Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC)
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0:00
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Speaker 2
6:30
all right members if you could go ahead and start taking
Mike Hager
Unverified
6:54
your seats members are going to call arkansas legislative council in order
Our members, welcome to Arkansas Legislative Council. At this time, I'd like to recognize Senator Ricky Hill for our prayer. If you would, please stand. Join me in
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
7:13
prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that you'll watch over us today, Lord. We pray that you'll be with us and allow us to make decisions that you would have us to make for you on behalf of this state. Lord, we pray for the family of Gary Stubblefield, who is not with us today. Lord, we pray that you'll be with them and watch over them as they continue to heal from the loss of his life.
We pray, Lord, that you'll be with each and every one of us. And, Lord, we put a special prayer out for our military and our law enforcement officers. Lord, we pray that you'll be with them and take care of them and bring them home safely to their families. In your name
Mike Hager
Unverified
7:52
we pray. Amen. Thank you, Senator. Members, at this time, I need a motion to adopt the approval of last meeting's minutes. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Members, I need a motion at this time to suspend the rules to take up a supplemental agenda.
We have a motion and a second. We have a second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? All right. At this time, I'd
like to recognize Senator Terry Rice. Senator Rice, you recognize whenever you're ready.
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
8:46
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to offer Interim Resolution 2025-002. I'm requesting that the Legislative Council honor the memory of Senator Gary Stubblefield for his many contributions to his community and to the home state of Arkansas. I'll cover most of this. It's in your packet, back of your packet, members, if you'd like to follow along. I'll abbreviate a little bit, but I don't want to skip much. Whereas Senator Gary Don Stubblefield, who resided near Branch, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in Little Rock at 74 years of age,
whereas Senator Stubblefield was born February 28, 1951, in Charleston to the late H.T. Toddy Stubblefield and Beulah-McMann-Tooth Stubblefield. The journey of life for Senator Stubblefield began on Mill Creek Mountain, which we have discussed some in Franklin County, where he had a humble beginning that set the stage for the rest of his life. Senator Stubblefield graduated from a small country-line school district, But before that, he attended a one-room schoolhouse in Cecil, Arkansas.
Senator Stubblefield's family moved from Mill Creek Mountain to the valley farm and branch that his parents bought, which included 120 acres of wooded land, and they cleared by hand. Senator Stubblefield was 11 years old. He milked cows on the family farm before and after school each day. And as the cows increased in numbers, so did the work. Senator Stubblefield played basketball in junior high and senior high, so he would milk the cows and then ride his bicycle two miles one way
from the farm to Highway 22 by the cell barn to catch the bus and ditch his bike at the bus stop. This is how he got to the games, rain or shine, each day. After graduating from County Lyon High School, Senator Stubblefield attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, he was determined to make the arkansas razorback football squad even though he had never played football because he came to from a school that did not have a football program my favorite story
senator stubblefield made university arkansas at fayetteville football team and went on to play in the liberty bowl and the cotton bowl in his positions on the special teams as a cornerback after her football injury senator stubblefield continued to attend college majoring in animal science and in 1969 he pledged alpha gamma role in farmhouse fraternity and during his time at the university arkansas at fayetteville center stubblefield met the love of his life kathy collie and they married in 1974 center stubblefield took over his parents dairy farm
milking 80 cows and raising chickens amber and joshua on the farm became his life Senator Stubblefield served on the County Line School Board and as a Justice of Peace and on the Arkansas Milk Stabilization Board appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee. I'll insert one thing that's not in this. After that time, Terry Rice got its name and went to his house and talked to him. After the 2009, my first session,
told him we needed him in Little Rock. Senator Stubblefield was a member of the SSA Farmers Co-op Board, a National Association of Christian Lawmakers, and Convention of States. Senator Stubblefield spent one term in the House of Representatives for District 67 before being elected to the Senate in 2013, and he served for the rest of his life. Of all things in his life that he treasured, Senator Stubblefield's love for the Lord was greatest, and he served him diligently throughout his life.
Becoming a member of the First Baptist Church and Branch in 1976, served as Sunday school youth boys teacher for 34 years and also as Sunday school superintendent and deacon. The youth that Senator Stubblefield taught often bring up the memory of how much they loved the warm homemade cookies and sweet drinks that he brought every Sunday when he was awake at 2.30 a.m. milking cows and would get back in the house by 8.30 just enough time to bake cookies for his boys.
Senator Stubblefield cared for all the people from all walks of life, but his family was his treasure. I will mention, and you can read all the family we all know and love, Kathy Stubbefield, children of Amber and Sullivan, their spouses, all the grandchildren, and the body of Senator Stubbefield lay in state Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Arkansas State Capitol Rotunda in Little Rock to honor his exemplary life and legacy,
be it resolved by the Legislative Council of the 95th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the Legislative Council honor the memory of Senator Gary Stubblefield for his many contributions to his community and to his home state of Arkansas. Be it further resolved upon the adoption of this resolution, the copy be provided by the Executive Secretary of the Legislative Council to the family of Senator Gary Don Stubblefield. And,
Speaker 20
14:15
Mr. Chairman, I move that we have a unanimous vote.
Thank you, Senator Ross for that much appreciated members. We have a motion to adopt this resolution to have a second All those in favor signify by saying
I Opposed thank you again and members. Please keep Senator Stubblefield's family in your prayers at this time. Thank you
chairing committee All right, members, at this time, I'm going to recognize Senator Missy Irvin and Representative Mark Perry.
