Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs - Senate
Video
Transcript
1 document
Bills discussed (3)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB246
Act 328
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda
Matched: “SB246 B. Johnson AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ELECTRIC VEHI…”
|
AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND HYBRID VEHICLES; AND TO CREATE … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB246 is now Act 328 |
|
SB245
Act 160
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda
Matched: “SB245 B. Johnson ACT TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS UNIFORM COMMERCIAL DRI…”
|
ACT TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS UNIFORM COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE ACT; AND TO DISQUALIFY A DRIVER … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB245 is now Act 160 |
|
SB247
Act 1061
· 3 mentions in chapter, agenda, transcript
Matched: “SB247 B. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PENALTIES FOR A…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE OFFENSE OF RACING … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB247 is now Act 1061 |
Machine transcript
May contain errors. Verify important quotations against the official video.
About transcript accuracy
- Source
- Whisper
- Model
- ggml-large-v3-turbo.bin RTX5060
- Processing date
- October 6, 2026
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
0:00
Chair sees a quorum of the Senate Transportation Committee. If always remember members to to use your mics, I'll be presenting three bills today and all those, and I think we've got the list already, but to speak for or against the bill, please
sign up. So Senator Pitch will be chairing so they can get that to her if some additional people want to do that. In that, Senator, if you want to start, I'll move down to present my bill. All
Speaker 3
0:47
right. We'll wait till you get down there and get kicked
Chair
Unverified
1:11
off then. Senator Johnson, you are recognized to present your bill, Senate Bill 245.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:18
Thank you, Chairman. If it's okay, these first two bills, DF and A, if I can get Paul to come
Speaker 10
1:24
down, I think he's signed up. He is. Mr. Gehrig, could
Chair
Unverified
1:47
you identify yourself for the record and then you may begin?
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:58
Department of Finance Administration. Go ahead. Senator Johnson? Members, this bill was brought by the Department of Finance and it addresses the human trafficking and changes in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and it will, if a driver is convicted of using commercial vehicles, will commit a felony that involves a sphere form of human trafficking, it would disqualify them from operating a commercial vehicle for life.
Speaker 12
2:27
Paul, if you want to. Sure. Thank you, Senator Johnson, and also thank you for sponsoring this legislation. This is a part of DFA's agency legislation for the 2021 session. We are part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Agreement for purposes of highway funding so that any changes in federal law with regards to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle or regulation of commercial driver's licenses or commercial learner's permits, we are required as part of our cooperation receipt of federal highway funds
to adopt federal changes that are required. And one of the changes that the federal government did require is that to add severe human trafficking as one of the major offenses that would require a lifetime disqualification of that person's commercial driver's license if they were to be convicted of that offense. Now, this doesn't have anything to do with the court conviction that would occur, but upon conviction from the court, we would have a legal obligation to disqualify the holder of that CDL for life.
And also, typically, a lifetime disqualification for a CDL, there is the ability after 10 years for that individual to seek a reinstatement of their privileges. Quite often that involves certain drug offenses, second offense DWIs, things of that nature. But this particular offense, pursuant to the federal regulations, would result in a lifetime disqualification of that CDL holder. Of course, we've seen reports of the horror stories of human trafficking and the victims that have been impacted by this offense.
So we certainly agree that this is an offense that certainly would be the type that, if committed in a commercial motor vehicle, should keep that person from getting back on the road and being a CDL holder. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:22
And just for clarification, and, you know, this was what they were doing for a living with a CDL and abused that privilege. This does not disqualify them from holding a regular driver's license so they can make a living in another way.
Chair
Unverified
4:38
So I appreciate a good vote. Okay, are there any questions by the committee? Seeing none, I've got nobody on the list signed up to speak against or for this bill. I'll ask, is there anyone out there who hasn't made it to the list? Seeing none, Senator Clark, Tucker, do you have a question? Okay. Motion at the proper time. Any other comments by the committee? I'll recognize your motion. Motion to pass. Do I have a second?
