City, County & Local Affairs Committee- House

It started I'm Lanny Fite on the chair and the. Of Milton Nicks next to me is co chair you have anything you like say Milton. And We'll get started this morning Let me explain a few things for we get started the the mainly for the freshman one of I think most of you know this by now but once I bang that gavel we go live stream. You know as I say my wife knows what I say and what I do while I'm up here. If she watches okay. All right the well what what I like to do start off is is we'll start off and I'd like everybody to introduce themselves the other district give a brief background on themselves so we can get to know each other and of. Well one. Representative Andrews if would start with you. And hands senator Wallace move on down here the line then drop back here will move back across the line we'll just start and go ahead. Is Bentonville Bella Vista. And my background I have engineering degree in business background I work as a business consultant and I also sell real estate I've got four kids to which you're still at home and have been home schooled. I have been married for thirty years I have two kids I'm an attorney I've worked. Eight I live in cave city I'm married have four sons I'm a fifth generation farmer I am the general manager of an ambulance service been doing that about eight years previous to that I spent twenty seven years working in the chemical. Twelve years on the sharp county quorum court prior to this. Members Stan Berry a little that Dover. For you all don't know ward over is less about seven miles north of Russellville my district is forty Ford takes in most of Polk County and a little bit of them during a look forward to working with each and everyone of you. I'm Carol Dalby and district one hundred from Texarkana as I often say I'm on god's side of that line that runs through our city so starting my fourth term in my fourth term on city county local one of my favorite committees looking forward to it thank you Mr. Mike Holcomb district ninety three that's Jefferson Lincoln Cleveland drew in Grant County so I'm starting my six term I'm chairman transportation of former Jefferson County judge and retired educator right to be here thank. Hi Fran Cavenaugh district thirty which now includes part a Lawrence Craighead and Greene County server my fourth term and this is my third time on city county local glad to be here. David Whitaker ripped a representative of district twenty two which is west van bill in the city of Farmington entering my sixth term and happy to be back on city county local after a brief stint to observe the redistricting process and state agencies glad to be here can't wait it back to work. Representative John Ryan I was just session Poinsett county for thirteen terms of the district that I represent this district number thirty six which is a a portion of Poinsett county Clerk strumming a banjo but then Craighead County about a third of cricket counting of I've been on this committee three times and on very important committee because counties and cities make up a big part of what we would do as far as our laws and I appreciate being here with you if there's anything at any time we can do to help just as real. Thank you Mr Milton Nicks from Marion Arkansas Crittenden County. Represent district thirty five the redistricting I'm retired the Arkansas state police I'm currently a general contractor there and couldn't County and starting my fifth term I'm just blessed to be thank you. I'm Lanny Fite and I'm in my fifth term starting my fifth term I was feeling county judge for sixteen years my district is district eighty three stretches from hot springs village all the way to the Bryant and I'm north of the interstate ninety but all installing county say glad to be here look forward I think we'll have a good time here. Our inter Collins I'm in my third term second term here on city county local representative for seventy three which runs from Riverdale Act panicle here in Little Rock I'm an attorney and I work in commercial real estate. How to be McCullough representative district seventy four here in Little Rock my slice of Little Rock is downtown headed west right up through the middle almost to interstate four thirty hours long time educator for thirty three years taught English and coached basketball and this is a mentoring my third term and this will be my second time to serve on city county local. Non district eighty five which is all of west part of garland county which also encompasses part of hot springs village yes bill Mountain Pine this is my third term but my first term which abbreviated giving a replacement for only about nine months and in my previous life I was CEO of the group companies which failed being an electrical contracting services and property management company and and real estate holdings I was known as the world's greatest electric. If you don't believe that just ask me. Thank you. Good morning my name is David Ray I represent District sixty nine which covers much of northern Pulaski County as well as southern Faulkner County I live in Maumelle I've been married for ten years and have five year old daughter and a three year old son and I'm entering my second term this will be my first adventure on city county local and prior to being elected I was chief of staff to or lieutenant governor Griffin and when I grow up I want to be just like Richard McGrew he. I'm Ashley Hudson I ate represent districts seventy five which is west little rock I share a big portion of it was represented Collins down year down there this is my second term and I am an attorney by trade I've been practicing for about sixteen years I was a litigator and now I'm doing more healthcare regulatory work and so I enjoy diving into Medicaid rags for fun I have four kids from ages seven to fourteen and a husband that I've had about as long as I've had my license hi this is my first time on city county local and I'm looking forward to it. At least I'm going long. District thirty nine it takes in the northern third of like here any about half of Jackson County a little bit of it Independence County excellent cost Bradford been married for thirty eight years now three sons and investigator. All right I will