Senator, not seeing Representative Perry, you can go
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
15:21
ahead and begin. Okay, thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members of the General Assembly, I want to share before I read this resolution, this is a resolution honoring the memory of Charles James Charlie Kirk as an icon of modern American conservatism and a proponent of his Christian faith. Before I read parts of this memorial, I want to tell you that Amber, Senator Sebelfield's daughter, Amber, at his memorial service told me that Gary had been invited to go pheasant hunting with Charlie Kirk.
And they had already purchased their plane tickets for the end of September. And Gary Sebelfield was so excited to meet Charlie Kirk and to go hunting with him. And Amber cried, and she said, he so much wanted to meet Charlie, and unfortunately now he is meeting Charlie, because they're in heaven together. And so I think it actually is very fitting that we have a memorial resolution for Senator Gary Stubblefield, my friend, our colleague, and one for Charlie Kirk. because Gary admired Charlie Kirk for his fearless defense of the Arkansas Constitution,
American Constitution, U.S. Constitution, and freedom of speech, but also his faith. If you know Gary Stubblefield, you knew that his faith was the most important thing in his life. God was most important, and his family was second. And he had a great amount of admiration and respect for Charlie Kirk. And so it's my honor and privilege to present this bipartisan resolution on behalf of Representative Perry and myself. Whereas Charles James Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025 at 31 years of age.
And whereas during his life, Charlie Kirk was a passionate advocate for the United States Constitution and the United States of America, as well as for free speech and his Christian faith. And whereas Charlie Kirk was born on October 14, 1993 and was raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout and the Boy Scouts of America. And whereas Charlie Kirk became interested in politics during middle school after reading works by economist Milton Friedman and during his junior year of high school, he volunteered for the successful United States Senate campaign of Illinois Republican Mark Kirk.
And whereas at age 17, Charlie Kirk made his first appearance on the conservative business news channel, Fox Business, an appearance prompted by an essay he wrote for the conservative news website, Breitbart News Network. And at the age of 18, Charlie Kirk co-founded and became executive director of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying, organizing, and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government. Turning Point USA grew to become one of the largest political organizations in the United States, encompassing representation at over 1,200 high schools and college campuses nationwide, as well as massive rallies at which top conservative leaders address tens of thousands of young voters.
He was a best-selling, Charlie Kirk was a best-selling author, the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention, and host since 2020 of the Charlie Kirk Show, a popular talk radio program. Charlie Kirk generated unprecedented interest in political conservatism among American youth, espousing and defending, often via informal college campus debates, held at his signature Prove Me Wrong table. a number of conservative stances, and whereas President Donald J. Trump ordered the flag of
the United States flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for the memory of Charlie Kirk, and whereas President Trump also announced that Charlie Kirk would be awarded posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Legislative Council of the 95th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that this Legislative Council honored the memory of Charles James Charlie Kirk as an icon of modern American conservatism and a proponent of his
Christian faith. I respectfully ask for a good vote for this resolution and again I appreciate Representative Perry for his co-sponsorship of this resolution. I think it shows how we in the state of Arkansas work together despite our differences and I appreciate that work that we do every single day together in a bipartisan manner for many issues that we face and address in this Arkansas legislature. I don't have the opportunity to get co-sponsors for everybody,
but I will have a sheet. If you want to sign, I will have it in the back. And if you want to sign in support of this resolution after we vote, hopefully and pass it, we'll have this in the back and you can sign this. And this resolution will be mailed to Ms. Erica Kirk, the wife of charlie kirk with that i ask for a good
vote thank you for that senator members need a motion to adopt this resolution a motion and second second any discussion all those in favor signify by saying aye aye opposed unanimous thank
Speaker 30
20:39
you for the presentation that's thank you that shows amazing
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
20:42
from the state of arkansas amazing leadership in a time when this country really needs it thank you All right,
members, that's going to move us down to item D. It's going to be a presentation of the August Revenue Report of Dr. Carlos Silva.
Speaker 41
21:17
You recognize? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Carlos Silva, Bureau of Light's Letter of Research, And today I'm here to present the August 2025 monthly revenue report. As we look into collections of gross general revenues here
Speaker 42
21:33
today, we have $1.29 billion from the first two months. It's an increase of $69.5 million and 5.7% above last year. As we look into net general revenue available for distribution, our bottom line,
we will see $1.13 billion, which is an increase of $82.4 million, or 7.9% from last year, August 2024. As we look into the first line, you see some large changes there on corporate income tax refunds in the middle, as well as economic development incentive fund, individual income tax refunds for the corporate and the incentive funds. Those are the changes that tend to happen from month to month. And for the individual income tax, as we have some of those cuts the last few years, we still see that change, and we tend to
Speaker 41
22:21
progress and stabilize as we move forward.
As we move to page number two, we'll see the cumulative deviation from the F&A net general revenue available for distribution forecasts. We
Speaker 42
22:31
still move in a positive direction at $75.7 million above the forecast for those first two months. We still have
Speaker 41
22:39
a while to go here, but it's a great improvement. As we look to page number three to page number four, we
Speaker 42
22:48
will have general revenue collections. If you look into the first section there on income taxes, we have some of those changes.
They seem large as a percentage, but those due dates, they will have the extensions. Some people have filed on paper, and they had those days, July 31st, have filed before the extension. And we have seen some of those large changes. But if you look in the bottom on the total income taxes, you see that the change is not that large. And when you think about just two months, you're going to see 10.9% there on those changes. As we move into the special revenues from page five and beyond, you also see something of note with driver search fees.
And those large changes there are 13,000% and so on. Those changes are just because last year it has been deposited in September, so we have a delay there. So last year those numbers seemed really low, and that's why we have this huge difference now showing a large increase. So as we move towards September, everything is going to be adjusted and we will be balanced it out. With respect of what is going on in the national level, we have seen confidence slightly down.