Second. Senator Johnson. We have a motion of do pass. All those in favor, please say aye. Same sign against. Motion passes. Senator Johnson, that's number one. Do you want to go
Speaker 17
5:28
right on into Senate Bill 246? If it's the body's permission, allow Paul to stay,
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
5:34
because this is also a bill that comes from the F&A.
Members, this is Bill 246, and there was some ambiguity in Act 416 from the last session, and could put into question whether these additional fees for veterans would be allowed or not, and Paul, if you want to add further. Sure. Thank you,
Speaker 12
6:00
Senator Johnson. Thank you again for sponsoring this legislation. We, in the 2019 general session, we passed a law to provide highway funding for the Department of Transportation. Part of that highway funding was to provide for
an additional registration fee of $100 on a hybrid vehicle, $200 registration fee on an electric vehicle. What that bill did not specifically address was if you are one of these groups of individuals that has a special license plate as a result of being a veteran or a disabled member of the former, a former member of the military who receives a license plate and their ongoing registration at no cost to them, whether or not these additional registration fees would
apply. So we do have approximately 2,646 hybrids and about 100 electric vehicles that are held by individuals that are either a disabled member, disabled veteran, or a veteran of one of the wars, Purple Heart recipient, et cetera. Those individuals, when they come to the revenue office to renew their registration, they do not have a fee that they are required to pay.
And in the legislative history for those free license plates and free registrations, the General Assembly stated that it's our intention to provide a free registration for those individuals on an ongoing basis. So after Act 416 was signed into law, it went into effect October 1 of 2019. We had to resolve this ambiguity in the law. So what we initially did is we programmed that they would be applicable to these vehicles. But then as we look back again, of course,
we saw that legislative history in the law that provided for these plates and registration should be free of charge. So we resolved that ambiguity administratively within DFA to say we're not going to collect this fee. So we wanted to also make the law retroactive so if anybody that was that had this fee collected from them we want them to be able to request a refund of that fee and also on a going forward basis we would not have to include that fee when that person comes in and registers.
But right now, we administratively ceased collection of the feed, given that there was a conflict in the law that we wanted to resolve in the favor of the individuals that were affected. We'd be happy to answer any questions. Okay.
Chair
Unverified
8:41
I see Senator Eads. You're recognized? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Paul, I just have
Senator Lance Eads
Unverified
8:45
– this looks like a little over a quarter of a million dollars a year is what it's impacting. With the refund and everything going forward affecting this year, Will that have any impact on the dollars that were being moved, how they were all kind of sorted out based on that information going to the highway funding?
Certainly, what you're going to have ongoing is
Speaker 12
9:07
approximately, I think there's about $2.2 million that we collect on the hybrids. I'd have to check exactly on the fees that are collected from the electrics. but certainly as we send out notifications to these individuals and give them a form to request a refund, that would impact the ongoing collections because the ongoing collections would be reduced by any refunds that we are sending out.
Senator Lance Eads
Unverified
9:28
Okay, all right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll add,
Speaker 17
9:33
if that's okay, I'll add something to that.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
9:36
You're recognized. You know, we set a dollar amount and whatever is not collected is taken out of general revenues to cover that, you know, like the, whenever the gaming tax and stuff. So I think this is the same, isn't it, Paul, where if those funds are not there, they're taken from the general revenue. Okay. Are you done, Senator Eads?
Chair
Unverified
9:58
Senator Tucker, you had a question? Thank you, Mr. Chair. These
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
10:05
fees on the hybrid and electric vehicles,
they're annual, correct? I'm sorry, sir? They're annual fees. That's correct.