tell you how long I've been very but my wife would not let me come home after that. All right staff we have Raymond Jerry who's next to us the next to me saw are committee analyst and he's been here three weeks so I will be able to get a lot owning okay. Unless unlike Barbara brown where she kept me in line pretty good. would you have anything you like to say. All right in us Scott is it how you pronounce your last name Scott. Tucker okay and she is our Committee analyst of the you have anything you'd like to say. Secretary okay yeah all right. Okay all right. All right and then the Tonya acres is gonna be the committee attorney. Is that correct yes. To bear okay. And I apologize Who's behind the two computer screens or. Okay all right all right don good to have you here today. All right right now we have different agencies will be coming before us here and you will be seeing a lot of your county judges you'll be seeing a lot of your mayors from your cities of a because most legislation we have here is concerning local government. And so it this time I'm on a call up a few on the the association of counties if they would come up. If you would sit down and identify yourself and. All right is just a little bit about soldiers accounts for those who may not know sure I Mark with more I'm association twenty years you'll be seeing a number of people that representative socialization our director Christopher lines had to go the airport today so he would be here if you could former director Eddie Jones is a consultant with this any lives up to Paragould area and you might be seeing him Lindsey Bailey French of she comes this committees while and Josh Curtis so it's not just me by phone or or several other still be here of much what yes both the chairman of Fite and representative fry said lot of work to do we'll deal with counties. During the off season or even during the session you all often would call us socialists mechanics about something local so we interface with the legislature in the sense that we represent all the different county officials and and county officials of course help her carry out the laws it shall pass I know it's hard to imagine but the state of Arkansas didn't fully implement all the laws of libel laws which shall pass or actually implemented by county officials so we represent the county judges the sheriff Scott Bradley with the sheriff's association will be talking to all as well the assessors collectors treasurers corners circuit clerk's county Clerk suggests the peace treasurers and so all the different county officials of in essence we'd like to interface with all of if you have a bill that you're interested in percent one of come talk to us even constitutional officials will come talk to us before they pursue legislation to try to make sure because we are in the trenches so to speak about the employment legislation and will appear before you with forms of bills that we have and of course there be some bills that we just can't support of bills that we must oppose that will respectfully opposing and tell you why we think that either fundamentally there's a my problem with the legislation or there's a problem with the mechanisms of the legislation so we're glad to be here and if you need any information from us we're just right Health just socializing cannons building right down by condoms of my mobile phone if if that would be helpful is a five oh one. Nine four oh oh five thirty one five one nine four oh oh five thirty one so if you all need to engage on legislative topics or if there's something back home of their constituents brought to you that there need some assistance will help contact the county officials or help explain how the law works to that citizen or to you and you can compare that to the center console of we'd like to have a relationship with you all it's not just a transaction will be up to now. I think that. The bye has a question we have any questions you might have a question they'd like that. Seeing none we appreciate thank you Mr chairman members of committee. Of this time Scott Radley was situation of shares. Please identify yourself and then remember C.. My name's Scott Bradley in the home the current director of the Arkansas sheriff's association. just a bit about myself I was sure from Van Buren County for eight terms there sixteen sixteen years and been the director of the sheriff's association for about five so I'm still learning. I work is I work for the shares were here for you all we want to work with you all if you have any questions I'll be glad to try to answer if I don't know answer the film was just up here I'm gonna be up in his office because our office is just right down below so I plan on being here as much as I can make myself available to you if you have any questions or something I can help you with the free to reach out to me I'll also give you my cell number. Here it is five oh one. Two five three. nine five one that's my cell number and I don't sleep with my phone anymore that's been the the bright side of not being sure if anymore I don't have to sleep with it right they're scared to death I'm going to miss something but if you leave a message I will I will for sure get back to you. K. anybody have any questions for Scott. Seeing none we appreciated. at this time the Municipal League would ask them to step forward. John if you all would identify yourselves for the record here. I'm a John Wilkerson general counsel the Arkansas Municipal League I've been with the yes we for seventeen years I start as a law Clerk did a lot of my time at the league as a litigator mainly for police police officers and in the general counsel now for almost four years I'm happy to be back and excited and to my right is what Gary. Thank you Mr chair members of the committee is John said Blake Gary with the Municipal League been attorney there for four years and I guess I've been attorney period for four years but part of that actually Clark for the association of counties all three years during law school and I think I could sum that up by saying I went to law school for the purpose of help and working for local governments and I think it's fair to say world. The much nerds for disparities local governments period so happy to be here and as it's been said if anything you ever need help with back on please contact us. Hi I'm Jack creature with the Arkansas Municipal League been there Callie thirteen fourteen years but prior to that I actually sat where you all are sitting and at I did fourteen years in the legislature and I think twelve of those was a member of city council and about half of those I actually got to chair city council so I have an affinity for this committee and I know what's already been said but that the vote you take in this committee I'm I really believe the fact More lives in Arkansas directly than any other committee I love the comedians and and I look around this committee in particular and I see so many of you who are veterans and have been here and and are wow it makes me feel really good and I have confidence that the state is in really good hands I may echo what a lot of what mark Whitmore said we we we are trying to be as low as in lock step with the our brothers and sisters of the counties we can and we all know we try to be partners of with with you at the state level as well because really day to day is coming up that relationship that really build upon to make this state a better place and for those that don't are questioning the stickers I think those from last session no I'll tell you I put him on one time and somebody said are you collecting stickers and I thought well I guess I am I don't I take a month so they're just going to be there so if you wonder what they are just I would think of them as Buckeyes on a black eye on it so thank you very much and with. Anybody have any questions. Seeing none we appreciate your dismiss. Okay hold I wish you the sit back down please. Yes a representative because you're recognized thank you chairman I just had a quick question would you mind sharing your contact info yes I'm sorry I do that a hitter but again please. The question I did okay my cell phone number is five zero one. Five five four six three one five and my email address is J. Wilkerson just spelled out J. the letter Wilkerson at a R. M. L. dot O. R. G.. My cell is five oh one nine four zero four seven seven seven and I'd like to share of five do sleep with mine so if you need anything at midnight give me a call. Next up we have a JT Harper he's the executive director of the Arkansas manufactured housing association. If you would introduce yourself and Per se. Thank you Mr chairman members a committee my name's JT Harper I'm executive director of the Arkansas manufactured housing association and unlock all these rookies behind me I'm about to start my twenty ninth year with this association as their executive director I jokingly say it's because nobody else wants this job not true it's fantastic industry we represent the folks that build sale transport install finance insure and service manufactured and modular homes in the state of Arkansas and we provide quite a bit of affordable housing in your districts around the state of Arkansas is in the top fifteen countries in of some sort states in the country for shipments of new manufactured homes we come to this committee because a lot of what happens in cities and counties regulate regulation affects our our customers affects our business anything from building codes and standards to transportation to installation standards to just a lot of myriad taxation a lot of things going cities and counties so we want to be here be available to you as you're making losses that impact the state to make sure that it's it's good policy for our customers and our homeowners so I will share my contact information which you as well but I will tell particular all the new members you'll be receiving a book fairly soon from the Arkansas society. A professional lobbyists and it will have most of our faces a lot of the descriptions of our organizations our emails our cell phone numbers and all that information so you will be seeing those relatively saying I'm a former chairman of that organization so I can tell you there there in the works I'm at five oh one six nine zero sixty five ninety one so if you're working on something that you think has an impact on this industry or or our homes our customer you'll probably hear from us and I'd like to ask if you're thinking about something you think might be good for our industry might be good for our customers don't hesitate reach out contact me thank you the space and and and I'll come come visit with you I'll be around so thank you so much and congratulations to all of you all for being back in the ninety fourth General Assembly thank you Mr any questions any questions. JD we appreciate thank you. at this time uh we have Tim Jones and Kevin White with legislative audit and with invite them up the table. Gentlemen if you would identify yourself for the record you may proceed. Good morning my name's Tim Jones on with legislative audit I am the deputy legislative auditor for cities and counties been legislative audit thirty three years may begin my career as a field auditor and and just kind of moved through the ranks and Legislative audit we audit cities counties public educational institutions and state agencies and I'm I'm bald counties municipalities and we all are approximately four hundred sixty of the five hundred roughly municipalities and by law we have to order all the counties all seventy five counties. And anyway we're we are happy to answer any questions we can as we go along if you'd like to contact us and help anyway we can I'm with Kevin what. Yes Kevin White I'm currently staff auditor as well as assistant legal counsel as well as legislative auditor designate Mister Roger Normans currently legislative auditor just Menifee words I'll say you know I'm attorney in a CPA when it comes to city county municipalities I'm going to defer to Mister Tim Jones he's the expert of this you know just no we won't be here every day but we are located on the Senate side first floor feel free to come by and speak with us if you have any questions have any concerns we'll talk about potentially unintended consequences and will provide you our perspective from on the legislation from the audit perspective because again we do have this in perspective of reviewing so many different counties municipalities thank