Spending, still steady, but most of it has been done by high-income individuals. Unemployment in the state, as we have seen, move from 3.7 to 3.8, but that took quite some time. So when you start looking to two, three decimal places, those five months is a small progression there. As always, keep an eye on debt stood alone, still increasing, which is one of the first lines of defense there before we see some debt within other items.
And with that, I'll take any further questions.
Thank you, Doctor. We have a couple of questions. Representative Ladyman, you recognize. Thank
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
24:46
you, Mr. Chairman. I'm over here. You mentioned I had a question about the search fees. You mentioned that on page 5 there, and that was like a 13,000% increase, and you talked about what that was. And I noticed a couple other places where it had search fees that were large percentage increases.
What exactly is the search fee? Where does that money come from?
Speaker 42
25:10
So there's a different type of search fees. Those are associated driver's licenses. Some of those are commercial. some of those. So it's a bunch of different search fees that goes to when you need to got a driver's license, if you need to apply for a job, right? They're going to do that type of search. So last year, we have, if you're looking at a report from last year, we have a big decline just because things got dispersed in a different month. And that's
Speaker 52
25:37
why we have this huge discrepancy here. But in reality, it's just a timing issue. And next month everything
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
25:44
will be adjusted uh one other question uh on the first page there we looked at that and uh beer sales were down and wine sales were up and i mean to me that typically says that the economy is doing a little bit better uh overall and you got a plus 10 percent uh so in general would you say that you know these numbers uh look look good overall uh so
Speaker 41
26:08
So there's not much movement in employment right now, right? There's not a lot
Speaker 42
26:12
of people being hired. That's kind of steady now. But there's not a lot of firing going on as well. So things are steady. And as most of the spending has been done by the high-income individuals, that's one of the things that we're kind of keeping an eye on. It is how those individuals may change their spending if something happens in the stock market and so on. All right. Thank you.
thank you representative next we have representative rose
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
26:52
you're recognized all right representative wooten thank you mr chairman uh two questions doctor uh the first one where were we in august of 24 um relative to the 75.7 million on page two that were above Where were we at this point last year?
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
27:11
I can't remember the top of my head. I'm sorry, sir. Okay, if
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
27:15
you would find that for me. I can definitely take a look and get back with you. My second question is, the last time we met, I asked you the question about the tariffs and what impact we might have. Have you all done any more work on that, and can you enlighten us relative to – that's the reason I asked the first question. but do we know what the impact of the tariffs may be on the state? Yes,
Speaker 42
27:39
yes, sir. So as we're looking to right now, what has been going on,
some of the companies have absorbed some of that. Some has been passed through to the individuals, but some has been absorbed. What the initial impact that has been expected, it has not been as high as has been expected in the beginning, but we still have time to go here. So we still have some time to go as we still have some inventories that need to go through those pre-tax inventories. So once that has been finalized, we might start seeing a difference and further increase. But whether or not this is going to be a one-time change
or it's going to be continuous due to the behavior individuals and other things, that's something that we still need to find out. But as of right now, that's where we stand. We still have some inventories. Some of
Speaker 52
28:31
the distribution has been done by absorption
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
28:34
and the other one has been passed to the consumer. Okay. One more question. It has to do with the agricultural situation relative to our farmers and what they're facing, two parts.
Do the tariffs have anything to do with that? And the drop in commodity prices, is that related to the tariffs? So, as we look into the report,
Speaker 42
28:59
if you look into rice over here, you're going to see things are going to not be corresponding to what is going on to some of the discussions that we have with the farmers, right? Because they pay a flat fee. So as we look into the monthly revenue report and some of the collections we have, because some of those fees are paid at a flat rate, we might not see this here directly, but we might see this into income tax, sales taxes, and things like that.
So that's where we would start seeing that if we have
Speaker 52
29:36
some decline on the agriculture industry in the state of
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
29:44
Arkansas. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Senator Love. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And Mr. Silva, I'm going to pick up, or Dr. Silva, I'm going to pick up where Representative Wood left off, just for some clarification. Now, you said in regards to the tariffs and the impacts we'll see, what indicators will we be looking at on this report if
we begin to see the impact, the negative impact of tariffs?
Speaker 63
30:08
Yes, sir. So it has a couple ways that we can
Speaker 42
30:12
see this, right? So if you think about as price increases, we might see this here in the report as an increase in collections, right? If people are paying more for their goods, we're going to see increasing collections. But at the same time, as people start, if people lose their jobs, we might see some decline in income and incorporate collections and so on. So it is a mix. It is going to be a mix of both of them. things move forward we'll of course keep an eye on it and feel like as we do
every month but that's other indicators as well that we looked into closely that would impact this okay
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
30:45
so in your in your near future reports will we be covering
will be specifically covering these just and I mean I know this is a politically charged you know hey terraces terrorists are doing this tariffs are doing that i just want to make
sure that we really clearly keep a hold on yes sir so if there's
Speaker 42
31:09
if there's something that the the members would
like i can talk about the national how's that's been working and bring something more
Speaker 52
31:15
in depth or i can even talk to you afterwards and provide your report monthly if that's uh desired okay all right thank you thank you mr chair thank
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
31:26
you senator representative tosh thank you mr chair if you would direct your attention to page five. I've got a question when you get to that page under the state police. If you look under the state police, I noticed the increase, and it's a
substantial increase under the additional driver search fees. In 2024, it was only $634, and now in 2025 we're looking at $128,000 plus can you explain that yes sir definitely so so this driver search fees
Speaker 42
31:59
is the same as the other ones they just get distributed differently uh so last year in August if you look into August 2024 2023 it has a huge decline because of the month was just
a timing issue when the month has has been put it into here so as we move into September we'll see these things stabilize. So there's not been much change. I have talked to the agency. So in general, we shouldn't see much change as we move forward. It's just a timing issue. And since we just have two
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
32:36
months, we see that big difference. Okay. Thank you. All right. Senator Hammer, you're next. Thank you. On page five, also under corrections
department, it has the farm and then it has the
industry on the industry is that from I'm just not sure what that is and I was wondering if you have an explanation for what's attributed to the industry I'm sorry so what page again I'm on page 5 and it's about 10 items up from the bottom
under state police I think I'm looking at the wrong report let me look here I'm on the wrong report sorry about that sorry
about that I think it's the page that says analysis of general and special revenues page
