Said in CommitteeBeta

Exactly as spoken.

ALC-Administrative Rules

February 19, 2026 ·10:00 AM ·Room A, MAC ·41:06
Video Transcript 35 documents

Bills discussed (1)

Bill Title Sponsor Status
HR1 · 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…n of County Operations (Mary Franklin) a. SNAP Updates from HR1 (20 CAR pt. 501) (p.18) 7. Department of Human Services, Di…”
Pre-2017 bill

Official video page ↗

Transcript

Transcript available SliQ live captions ✓ Whisper ✓ Download .txt
Machine transcript

May contain errors. Verify important quotations against the official video.

About transcript accuracy
Source
Whisper
Model
ggml-large-v3-turbo.bin
Processing date
October 5, 2026
Unknown speaker 0:00
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 6 3:30
all right let's do it all right members we will call to order
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 3:49
the administrative rules subcommittee thank you for being here today if you'll make your way to your seats and log in members to your unit right there. And to our guests, thank you for being here. I want to remind those that wish to comment on a rule to go ahead and sign in up at the front. You'll be able to specify which rule and which you wish to comment on. We will be taking that sign-up sheet here momentarily. And so members will kick it off. But before we do, we've got some special guests in the room we want to say hello to. And Representative McClure, would you like
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 10 4:24
to welcome them today let's see here let's
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Representative Rick McClure Unverified 4:31
make sure we get you turned on here thank you chairman uh today we have the hot spring county leadership uh group it's a one-year program and they are all occupying the back center row and they are led by gerald black who just raised his hand why don't all of you wave at us and they are here and want to thank them as well as all the other leadership groups that come through for all their hard work and and trying to better their process and prepare themselves for leadership thank you chairman all right thank you
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 5:03
for joining us today members if you'll look on the agenda we had staff sent out a few emails this week but also just to remind you that c1a and c7b have been pulled from consideration for the request from their agencies and so we can talk about that more if needed but those have been struck out and will not be on the agenda today and so with that we will move forward moving to b on your agenda item b and so we're going to welcome the department of corrections to the table today for their quarterly ending reports gentlemen thank you for being here today if you will if you will introduce yourself you'll be
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 17 5:53
recognized to to present wade hodge
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 18 6:00
chief of staff department of corrections kevin smith Administrator Post-Prison
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 17 6:05
Transfer Board. Thank you, gentlemen. You can proceed. Yes, sir. We updated a few of our policies. I think we have the explanations contained in our summary there. Some of it was just due to programs being restructured and a little bit of clarification and to bring things in compliance with evidence-based practices.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 6:26
be happy to answer any questions thank you mr hodges uh any comments on the on post-president board we had no updates for this quarter thank you members any questions seeing none these will be filed both will be filed all right and you're dismissed thank you all right members moving to c uh let's see this week that we this section we have the agency's rules for the month so let's see as we mentioned before c1 has been strict stricken from our agenda so we will go to two c1a excuse me has been struck so we'll go to two we'll invite the Department of Commerce join us at the table. Thank you for being here. If you will introduce yourself
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 28 7:35
for the record, you'll be recognized. If you'll hit the button. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. of small business
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 30 7:42
and entrepreneurship development division at aedc good morning brian black i'm counsel at the aedc thank you you're recognized to present your rules so this morning we have three rules before the committee a and b both pertain to the minority business enterprise and women-owned business enterprise program one is the certification that's a and b is the mobile loan mobilization program rules we are seeking to repeal these because they've been repealed by implication by act 116. thank you we'll take them one at a
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 8:18
time so this is a at this point members any questions for c2a on the repeal seeing none uh this this without objection this rule is reviewed and approved Moving to C to B. And I know you mentioned that already. Any other comments on B? No other comments? No. Okay. Members, any questions on B? Seeing none. This is without objections to be reviewed and
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 30 8:47
approved. All right. Moving to C. And then C is seeking the repeal of the rules for the Consolidated Incentives Act. That goes back to the 2023 session, and that was a leftover piece of rulemaking, and we have managed to get that through the process and we are seeking to repeal those now.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 37 9:04
Those rules are duplicative of the statute and they don't really do much in terms of pushing forward the legislative intent of the statute. Thank
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 9:12
you for that description. Members, any questions for C? All right, seeing none. Without objection, these are reviewed and approved. Thank you for being here today. Thank you. Thank you. All right, members, we're going to go to 3, C3 on the agenda with the Department of Commerce as well. State Insurance Department. If you'll make your way to the table. Thank you for being here today. If