And so the purpose, really, of that act is because, aside from people in the military and veterans, is
that they don't buy, in the case of an electric vehicle, they don't buy any gas. In the case of a hybrid vehicle, they buy less gas. So they're not contributing as much funding to the highway department to pay for their fair share of the roads, correct? That's correct. And so I guess I just feel like I'm gonna vote for the bill,
but I feel like we're creating a little bit of an inconsistency because if we have someone who's in the military or a veteran and they have a car with an internal combustion engine, they're still buying gas and they're paying tax on that gas, correct? That's correct, yes. But if they, maybe we're just incentivizing members of the military to buy hybrid and electric vehicles, which is okay by me. But you see my point? Of course, yes. So anyway, that is just what struck me as I was looking at this
and that may be something to look at in the future, but anyway, thanks
Chair
Unverified
11:14
for bringing this. Thank you, sir. Any other comments with regard
to that, Senator Tucker? I guess on the list to speak, Mr. Goering, you're already here. Do we have anybody else in the audience want to speak to Senate Bill 246? Seeing none, Senator Johnson, are you closed for your bill? I'm closed, I'd appreciate a good vote. Okay, what is the recommendation of the committee?
senator tucker motion do pass do i see a second senator johnson all those in favor please say aye same sign opposed the motion passes um let's move right along then we'll go senator johnson you're up to senate bill 247 and i believe you have an amendment you'd
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
12:02
like to introduce first thank you members this uh this amendment was found about 8 o'clock this morning, so it puts in another section of code, the same language,
I believe. If it be okay, if I could get, I think, is Mary Claire, who else signed up for this? We have Jason Aaron, I believe, and Mary
Chair
Unverified
12:27
Claire has signed up to speak. Do you need them at the bench already yeah if you would at least
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
12:33
right now for Mary Claire to come up and please approach the bench thank you do we need
Speaker 17
12:47
think on the bill Jason would be appropriate okay I'll
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
12:58
let I'll let Mary Claire speak on the amendment.
Speaker 40
13:02
We'll start with if you'd identify yourself
Speaker 43
13:06
for the record, please. I'm Mary Claire McLaurin with the Arkansas State Police. The amendment is essentially the bill that we are asking to be run today amends a certain section of the traffic code regarding
racing on the public highway. There's a portion of that provision that's not actually referenced in the bill but in the entire provision that references another section of the traffic code and that section of the traffic code has a listing of classification of offenses and says that racing on a public highway is a class a misdemeanor one of the things we're trying to do with this bill is to increase the penalties for second or subsequent offenses and so we wanted to make
sure that that corresponding section of the code noted that there is an exception, that if this bill passes that there will be, it's a class A misdemeanor unless it's a second or subsequent offense. And so we wanted those two to correspond instead
Speaker 44
14:10
of potentially conflict. And that's the basis for the amendment is to bring those two statutes in line. Okay, Senator Johnson, do you have anything
Chair
Unverified
14:21
to add of that before we ask for questions or comment?
Absolutely not. Okay. What's the committee have any questions? Seeing none, what is the will of the committee on the amendment first? Motion to adopt the amendment. Motion to adopt the amendment. Do I have a second? Senator Tucker. All in favor of accepting the motion to adopt the amendment, please say aye. Aye. Okay, now if I follow my parliamentary procedure and whisper in my ear if we do this right, Now we'll present, Senator Johnson, do you have any comments on the bill
Speaker 17
14:57
and in its entirety as amended? If it be okay,
Speaker 3
15:03
if I could switch out. We can do that for sure, or add
Speaker 46
15:09
another chair would be appropriate as well. If it be okay, she should take it. Make
Speaker 17
15:32
sure we turn Senator Chesterfield's nameplate over, but that'd be
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
15:36
fine. Members, if I could let Jason introduce himself, and he has more experience with this problem
than I do and would like for
Speaker 48
15:47
him to start. Please identify yourself for the record.
Speaker 49
15:50
Jason Aaron with the Arkansas State Police. And the microphone is
Speaker 48
15:54
your, if you're recognized. The Arkansas State Police is requesting that we're, they enhance the penalties on racing. This is an increasing problem that we've encountered here in central Arkansas. Surrounding states are also seeing it, just as far as example. In the past year, our number of citations for the offensive racing has more than doubled.