Speaker 40
33:46
5 Okay, so we're talking about report here.
Speaker 97
33:56
Yeah, second page five. Yes, sir. I don't remember all
Speaker 79
33:59
the industry, those type of services that are part of this, but I can't. All right, if the department's in the room,
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
34:11
I'll get with them afterwards. just see if you knew or not thank you all right
thank you doctor seeing no further questions thanks for your presentation members that takes us down to the
Mike Hager
Unverified
34:25
item E report of the executive committee I'm going to recognize my
co-chair senator bill go Ben Gilmore thank
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
34:33
you less members the executive subcommittee met yesterday approved waiver requests for the cooperative purchase construction services for Jackson County School District and the Queen School District the subcommittee also approved two consulting services contracts with her attached to the report one the use of the for the use of the ALC Hospital Medicaid Development subcommittee related their workforce social services study and one for the Joint Energy Committee to conduct a
nuclear energy feasibility study members I'll point out that both of these contracts went through respective subcommittees were approved unanimously and then recommended to the executive committee for final approval. So with that, I move adoption of this report. We
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
35:19
have a question. Representative Beatty. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Specifically the question on the Ladyman's contract approval. Act 707, I thought the instruction there was that Department of Energy and Environment
would engage an outside consultant for this contract. So I was wondering why we moved to
BLR. We have an answer up here. Just give us just a second. Ms.
Speaker 108
35:45
Garrity, you're recognized. Marty Garrity. Representative Beatty, the act provided that the department would undertake the study if they had the monies to do the study. We've been advised by the department that they do not have the funds to take on the study.
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
36:03
Do we have an idea of what their fund balance is? We did not ask. We did not ask. So we're going to spend $305,000 of
Speaker 112
36:20
VLR funds for this study? That's correct.
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
36:24
Thank you. Representative Wooten. Yes, pardon my ignorance, but it's one of the contracts deal with the $4 million approval of a economic freedom accounts?
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
36:39
No, sir. These are wholly separate. It's not part of this? No, sir. No, sir, not at all. Thank you.
All right, members, seeing no other questions, we have a motion. Can I get a second? Any discussion? All those
in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. All right, members, that's going to take us down to item F1, administrative rules. I'm going
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
37:06
to recognize Representative Shepard. The administrative rules subcommittee met on September 25th.
The subcommittee filed one report of the executive subcommittee concerning its review and approval of emergency rules. The subcommittee approved one request for exclusion from the reporting requirements for 2025 rulemaking by the Oil and Gas Commission. The subcommittee received agency updates on outstanding rulemaking from the 2023 regular session, and all rules were reviewed and approved as noted in the report. And I move adoption of the report. All right, members, any questions? Seeing
none, we have a motion. Can I get a second? We have a second. Any discussion?
All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. That
Speaker 48
37:46
takes us down to item two, charitable, penal, and correctional institutions. I'm going to recognize
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
37:52
Senator Matt McKee. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The charitable, penal, excuse me, and corrections institutions subcommittee met On Tuesday and heard testimony regarding the following items the discussion the Department of Corrections critical incident report involving the prisoner escape from north central unit in Calico Rock Presentation of the Arkansas State Police Investigation report involving the prisoner escape from Calico Rock
And an update from the Department of Corrections and the Board of Corrections regarding their current policies and protocols Regarding prison security and currently vacant positions within the Department of Corrections. I move for adoption of this report all right members any
questions on this one all right seeing none we have a motion can i get a second we have a second any discussion seeing none all those in favor signify
Chair
Unverified
38:34
by saying aye opposed the ayes have it takes us down to item f3 representative fought thank you mr chair the
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
38:45
claims review litigation reports oversight committee met on monday september the 22nd The subcommittee reviewed four litigation reports and six litigation settlements. The three litigation reports were pulled from consideration prior to the meeting at the agency's request. At the request of the Claims Commission, one claim was pulled from consideration prior to the meeting. The subcommittee affirmed the rulings of the Claims Commission as to all other claims on the agenda. And with that, I move for adoption.