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Crystal Phelps Unverified 9:53
you'll introduce yourself for the record. Good morning. My name is Crystal Phelps and I'm an attorney with the Arkansas insurance department jimmy harris insurance commissioner state insurance department thank you for being here today you're recognized to present your role act 426 of 2025 provided the insurance department with the authority to promulgate rules for a registration program for online marketplace guarantee providers what is an online marketplace It is a person or an entity that provides online access to a service. An online marketplace guarantee is an agreement through which an online marketplace provider guarantees that a user of the service will indemnify an owner in the case of someone causing damages to the owner's property. The best way I know to explain all that gobbledygook is to say that Airbnb would be considered an online marketplace provider. And Airbnb offers a host damage protection program, and through that program, people who rent their facilities through Airbnb can obtain a guarantee from Airbnb that in the event that someone renting that facility damages it and doesn't pay for the damages, Airbnb will step in to make sure that the property owner is made whole I can
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 48 11:13
elaborate further if you would like I appreciate
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 11:19
that descriptions members any questions see none without objection this rule is reviewed and approved thank you for the description thank you all right members we're going to go to four Department of Education you're invited to the table today for the rule related to adult deployment program as a reminder members these are all in your packets you can scan ahead if you needed all right you are recognized to introduce
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 52 11:54
yourself good morning ladies gentlemen of the committee Daniel Schultz counsel for the Department of Education sub again last minute for our chief
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 53 12:00
staff who's taken ill, unfortunately. Um, the rule we have is the update to the rules governing
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 52 12:07
Arkansas, the Arkansas adult diploma program. This program instituted in the 21 session where the department was given rulemaking authority on the prices that each milestone, uh, would yield to a program, uh, participant act 502 of the 23 or the 25 session rather, uh, set those, uh, those price points in statute obviously we've been following the statute but this is updating the rule to reflect the statutory changes be happy
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 12:38
to answer any questions thank you mr schultz and so just double clicking down on this a little bit this this relates to the different thresholds of hours needed is that correct yes sir okay will you describe the three the three
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 55 12:53
areas of thresholds i believe they're the segments well the so the milestones that
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 53 12:59
that would allow you to receive payment itself yes sir so the they are kind of there's a couple different ones so the amounts for each student sorry just be sure I'm looking the right place I apologize Mr. Chairman so the earned workforce credentials are kind of the the main ones I think and if it's a 50-hour credential that would pay $250. $250 will also be paid for a complete employment skills certification and for one half of a high school credit. So one half of high school credit, the employment skills certification or an earned workforce credential of less than 50 hours is $250 pursuant to the statute. An earned workforce credential between 50 hours and 100 hours is $500. and an earned workforce credential of more than 100 hours is $750, and $1,000 is for earning a high school diploma. Thank you for that description.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 14:04
I'm seeing it here now in the packet. Thank you. Members, any questions? Department of Education. All right, seeing none. Without objection, this rule is reviewed and approved. Thank you. Thank you. Going to 5A. We'll invite DF&A to join us at the table. thank you for being here if you'll introduce yourself for the record thank
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 14:35
you mr. chair members of the committee alicia austin smith of them chief chief counsel for revenue at dfa
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 14:41
keith linder dfa thank you all right you're recognized to present your rule
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 14:46
thank you so arkansas law levies and excise tax on the sale of beer and sake act 874 of 2025 created a tax credit for the use of Arkansas rice in the production of beer and sake. So credit simple to qualify you have to actually be subject to the tax and then you also have to have use 20 percent Arkansas rice in your grain bill in the production of that beer and sake. So then to calculate the credit you just multiply the percentage of the Arkansas rice that you use in your grain bill times the amount of the tax. So that act required DFA to provide a method for reporting and claiming this credit and we just simply took the our existing beer excise tax reporting form and allowed you to just deduct and claim it right on the form provide your grain bill so you can show the math and then submit your return like you normally would on the 15th of the month so we had our public comment hearing december 3rd no interested party presented comments during the hearing we did receive five public comments we did not make changes in response to those comments
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 60 15:49
and the public comment period closed on December 16th. So we're
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 15:54
happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Did DF&A consume the product that you were working on the rules? We did not. Okay. All right. All right. I see a question here popping
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Chair Unverified 16:08
up here. Let's see. Senator Johnson, you are recognized. I was reading some of the written complaints, and it says it's narrow for a few producers, but it's not written narrowly. anybody can do
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 16:21
that. Is that correct? So, yes, so the complaints were more, we believe, directed towards the actual law and not the rule. The rule just tracks the statute, so, but depending on how their reporting is done, perhaps they might not have the grain bill themselves and might have to get it from the manufacturer, so I think that's where they were trying to head with that, was saying that, you know, really it was maybe written for a couple of producers originally, but anyone who would be entitled to take the credit could absolutely
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Chair Unverified 16:53
take the credit I mean so that's what I was trying to figure out is is they're they're buying their product from somebody else which they can't verify that's not our problem or a problem with the law in my opinion it's it's their tracking problem it would not be for us to tell them
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 17:12
how to structure their business to be able to qualify for the credit. All right, thank
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 17:19
you. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Johnson. Senator Irving,
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 17:23
you're recognized. Thank you. I did want to just ask about the verification. How are we going to, if they do
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Missy Irvin Unverified 17:29
claim the tax credit, how do we then verify that they're actually using Arkansas Rice? So they will claim the
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 17:36
credit on their report. They will provide a copy of the green bill. So we'll be actually able to see essentially i call it the recipe okay right um does that answer your question that we would actually have that yeah i think one of the comments you know reference like validation of the grain bill um and sourcing the claims and so i just i just
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Missy Irvin Unverified 17:59
wanted to make sure you know that that was in place or there was a procedure in place surely if this becomes an issue or a problem I assume that DF&A would bring it back to us and say, we may need to tweet something. I hope that you will
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 18:18
do that. Just because I think I want this to be encouraged, clearly. I think anybody can buy, I think. But there could be some restrictions on how they can buy
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Missy Irvin Unverified 18:28
or those type of purchasing agreements. I don't know. But if there are issues, I hope you'll bring it back to us so we can make sure it's a fair policy. thank you absolutely
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 18:41
thank you members any other questions see none thank you for supporting our rice farmers with this rule this without objection this is this rules reviewed and approved thank you for
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 79 18:54
being here thank you thank you DHS you are called to the table
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 19:04
members we're going to 6a in your packet all right if you'll introduce
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 81 19:17
yourself for the record good morning I'm Mary Franklin director of the Division of County Operations with
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 19:23
Department of Human Services thank you for
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 85 19:26
being here you can present your role thank you today I'm here to present a rule for the SNAP program. This rule, we are bringing this rule to implement changes in the federal law that were approved in the, it's public law 119-21, but the one big beautiful act that was passed in July of 25. And this law makes changes to the SNAP program work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependence and also we are also implementing a change in the way that energy assistance payments are counted and that they are now counted as unearned income unless the household contains an aged or disabled member but more specifically the changes to the able-bodied adult without dependence work requirement previously the individuals that were subject to this work requirement were 18 to 54 and now that age limit is raised to age 64. This work requirement also now includes as part of the definition of able-bodied adult without dependent that now also means if you have dependents age 14 years or above that this work requirement now applies to you as well and there were some exceptions that were removed with this new law and those exceptions this law removed the exception for homeless individuals for veterans and for individuals age 24 or younger and in foster care on their 18th birthday those exceptions were removed by the federal law and now we have removed them here in this rule there were some new exceptions added in the federal law and that includes some specific definitions of indian urban indian and california indian that we have now added to this rule to comply with the federal law. There is a fiscal impact. It's one time and it $142,910. We previously promulgated this as an emergency. So this is the follow-up permanent rule to the emergency promulgation that was approved. and we did receive one public comment and suggesting some clarified language and proposing a form that could be made available to help individuals who need to verify exemptions medically and so we have taken that under advisement and the creation of the form optional that people can use would not require this rule to be changed and we we do have some plans to make make such a form available but not require a specific form because there are often medical information that people can bring that does not require you know a specific standardized form for us to review it and see that the person could meet an exemption thank you miss franklin I see a few
