City, County & Local Affairs Committee - Senate

Yeah. Committee members that also those are in room I just that I was just to tell that senator Clark's dad passed away yesterday afternoon. So I'd like to I'd like for us just to take a moment. And I think about a moment of silence for him and his family during this time. Thank you permit your prayers and thoughts of. Thanks thank you Jeffrey. Yes Senator Johnson. Yes entrance. Thank you Mr chairman for noting passing of senator Clark father I'm going to need to excuse myself a little later in the meeting I'm going to ten the graveside service for Mister Paul Greenberg who's a great our cans and in the and the father of many of our friend Dan Greenberg former state representative so I appreciate everyone keeping green Burch family also in their thoughts thank you thank you senator Johns. Are the first the first item on the agenda today is a House bill sixteen thirty three. Representive Underwood. I one here for that. What a house bill seventeen eighty eight percent to five. Representative five you will. Identify yourself and the gentleman with the fee will defy yourself for the record you're recognized to present. Bills seven eighty eight Lanny Fite district twenty three. And I'm doing a lot in a law Clerk at the association Arkansas County. You're recognized president house bill seventeen eighty eight percent five okay thank you Mr What this bill does in in Arkansas law you can get by an improvement district you can build streets sewer water and this what this will be doing you'll be adding that you can build up broadband internet with this also the improvement districts will be able to do that and and we we place an amendment on it to to allow them to be able to access any funds and grants that may be available in which to do this with also. And I would like to turn this over to the Mr Loftin here and let him explain the bill. Sorry Mr Lawson you're recognized to explain the bill absolute thank you representative five all this to I have a brief outline of this to give everyone Or something we can all agree there's a need for broadband access in Arkansas we're ranked forty first in the nation in terms of broadband access in terms of broadband connectivity were ranked fiftieth in the nation the purpose of this bill is to address just that is to expand broadband internet access and connectivity in Arkansas primarily through two pathways in before we get into the pathways I just like to go over some critical definitions in the bill whenever you hear me for two parties that would include municipal improvement districts suburban improvement districts property owners improvement districts municipal property owners approval districts horizontal property regime Sir property owners associations and rural development authorities whatever I say private actor I'm talking about cooperatives corporations general partnerships LLCs limited partnerships joint ventures business trusts nonprofit entity and other private business entities. So there's primarily to pathway service billed to promote broadband throughout the state the first path would be that current parties would receive additional powers of these flowers be to contract for provide promote and support broadband internet service through a public private partnership in the finance public capital facilities or projects that include broadband internet service. Now are these powers given or exercised all this bill does it amends current statutes listing the powers the parties and as of these powers does not take away or modify any current powers. And it also allows an enter into a partnership with private actor to exercise these powers the second pathway to promoting broadband Arkansas would be a party in a private actor can enter into a partnership and greater broadband improvement district of the benefits you get slightly more flowers under that under that a construction that is acting as a cover for your current entity the powers of the again the contract for provide promote and support broadband internet service through a public private partnership the finance public capital facilities or projects that include broadband internet service to enter into negotiator in it with the private actor and which the private actual construct finance in implement the broadband system and provide the broadband internet service to finance the broadband system necessary to provide broadband internet service as long as a private actor is ultimately providing that service and also to engage in negotiations the private actor really at any time that's really the gist of the bill. I would be happy to answer questions at the heart of this Senate Josh you're recognized for a question thank you Mr chairman. Is the bill. Technology neutral in other words is it just as fair to a fiber is wireless and any other future. That maybe we haven't been invented yet way if it's just a distributing broadband it does not lane to any particular industry can the telecoms in the cable companies are happy with this bill great thank you thank you representative five thank you Mr chair. Senator you have a question. I do thank you of. So. In order to. Utilize this you have to partner with the private entity right like the municipal utilities that provide broadband services are they just out of luck or what yeah they're they're not in this bill I understand there's a bill coming to address that issue and so but do you agree that I mean years don't have a problem with no I know I do not have a problem with that okay thank you. Are any other questions from committee members. Is there anyone in the audience signed up to speak for. Or against the bill. March St done represented five you want to close for your bill okay and we're close for the bill. We have a motion senator Johnson do pass I have a second from Senator Hendren and discussion. All those in favor say aye. All opposed. Graduations representative five. Thank you you have another bill yes I do is there any on the agenda your up next on the house bill sixteen ninety. You just give me to second part Mr. Okay I also. But I. five. Our. Hi Mister I would like to if you don't mind I'd like to bring up for a Frank Gehry legislative audit sure. But it also Mysteel. If the both of you will identify yourself for the record. Party still with legislative audit. Frank Gehry legislative audit have represented five you're recognized president. Bill sixty nine thank thank you Mr sixteen ninety what it does right now anybody that said in legislative audit's again concerning cities and counties we'll we'll of seen this problem over and over again what happens is cities will of taken Spender street pond for other purposes there's about thirty nine cities in the state of Arkansas right now that are doing that it goes back as far as two thousand and three that I know of. And there's no penalty for the US so they continually do it over and over again without any process what this bill does. It says that the enternext audit when they're audited if they found to be spending street funds then they have to pay it back within the end of the fiscal year they've not paid it back but then then they can lose our back funds which would be the half cent sales tax in the fuel turnback money and also they have road millage that they receive if there's a road millage that goes into that fund. And then if they owe money in the past then they have to set up a payment plan with ten percent of their general revenue to pay it back that appears to be too much of a burden then they can come back to legislative audit and come before the committee and submit a plan that they have to approve. If they fail to do this then they again lose our car back funds on that and and there's probably a little more detail I can give you but that's the basis of the pull of the bill right there. Okay just stepping in for Senator Stubblefield. For red or the questions from the committee. I'd be happy to answer any questions and Senator Johnson. Thank you Mr chairman of. Representing fire maybe judge Jerry or stay alive distort out to all of you Senator Hammer gave me a list of. Hi I start say bad actors that's probably not the right word. Problem municipalities might be of. It was about. I want to guess twenty five maybe or more does that sound like a reasonable number I should have brought that with me ninety eight is thirty nine thirty nine okay we'll items in an estimated location of the and and course last session I was on audit and I've said on the municipalities and city subcommittee and misty okay bring these things in I'm sitting here thinking how in the world can people be that not do this but This is ACT this is not a problem has it not I that's probably a silly question but it is a serious problem is that. I guess that was a yes Mr all three of us say yes say yes okay and I. I don't think we can. I want to pick on because a lot of these localities they just made honest mistakes some of a maybe they weren't honest mistakes but I'm a believer that The life is a series of incentives and disincentives and we need some disincentive to make people follow the law would you agree I agree okay this is a good bill I appreciate you reading and I'm honored to be co sponsored with your five thank you Mr chairman motions proper to other members Senator