all right thank you members any questions all right seeing none we have a motion I need a second a second any
discussion seeing none all those in favor signify by saying aye any opposed the ayes
Senator John Payton
Unverified
39:34
have it item 6 representative Payton you're recognized thank you mr. chair the highway commission review and advisory subcommittee met Wednesday and heard testimony on the efficiency study recommendation rules for implementation quarterly land conveyance report infrastructure investment and jobs act reports and the reports on highway construction projects
of 10 million or more i move adoption of
this report thank you senator members any questions all right seeing none
we have a motion and a second we have a second any discussion seeing none all those in favor say
aye opposed the ayes have it
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
40:13
item seven representative bentley be recognized thank you chairman the hospital medicaid and development disabilities studies subcommittee met on august 18th and september 19th to discuss state-specific workforce reform
initiatives and to hear testimony on the child abuse hotline procedures the subcommittee met on september 22nd to review various programs and discuss updates on reimbursement rates related to the living choices assisted living waiver the subcommittee approved a motion to engage the georgia center for opportunities for audit services in relation to the study mandated by act 145 of 2025 addressing workforce and social services reform the subcommittee met again on september 25th to explore utah's workforce services programs and i move adoption of the report all
right thank you members any questions i think none we have a motion and a second
we have a second any discussion seeing none all those in favor say aye opposed the ayes have it all right
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
41:11
members that takes us down to item 10 representative meeks you're recognized hey mr chairman the occupational licensing review subcommittee met on both monday and thursday to receive various occupational authorization reports from group six i move the adoption of the report
all right thank you members any questions all right seeing none we have a motion can i get a second it was second any discussion seeing none all those papers say aye
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
41:43
opposed the ayes have it takes us down to item 11 representative ward law you recognized the peer subcommittee met on tuesday september 23rd the subcommittee received reports received requests and approved the following various temporary appropriations cares act appropriations american rescue plan appropriations infrastructure investments and jobs acts appropriations and restricted reserve fund
Transfers I move adoption of the report be happy to answer any questions.
All right. Thank you represent board law members any questions All right, seeing none. We have a motion. Can I get a second? We have a second any discussion seeing none all those in
favor signify by saying aye Opposed the eyes have it Item 12 review. This would be senator Blake
Speaker 136
42:27
Johnson You're recognized The review subcommittee met on Tuesday and reviewed the methods of finance,
discretionary grants, two agency ratifications, RFQ approval requests, and services contracts. All items presented for the month were reviewed, and I move for adoption of
this report. Thank you, Senator. We have a
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
42:47
question. Representative Wooten, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question has to do with two interrelated in the Department of Education. Here we approve a $4 million contract extension for the Freedom Accounts.
That's $4 million. And then, on the other hand, we're cutting 40% out of the readiness program for preschool children to be able to attend daycare centers that are providers also of pre-K. So my question is, did you as the committee have knowledge of this change in policy by the Department of Education before you approved the $4 million?
Are you asking me? representative who are
you directing that question to well to the to whoever
Speaker 136
43:59
presented the report that's senator Johnson do you know what page it's on it's well it's it's on page it's on page 40 out-of-state contracts department education if you would come forward
Mike Hager
Unverified
44:14
Department of Ed you would just introduce yourself for the
Speaker 144
44:38
record and we'll get on with it Courtney Salas Ford chief of staff
Mike Hager
Unverified
44:41
Department of Education Greg Rogers Department of Education. Representative Wilton why don't you ask
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
44:46
these folks your question. Thank you. Thank you all for being present today. I know it's enjoyable when I call you up here or ask for information. We have you have asked for four million dollar extension to the contract to verify the the expenses for the economic or for the freedom accounts is that correct that contract encompasses multiple things that is one
Speaker 147
45:11
piece of it not my question did you ask representative let them
answer your question before you interrupt them please did
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
45:21
you ask for a four million dollar
Speaker 147
45:23
extension on the contract that covers multiple things yes multiple
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
45:27
things yes according to the press it covers economic it covers the freedom accounts is that correct i'm not sure what the press
Speaker 149
45:35
says about it efas is one piece of it it also covers literacy tutoring grants and school safety grants so you're not aware of
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
45:44
what the four million is going to be spent for yes sir
Speaker 149
45:49
it's to class wallet the entity that administers education freedom accounts literacy tutoring grants and school safety grants. Okay
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
45:56
my question if you why if you can find four million dollars in your accounts down there why are you cutting 40 percent and I've been told by the chairman Mr. Eves of Representative Eves about the COVID money but all we gave the folks out there in my district and statewide was a week notice that we were going to cut their in their income
by 40 percent is that correct the school readiness
Speaker 147
46:29
assistance program that you're referring to is a federally funded program the four million for the contract is state funded so they're completely separate funding and there's i can go into great detail but there's a lot of nuances and issues that arise when you mingle state and federal funds and so if we were to infuse state funding into the SRA federal program. Again, there are long-term consequences of that, and so the two are really
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
46:56
pretty separate. Well, my follow-up question, if I may, is do you have the money down there to intercede and to keep 40 percent of the money from being taken away from these pre-K students? We're not keeping or taking
Speaker 147
47:15
away any money. The federal funding It is no longer there to fund that program.
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
47:21
Well, I realize that, but do you all have funds to replace it?
No, sir, we do not. Well, you have $4 million to spend for the private schools. What about the parents of these students out here? And I'm getting phone calls from all over my district, from providers and from parents, And there's many of them that will not be able to complete this year with a 40% reduction overnight with a week's notice. And you're telling this body that y'all don't have the money down there to step in and fill in with the federal government is pulling out.
Speaker 147
48:07
What I'm saying is that as a federally funded program, that those funds are no longer available. And to infuse state funds into a federal program creates a lot more issues, including MOE, supplements, a plant, ongoing obligations of the
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
48:23
state. I think you have made the point clear that the federal government, my question is, do you all not have the money down there to step in and make up the shortfall? That's my question. If you've got $4 million to bid into the Freedom Accounts, what about these people?
I understand your question, but it's not an easy yes or no
Speaker 62
48:48
answer. These are people that can't afford.
Representative Wooten. She's not answering my question. She's answering your question, but I have a suggestion. There's going to be a very in-depth meeting over this topic next week. I believe it's Tuesday at 1 o'clock. Education Committee is going to dive into this pretty deeply, so that may be a better place to make your points, because at this point, we're talking about an item that is not even on this agenda.