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 22:40
questions here. Representative Rose, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ms. Franklin,
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Representative Ryan A. Rose Unverified 22:46
for presenting this today. And I may have simply misunderstood, or you may have misspoke, or a combination of the two. If I understood you correctly, you said something to the effect of this now having to deal with adults aged 64. And as I was looking at it, it looked like the language on the first page of our document struck through 64 and amended it to be 59 and so i just kind of wanted
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 85 23:16
some clarification on that so the able-bodied the work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents goes up to age 64 now there is also a general work requirement in snap that is different from the able-bodied to work able-bodied adult work requirement and that age goes up to 59 and that that that basically means you can't um if you're subject to that general work requirement that is not subject to the three-month time limit that able-bodied adults are subject to then there are also there are things that you cannot do such as if you get a bona fide offer of employment you can't you know refuse the job intentionally reduce work hours so that it is a little confusing i I definitely admit that, but there are two different work requirements involved in SNAP. And the main changes were to the able-bodied adult without dependents work requirement.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Representative Ryan A. Rose Unverified 24:14
And so, Mr. Chair, if you'd allow, the general work requirement for individuals 16 through 59, is that the larger segment or the smaller segment of people who will be falling under these rules?
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 85 24:33
well those rules were already in existence so i think that the the biggest impact as far as these changes are going to be in the able-bodied adults without dependents because that age limit has raised from 54 to 64 which means more people are subject to the rule where they can only be eligible for three months out of 36 unless they are exempt or complying with the snap requirement to work and i follow i
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Representative Ryan A. Rose Unverified 25:01
guess i just was trying to clarify because 64 is struck through in the language on this document and replaced with 59 so i was trying to figure out in what group that was referring but um if you had any clarification i'd be grateful and that's all
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 25:17
i have thank you mr chair thank you representative rose and miss franklin if i were to summarize some of the changes there's a lot of terminology changes that necessarily don't change the content that's I'm seeing specifically in our packets members on page 18 where changes, all references from work requirement to general work requirement. So a lot of just word cleanups to match federal law. I'm seeing a lot of that. But just for my clarification, there's nothing in this rule related to some of the things that have been in the news with the SNAP waivers on items that consumers can purchase, the sugary snacks and the sodas. There's nothing in this rule today that's addressing that, correct? Thank you. That's correct. Okay. All right, members, any other questions for Ms. Franklin? Seeing none, this rule is, without objection, this rule is reviewed. improved thank you for being here today thank you our members we're going to pause for a point of personal privilege representative eubanks i think you'd like to recognize some folks representative eubanks if you're ready i think you're wanting to recognize a great group in the crowd today let's see
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Representative Jon S. Eubanks Unverified 26:30
yes thank you mr chair yes i was uh we have leadership logan county in the audience and i was hoping they would stand and the committee would join me and welcome them to our committee. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 26:48
you for being here. Welcome to our committee and thank you, Representative Eubanks, for calling them out today. All right, members, we're going to go back to the agenda. We're on 7A and we'll invite Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services to the table. Thank you for being here. If you will introduce yourself for the record, please Good morning, Elizabeth
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 104 27:16
Pittman, Division of Medical Services Good morning, Paula Stone
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 106 27:22
Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health at DHS Thank you for being here. You can present your rule This rule is amending the Medicaid Rehab Hospital Manual to add the ability for rehab hospitals to have psychiatric units and bill Medicaid for psychiatric services. These have been provided in general hospitals in the past, but we now have a rehab hospital that wants to provide those services, and we want them to be able to do that. So we added this language into this rule.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 27:55
Thank you, Ms. Stone. Members, any questions? I see none. Would it be fair to say that, you know, when I looked at this, it's really helping our hospitals get reimbursed appropriately for medicaid reimbursements is that correct um yes they um there
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 106 28:13
was one hospital that opened in jefferson county a rehab hospital and we weren't unable to they opened a psychiatric unit as well and we were unable to reimburse them without this rule thank you for
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 28:26