Hendren recognized thank you Mr chairman so is there any appeal process cause I know sometimes audit presents findings that there may be a dispute about a certain appeal process for city this pretty black and white here the the the law states right now that the money has to go into direct deposit into the street fund and has the so is if they take it out of that streak fun it's knowingly they have taken it out of St pawn so as far as an appeal process who would I guess come back to the committee of. Come a committee you can appeal to. Senator we would make a finding on it would make a finding but it's the committee as a whole your peers that would make the decision about whether that need to be passed on to the treasure and the treasure actually cut off the funds we would not as the bureaucrats make that decision thank you. Follow up questions Senator judge. To follow up on on Senator hindrance question judge or this wouldn't preclude them going circuit court if they really thought they had been wrong to and having a judge look at it and determine yes you were wrong or no this state follow the law and is doing this properly is that correct. If there's a cause of action here this doesn't preclude it whether whether they want to go seek a declaratory judgment I mean I'm I'm. Spit balling here but I this doesn't take away anybody's right to question in court if there is an underlying cause of action letting them do so and it would not stop the Attorney General or or anyone that legal representative of the state from asking the judge for summary judgment based on the facts of the case I don't believe so no Sir okay that I think that satisfies my curiosity by thank you judge thank you senator witnesses Senator Johnson I think what we what we have here is an illegal extraction of money collected for one purpose being spent for another purpose in a I think that these their wide open for a lawsuit right now the way it is I think which given protection which is not just a statutory problem it's constitutional problem yes thank you. Thank you Mr. Are there any other questions from committee members. The same known as anyone in the audience will speak for. Or against the bill. Senate representative fighting close for you will come close for the bill or. motion do pass by Senator Johnson. And second by Senator Solomon in discussion. All those in favor say aye All opposed. Graduation virtually five thank you. Our. Of we have. We're gonna jump we're gonna skip a bill. Right wing skip a couple bills weren't going take twelve twelve eighty. House bill twelve eighty. Sentry to fewer than five so for the record you're recognized president house bill twelve eighty. Thank you Mr chair Senator Lance Eads district seven I would like to ask Marquesas municipally to come to the table with me for this bill. Retirees if you wanted in five so for the record yes Sir Clark Hayes I'm the executive director with the Arkansas Municipal League thank you the sentry you're recognized to present house bill twelve a thank you Mr chair committee this bill is an extension of of a some work we've done over the last few sessions in fact in a two thousand and I believe was nineteen seventy seventeen Austin that long already Senator Hendren and Mister Hayes worked on some enabling legislation after an amendment it was the creation of a economic development for cities and counties to be able to participate in that process and this is an extension of that that allows them another tool in their tool belt to help make that process run more smoothly so what what this does is allow cities and counties to to go into an executive session to discuss the an economic development project and it specifically just to finds what that means what kind of things they can talk about and so this is an exit what would provide an exemption within that executive session from FOIA so that they would have the ability to discuss oftentimes these projects when are at a point in the process where they're most vulnerable for from competition it gives them the opportunity to be able to share where they're at in the process what kind information they need to be talking about to make sure they have the best opportunity to be successful and also at the same time not give out any vulnerable information that would possibly put that in jeopardy by creating and do competition with information they don't want to share with somebody else at that point in the process and I wanna have mark chair will still bit more details about this. I don't want to first thank several folks the senator and the representative who co sponsor representative have worked diligently with all groups not to the to the press and those that are here to speak against the we've had very good dialogue and very active open discussions I understand there's just some level of philosophical disagreement I think the first thing I want to tell the committee is that there's absolutely no decision that can be reached in an executive session not it is an exchange of information only this does not change the law on information that is confidential that list of confidentiality exists as a result of the two thousand seventeen jobs creation bill so in in total what you're really dealing with here is a kick start conversation between a business or a developer about what could or couldn't happen within a city no decisions are made the confidential information that's outlined in the bill is exactly the information that's already in the law so it's already confidential there's so the only thing you're adding is a discussion and so let me I think it's important to recognize a little bit of how we got here and I'll I'll make this quick because it's it it it did ultimately end up with a constitutional amendment and then the the jobs bill that Senator Hendren sponsored in the Senate in two thousand seventeen in the early two thousands mid two thousand a two thousand fifteen or so chambers were sued across the state along with several cities for providing money to those chambers those cases were lost in and but much to the surprise of many of us. Sued written those contracts over the years the judge you're Pulaski County said essentially you're giving money away that's article twelve section five so in the interim a group of folks got together chambers business people of cities counties a whole variety of folks sat around a table and created a new amendment for the constitution it was passed out of this body and the voters passed it overwhelmingly. The amended article twelve section five is it is exactly duplicated in the jobs bill the jobs building goes a step further and does some things that I think have been lost in this discussion remember this executive session bill is tied directly to the jobs act they are you can't really do one without the other in the jobs act itself it requires an economic a cost benefit analysis this public in nature. They contract that has to be passed by a resolution or ordinance also has to be done in public the contract has to follow state procurement laws it has to be in writing again can't last more than a year there are no automatic renewals for state specific measurables what you can and can't expect to get out of it as a taxpayer and as a city council and there's a clawback provision that's required as well in addition to that whomever the city has in or the county is engaged in a economic development partnership that in turn requires quarterly reports from that entity to see you if the measurables are being met so again the things that are listed in the cop and the confidential clause of the jobs act or exactly the same as those that are in this bill so there's no difference this is an opportunity for somebody who has a business idea or a plan to go to a city council not release what they are confidential business information is and just see whether it's possible to go forward or not and the and then a few checkups along the way but there's no decision being made. And ultimately there's no information being withheld from the public that isn't already covered under the jobs act as it currently stands so it is a simple tool that's all it's designed to do again no decisions it's a start if you will it's a a way to kick start a conversation to see if it's even possible right now we have businesses and developers just leery of getting their confidential business information out in public. And with that I'm happy to take any questions the committee part. Right Senator Rice you have questions. Thank you would you. Briefly explain the may I think I remember what. Amendment three of twenty sixteen allowed local governments to do. Yes Sir it's actually in encompassed and I downloaded the the statute and the and the a constitutional amendment essentially it does two things it offers a framework for having of economic development programs or plans and Economic Development services services mean agreements with chambers or economic development groups and things like that the the other side is that what I mentioned before the requirements of the contract and all those things that are required to be done what should a city or county engage with its either money or it probably more times and not with the infrastructure and I'm sorry for not doing my homework on this what what was the act that was