It's just an increasing problem that we're seeing in central Arkansas and across the state. It's these are large organized events that take place where they are coordinated through social media platforms. And it's it's a matter of groups of 15 to 20 to 75 to 100 individuals. They coordinate on social media on locations. They're shutting down city streets, state highways, U.S. highways and even parts of the interstate.
due to the volume of participants that they have they'll slow road traffic to a stop and set up a racetrack and it's taking place here in Arkansas now and so
Speaker 51
16:59
we're just trying to get out in front and enhance the penalties on
Speaker 20
17:03
this for a second offense. Okay any questions for I
Chair
Unverified
17:07
don't want to give you the wrong title are you the colonel or what is your title? You just said Jason. Major Aaron. Major Aaron any questions from the committee for Major Aaron? Seeing none, Senator Johnson, do you have anything to add on your bill?
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
17:23
Members, this is a matter of safety, and not just for those who are participating, but also if it happens in the city streets and outlying areas, those who are also using those streets. I'd appreciate a good vote. Okay. Senator Tucker, do you have
Speaker 26
17:40
a question? Okay. You're recognized? I'll just say, even in Little
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
17:46
Rock in my district, we've really had an increase in this. And so I really appreciate your service and y'all bringing this bill.
Chair
Unverified
17:55
Thank you. For the record, I might ask a question of either Senator Johnson or Major Aaron. This is a second offense. Two kids that get stupid and could decide they're going to go race on a county blacktop one time, they can still be the class A. is that I want to make sure that's stated in the record here because this is more of an organized situation, I assume. Do you want to reference that for the record once more for us? That's correct.
Speaker 56
18:26
You know, it happens. Kids get out whenever it is, and they, you know,
Speaker 48
18:32
one got a new car and the other one got another new car. First defense, it's a class A misdemeanor. It's for that second. After the first time, they've learned their lesson. And as you all well know, even on a second offense, prosecutors and attorneys, they can work deals and play them down. It's a matter of looking at the totality of all the circumstances on that one offense. But by statute, this will at least give us the option from second.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
18:59
Subsequent offense will be a felony. Okay. Very good. Senator Johnson? I'll reiterate, and that came from the eye myself. and Representative Holcomb, and didn't want those first-time offenders to have that possible penalty, but also I want that subsequent stupid activity to have that possibility and deter these actions,
Chair
Unverified
19:32
and I'd appreciate a good vote. Let me ask, though, I don't have anybody else signed to speak for this. Is there anybody else in the audience who'd like to speak for or against this bill? Seeing none, I take it that you're closed for your bill, Senator Johnson. What's the will of the committee? Motion. I need you to say, again, do pass as amended as the motion is stated. Hearing that, all those in favor of the motion? Oh, I need a second. Excuse me.
I have a second with Senator Tucker. All those in favor of the bill do pass as amended. Please say aye. Same sign opposed? Motion is passed. And with that, I believe we've cleared the docket, and I'll hand it back over to Senator Johnson to do as the rightful chairman should do, right?
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
20:35
Thank you, Senator Pitch, for doing a very good job in chairing that time. I just want to let members know that we're going to try to do the transportation picture this coming Tuesday. We had some conflicts for today in scheduling, so if everyone can
get ready, and we'll try to do that Tuesday out here on the steps in front of the old Supreme Court. So, Trent, we're going to, Tuesday, we're going to try to do our committee picture out here in front of the Supreme Court or in front of the Senate. I don't remember which so anyway thank you everybody for coming and transportation committee is adjourned
Agenda
CALL TO ORDER
SB245 B. Johnson ACT TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS UNIFORM COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE ACT; AND TO DISQUALIFY A DRIVER CONVICTED OF A FELONY INVOLVING A SEVERE FORM OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS.
SB246 B. Johnson AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND HYBRID VEHICLES; AND TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT AN ADDITIONAL FEE BE PAID FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND HYBRID VEHICLES.
SB247 B. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE OFFENSE OF RACING A VEHICLE ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY.
ADJOURNMENT
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — TRANSPORTATION, TECHNOLOGY & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS - SENATE, Feb 4, 2021 | Agenda | 1 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
Speaker 3
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 10
Speaker 12
Speaker 17
Senator Lance Eads
Unverified
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
Speaker 40
Speaker 43
Speaker 44
Speaker 46
Speaker 48
Speaker 49
Speaker 51
Speaker 20
Speaker 26
Speaker 56