the clarity all right members seeing other questions without objection the rule is reviewed and approved. You can present C as
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 110 28:34
well. Yes, thank you. Rule C is the recovery audit contractor exemption rule. It is a state plan amendment that we put in with CMS to exempt us from the recovery audit contractor requirement. Recovery audit contractors are contractors that are used by Medicaid and Medicare programs to review provider claims and billing and find fraud, waste, and abuse overpayments and then recoup those. They're generally paid on a contingency fee. We have a state law that prohibits us from using contingency fees. We also have in place several other layers of program integrity, including an internal payment integrity review office, the office of Medicaid inspector general, and the office of the Medicaid fraud control unit at the attorney general's office. So we asked CMS to provide us with the waiver of that requirement. CMS approved it, and we are now here getting that approved by this body and happy to take any questions thank you members any questions miss Pittman
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 29:27
thank you for the description were there any public comments on on this rule we received no public comments okay thank you members without any of the questions without objection this rule is reviewed and approved thank you for being here thank you all right members going to item 8 on the agenda Department of Labor and licensing Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy yes B gentlemen thank you for being here if you'll introduce yourself for the record
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 115 30:07
yes I'm Tim Montgomery the director of the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy with the Department of Labor and Licensing excuse me i'm
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Dan Parker Unverified 30:23
dan parker good morning everybody i'm the chief legal counsel for the department of labor and licensing which includes our state board of public accountancy thank you thank you for being here
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 121 30:34
you are recognized to present your rule these are the rules that are required to
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Dan Parker Unverified 30:40
implement act 428 of 2025 that was sponsored sponsored by senator petty and representative Warren. They're designed to allow the state to continue to foster a very robust and professional accounting profession, and they're supported by the department, by the board, and numerous feedback and comments that we receive from accounting professionals. So we are happy to answer any questions and would appreciate the committee's support. Thank you for the description.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 31:10
And members, I will highlight that this is, in a way, two rules that are kind of overlapped, And so we will be reviewing them together. And I think, Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Parker, if you could describe, I know there were some public comments for and against, if you will, on some of the directions on the pathway, I forget the phrasing, but pathway to accreditation maybe, changing, lowering some of the hours and some of the processes. Could you talk a little bit about that description and some of
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Dan Parker Unverified 31:46
the comments for and against? Yes, and I'm going to turn that over to our director, Tim, who's more familiar with the nuts and bolts of the profession. He is a CPA himself and, for the record, does, I
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 115 32:01
think, an excellent job as the director of this board. Thank you, counsel. We received, so there are probably three or four major changes that we're making. The first one would be adding additional pathway to CPA licensure. That is, right now you have to have 150 hours of semester credit hours. And so we're adding, that pathway is still there, but we're adding a pathway to where you can have a bachelor's degree basically containing only 120 hours of college credit with two years of experience. So it adds an extra year of experience, but takes away those extra 30 hours of college. Most of the, in fact, almost all of the comments we received on that additional pathway were very positive. In addition to that, there are 26 states in our country that have already proposed similar, if not the exact same legislation, and improved this additional pathway. There are 17
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 118 33:11
other states that are planning on proposing legislation this year. So about 40 of the 55 boards of accountancy in America will have this as well.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 115 33:24
The others, I think, will follow along, just haven't done that yet. We're also defining the rules of substantial equivalency. That is what allows an out of state CPA to service clients in Arkansas without the need of getting an Arkansas CPA license. So basically we're recognizing a CPA from another state who is in good standing with their state, they are able to service Arkansas clients without getting an Arkansas license. We recognize that state license, so that's called substantial equivalency. You mentioned there are two parts of the rules. The first part is our board rules. The second part is our code of professional conduct. Basically, it's just an extension of the rules. As far as the comments we received, there were four negative comments that I would really call negative comments. Two of them were because we are removing the government not-for-profit requirement for licensure. So in order to license, you have to have a certain amount of upper-level accounting hours. And within those hours, you have to get certain core requirements like tax and audit, accounting information systems, things like that. One of the requirements we used to have was government not-for-profit. We're asking to remove that requirement. Unfortunately, our universities can still