you chairman. We have any questions. yes the representative long you're recognized thank you Mr Johnson's wondering how many of the locker steel currently have. that we have about a hundred and seventy five a believe. And they're all over the state a lot of our construct here in Little Rock but we have them in almost every county not quite but almost. Any other questions. Seeing none we appreciate your. it this time uh I would like to brush up the little pal with farm bureau. Please identify yourself you may proceed. Thank you Mr chairman and members of the committee my name is Philip Powell I am the director of local affairs and rule development for Arkansas farm bureau so I work closely with the members and all seventy five counties on the local issues we have an office in every county and for new members I would encourage you to attend our legislative meetings we may have annual every month and a I'm here to inform be over happy to provide input on any legislation you all might have been just provide support where we can I hear a lot from my members on the local level especially on the rule areas about issues and I'm always happy to send those along to you all and to get your input my cell phone number is five oh one three six six zero one one zero and I've been with farm bureau for two years and we have a team of lobbyists and were always happy to work with the at any time thank you for your time. Be willing to answer any questions. Seeing none of the previous bill. Okay do we have anyone else in here that would like to speak today. Okay seeing none will move forward. Of this section. I think we're going to try to work four days a week. And since we meet on Wednesday and Friday. That'll mean the we'll have one time a week in which to take care of business we did it last time we were able to keep up we had a. Later in the session towards the end we had to meet in the afternoon again. What is well work being all that Prodi of working like that will be meeting in the mornings at ten o'clock here. Of live and let me say that we have we have to have a quorum to get started that's eleven thanks eleven to pass the bill so we will not start if we don't have at least eleven people. So try to be here on time. Of in Argento's are prepared by house rules. And we have to have it two days in the in advance even example if you had a bill for today it had to be filed by at least two thirty. Our of our be notified by two thirty Monday. So keep that in mind of. Okay I also if you're gonna run a bill in here you'll be notified by email on that in advance and I suggest to you of that you if you have a bill to running here when you present it you will law. Make a motion to pass. Give you that option to do that to make sure you. Airbus sponsors not here if the bills on the agenda and is ready to be calling the sponsors on here we'll pass over it it'll drop to the bottom of the agenda. That'd be much at the start but as against going more bills getting here that means a lot to get dropped the second time it is and then the third time that it's dropping you're not here to present your bill it'll go to the deferred list and as little more difficult at that point to get a bill up there. So keep that in mind if you have a bill for this. Of. In amendments always need to be in writing with your bring an amendment here for a bill and you're going to present it needs to be in writing. and Special order if you've got something that's very controversial. And you're bringing people from out of town and stuff like that did you come to me and will set a special order or we do nothing but talk about that bill. we can do that will have to make arrangements if you. I guess that's all I have is older. All I'm sorry the. Right right thank you Mr just a quick question. Just do the bills that are assigned to the Committee automatically go on the agenda or do we need to request that they be added I know the the we will we will send notification of what I might say you know if you say for instance if we have twenty bills we don't. We'll send notification on the ones. Okay you will get a notification when you get in okay we'll go private your bill okay thank you are not to say that we'll get to it but we will try to and also if you have the chair another committee or something I might move your bill up to the top so you can get back to your committee. So but if not I will try to take them in order is a cop. Representative very you're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman via my make a statement. Your testimony from the lobbyist here I guess you'd call lobbyist they represent different organizations The sometimes they get a bad rap for. being called lobbyist or represent what they represent but I want to say the eight they are not the enemy they can help you in many many ways if you have any questions whatsoever pertaining to legislation that they would represent go to him and ask him. they're your friend. And I just want to say that sometimes I get a bad rap but that's. And not in my opinion they are there to help us not to hurt you. Thank you I have a lot of good information for you thank you. Represent right you're recognized yes thank you Mr chairman just ask just a little bit of what representative berry said It is true and and especially our people that are coming in for the first time for these folks can really help you or a lot of different issues so they're there for you Fauria and T. one day probably committee some of your best friends just like Mr berry said and or they can help you in a tremendous amount of ways they can catch up quick. Thank you Mr chairman. Thank you. One last thing if we get a we get a bill in and and there's lots of questions being asked in your **** I'll allow you up follow up with a lot of people on the board here I may ask you to drop back down in and while other people to ask questions so but we will get to all the questions but your watches one person might dominate the whole question being and so for that purpose you may allow may restrict the follow ups and it is always a question to you know you may have to say the and don't you think so but. All right is anybody else got anything they'd like to say or anybody like that asking. I look forward to it we are jerk.