passed that allowed local governments. I can't remember the terms the the bonding of the financing. For. programs that was passed in the last few years was it one of the sixteen or seventeen this mention on this fishing there been several there been several amendments and center I I don't remember precisely on the bonding side of the equation it was not an initiated act that that was pretty strong that allowed local governments to. Pass. Pretty substantial financial Bills well we did it I'm seeing here is not behind you if you need some help god I I'm I'll tell you I just don't I don't remember the answer the question does Mr can I get the gentleman from municipal league behind the announcmenet seems know the answer. Yes that's why he's the general counsel now. The. In some people can just read in between what I don't know to ask and I appreciate him body. John okay. I'm not in. If. I'm not a because I know I remember your what you're saying is acrobat remember that number either but as far as the body requirements yes we we've had the ability to to an act bonds for the sort of well not the sort of measure but I think we we really time is just to the jobs act and I forgot that number of that so I'm sorry but I'm not worried about the number there was there was concern at the time. Well I'm for economic development there's concern at the time that we were kind of given carte Blanche to local governments to do some major financial indebtedness that they were concerned they would not be able to cover if it went by it. That's why the jobs act is written where was those measurables and all the things that have to be in place so that we can make sure that we're we're we're covered and we're we're doing what's. Reasonable and what we can do and that the jobs act actually are I remember I went out and drafted a but I remember discussion that that was a concern and any concern our side as well remember Mister chairman talk about how he's concerned that we would sort about a point we can choose but the job Act was remarkably contest from what I can but is written in such a way that we could submit to prevent us from biting off more than we can chew so those measurables were in there to try to prevent that and I've got a I do senator I know that I've I've got it now it senator ease our talking it's actually in this bill it's the last section of the jobs act bill and it refers to Amendment eighty two and it has financial finance project costs to the aggregate principal amount approved by the General Assembly without regard to that limitation in refund outstanding Amendment eighty two bonds it cetera from the Arkansas development finance authority that that was placed in there by the bomb lawyers and the economic development finance authority. What we did to ensure that there was a control mechanism in the Act were two things the largest one is there's a percentage of the city's budget that you can't you colleagues only five percent that's all the city could pledge to one of these projects unless they do a specific public finding of a need to do more then in addition to that there's a very real bus section on the economic and cost benefit analysis that's required B. for the city ever decides to come into an agreement with whomever the business maybe okay but again five percent could be substantial it could be yes Sir and I think that's why they lost seven of an analysis in and I remember the time they I think I may be made to St you know it. Before the economic development I'm before that but I want to make sure that there's some transparency. And that's that's what comes up is concerned thank you Mr are let me ask one question. When I resisted it also says that the the A. requires the executive session to be recorded yes Sir but also that recording is. Also exempt from FOR four year olds ultimately it's releasable in litigation that was the that if there's if there's evidence that something was done incorrectly then that would be the primary evidence to be used for in a in a court room and that that was done and John actually did the drafting on this is probably the better one one would you exempt the executive meeting from from for you yeah so that the so what happens with those of last man we may we heard people you know talk about how it was a transparent which we know because we have an oral summary of it we announcer going executive session. we we took the idea of recording it Texas has a requirement that you recorded or you do what we've already done in the bill which is to have an agenda certified agenda where you give the specific purpose reason for the the that this executive session any given day in time west on little bit beyond taxes the Colorado had another idea where they had this in camera hearing where they would record the session and then make it available if litigation came about where it was sort challenged the reason we we we were struggling and this is just where we sort of we just philosophical disagreement but also a really logistical one if we made the recording available and recording is talking about things that are already exempt under the FY the jobs act we're that's necessarily eliminating exemptions from the jobs act so we try to do as best as we can to to sort of just fit in there the best we can to provide some level some additional level to record it but we we we took our inspiration of course for Texas and Colorado and we would as much as we could in that were. If you have a lot of the the executive meeting. Are you gonna get a summary are you and word for word exactly what happened in the meeting you will get it you're not going to work for you know I definitely want to be a summary you have to have a lot of time rather it will be in the minutes how long how long do they have to keep that's that recorded by one year and that's that's what the law requires for other meetings and the F. Alonso that's that's reason we take the year center I'm sending these projects take a lot longer than a year. But that's why they your contracting is in the in the jobs act you have you can only contract for one year you will review the measurables and if you've hit them then you can renew the contract and so the legitimacy of a project would pretty clearly those that that didn't work you know within probably six or eight months because the quarterly reporting that's required there's the if I may Mister chairman you hit on something on executive sessions that I've I meant to mention my initial comments executive sessions exist right now for loosely what will call personnel matters there six specific things and there is no recording of that meeting there is no decision making made in that meeting and that is designed to protect the employee's privacy rights it it's been in the law for decades and has worked well on those occasions is I've I've had the unpleasant the responsibility of telling a city that they did it wrong they get sued and it's almost immediately settled because I've told my client you can't you you did this incorrectly the law is very clear about how you have to operate it would be the same way here you're just protecting whatever private business information the the entity wanted to see I wanted to put in from the city to see whether it was feasible to do the project or not. Are any other questions from committee center. Thank you Mr chairman so market there been projects that have been scuttled or awarded because of thank you're trying to change here with regard to privacy so that the the answer is not to the best of my knowledge but that's because it would be proving a negative the problem right now is that nobody wants to engage in a discussion in public no business wants to say Hey here's my idea and have their competitor sitting right across the room so that we don't have a starting spot is what it boils down to but we've done projects under the job of a few things here and there yes Sir but it has not been as robustly use as I'd hoped it would be the services side issues extensively with economic development folks and chambers and that sort of thing but Dodge Exide has never really gone much past zero. And you think that's because you can't have these discussions relat I think a bit I think businesses just don't want to put their information out into a public setting until they know what they can get in return I think it's that simple I mean can you give an example of the situation where a business might have an interest in doing something that is I don't want you to identify anyone that's been in the past service but would be unwilling to do it because of the concern of having their information. I think a small or medium manufacturing operation that had a competition either in the next state over or in another part of the state you know both manufacturers whatever the case may be I think that I think they would be reluctance knowing that their competitor is within earshot to outline what their profit loss margins are what they had and I what they were considering doing what they needed in order to get it done I just think that's a confidential business idea that ultimately would obviously get to the public side but you you would want to get that out there to you had to deal set where you knew what you're going to get thank you yes Sir. It's a. Senator Solomon you have