require that for the accounting degree. We're not, you know, don't have any. But as far as licensure, we're removing that. And that's because we were only one of two or three states that actually had that requirement. And so that was a little difficult when we had out-of-states coming, CPAs coming in and wanting to get a reciprocal license. Here we are requiring a course that they didn't have to take. Thank you. And lastly, the other two negative comments were just based on the timing of these rules or this commenter had just obtained their CPA license this past year, and I think they felt bad that others were going to have a decision. It got easier after they completed it, sure. And it's not easier. To me, that's one thing that I want to make clear. This additional pathway doesn't make the path. It's not an easier pathway. It's just a different pathway. You have to get more experience versus more education. Thank you for the
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 35:59
clarification. Senator Rice, you're recognized for a question.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Terry Rice Unverified 36:03
Thank you. Appreciate you being here. I'm wondering if you can clarify for me. I heard you say that 17 more states are proposing changing legislation, but I wasn't clear with what you said. the contiguous states to arkansas do we have that crossover now or with some some of them or all of them well
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 115 36:27
when i was talking about the states that that is adding this additional pathway that we're proposing as well yes that's what this will do 26 states have already passed legislation uh to uh to have this additional pathway there are 15 or 16 states that are filing legislation this year uh to do that as well um we didn't have to file legislation because that 150 hour requirement wasn't in statute it was actually in board rule so that's why it's we did have to make some changes uh which act 428 did but as far as the 150
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 118 37:03
hour requirement uh it's mostly a rule change for Arkansas. Thank you for that
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 36 37:09
clarification. Thank you Mr. Chair. Members, any other questions?
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 37:14
Seeing none without objection this this rule and these rules are both reviewed and approved. Thank you for being here. Thank you very much. All right members that completes that section. We're going to D and this is where an agency has to be excluded from reporting requirements. We're going to invite Department of Education to the table. Mr. Schultz if you'll join us back again. Quick reminder, members, that last month we held over this request from the Department of Education from being excluded. This was related to kind of two agencies discussing what's best because of the rules and statutes that kind of pointed to each other between the Department of Education and Department of Commerce. Mr. Schultz, welcome back. If you could maybe add some more description and clarity on that
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 53 37:59
situation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate that tee up. So I think
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 52 38:03
perhaps we've been able to satisfy some concerns, and something that probably should have been included last month that wasn't is that there is an existing rule that governs the program that was promulgated by the Division of Career and Technical Education, and that is that in conjunction with the fact that the laws gives rulemaking authority to an entity in commerce is why we're asking to be excluded. We have the rules we need, and we don't have the ability to
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 38:29
promulgate new ones. Okay. Thank you. Members, any questions on that? Okay, this will require a motion, a second, and a vote to exclude them, so I would entertain a motion. I've got a first and a second. All in favor, signal by saying aye. Opposed, like sign. All right, thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you. That has passed. Motion carries. And you can go ahead and stay. We'll move to E, members, and we've got the Department of Education as well, for the evaluation of review of Group 3, pursuant to Act 781. And so if you'd like to present, please move forward. I thank you,
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 53 39:07
Mr. Chairman. Keep this one pretty simple. These are the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation, DAPSAF rules. There
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 52 39:15
are 18 of them, and the department needs to retain all 18 rules. Members, any questions for the agency?
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 34 39:27
All right. Seeing none, uh, we will, we will also need a motion to accept the division's request. It's
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified 39:35
got a motion in a second. All in favor say aye. Opposed like sign. All right. Motion carries. Thank you for being here today. Thank you committee. All right. Members we're going to F our members. This is all in your packet. Uh, the agencies do stand ready. If there's any questions you can review those this is all concerning the outstanding rule making from the 2023 session we've got representatives here from from all the agencies if anybody I'm looking to see if anybody has any questions for those otherwise we will move forward all right and I don't believe that takes a motion or a vote correct staff all right so seeing no questions we thank the agencies for being here and ready standing ready for appearance but we will move forward to to the last segment on our agenda. Let's see here, which is G. This is our monthly updates. Those are also in your packet as well. Members, any questions on those? Seeing none, no actions required. These will be filed. Members, any other outstanding business? Thank you for being here today. Go have a great week. We adjourn. Thank you.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error

Agenda

A. Call to Order

3:50

B. Reports on Administrative Directives Pursuant to Act 1258 of 2015, for Quarter Ending December 31, 2025

5:28

C. Rules Filed Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 10-3-309

6:55

D. Agency Request to Be Excluded from Reporting Requirements of Act 595 of 2021

37:25

E. Evaluation of Rule Review Group 3 Agencies Pursuant to Act 781 of 2017 and Act 65 of 2021

38:54

F. Agency Updates on the Status of Outstanding Rulemaking from the 2023 Regular Session Pursuant to Act 595 of 20211

39:47

G. Agency Monthly Written Updates Pursuant to Act 595 of 2021 Concerning Rulemaking from the 2025 Regular Session

40:26

H. Adjournment

40:53

Documents

TitleTypePagesSource
Agenda — ALC - ADMINISTRATIVE RULES, Feb 19, 2026 Agenda 4 Official source ↗
A. Summary Agenda_February 19 2026 Exhibit 45 Official source ↗
B.1 DOC Admin Dirs Qtr. Ending 12.31.25 Exhibit 58 Official source ↗
B.2 PPTB Admin Dirs. Qtr. Ending 12.31.25 Exhibit 1 Official source ↗
C.2.a. REPEAL Minority Business Enterprise and Women-Owned Business Enterprise and Acts 2025 No 116 Exhibit 21 Official source ↗
C.2.b. REPEAL Minority Business Enterprise and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Loan and Acts 2025 No 116 Exhibit 23 Official source ↗
C.2.c. REPEAL Rules for the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003 Exhibit 83 Official source ↗
C.3.a. Online Marketplace Guarantee Provider Registration Rule and Acts 2025 No 426 Exhibit 13 Official source ↗
C.4.a DOE DCTE Rule Governing the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program and Act 502 of 2025 Exhibit 13 Official source ↗
C.5.a DFA Beer Excise Tax and Acts 2025 No 874 Exhibit 4 Official source ↗
C.6.a DHS DCO SNAP Updates from HR1 Exhibit 160 Official source ↗
C.7.a DHS DMS Rehabilitative Hospital Provider Manual Exhibit 2 Official source ↗
C.7.c DHS DMS Recovery Audit Contractor Exemption SPA Exhibit 3 Official source ↗
C.8.a DLL Code of Professional Conduct and Board of Public Accountancy Rules and Acts 2025 No 428 Exhibit 139 Official source ↗
D.1 DOE DCTE Revised Request for Exclusion_6 CAR 300_307_Act 867 of 2023 Exhibit 11 Official source ↗
E.1 DOE DPSAFT Act 781 Report Exhibit 5 Official source ↗
G.1 Arkansas Ethics Commission_02.01.26 Exhibit 24 Official source ↗
G.10 Department of Finance and Administration_02.01.26 Exhibit 3 Official source ↗
G.11 Department of Health_02.01.26 Exhibit 5 Official source ↗
G.12 Department of Human Services_02.01.26 Exhibit 7 Official source ↗
G.13 Department of Inspector General_02.01.26 Exhibit 1 Official source ↗
G.14 Department of Labor and Licensing_02.01.26 Exhibit 8 Official source ↗
G.15 Department of Public Safety_02.01.26 Exhibit 1 Official source ↗
G.16 Department of Shared Administrative Services_02.01.26 Exhibit 2 Official source ↗
G.17 Department of the Military_02.01.26 Exhibit 1 Official source ↗
G.18 Department of Transportation_02.01.26 Exhibit 1 Official source ↗
G.19 State Board of Finance and Treasurer of State_02.01.26 Exhibit 1 Official source ↗
G.2 Arkansas Public Service Commission_02.01.26 Exhibit 1 Official source ↗
G.3 Benton County Regional Solid Waste Management District_02.01.26 Exhibit 1 Official source ↗
G.4 Department of Agriculture_02.01.26 Exhibit 3 Official source ↗
G.5 Department of Commerce_Arkansas Economic Development Commission_02.01.26 Exhibit 2 Official source ↗
G.6 Department of Commerce_State Insurance Department_02.01.26 Exhibit 5 Official source ↗
G.7 Department of Corrections_02.01.26 Exhibit 1 Official source ↗
G.8 Department of Education_02.01.26 Exhibit 6 Official source ↗
G.9 Department of Energy and Environment_02.01.26 Exhibit 2 Official source ↗

Speakers

Speaker 6
1 segment
Senator Tyler Dees Chair Unverified
58 segments
Speaker 10
1 segment
Representative Rick McClure Unverified
2 segments
Speaker 17
2 segments
Speaker 18
1 segment
Speaker 28
1 segment
Speaker 30
3 segments
Speaker 37
1 segment
Crystal Phelps Unverified
5 segments
Speaker 48
1 segment
Speaker 52
6 segments
Speaker 53
6 segments
Speaker 55
1 segment
Senator Mark Johnson Unverified
10 segments
Speaker 60
1 segment
Chair Unverified
3 segments
Senator Missy Irvin Unverified
5 segments
Speaker 79
1 segment
Speaker 81
1 segment
Speaker 85
12 segments
Representative Ryan A. Rose Unverified
5 segments
Representative Jon S. Eubanks Unverified
1 segment
Speaker 104
1 segment
Speaker 106
2 segments
Speaker 110
2 segments
Speaker 115
11 segments
Dan Parker Unverified
3 segments
Speaker 121
1 segment
Speaker 118
2 segments
Senator Terry Rice Unverified
1 segment
Speaker 36
1 segment
Speaker 34
1 segment