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
49:15
Well, I hope they have a better answer for that. I would imagine they'll
be prepared for that. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you. Representative
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
49:24
Love, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Actually, I thought that that item was the school readiness is one of the items here, Because we talked about it in committee. Is that not correct? That
is not on the agenda. The item that was being discussed was the class wallet. Okay.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
49:40
Well, let me ask you this. In that same vein, though,
you're saying that they're going to have a meeting September
the 30th? Yeah, whatever, next Tuesday at 1
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
49:52
o'clock. So then are the cuts still expected to go into effect October 1st? Yes. So then that gives us
a day to to make Adjustments if we are to make any adjustments We were asked
Speaker 160
50:09
to come and present at a subcommittee meeting on September 30th Which we're happy to do and come explain but that does not change what's to occur on October 1st
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
50:19
Okay, before before we before we take this item up then what I'd like to do is I would like to make sure I'm in a comment
as far as When we go into discussion, I want discussion on this on this item. You got it
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
50:40
senator hammer Thank you, mr. Chair just to Bring clarity to my mind if nobody else is the four million this under discussion on the current contract
Even if we could which my understanding is we can't none of that money could be used in order to address the issue of the preschool that's on the table for discussion is that correct that is correct and this is just an extension of an existing contract um that that has nothing to do with the preschool issue at hand correct correct okay then what i'd like to ask is when you uh come to the meeting next tuesday
please bring all fund balances for all the accounts at the department of ed under their jurisdiction to that meeting next Tuesday if you would please. Thank you Mr. Chair. Thank you Senator. Representative Ladyman. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Hold on just a second. Can we hear your point of
order? I can't hear you. I'm sorry if you would hit your button. I have a motion on the table. We're not in discussion. No we're
Speaker 138
51:47
in the question and answer phase. I'll get back to you
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
51:53
in just a second. Go ahead Representative Ladyman. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Totally different direction here but when i saw this now that y'all are at the table uh item four there the four million dollars uh you know school safety is very important and you had a grant program i had a number of schools that called me that applied and didn't get the money and their question was is there going to be more money more grant money for school safety i hope i'm not off base here but would this include any additional funding to improve school safety so yeah this is this is
Speaker 163
52:27
just dealing with those private schools so we're offering this to the class wall for the private schools there is a separate plot that is still working with our school safe team is working with public schools to reissue I think there's about 35 million dollars in there that is going to that our school safety team is working with school districts in the state for the private schools no sir that's just for the public school the private schools are going through the class wallet thing because they don't receive the money they only get reimbursed for school safety things they do for public schools
that goes through abscan and we're tracking those expenditures to the separate thing but your private public schools are still going to have the opportunity to go get a grant process for additional public school school safety grants thank you all right senator hill immediate consideration for approval thank you
for that members seeing no other questions we have a motion from represent excuse me senator johnson we have a second a second all those in favor signify by saying i
hang on hang on hang on hang on i promised senator love i'd give him a moment during discussion of this item is that what you're asking for we have a motion and a second it's time for discussion all right media consideration all right all those in
favor say aye opposed the eyes have it thank you members that takes us down to item 12 state insurance programs
no that's that's done I didn't take the meeting consideration I took the original motion. That item is reviewed. Members, that takes us to item 13,
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
54:13
state insurance programs. Representative Ladyman. State insurance program oversight subcommittee met. The state insurance program met on Wednesday. The subcommittee reviewed the employee benefits divisions contract with Datapath Administrative Services Incorporated and contract renewal with the Colonial Life and Accident Insurance company i move for the adoption of this report i remember you heard the report any questions
seeing none we have a motion we get a second we have a second all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed the ayes have it item 14
Speaker 168
54:50
personnel representative warren thank you mr chairman
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
54:53
excuse me the personnel subcommittee met on wednesday september 24th and reviewed the request and reports listed as items 1 through 9. No items were held. I'll be glad to answer any questions and move to adopt the report at the proper time.
But first, due to a number of questions, I would ask for Colonel Hagar to come address what has happened with the Arkansas Federal Surplus Property Program. Good morning. If you'd introduce yourself for the record, we'll
Mike Hager
Unverified
55:27
get with the questions. Good morning, Chairs, Members. My name
is Mike Hager. I'm Secretary of Department of Public Safety and Director of Arkansas State Police.
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
55:39
All right. We have a question from Representative Wardlaw. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative, Mr. Secretary, can you explain to me, I noticed on the agenda of personnel, I'm not on that committee, So today's the day I can ask this question. But can you explain to me when you notified anybody in the governor's office or the leadership in the legislature of the decision to riff those four employees at the federal surplus?
Mike Hager
Unverified
56:13
went back and looked at my phone log to see when I spoke with members of the legislature. I know I've spoke with several members about several different issues, but I recall speaking with Senator Rice on this issue, and I don't believe we've spoken since, and that was on August
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
56:33
27th. But was that before or after you had initiated the RIF process?
Mike Hager
Unverified
56:40
I would say that was during the process.
Speaker 179
56:43
This came about kind of quickly. So you didn't meet with any members of the legislature before you initiated the
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
56:54
process? No, sir. Okay. I just find it hard to understand how we can shut a program down that benefits so many of our constituents without a conversation, a single conversation. Because once that rift was initiated, would you agree the process of shutting down the federal surplus had taken place?
Mike Hager
Unverified
57:12
Well, so I may have misspoke. The actual rift began within the last – and, again, I don't have the timeline in front of me. I don't know that it actually officially began before I'd had a conversation with members of the legislature, but I will say that by the time that I'd had those conversations with legislators, there was really no decision to be made at that point. Because it had been made, correct? Well, because we had no choice.
We had to make that decision. I mean, you know, as you're aware, the agency is not funded with general revenue. They have to pay for themselves, and we literally could not make payroll within, say, the next 60 to 90 days. So at that point, unfortunately, there was no choice to be made. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Representative Ward-Law.
