or or the type of thing not that the east port terminal operator is corrupt and not that even the Arkansas casino would be corrupt but you know the person that's placing the bet and some you know hacker in the the stern Europe that could come in and maybe slow down that real good players ability to make his moves in the game or something through through hacked or something could corrupted me we've. People that are familiar with the stories of some of the a point shaving scandals in basketball most of in the fifties and early sixties but they still happen they call people doing it in the gamblers involved were not in any way affiliated with a specific Anyone related to the sport so the coaches referees didn't know about it but players one or two players are paid off by a mafia boss and you know they put a whole lot of bets around the country Las Vegas course being placed at the time to do it and in good shape yeah could could win because they think that a way to fix the game so I that's the only thing that I'd like to keep our Arkansas casinos cleaner and not allowed to do this and may get your bill senator Dotson U. mended and I will vote on in on how good I think it is but the concept of the sports I'm now believe and I appreciate you bringing that thank you thank. Okay this is to get to set the table street we have an amendment does been present it for adoption was the will of the committee. Senator Penzo Is made a motion to adopt. A second. Second by Senator Johnson. Any discussion on the motion. Senate centreboard. Saw. I kind of feel like I'm moving forward having heard from the bill the Senate sponsor the. Right now the the bill seems to be in his possession and he doesn't want to go forward without the amendment so I guess as we move forward I that's what I'm. Okay any other discussion amendment. Okay all in favor amendment say aye. Those opposed. The amendment is adopted. Okay so now will move to and does any discussion any questions on the. Bill as amended or do you want to close do we have any discussion from the discussion. What we are now from the Committee. It as far as for my part I'm I'm close and would appreciate a good vote on the bill as amended well before you close I'm sorry let me see it or any other questions now that we've gotten Committee adopted go ahead Senator right so just just clarity for everybody that's watching this or whatever what what we removing with this amendment. Is a line where it said that that the casinos may conduct wagering on the outcome of the sports tournament we're totally removing that so that's not in the in the legislation anymore correct correct okay and again I'm I can read this but I will make sure everybody everybody gets confused with what's going on whenever they don't know what's going on and what what is being left is the one line this is wagering on the outcome of any sports term it is not authorized and under this subchapter which Senator Dismang kind of made that clear that you know we're we're just saying that it's not authorized I guess that does mean that it could still happen. Correct yet if not authorized allowed under Arkansas law somewhere so. If it's allowable now it's allowed but it's not specifically authorize because this past right and you know I'm I'm I kind of blacked Watson Johnson was saying you know with the No but with us deleting this and everything you know I'm more I will go ahead and vote for but I'm also going to trust that you're going to build into this just a little bit more before come to the Senate floor would I be correct with that you probably would be correct yeah I know you. Thank you Sir thank you. You have a question and I guess along those lines is going to amendment one hundred with wagering being. Allow a certain places in this state the and. Do. What authority do we have to. Determine what book of business goals places authorized to under Amendment one hundred to allow for this I mean I'm sure there's a parameter somewhere and so it could be something worth looking at to see again if there's no some unintended consequences. Okay on the amendment is there anyone in the audience when speak for or against The Amendment. What you. Okay. So nothing. From the audience now we have a motion Senate plans or motion do pass as amended second Senate Johnson is there any discussion. No discussion all in favor say aye. Those opposed. Congratulations you bill has passed thank you Mr chairman of the committee. Okay I do we have any other business before's. Seeing none we are adjourned thank you.