State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs- House

Crispy eighty five in its beauty section room so we're going to move down to Senate bill eighty seven Senator Rice. I have to stay in the is taking the chair to the table for everyone in the room that would like to speak for or against any of these bills. And follows I'll check Collins announced that is seven point in the in this process and if you want to speak for against it you will be allowed to do so just stand up and play back man I recognize you at that time I think there's a sign up sheet outside the door but either way will make sure you get it knowledge to get the opportunity so senator rise. You are recognized to present Senate bill eighty seven. Thank you Mr Senator Terry Rice district nine and my. colleague from the House representative Dotson and I both along with represent Wardlaw Senator Hickey the the be the in Arkansas so it's an all I have worked on these bills that you've already heard some but this is been almost a year Going. It touches every point in the state so everybody's got interest in this is the be the was having has some changes get a solid foundation for the program and we look forward. To the improvements that everybody's work so hard for. On S. B. eighty seven. The coverage for diagnosis and treatment of morbid obesity including bariatric surgery. of this say quickly that my thoughts on this is change over time again we're talking about this in the the financial For. But I have had family members and seen changes that help one thing and then we have had in the testimony of a former consultant and others that shows that the data shows that correct diagnosis shows that there's thirty five to forty five percent savings if done correctly it is a great help for diabetes secure and for those with certain heart disease one of the the positions says that he can cure diabetes about sixty percent of the time. One thing on the. This as far as the financial part. That We realize it. When we had the pilot program that opened up at like midnight in ten minutes later it was filled up to spend three million dollars testimony also showed that the right people are always getting into the right program. And while the many people could use of bariatric surgery now they may not have been the best. Candidates for that even though there may have been a need for it but for long term health it is proven out to be a great asset so I'd be glad to take any questions if I can answer any. Not the depreciated good vote. I can my colleague does have thank you closing. Committee members any questions for senator so Senate bill eighty seven. Anyone in the audience like to speak for against this bill. C. nine. Senator riser representative Dotson you already to close to your bill Senate bill eighty seven. I think we're closed and just make a motion to pass okay about the motion of do pass any discussion on the motion. Shane none all in favor say aye. We say no graduations bills passed well you at table you're recognized president Senate bill eighty eight. Thank you Sir Mr Committee on Senate bill eighty eight. Modification state contribution to the. State public. School Life and Health Insurance broken just simply removes a cap other bills that are in this group set to controls this allows the health index CPI to be looked at go this again goes to the governing boards at that I think it's been described to you before that set up for the public Employees and the school employees then the board of finance and Legislative Council has overview and this saves also having to change that you every year be glad entry questions. Questions from committee members. J. nine is not is like to speak for against this bill. J. nine. The Russian your rep Committee Wardlaw you're recognized close we build. Lows in my co chair says he didn't have anything as a. President Senator rises close with the bill what's the pleasure of the Committee I have a motion. I have a motion for do pass into discussion on the motion. Saying none all in favor say aye All opposed say no graduation your bill was passed. Thank you Mister Committee thank you. Thanks item on today's agenda the Senate bill eighty five Senator with. Recognized to present Senate bill eighty five. Thank you Mr chair. Senate bill eighty five as a another bill that's part of the package that's before you to deal with the and state employees and public school employees health benefit Health benefit plans and changes what this bill does Senate bill eighty five is that declares and the eligibility for an active retirees and modifies eligibility for Tyrese to participate in these programs and that's really all the bill does is really just to define the eligibility requirements for retirees to participate in these plans will be happy to answer any questions. Any questions from committee members. To join one of the outage would like to speak for against this bill. Same nine Senator you're recognized close to your bill. I'm members I just want to thank the team of people so really I think there's a lot of work that's been done by the executive subcommittee and the members that are either on that committee and and others that there's kind of been a team of us and it was a team approach that we took when we looked at these legislation and these bills and just really you know what I think Senator Hickey and Senator Rice and represent Wardlaw and as Speaker Shepherd for their leadership and their tremendous amount of work on these bills and along with ABG and Jake believes it's something that should be stated in recognized because they did a lot of work and you know there are few of us that really helped and Doug and that grateful that we have folks that are digging in and doing the hard work down here without I'm closed those comments says she's. Senator is closed we have a motion from representative makes for a do pass any discussion on the motion. Saying none all in favor say aye All opposed say no graduation bill is passed. The final agenda committee members will be Senate bill eighty six Senator Hickey you're recognized to present Senate bill eight six. Yes. So thank you Mr chair. But on this particular bill what this is I know you all parties over and over again but what I like to do is referred to it as the bill which forces the conversation. it regarding the B. D.'s financials since the snapshot annually with the legislature E. B. D. and all the stakeholders the way we have done this is required to be day to maintain certain reserve balances and report those to the legislature to rail city on an annual basis the legislature within have multiple options available to us to you know to see where that where that falls in setting this up we work with Siegel the consultant you all hired. To write what type of reserves would be deems sufficient the range on those reserves is be supposed to be between twelve and sixteen percent with fourteen percent be an optimal no less than twelve percent is acceptable but requires an action plan to get back to the optimal level and below twelve percent requires the B. data notify you'll see the need for additional funding I see review as you can see on page three line seventeen twenty six and can recommended to governor call us in for a special session to address take further action or not at all the legislature fails to act The New B. D. then the A. B. do eighty EBT director is required to initiate a process to collect the needed funds three employee premium premium increases reducing benefits or both I'll attempt to answer any questions about me too Sir. Any questions from committee members. I would like to speak for against this bill. You're recognized closing your bill I'm closed thank you Mr chair we're closer bill and I make a motion to pass. The close of the bill have a motion for or do pass the discussion on the motion. So that are in favor say aye. We say no congratulations the bill is passed. Committee members that takes care of our business for the day just have