Members, any other questions? All right. Seeing none, we have a motion
to review. We need a second. Second. We have a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye. Opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you for coming down. Thank
Mike Hager
Unverified
58:17
you, sir. All right, members. That takes us down past item G into item H. These are review of communications. The only one that's going to need any action is exhibit H-9B. Yeah, Senator Hickey, go ahead. Yes, sir. I had
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
58:34
mentioned to you, and I made a mistake. I thought it was under review, and it was under rules. I would like to ask the, go back if it's okay to
ask the pharmacy a question about their rules that they have in place.
Mike Hager
Unverified
58:47
Yes, sir. If we could get someone here for the
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
58:57
pharmacy. My apologies for that. That's totally on me for missing that. I was trying to get through this 200-and-something page document. You should have done it earlier. Thanks
Mike Hager
Unverified
59:03
for the reminder, Senator. Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. Gentlemen, if you would just recognize yourself for the record, we'll let you answer Senator Hickey's questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Speaker 187
59:10
My name is John Clay Kirtley. I'm the director of the Arts Allstate Board of Pharmacy. Matt Gilmore, Department of Health.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
59:17
Thank you. On page 22 of your 22 of the rules, I had seen that you had just struck through that where you used to, you could only have like one. Let me get back here. At no time may a supervising pharmacy or preceptor supervise more than one intern outside of the signed educational rotation sponsored by a college of pharmacy. And you all struck through that. Yes, sir. Okay. Do you still have a limit? Because on down, I believe, on page 44, it kind of alludes to that can they do up to four now?
Speaker 188
59:52
Yes, sir. What we actually did was we had a separate ratio limit for pharmacy technicians as support staff members and interns as staff members, we basically took those and combined those so that it would be a four-to-one limit, whether it was four interns with no techs, three and one, two and two, however the ratio would work, just to give some businesses flexibility in that. Okay. Mainly out in the rural areas, is that the reason you've done that? Yes, sir. In the areas around our three College of Pharmacy locations,
Pharmacies can often have interns, and they may be able to have more than one per pharmacist, but in rural areas like where I grew up, there's hardly ever any interns available, so it would allow them to use pharmacy technicians up to that number of four instead. Okay. But just in its raw
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:00:41
form, and again, I may be okay with it, but here, the only thing was is we used to cap it so they couldn't do more than one. So now we are going to go up to basically four times that amount. We're going to allow them to do four, correct?
Speaker 188
1:00:56
Well, yes and no. They could always have four. If they wanted to. The odd thing is the pharmacy interns actually have a higher level of training than the pharmacy technicians by rule and by being students in pharmacy school. So before you would only be able to have one intern and three lesser trained people. Now you could have up to four higher trained people, but it does cut away from the lesser trained people you could have. Yeah. I guess
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:01:23
the old rule, though, the way the old rule read, it literally limited the more trained person, as you're saying now, it limited that to one.
So we are taking that up to four. Yes, sir. In the max case, right? Yes, sir. Okay. Again, I'm sure there's some individuals here that are going to understand that, whether or not we think four is too much. But I just wanted to point that out to make sure that that wasn't. Where did you come up with where they could do four? Was there some type of national data or anything
Speaker 188
1:01:54
on that? So we do have some national data that I could pull for you that most states have a ratio limit for both interns and for technicians.
When we have had push from industry to expand that, like when I was in pharmacy school, it was each pharmacist could have one technician plus one more and potentially an intern. And that's just kind of the way it was set up around the country that in many ways, many states were just kind of limited to that ratio. Over time, we've expanded that through legislative process and requests from industry with oversight to a three-to-one tech or a one-to-one intern. And because it is basically unfair in many ways for rural Arkansas to be able to only potentially utilize three support staff,
and we've always said pharmacists could basically use four, but if you're around a college, you may be able to get a little bit higher training with your interns, which might be better employees because they have more drug knowledge. But limiting that in those areas seemed unfair to the people who were trying to train as interns, but also unfair to rural Arkansas that they could only utilize three instead of four. Sure. So we're trying to equalize that. Okay. But, and again,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:03:02
I don't need you to send me any information, but you all did look around at like the states that are around us
and things of that nature, and do we know what they're allowing as far as the supervision? Are they allowing one, two, six? I just wanted to make sure we just didn't pull this out of
Speaker 188
1:03:19
the air. Yes, sir. We didn't just pull it out of the air, and I can't recall the specific numbers on the intern side, but most of the states around us have like a 3-to-1 or a 4-to-1 ratio, and then some even have up to a 5-to-1 or an unlimited ratio where it's up to the pharmacy to manage it. Thank you. Mr. Chair, I appreciate
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:03:38
the leeway. Sorry I missed that in the beginning.
Yes, sir. All right. Thank you, Senator. All right, members, continuing on, thank you, folks, for coming down. I
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:03:46
see no other questions. Thanks. uh takes down to review of communications the only one that we have to uh take action on is item 9b that's division of state parks i'll give you a second to take a look at that
hmm All right, members, you have time to review that. I'm going to need a motion to give favorable advice on this one. Senator Payton, I'm sorry I didn't see you. You're
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:04:36
recognized. Go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Do we have a fiscal impact on what it would cost the local school district and loss of property taxes?
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:04:45
Give me just a second. no sir i do not see that in the package we can request someone
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:05:03
to come to the table and answer that for you if you'd like yeah i mean for state parks the only property we're interested in is whatever borders us and we just keep growing those boundaries and those borders i realize this is small it's a 40 acre 75 000 thing but i think it's important to understand that once it's taken out
of private ownership we lose the school district loses the property tax revenue got it anyone here
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:05:26
from state parks that can help answer this question Just push
the button there and introduce yourself for the record and see if you can help Senator Payton with his question. Good morning.