a question. March any other committee members of questions. I will go ahead we have to serve service signed up to speak for against the bill we're gonna go first with the. Mr Andrew bagels speak against. Mr bagels are you here. I'm sorry. You're recognized kill identify yourself for the record you're recognized speak against the bill. My writing was being able to a legible my name is angel Bagley the publisher of the how in the world and I'm also here on behalf of the Arkansas press association one thank you for taking time to listen to me today house bill twelve eighty makes a presupposition that to make money in this state you've got to go behind closed doors to talk about it and that's simply not the case there are a lot of successful large and medium and small businesses around the state that my quemada money Tyson billboards Walmart we could talk all day about them the point is we we're good state to do business. And we don't have to go behind closed doors and and and and in order to do that my mother always used to tell me if I've got to go had to do something that's a good indicator that is probably wrong. And I think house bill twelve eighty is encouraging and tempting people to to to go behind closed doors to hide what they are doing and and that's just not good public policy it's also a solution in search of a problem. we just heard Mr Hayes B. I. nine to enable unable to identify any economic development project that left this state B. calls they had to tell the truth in public. Of the this is not an economic development mission this is. A measure to require of the that the general public not know what's going on in no area of the state. Needs economic development more than my hometown. We're desperate to see economic development but the reasons that economic development has not happened has not come our way it's not because we make people do business in this state out in the open. And telling the truth to the people it might be because we've not had the right mix of incentives it might be because nearby states don't have an income tax it might be because we haven't done the right kinds of investment in our public schools and community college to make sure we have people that are workforce ready. But it's not because Arkansas requires people to tell the truth in public. House bill twelve eighty further undermines an already suspicious public public confidence in what public servants do and I used to be one. they set an all time low we already have difficulty. With public entities not wanting to disclose wanting to get around the freedom of information act I deal with on a regular basis one governmental entity where you've got to send a freedom of information act requests just get a meeting isn't. We've had trouble. getting information. Of the on numerous occasions in a wide variety of areas one governmental body has a bad habit of saying they're going to executive session for personnel stay in back there god knows how long and then comes out and says they did nothing in adjourns now that dog won't hunt. Now can you imagine what would be done if all of a sudden these groups had the loophole of economic development projects to be able to go into executive session and take their attorney with them which we don't allow with personnel now. How much economic development would suddenly pop up. That they need to talk about in private. And and and when it comes to policing it this recording is not public or publicly accessible. That attorney that we never let into executive sessions in this state before it's going to claim attorney client privilege he's not or she's not going to disclose anything in the average citizen and small business is already struggling. I don't have the money to go higher good attorneys. And so you over and over and over just to get the information that the public really ought to be able to know about their business we got we got make payroll we we need to be able to create another job. Our in our business and we can't do that and is there anyone here who really believes we ought to pass a law that encourages people to be more litigious. We've already got people soon enough. And so in close in. No additional economic development is going to result from passing Hank's house bill twelve eighty but what you will have. Is a lot more people start acting like Balsall. And going behind closed doors. And then when I get through doing what they're doing in they're laughing and giggling they're gonna go gathered boards and celebrate and you'll have the silver fox thing in the background no one knows what goes on behind closed doors thank you and I'd be willing to take any questions. Senator any of the questions. I do and I think To me it's a little unfortunate I think some of your solid points were word with some that I think are not so solid and I guess one of the ones I would point to is. I spent fifteen years on the grab a public school board and going into executive session to deal with personnel issues of some of the hardest discussions we ever had to have and sometimes it took a significant amount of time and sometimes those. Discussions had to be had two or three different times before decision could become too that we could think about making public so I think the justice dismissed that is some chicanery and in secret is is is in error but never the less. Might make a question with this bill is. So I know in our town and other towns there's always talk about this is coming to town or that's coming to town those discussions are happening right now and I think most of us just assume that those discussions are happening probably between the business owner and the mayor or the business owner and some of the city council people or other business people in town and Mike my question is do you think that it's better the way it is now where it's basically happening outside of any any for structure with no recordings or anything or what we're proposing to do here I think this would make things worse that this would result in all kinds of discussions and to your point about the school board I was president of Helena school board for five and a half years. And I repeatedly had to rainy and members who were wanting to discuss things that were not proper simply because they thought they could get by with and for some of those members are still they're not lost election so you know but. So I know that there's a chance to go around it it's not simple to Cambridge but would you also agree that there were some discussions that took some length of time to work the on personnel issues yes but we managed to do it without an attorney going back there well that was your point but They were very few and most of the time you know you relied on you know you rely on the superintendent city councils they rely on their Meyer four thirty boards need to rely on the person they've hired to do the job and then when it comes time for the public to have to foot the bill for some things in public should be and and the now I think that that's just the better way to do business and it's not held our state back. I appreciate that and again I I'm I'm I'm struggling with this and I can certainly see both sides of it you know what I do look at the border states here French's Texas and Oklahoma which the I I'm in Missouri all the states of in the border areas I'm near do you think that gives businesses a easier opportunity to participate in these type of projects when they can go and have those discussions whereas in Arkansas they know that they're going to have to put it all on the table now because I think at the end of the day it's about what the incentive packages are with the tax structure is with the work force looks like I don't think because they've got to have a conversation in Arkansas in a different way it's going to keep them from coming here to make money. Yeah and I guess I probably should have asked to Mr Hayes is because I I you know one of the things that I. question is I don't know in most of these economic development proposals and packages that you would traditionally asking company to disclose profit margins and revenue I mean am I right about that. So I'm gonna make because obviously it I'm a business owner and if I were wanting to an expansion and the city in order to do that I have to open my books to the public no no way there have been some things that that we have applied for that we have had to disclose some financial data even with our small business and I and I think that if you're seeking government funds some amount of disclosure should be expected if you're doing it all privately. Then then yeah you should be able to to keep that from public view but if you're asking the taxpayer. to foot the bill for something then then you should expect an increase levels Kerr so you would be okay with an executive session if there were not public funds involved if there is no public funds involved action being executive session I think they need regulatory changes or whatever for the city now because regulatory changes as well should affect all of us and and and and should be done in public view of the public spaces should be done in public thank you. Any other committee members of questions. Mr Bradley thank thank you thank you part where Mr Christie Peter Christie. Speak for the bill. Good morning Mr chairman. Good morning committee members my name's Peter Christie on the merit Bellavista Arkansas. I'm in the middle of my second term. Prior to taking this position I was in the corporate world for thirty three years. Ended my. Years in the corporate world as a vice president of a fortune five hundred company. I have four pillars. In which I operated the company. One was to grow revenue another was to expand margin employees engage those employees and engage your customers and in my case now is the constituents also as a mayor there's a fifth and you have to be good steward of taxpayer dollars. So as a municipality grows. So Grove the demands for police fire streets and trash. The residents expect this. But they don't want a tax increase. Nor do they want any kind of property tax let alone sales tax increase so what's the alternative you have to build strong economic base and like the gentleman who just spoke we too are in need of more economic development there are many reasons why we've had entrances in the past. We've been working hard to overcome. The sales and use taxes those of you who are involved in the municipalities no pays the bill and for just the way for growth not property tax. Bellavista borders on Missouri. And Missouri has the ability to go into executive session to talk about economic development. Thank you to my leg up. I need to be competitive and I can't do it if I lose. A proposition that goes across the border. In addition the state loses because they won't get their portion of the sales tax. Clark you know. I've been in business long enough. That if two of you are coming to me and you've got. A good idea that you want to propose you're not going to. Present your business plan whether it has margins or anything else in public it just doesn't work if I had tried that when I was looking after the Walmart account. I probably wouldn't have lasted all the years that I did. It's not good business. I actually have a project that is sitting in the wings I have a company that is buying a lot of land in Bellavista. I approach them. To try and determine what it is that they're trying to do. So that we can guide them through first of all our governance which in Bellavista tends to be a little. Busier than other other cities. Plus I can use my business experience to help them in relation to what they have to look for in the municipal ordinances they won't talk to me. The reason. They don't want to disclose. Because they know darn well the moment they talk to me. I am obliged to answer any questions that come my way publicly and they don't want to do it. There are other avenues that are available in the business world that are not available to a municipality one is in India it's a non disclosure agreement. Used all the time and business to protect the exact things that we've been talking about. And speak with my staff attorney. Municipalities do not have the luxury of using an NDA. When I spoke on this topic to the House Committee one person asked me why can't you speak one on one separately. With each member of council the answer is no that's called daisy chaining and it's for better for you doesn't allow you to do it. This is not any kind of attempt to hide anything from the fifth the state. This is allowing. Municipalities to be competitive and helpful to the business community. There is no decision that is ever made in an executive session. This is simply to discuss the opportunity. And I would never ever ask business to disclose their profit margins. Or any detailed financial data it's none of my business what I need to know is what is the business plan and how can we help them. Then of course we will come out. We will have a summary it is taped and the moment that I can possibly speak to the fifth the state I will do so I always have in fact I will tell you that in Bellavista we are so anal. About making sure that the press knows what's happening. Is that when we go to Little Rock twice a year or we did until the covid. To attend the AML conference. We would actually publish the fact in the newspaper that there were going to be council members pulling in cars and it could very well be that they end up talking. And any member of the press is more than welcome to jump in the car and join us. This is to protect proprietary information it is not meant to be punitive in any way I thank you for your time I'm available for questions or thank you for Richard she and any members of the committee having questions. C. nine thank you Mr Christie thank you Sir. Mr Khorchin. Join the coaches speak against the bill. Thank you thank you Senator Stubblefield my name is joy McCutchen I'm from Fort Smith I'm here on behalf of the Arkansas the group that I co founded the Arkansas transparency in government group we have chapters in Bellavista Harrison Conway Fort Smith and hot springs. Patrick Henry said the liberties of the people never were nor ever will be secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them. John F. Kennedy said the very word secrecy is Republican is repugnant in a free and open society and we as a people are in here inherently and historically opposed to secret societies secret oaths and to secret proceedings. Twelve eighty does just that it it puts our economic development projects in in secrecy. I've heard that that a decision will not be made and that may in executive session in that may very well be true but it's for yeah has pointed out repeatedly the people. Who I'm here on behalf of today are entitled to see the discussions the reasons why and we're just not going to see that when hi. It is you can go to the internet and see resolution by this spring Dale chamber of commerce where they set out the parameters for these economic development projects which by the way we all support economic development and economic development projects but for example manufacturing production and and industrial facilities a total capital investment of twenty five million dollars recycling facilities a total capital investment of twenty million dollars I want to talk about The Amendment and I want to is is that Senator Stubblefield had brought up because the amended The Amendment I assume was somehow designed to help with transparency and in the amendment does not help with transparency yes it it on one hand it requires an audio recording which shall be kept for one year but on the other hand the public is not entitled to. The audio recording. it makes the if I request that audio recording it's not available the second point it requires an oral summary why shouldn't we the people here the entire conversation and who is going to draft the oral summary the lawyer that goes back in executive session that's troubling what's going to be required in the oral summary because it goes on and this will invite more lawsuits if we're before against lawsuits this will invites more lawsuits the problem and this bill says that we the people can file a suit to deterrent to if we think there's an improper discussion. First of all how would we ever know if there was an improper discussion so I filed a lawsuit and the next thing I know someone from the Municipal League or someone on the other side of this market turning force is in Fort Smith is going to file a rule eleven procedure against me because I have no factual basis to file a lawsuit. And then the judge per the amendment is going to listen to the tape the in camera the people don't ever get to see it but a judge does he will then make a decision whether or not there was uh in improper discussion so that it does it zero to help with with transparency and that's. The that's that's the problem is with regard to transparency in in the bill from a practical standpoint that I see I would ask that the a committee vote no there's been zero examples of how this is a adversely affected Arkansas in terms of securing economic development projects and it really puts us on a slippery slope in terms of of a open government and sunshine in government I appreciate the committee's time ask for a no vote Sturch any any questions from committee Mr protection. Thank you. Thank you our next one to speak against the bill FOR the bill Phil Patterson. Thank you Mr my name is Philip Patterson on the city administrator for solemn springs Arkansas. Not a lot of city administrators in Arkansas city administrators or managers I'm hired by the board as the executive chief executive officer of the city. I've got to thirty plus years working for small cities and some of those years were spent out of state working in the realm of economic development in downtown redevelopment. And in that other state we had a lot of tools that we could use to encourage economic development. Coming back to Arkansas in twenty fifteen. I found that Arkansas cities don't have all those tools. I wanted to think Senator Hendren for his. Sponsorship of jobs act twenty seventeen. That was a new tool for cities. That gave cities the opportunity to invest in economic development projects. But one of the missing links in that. Is the inability for the city board or the city council to have discussions about those items that are exempt from forty a within that twenty seventeen jobs act and I wanted to read to you what those items are. Files and materials that are that if disclosed would give advantage to the competitors are bidders. Records maintained by the municipality related to economic development projects planning site location expansion operations product development and marketing. As a city administrator. If I am going to ask the board to invest in an economic development project they're going to want to know specifics about that company and about that project. And has been. It's been said here today And testified here today that company isn't going to want all information out in public. It is my opinion that for cities to take full advantage of the jobs act in twenty seventeen they need the ability to have a collective discussion amongst the city council or the city board about certain things that are exempt from FOIA and the only way to do that is to be able to go into executive session. As Mr Hayes said there's no dis no no decisions are made in executive session there may be a consensus that's generally come to but any decision about investing is gonna have to be stated in public. And I promise you that there will be more statements than just coming out of executive session and saying we're going to invest a hundred thousand dollars in company a they're gonna define why there's going to be new jobs is going to be higher property taxes and is Mr Hayes said there's a number of other steps that have to occur in order for cities to be able to even invest. But the first step has got to be a discussion about you interested in participating are investing in this economic development project. I don't believe that there is. This is going to create a loophole. As a city we want to be transparent. But there are times when we need to be able to have a discussion and in this case it's a discussion about these items that are exempt. I think this is a new era for cities to the jobs act twenty seventeen I think it's a great bill. But I think there's one missing component and that is the ability for cities to be able to talk. About those things that are exempt from FOIA for the city board to be able to have that discussion. Senator Hendren you asked about whether any projects that have been lost we don't have a project that's been lost we also don't have a project it's come to fruition. I can tell you today that solemn springs. Made the cut not too long ago in a site selection by a major large corporation. Don't know the name of it I don't even know the name of it we got a request for information from EDC. We submitted our information site selectors knocked off a bunch of people that submitted information we have the corporation come out and do a sites a review. If we continue and we're lucky enough to land this corporation they're going to ask the city to do some investment. And in order for me to be able to convince the board do that I'm going to have to have a discussion with them about some of these things that are exempt from for you. So I think this is just a missing tool as part of that twenty seventeen jobs act. Mister chair I thank you for your patience and listening to everybody I want to remind you that in twenty sixteen. Ballot issue number three was passed by sixty six sixty five percent of those voters. And I think again the jobs act is a wonderful tool for cities we just need a little bit of tweaking to be able to take full advantage of that I ask that you provide your support to HB twelve eighty and I'm available for any comments or any questions thank you all right thank you Mr president any questions from committee members Mr patters. Thank you thank for much. I'm not a listing for the sake of time we're going to and I know no one is called for Cutting back on the amount of time limit debate but if you could keep it was brief you can I would appreciate it. We have three more. Mr Abadi fish buddy Fisher. Against. You're good okay look story. Speak against. Okay. The minister of Kalecki I'm sorry if I pronounce it wrong. Helical yeah okay. You will recognize yourself correct. My name is more photo Google. I'm a PhD economist waiting for the Arkansas center for the state you gonna makes. Which is that the universe still oval Central Arkansas. I'm here. Tools the views that I'm going to present yeah my on and what you see is you is and that thank you for the opportunity to be able to present before before the committee. That two reasons why opposing this bill. This is that the government transparency in. Because in general transparency is beneficial for both the government and they have citizens in so many ways. But in this particular situation business so I could make evidence that shows that the economic development incentives are not as effective as the advertised hence the need for more classified as an. So what are the benefits of full transparency. Transparency do since corruption transparency is to see school discipline. Transparency proves economic performance. Transparency houses in accountability. I did support most prized. In seeds its citizens trust in their government. So. The more transparency the data the society's. So specific that it occurred to me development incentives. The division by governments to be secretive about the deals include. Trade secrets it. Business is intended that the exposing of trade secrets per se Martin unfair advantage. Then the second one is competitiveness. The government so I believe that the if private citizens on the package that they are going to offer to a business. They can I proceedings may be across state they can offer better deals. That said the fed would vision could be political survival. If people are not aware of the crossover populating these deals. The favored a meeting to hi for the jobs that that promise that promising to their communities. So this is what divisions makes sense. Back to. I'm coming from a point where I. These academic research that shows that the. these programs may not to be as effective as they advertised so what we would do is we are pumping public money into economic development activities that are not very effective so that's why we need to be more transparent in the way we're going to go about with these deals. So companies can also use these exemptions tool public records to hide in compliance with economic development agreements so when they come back to the good negotiate the ideals it will probably know that the commission is not going to be out there so I'd miss this opportunities and the maybe ask for better deals in some cases some companies on evenings the lands say I can say yes to For a bit may be outside the of Arkansas because the voter did made up their mind whether going to establish that businesses but they can do that they wanted to do that so they'll come to Arkansas and the use that says it It for age so that they can do they can get a better deal. So that is that. As I said is to make the decision making process in addition to the outcomes of these deals very transparent. When we do this why Chief turn things. What tries to in the process. The other thing is we're going to allow independent researchers to evaluate these programs so that we can any if we have to provide beds programs we have to provide them in a way that is going to be beneficial not permitted to those communities but the whole since the state as a whole. That is very troubling. That is the exemption of the ordeal file. For the executive meetings Andy giving not only as somebody. I think that's the part that's been very troubling for me because. At some point that has to be the released if the argument is that the The the company's trade secrets or is the business is because if all found out the purposes that they can they can go to at some point you know what I did what I did. Contracting violated the deal at some point that to a prize to be released if that's that are about to run. That the. Z. did not vote for this bill because eighteen pages on the transparency so I thank you very much for the opportunity to be able to present these. Arkansas more transparent because the as it stands now Arkansas has for a little is considered as the one of the best. For those in need the nation so it is no date or day the a it did not to rotate with incentives invisible incentives which are not as effective as the appointed to be thank you our thanks any committee members have any questions. March saying none center for. I think we have all the test I think we have all the individuals that are going to testify anyone else. Anyone else in the room we'll speak for against. Are saying none. Senate Jeez you're recognized close for your bill thank you Mister chair I know this is taking awhile and appreciate the discussion to be able to share this information but let me just reiterate a couple things to kinda could bring this to a close number one all the information that's discussing there's clearly set out in the bill that would be discussed in executive session is already exempt from FOIA as part of the jobs creation act so there would be no discussion. and I appreciate the mayor bill this is saying that he has no conversations with the city council about this information wanted to time but I'll I would venture to guess that's not the case well at all locations around the state so and I've asked can't we are to do this anyway and just talk to people one at a time well I'm sure that's happening a lot already in the eventually you can get that information around you with that requires no public notice no recorded meetings no summary given at the end that's just person to person no information given out it also so this provides I believe more transparency than what we have currently with people doing all these things one at a time behind closed doors without any public notice at all at least we're trying to involve the public in the process and that would require public notice public transparency before any action was taken on any of these projects and I'll close with this. I'm Senator unless it's on the information you've been given out but Texas Oklahoma Missouri Mississippi all's bordering states already have this kind of process enacted along with Alabama North Carolina Kentucky Georgia other states that we compete with on a regular basis for jobs I would like to see Arkansas out in front of on some of these issues that provide us a competitive edge but we're just trying to play catch up and a lot of these areas we want at least be on a level playing field with those those states this directly surrenders that we compete on a regular basis for jobs and with that I will close and appreciate a good vote. Our. Centrifuges close for the bill. We are a chair will entertain a motion. Sentries I'm sorry your bill does for like a motion. Thank you Mr committee I appreciate the time. All right of center Wallace. House bill or Senate bill six twenty four. Thank you Mr chairman you're recognized to the state senator Dave Wallace district twenty two I have with me the Arkansas regional VA chief of staff Austin both are your dinner for yourself yes Sir Monash chair Austin booth on the chief of staff the city of for the Arkansas department of Veterans Affairs okay. Senator Wallace you're recognized. After that last bill I came up here I was reminded of Bible verse and yea though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil. This is a good bill is going to help our Arkansas veterans. It'll be a. Is a maze there's many many good people that work in in our federal VA. But our regulations or maze is not just one sick. Look it's many six books. And what happens is our veterans young and old they get lost in that maze. And this bill. Carnotaurus secretary of of Arkansas regional VA. In Austin booth here have come up with a great bill in this bill. Is going to help steer money to our veterans service officers are meant to service officers in each county that's the guide in each county that helps our veterans. The veteran is lost to the know what to do he can go that county veterans service officer the BSO. And that VSO. Will be the first man first person first lady that will steer them through that maze of the federal VA. What this bill does is for every two dollars of the county spends. We don't give an extra dollar to the county. It ends up a. I've got it in here ends of about five hundred dollars extra. A month. And we've got some other items in there that will allow the arbiter servers officers that become certified. To receive additional money and I've covered the highlights tonight by told Austin that I was gonna take all the hard questions and he would get the easy questions but I get to determine what's hard what's easy so I will let him get down the weeds to define the live it better. Thank you senator Wallace and thanks for the time of the this morning to the Committee as Sir Wallace said Arkansas Code section twenty eighty one one of six currently authorizes advert to provide financial assistance to counties when they retained a county better service officer that that two for one dollar match that we provide is currently capped at thirty six hundred dollars per year or in the event of a county that has more than two thousand five hundred veterans forty eight hundred dollars per year. That level of assistance will remain in place for what this bill does is amended twenty eighty one one oh six to provide an incentive structure for those same county veterans service officers to become accredited by the federal VA and then one step further to maintain proficiency and access to to the web based system that the federal VA uses to process claims for benefits so those two separate. Layers would be five hundred dollars per quarter to a total of four thousand dollars per year on top of the level of assistance we already provide each. I have a question is this other states implemented the same. Other states to on this. Are not the where where of Sir okay. Senator Rice you've question. Thank you I don't I don't you take up much time on it and I'm familiar with service officers and in good job they do and in center Wallace described it is surprised me better come ask me sometimes and I save you talked to the service off. They don't know who it is you know it is very surprising to me and so you know it's sometimes just communication can you briefly give me a deal what the accreditation requirements are. Yes Sir so there is a training curriculum that the that the federal VA puts out they have to Submit that submit and complete that training curriculum all this web based and right now we have About thirty four counties in the state that are already of accredited and have access to the web based platform. Thank you. Are any other questions from committee. Thirteen seeing none anyone in the audience like to speak for or against this bill. St wash your clothes. Thank you Mr chairman members are young veterans and old veterans when they come in the service. Committee your or poorly educated. Particularly when we get in combat even more of veterans will not have a high school degree. They come out and when they they get out of the service they hit this maze and they're just totally lost. In that venture service officer truly is the first one there that can help them this bill. Is going to help for veterans it's a great bill for Arkansas with that I'm close. We have a we have a motion to pass by Senator Rice and a second vote Senator Flippo a discussion. All those in favor say aye opposed graduation to Wallace thank you in members just to let you know also both here is a former marine major had a combat tour and I reckon it's a great job serve our country ninety seven of it is back in Arkansas thank you also. Yes Sir. All right of. House bill seventy sixty three Mister Christian. There is represented Richmond if you would present you with the. Identify yourself for the record you are recognized to present House Bill seventeen sixty three good morning Mr chairman good morning committee quick questions and representative District forty seven. This should be a very simple bill. It is a small business bill. But I have read the FAA's impact statement and I'm a bit puzzled by their impact statement so I'll cut to the chase. This bill does not do what is purported to do and the impact statement that says it will allow does not limit the sales to wet counties this bill only seeks to raise the ceiling under which a microdistiller is allowed to produce and then allow the distiller to sell directly to a licensed retailer I E. a liquor store. Before they have to use a distributor this bill is been thoroughly discussed between all parties the retailer's the distributors and the distillers and we had amendments made to the bill at the outset that removed the opportunity for export out of sale direct to consumer in areas were allowed by law so in order to exercise that out of the original bill that meant repositioning the lines of existing law. So to clarify where the impact statement states that it allows them to suddenly to sell on any day of the week in this not limit the sales to wet counties the selling on any day of the week is already in statute. And it is by law limited to anything that is done is what man what County so impact statement notwithstanding this bill does not allow any sales into any dry areas in this state under any circumstances so I wanted to get that clear at the outset. This bill is a good bill for small business we have given Petty we're asking for parity of what's been given to the small Marcus the micro brewers because they have been able to grow and forage through the let it let it to the legislature is given them over the last several legislative sessions. Unfortunately the micro distillers have been treading water during that time and not being able to move forward. To negotiations with all above and moon distributing and others we have come to a consensus that they need to grow they need to be large enough for the distributors to pick them up so that both the distributor and the distiller can flourish as you can see with alcohol taxes higher rate is it is it is a good business bill to allow them to grow to sell to the licensed retailers and to be able to flourish when they get to a larger status they'll have to use the distributors and distributors will be wanting to use them so we have a win win for every leg of the stool for the manufacture of the distiller the distributor and the retailer and in general revenue that's a win for the state of Arkansas these folks produced hand sanitizer at the outset of the code pandemic they did so willingly they did so to help the state and the alleviated the initial shortage of hand sanitizer we had across this country particularly in Arkansas and they've done an excellent excellent job. There's no known opposition that we have to this bill it is sound financially that I have to representatives of micro distillers here if you'd like to hear from them I have Danny Bradley from crystal ridge in hot springs and I. Ross Jones from postmasters per to Newport they represent a cross section of our micro distillers in the state that have done a great job during the pandemic and we need to give them some help to allow them to grow and support the state. All right Committee Vernon explanation of the bill any questions Senator Solomon. The Rev reference to of selling into dry counties. Where is that. In the existing law okay that's already exist there is no law that allows them to ship in the dry counties they cannot do that is there a law that prevents yes our standards already proved prevent that in what we have in statute hang on already not allowing a lot different than prevent. Well you can't physically stop somebody from driving a truck but I can tell you these folks are not what with anywhere near that you're just telling me that's already current law there's nothing that allows them to going to a drug that is correct okay thank god this does not change that okay thank you Mr are there any other questions from committee members. R. C. none. Is there is someone from the audience that would like to speak for against this. Right Danny Bradley appeals crystal ridge distillery in hot springs ark Redleaf you would make it as brief as possible. You're recognized. Absolutely said state your name and if you for the state your name for the record my name is Danny Bradley I'm the owner of crystal ridge distillery in hot springs as a representative Christiansen had alluded to we we opened our business last year we had our grand opening on March fourteenth and we were closed down March nineteenth by April first we were completely had pivoted or our manufacturing over to hand sanitizer we're still currently doing that but we're also needing to be able to expand into our regional business planning business model which is to distill and produce in manufacture spirits for the state of Arkansas and the way that the law is currently set up where we have to go through a distributor in order to sell our product to retail we're actually just too small for distributors to to want to to worry with us and so this bill would give us the ability to do that on our committee on our sanitizer production we are currently supporting eighty schools forty in the State of Arkansas forty in the state of Texas and eight universities in the state of Arkansas and we're in negotiations to support summer camps for kids with our sanitizers well but we would just really appreciate the ability to be able to distribute our product outside of our store front building in get it we're law will allow for us to sail in the retail sector and it would also enable us to be protected where we could control our growth where we could go out maybe this week and get ten liquor stores and one we could sustain that then we could add as as needed in till we reach the the main manufacturing capabilities where we can distribute through the whole state and go through a distributor company so if there's any. Since I'll be glad to take them this time all right if this bill were to pass how would it would it affect any other alcohol related businesses in the state. Not not that I'm aware of no Sir would have any negative effect. No Sir in fact of the distributors and the retail liquor stores have come out in support of this of this bill okay. Any other questions from committee members. Saying. Thank you. Thank you very much for this opportunity our Mr representative Christian you want to close for the bill. I will be glad to committee this is a matter of survival and we do have one gentleman who can speak if you'd like for Ross Jones a postmaster step forward part if not on the third closed if you want to come up Mr Jones recognize yourself for the record. You speak for the for the bill for the bill okay my name's Ross Jones I have a small distillery the old post office in Newport Arkansas which brought new jobs to that town and quick an allergy the past twelve months. We have sold forty thousand dollars over our counter top because were allowed to do that we also have a distributor that that sells for us they sold ten thousand dollars over the same period of time because I have a distaste for my a political satire as it were we we make trump tonic in four different flavors they only took to the flavors leaving me to hold the other two unable to get them to the store shelves had I gotten to have the eight hundred stores a supply well I would probably wouldn't be sitting here thank you for considering our our change the law because nobody sells my product like I sell my product. Thank you thank you thank you for the test on any questions from committee members. I'm saying none of representative Christian you want to close Mr chairman I will and I'm grateful for the opportunity this is a good bill for the growth of Arkansas and again it does not impact retailers distributors or any other aspect of the alcoholic industry it's pretty straightforward it is a gross bill and I would appreciate a very very good vote. Okay committee members. Sure entertain a motion I have a motion Senator Hendren do pass the second Senator Flippo. in discussion. All those in favor say aye All opposed graduations representative Christian. All right we've got one more bill. Two more bills we're gonna go in here so House Bill sixteen thirty three. Representive Underwood I assume Senator Hester you're going to be presenting that. Are you if you recognize yourself for the record and. State senator Barr Hester and I've got with me Mister Wilkerson finished fully is going to help me with a president under would work best worked really well with them and they've helped us along with this bill and someone he's gonna help me present thank you. Thank you for reading John Wilkerson within municipally thank you Mr chairman you committee that reserve Underwood in obviously is found or has heard the concept of defining the police which is obviously very objectionable a lot of folks we're in the business as cities of providing law enforcement I represent a law enforcement for the better part of my fifteen years at the Municipal League so now I'm how important and the men and women of of the police force or are to the city to be up to the state of Arkansas and it's a really provides a message to the State of Arkansas that we are in the business and will always be in the business of providing police protection for them so what the bill does very simply is it mirrors the fire protection our fire fire a statutes which which under the law we're required to provide fire protection this really changes what was discretionary for us too for first class cities to provide law enforcement it mandates that we provide law enforcement services either through police department or through a or some sort of cooperative agreement with another local agency and also make sure that we provide the proper means an equipment to provide law enforcement services so again it is just a message to the state of Arkansas that cities are cities and towns well first class cities will always be in the business of providing police services for the citizens of Arkansas we're proud to do it March. Thank you John any questions from committee members. Senator. So this bill says why police base with. Yes. Okay and just be clear right now the law says we we we can provide police services this as we shall provide police services. This this is one of the bills of the package of. Bill that would back to okay any other questions from committee members sent us and Flippo. Mr Wilkerson so the a musically does support this bill. Yes Sir we do interesting thank you. Are there any other questions. Anyone there always will speak for against the bill. C. nuns certegy close. Our clothes for the bill we have a motion motion Senator Solomon do pass separate from senator Hendren all those in favor say aye opposed graduation. Mr chairman if I may I'm proud of instruments Mr Wilkinson sat next to me something tells me on Tuesday he will not be sitting next to me this committee. Thank. Senator Flippo you're recognized already already. You're recognized to present Senate bill six ten. Thank you Mr chairman. Members Senate bill six the principal bill what it does is it was actually brought to me by Ashley Wimberley with the press association which was somewhat surprised that's what it does is requires newspapers to publish the with the and whatever county is required to do a public notice just requires them to publish paid by the county the council agency or office in the amount and it also requires that the printed the same font size as required by the publication and with that you know be happy take any questions. Our committee members you've heard an explanation of the bill any questions. All right saying none anyone in the audience that we speak for or against the bill. Sam Nunn Flippo you closed Mr I'll close my bill and I move to pass but we have a motion to pass in the second Senator Solomon. Discussion. All those in favor say aye. All opposed. Graduate student Flippo. No one else I believe that wraps up the agenda.