Speaker 200
1:05:48
Jeff King, Deputy Director for the Division of State Parks.
I'm not sure that I have the fiscal impact or the millage in front of me to know what the impact of this property being reduced from the tax rolls, but it's estimated to be a $75,000 acquisition, so it would be certainly minimal to the school district in terms of this acquisition. I will say that we've been working only with willing sellers here, and we don't have a large amount of property that we plan for the park. There are a few choice tracks that are either in holdings or immediately adjacent to the park boundary
that would allow us to expand recreation and trail opportunities there at the park, and that's the
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:06:31
goal of this acquisition. Thank you, and that's my point. This may be 40 acres and $75,000 today, but we're always interested in whatever borders us. And I think it's time that we take account of the fact that these dollars add up when maybe we should have some way to reimburse or make hold of the school district as an ongoing expense.
Chair
Unverified
1:06:55
But thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator. Senator Irvin, you're recognized.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:07:04
All right. Sorry, Representative Bentley. thank you chairman I would you guys just quickly go over I know being a representative from there this these bike trails have added numerous amount of economy to that area so I would say the the impact from improving and increasing the trails will actually be overtaken by the amount of people the tourism has been brought into that area especially a mountain even when it's one of our special trails and been placed there so I would think that the income is but
derived from these bike trails far away is anything they're gonna lose with property tax and I would just I know that you guys have records of the income has come from tourism through those bike trails at mount
Speaker 200
1:07:37
nebo thank you for that uh yes and i would i would agree that it does that does outweigh the the implications from the from the taxes being lost to the school districts and we've seen a huge increase in tourism as we've built out the 75 miles of monument trails throughout the state and one of those locations is here at mount nebo and that would be the the goal is a further expansion of the trails for opportunities for tourism
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:07:58
Thank you, sir. We have one
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
1:08:02
more question. Representative Crawford. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Excuse me. So
I'm over here. Did I hear you say that none of this was intimate domain, that it was willing sellers? Yes, that's correct. All right. Thank
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
1:08:20
you. Senator Dismayne. Thank you. This is for Senator. I looked it up. parcel collects $55 and 25 cents a year 23 cents a year $55 and 23 cents
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:08:33
senator Payton you're recognized thank you senator dismay appreciate
that information all right thank you seeing no other further questions
thank you gentlemen for coming down members we have a motion to give favorable advice we get a second there was second any discussion all those in favor signify by by saying aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. All right,
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:08:58
members, that's going to take us down to item J1. We have an interim study proposal by Representative Kendra Moore.
Members, this is to refer House Committee on Education to evaluate education economic impact of allowing
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:09:12
students with documented learning differences to use text-to-speech assistive technology during state assessments in Arkansas. Can I get a motion to refer that to House education we have motion the second second any discussion seeing none all those in favor say aye opposed the ayes have it we have interim study proposal by representative joy springer regarding instructional assistance and test taking cost to individuals seeking nursing certification can i get a motion you have
a motion you second it was second any discussion
all right seeing seeing none all those in favor say aye all those opposed the ayes have it members If we could give your attention for just a second, I'm going to recognize Mr. Eric Sanders and
Speaker 108
1:09:55
also Ms. Marty Garrity. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Today is Eric Sanders' last day with the Bureau. Eric has been with the Bureau for almost 20 years in the IT department and with the state for more than 28 years. He's one of our true success stories.
He started as a PC support person, worked his way up to become the administrator, and then a little over three years ago became the assistant director, deputy director for information technology. Eric's going to be sorely missed. He's been a calming voice when we've had fires in our server rooms and issues over in the House and the Senate, and he was formally recognized by Representative Eves and Senator Gilmore last week at his retirement party, but I just wanted this body to
understand the importance that Eric has played here at the Bureau and for the General Assembly.
Thank you members. All right, thank you Marty. Members, I'm going to recognize Senator Irvin
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:11:07
at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members, I just want to make an announcement that the Game and Fish State Police Subcommittee will be meeting next Wednesday, October the 1st, at the Game and Fish
headquarters in West Little Rock at 9 a.m. So we would invite all of you to attend. Thank you. Thank you,
Senator. Members, seeing no other business, we are adjourned. Thank you.
Agenda
A. Call to Order.
B. Roll Call.
C. Approval of the Minutes of the Last Meeting, August 15, 2025.
D. Presentation of the August 2025 Revenue Report & Annual Revenue Report – Dr. Carlos Silva, Legislative Economist
E. Report of the Executive Subcommittee — Sen. Ben Gilmore, Rep. Les D. Eaves, Co-Chairs.
F. Reports of Standing Subcommittees:
G. Reports of Interim or Special Committees: (none)
H. Review of Communications:
I. New Business: (None)
J. New Interim Study Proposals and Interim Resolutions:
K. Business Carried Over: (none)
SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
A. New Interim Study Proposals and Interim Resolutions:
B. Adjournment.
Documents
Speakers
Speaker 2
Mike Hager
Unverified
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
Representative Les D. Eaves Chair
Unverified
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
Speaker 20
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 30
Speaker 41
Speaker 42
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
Speaker 52
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
Speaker 63
Speaker 79
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
Speaker 40
Speaker 97
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
Speaker 108
Speaker 112
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
Speaker 48
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
Senator John Payton
Unverified
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
Speaker 136
Speaker 142
Speaker 144
Speaker 147
Speaker 149
Speaker 62
Speaker 160
Speaker 138
Speaker 163
Speaker 168
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
Speaker 176
Speaker 179
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
Speaker 187
Speaker 188
Speaker 200
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified