ALC - JBC Budget Hearings
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that we want to do is make an announcement or a a clarification if you will on the publications the Aook, the Book, tax handbook they're gonna remain at the desks for the entirety of the ALC jointudgetittee hearings. that said the binders the white binders on your desk those get changed out every week so you can't take the binder with you because that's state property that stays here but you
can take the contents so if you need to make notes you can take the entire contents of the binder you can take you know part of the contents of the binder each week but just wanted to clarify that the the white binders those will be changed out every every week so if there's something in there that needs to be part of your permanent record you need to to take it with you each week OK. so with that said
OK so we're going straight to to C one so camemeronwitt if you'll come to the table and then Renee Mallory and team especially Matt Gilmore you'll come to the the table and then once everyone is assembled if each individual will introduce him or herself for the record then Misshitt you may begin after that OK?
Speaker 5
1:45
camemeron Witt bureau of Legislative Research fiscal division Renee Mallory,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:51
Secretary of Health Department of Health. Don Adams
Cameron Witt
Unverified
2:03
Gilmore department of healthalth thank you Mr Chair As I said camemeron Witt bureau of Legislative Research I will start by presenting item C1 that's behind your agenda this summary of the
healthrelated boards and commissions show actual expenditures for the last fiscal year the current authorized appropriations and the agency requests an executive recommendation for the next biennium. It lists 19 agencies alphabetically along with the page number for more detail. Most of these boards are funded by cash revenue or special revenue the spinal cord commission is the only general revenue receiving agency and they are
requesting about 2.3 million in both years of the biennium. c ro s s these 19en agencies you will be reviewing a total of 27 appropriations and 26 of these appropriations have no change levels The one appropriation with a change level is the Arkansas socialcialorkliccensing Board they're requesting an increase of about33,90 in extra help and personal services matching to support the effective management of licensure application
processing and renewals. This funding is supported by special revenue from licensing fees and penalties? on the bottom of this summary you will see that the total agency requests come to approximately 17.3 million in both years of the biennium and the executive recommendation provides for the agency's requests and that concludes my presentation on the health boards and commissions. thank you for your presentation
Representative call Collins your and ask a
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
3:57
question thank you Mr chairir so I'm looking at your positions here and really it looks like it's pretty much all on the health operations paying appropriation and I see obviously that in for this budget cycle you're back down to around 1850 positions and 222 extra help but I'm
curious how we got to the point of having 2203 appropriated positions when you only have 1,812 in fiscal 26 like can you walk me through how we got to that point because that's a whole lot more po s ition s budgeted than you
actually had. p re s ent ing colins can you tell me what page you're on just so
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
4:48
you could look at the summary but I think page 159 is
probably the yes sir most direct way to look
Don Adams
Unverified
4:57
at it so the 1812 is the positions that we actually filled in fiscal year 26 of the positions that are appropriated to us and then under budgeted expenditures for this fiscal year we've budgeted 1,852 but of course appropriated 2200 a little over 2200 so some of the positions that were appropriated to us we did not budget
and of course we make an evaluation on what we think we need and we don't need and then of course if we don't think we're gonna feel that position we don't budget it and then of course moving into the next biennial we are surrendering those positions that we didn't budget this
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
5:43
fiscal year right I know that and but I'm saying how did we get to the point where you guys were asking and
we granted appropriation authority for 2200 positions when you only needed 1,812
Representative Collins can you hold that question we're we're really on department at the boards and commissions we're going to get in that could be answered in your pres in the presentation that may be right we come back to it thank youpresentative Wooten do you have a question specifically on the boards and commissions or do you have a broader question that we can come back to after we heard the entire presentation. OK
we're we're coming back to that when we when we get further yes yes and senator Irvin I'm assuming you've got a question on boards and commissions. you're recognized
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
6:40
for your question. Thank you. I see just from this right here thank you good morning thanks for being here with us
appreciate you looking forward to your presentation of your budget. reason to keep fund balance beyond three year average running average.thing is listed as a no Would there ever be a reason to keep the fund balance
with would that ever be a yes and would there be a reason
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
7:04
provided? don't think so and and they they bring in you know consistent revenue and
we evaluate that every every spring I I do think we're trying to get those balances down and then we're probably wanna have some conversations about lowering some of the fees lower and just to get those down to where we don't have to you know every year evaluate those
and kind of and it fluctuates so much that yes ma'am
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
7:32
receiving what you really need to send out versus keeping and building the fund balance I mean I think that's the goal here right from this data and I assume all of these fees, well, not all of them. Mos of them are licensing fees. a
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
7:48
few permit fees but mainly occupational licenses yes ma'am all right
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
7:52
and the spinal cord commission that one is it's state general revenue
it's SGR yes ma'am. OK all right thank you thank you seeing no other
questions do I have a motion to approve the executive. I've got a motion by Senator Irvin. Do I have a second? I have a second. all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries we're now moving on tod2 uhpresentative Collins and Representative Wooten after this presentation if your question is not answered please go back in the queue OK?
Cameron Witt
Unverified
8:32
Thank you Mr Chair. The Department of Health secretary's officef appropriation is on page 127 This appropriation is used to pay for the secretary's salary, personal services matching and support staff. It is funded by sharedervices transfers from the healthalth operations paying account and from the health boards and commissions changes in this appropriation include an increase of approximately367,000 in extra
help 116,000 in personal services matching for the use of medical personnel. The agency said this increase is needed to support the seven extra help positions that were transferred in the 2025 Act from their operations for more flexibility to utilize these positions within the boards and commissions especially nurses there's also an increase of $1 million to ensure support for operational needs across the agcency's divisions and programs
broken down there is an increase of about700,000 in operating expenses 200,000 in professional fees in 100,000 in grants and aid. This will allow the agency to better utilize the shared services transfers that are collected in this account. the total request and executive recommendation are approximately 1.9 million in both years of the biennium. if you'll turn with me to the department summary on page 153.
This is the department appropriation summary the department has 10 Arpa appropriations that are not requested for the next biennium as well as eight other appropriations they are requesting to continue. These are funded by a mix of general revenue, federal revenue special revenue fees transfers, thirdparty reimbursements, manufacturer rebates and tobacco settlement funds Currently the department has439 million authorized in appropriation and they are
requesting a total of approximately411 million dollars in appropriation going into the next biennium this includes about79 million dollars in general revenue which is utilized in the health operations and trauma system appropriations wo of these appropriations have changed levels the health operations payingc account and the interpreters for the deaf and hearing impaired. so if we'll go to page 157
This is the health operations appropriation. it is their largest appropriation it supports the operations of the department of healthalth including multiple divisions, two central offices and more than 90 local health units. It supports various programs specifically those for kidney disease, breast and cervical cancer, epidemiology and laboratory capacity in maternal and child health. it receives a combination of general revenue, federal funds special revenue, third party reimbursement
tobacco settlement proceeds and other program support funds on page 159 is the appropriation summary there are two change levels the agency is requesting0 dollars in capital outlay to align appropriation with anticipated expenditures and to discontinue appropriation for infectious disease control due to the federal programme funding ending that originated from theOVId-19 response. in total for this appropriation
the agency is requesting approximately300.7 million in spending authority which is a decrease of about 28.3 million from the current authorized the request includes approximately59 million dollars in general revenue which is the executive recommendation the next appropriation with changes is on page 173 it provides for expenses of the
interpreters for the deaf and hearing impaired advisory board they are responsible for regulating and supporting the certification and professional standards of interpreters for the deaf deaf blind, hard of hearing and oral deaf community Funding is derived from fees and penalties as authorized in Arkansas code the agency is requesting an increase of about 100,000 in appropriation for expenses in both years of the biennium or a total of 125,000 in order to modernize testing
materials expand interpreter education and support administrative functions the agency says they're developing a new test and this will allow them to utilize their fund balance as needed the executive recommendation provides for the agency request and that concludes my presentation on the department of healthalth. thank you
I'm gonna start with Representative Collins since I stopped him first and then we'll go to
Representative Wooten. Representative Collins you are recognized
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
13:58
thank you, Mister Chair. so yeah so my question and I understand that you guys are eliminating the unfilled positions which is good everybodydys should be good with that but I am curious about how we got to 2200 when you only had 1,812 of the positions filled were they formerly filled? I mean were people working in those positions before and if not I I'm surprised that this committee wouldn't have asked you know why are we you know appropriating 400 extra positions more than we
had if we did ask that at that time what did you say? I I'm just kind of curious how that was where we are coming from now I'm I'm glad we're eliminating him but I mean to the extent they're not filled and don't need to be filled
Don Adams
Unverified
14:45
but why were we there Yesir. so we did add positions during the pandemic and some of that is returning the
positions that we no longer need a lot of these positions have been vacant for a very long time and so in in years past we may have carried those just in
case we needed them although there's a cost to carrying them on our budget and so we are now surrendering those positions because we feel like that's the most fiscally
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
15:14
responsible thing to do OK and then related to that question I see that you actually only had46 of the extra help positions filled but you've retained the higher 222 number of positions that you're
requesting I guess why retain that if you don't you don't have you know that many of those filled
Don Adams
Unverified
15:39
yes sir so in years past we have fielded more than that of course during the pandemic we failed more extra
help positions so it kind of depends what's going on as far as outbreaks and other things in the department but to your point we probably have more than we would use under normal circumstances so ok well and I guess you guys
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
16:02
have had a few rounds of of layoffs and things like that obviously over the last couple months and and beyond that that I assume will all just kind of be for the most part that's in this budget category here where you guys have had the layoffs have people you know positions that you don't plan on refilling that's all in this appropriation this health operations paying yes correct thank you Representative wooten you
are recognized for your question. you Mr. Chairman
ir my my thank you all for being here today and but my report shows that you have a total of 2390 positions out there in the health department 24 of them have been vacant or in the healthalarkansas department including tobacco and previous and recess in
session of 24 positions you don't need or you know you use the language in case you might need the vacant positions with the taxpayers out here are suffering and and and they're they're f fight and they they don't have an in case so why why are we holding 24 positions in the health department that have been vacant for over two years Representative Wooton first just
Don Adams
Unverified
17:35
to clarify we are surrendering those positions going in this
biennium so that's in our that's in our budget and the positions that were surrendering we did not budget they're appropriated to us but we did not budget those this fiscal year so there's no expense related to even though they're appropriated and authorized there's no expense to the taxpayers by having those positions but we are surrendering those and more going into next fiscal year are you how
many are you giving back? aggency wide we're uh36868
positionsrr correct that you're identifying that are over two years. No sir no sir. so the 24
Don Adams
Unverified
18:17
I think you mentioned earlier those are the
ones that have been vacant for over two years but we're surrendering additional positions beyond those they may have been vacant for a year and a half or
a year. well that's commendable and are you reviewing them every every year you're reviewing each position sir that you have one follow up question on this sheet of paper that we were given this morning
under the under the fund balances I see the medical board has a fund balance of 16 million expenditures of 2.8 million and 8.4 over three years what what and and there's several one here's one uhpresentative wooten we've already approved that one. Can can
you take that question up after the mean it's an important question but we're we're now past that mind
I I have a just a what I think will be a quick question
I hope. So you said something about infectious diseases. I just want to make
Speaker 70
19:47
sure that with OKpresentative
Representative wooten we we've moved on
thank you Representative wooten we have moved on
and those are not general revenue agencies for the most part so back to my my question so you said something about infectious diseases. I just want to make sure you know on occasion we have mosquito borne illnessses pop up. we've had a a mumps outbreak. there's discussion of measles outbreaks. Do we have what we need for
surveillance and appropriate response to a historical well-known concern of you know infectious disease outbreak yes sir thank you all right uhpresenting hudson you are
recognized for your question. thank you Mr Chair I wanted
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
20:50
to go back to theI funding I wondered if you could give me
some additional information about what assumptions about federal funding are built into
this budget and what the plan is if there are cuts or shortfalls at the federal level given some of the changes that we've seen tosnap program and other other funding yes ma'am so ourwi
Don Adams
Unverified
21:11
funding has not been cut it's been continuing level and
the particular funding we have in here is for our food packages and so we have enough funding and appropriations to meet that demand
and you can beat that independent of any
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
21:25
federal funding is that what you're saying no ma'am OKok so my
question is if there is a cut to federal funding, what contingency plans do
Don Adams
Unverified
21:37
you have in place? well you know that's a federal program that dictates the food packages and along with receiving the money so if it was cut we could take a little cut and not hamper services so we have more food funds than we actually expense in a given year so there is some cushion there even if there was a cut if it got below our current expenses we would have to evaluate
shifting funding and you know making adjustments can you
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
22:05
give me some idea of what that cushion is
Don Adams
Unverified
22:09
approximately well I think last year I'd have to look at it we spent51 million dollars in food package funds were appropriated for60 million. I think we actually have more funding than even we have appropriations so we have quite a bit of cushion thank you Thank you
and just as a point to help other members if you could tell us what page number
you're referring to and a question that might help some of us stay engaged in the the conversation senator Love you are recognized for a question thank you Mr chairir
and and I'm going to go back to the positions
that that were authorized and and then the ones that you're surrendering we talked about extra help positions and so tell me in in these extra help positions what what what is covered under that under that pool of positions
Don Adams
Unverified
23:06
senator the extra help physicians have a lot of flexibility so we can build those
extra extra help positions in different class codes kind of depending on the need so they're not really specified as we've got so many nurses, so many clerks so many health program specialists they're more generic in nature and then depending on our need we can fill it at a in a certain class code ok and and are these the positions that we're going to be surrendering
no sir ok so you're not surrendering the extra help positions you're just surrendering specific positions
that have been haven't been filled for I guess over the past two years correct and are we saying that we do not need any of those positions I guess that's what I'm try because what I'm thinking about is when we talked about like outbreaks and different things and do we have those positions so are those the extra help positions that we're talking about that we can deploy if we need those at any given time I'm just trying to make sure that we have what we need
Don Adams
Unverified
24:09
not surrendering any appropriated extra help positions that gives us that ability that you were speaking of so the positions were surrendering our regular positions that haven't been filled in a while and that we've evaluated and don't we don't feel
like we need them moving forward all right I just wanted to make sure thank you thank you Mr
chair. Senator Irvin you're recognized for your question. Thank you, Mr Chair.
Page 163 so trauma system just want to
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
24:38
talk about that for just one second at one time with I'll let you get there so we were able to use part of this fund balance to assist with purchasing more lark long acting reversible contraception are we still doing that and if not why? because I see here that additional funding support
for stroke stey and injury prevention programs which I'm very supportive of but I'd really like to see long acting reversible contraception in there. senator so this money is
Don Adams
Unverified
25:21
available to carry forward funds are available for LAks as you mentioned and so that's evaluated on a year
to year basis. We use multiple funding sources to buy larks we have some reimbursement money we have some federal money and so if we need that we can tap into this
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
25:40
carry forward funds is islarrk listed in language in anywhere in your budget manuals special language I believe special language so we'll see a special language section attached to this appropriation or just
Don Adams
Unverified
25:56
your general appropriation the645 healthal operations yesd really I'd
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
25:59
love to see that just written. I mean just because I think that it's a it's a commitment that we need to state publicly we are stating it
publicly for Stroke stey and injury prevention but let's put that in the manual. let's list that because we are doing it and I think we as legislators need to see the commitment there and it needs to be reflected in the budget manual do think it's specifically listed in special language. I'm
Don Adams
Unverified
26:26
not looking at it right now but I do believe it is but we'll confirm that OK yeah just in the budget manuals too I
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
26:33
think would be a great thing thank you thank you
Representative Ggarner, you're recognized for your question
OK p re s ent ative Richardson you're recognized for your question no you don't have one? OK
Senator Tucker you're recognized for your question thank you Mr chairir.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
26:58
this is just a broad question we've had some excellent specific questions about wick and Larks and I'm supportive of all of those. there's clearly some healthcare changes taking place in in the state right now our
waiver for Medicaid expansion, I understand that's in a different agency but also other aspects of healthcare delivery in Arkansas. we're eliminating unfilled positions which I understand the rationale for by and large the budget is being held flat in what you're pro po s ing here and it's just a big picture question given the dynamic and the scope of the healthcare changes that are either happening or on the verge of happening in Arkansas. Is this budget request sufficient
for y'all to deliver the services that the people of Arkansas need for the next fiscal year
Renee Mallory
Unverified
27:51
so I'll start Senator Tucker and then I'll let the team enter in but we you know we had a lot of funding come in during COVID and so coke but that funding allowed us to to look at some infrastructure things that we need to do as far as technology and that kind of thing which has allowed us to look across the agency and tried to be more
efficient with what we have. So in short answer to your question the answer is is yes. We we have enough to do what we think we need to do right now and in the future. now you know you never know what's going to happen but right now the answer to that is yes. all right thank you seeing no other
questions do I have a motion to pass this executive recommendation? Oh, you do have a question senator? OK so I've got a motion do I have a second? I have a motion.
I have a second all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries moving on to item d is it D3? C3 item C3 Misshit you are recognized thank you thank you Mr Chair. The budget request
Cameron Witt
Unverified
29:05
for the healthalervices permit aggency starts on page 186 This agency operates under the
direction of the health servicevices permit commission and is responsible for reviewing applications and issuing permits of approval for designated healthcare facilities and services. on page 187 you will see that the operations of this agency is supported by general revenue and special revenue which is derived from certificates of need applications. pursuant to arkansas code, these funds are deposited into one account that that is designated
specifically for the agency and you will see that carry forward amount on page 188 and in the budget detail the agency is requesting to continue appropriation in the amount of approximately478,000 which includes approximately445,000 in general revenue for both years of the biennium the executive recommendation provides for the agency requests and that concludes my presentation on the healthal services permit OK any questions
No questions right with that said do I have a motion to pass this executive recommendation I see a motion. I have a second do I have second someone 2 I've got a motion to second all in favor say aye any opposed motion passes we are moving on to4. thank you Mr Chair.
Cameron Witt
Unverified
30:47
The budget request for the minority healthalth Commission begins on page 196. This commission was established to study issues related to the
delivery of and access to health services for minority populations in Arkansas and promote the prevention of diseases and conditions that disproportionately occur among minority populations. They have three appropriations funding for these appropriations are supported by tobacco settlement funds fund balances general revenue and cash revenue from donations, grants, interest and reimbursement for expenses associated with various public health initiatives The minority healthalth
operations appropriation on page 202 is the only one with changes the agency is requesting to discontinue this appropriation alongside the general revenue funding it has received in previous fiscal years the agency is requesting to transfer the associated expenses from this appropriation to the minority healthalth initiative appropriation on page 200 in order to enhance operational efficiency and utilize more of their fund balance in total the agency is
requesting a continuing level of appropriation of approximately 2.1 million in the next biennium in both years of the biennium and the executive recommendation provides for the agency request. That concludes my presentation on the minority healthalthcommission. thank you for your presentation. Do
we OKok I see we've got some questions those were quick senator love you are recognized for your question thank
you thank you Mr Chair. Secretary Mallory now exactly tell me exactly what are we
doing cause I just heard that we're going to be transferring appropriations to the minority initiative so tell me exactly what we're doing think can speak to it but
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
32:44
and don't it doesn't matter who speaks to it just want you to speak to it they have several with the minority healthalth commission they have a couple of different appropriations but some of the positions were funded with SGR
they've got a healthy fund balance and so we we suggested and made the
recommendation to move those positions over to the tobacco settlement funds that they receive. they've got a healthy fund balance of that and just trying to be you know we've we've gotten comments in here before about using that fund balance and just wanted to you know, try to do that and that's that's all that change is is basically moving it from SGR to master settlement funding in their fund balance. like the rest of so we're moving it from
the state general revenue to to to master settlement funds
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
33:34
mostst most of the positions are funded at the commission through master settlement funds and we're just putting them all in the same appropriation and moving that those positions off SGR over to that but that's still
within the minority health commission because I thought it I thought she she stated that it was moving to the minority initiative initiative is part of the
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
33:54
commission and it's I look at it as one big one large budget but it is two separate appropriations but it's we'll be moving those SGR positions that we're
talking about here over to the initiative fund which is where the other6 or seven positions are it's all part of
the commission though all right and then what was
let me let me let me see what was
Speaker 125
34:20
the fund balance as of right now? at this moments about5.7 million this fiscal year 57 million this fiscal year? OK. all right thank you thank you
Mr Gilmore for that clarification Representative Collins, you are recognized for
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
34:35
your question. thank you it's related to that same line of questioning so your discontinuing the appropriation to the minority healthalth commission from general revenue spending down the fund balance it looks like if you're going from5.7,4.1 to2.4 by the end of this biennium you'll be kind of near, I mean you could do one more biennium and spend it all the way down is the plan to bring that appropriation back at some point and resume general revenue or is
the plan to just spend the fund balance down and do something else like discontinue the minority
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
35:14
healthal commission so I think the numbers you're seeing there is what we've certified but you know there's annual payments still coming into the master settlement funds that help support this their spending you know pretty much with that annual payment is every year so and the fund balance I don't see it going down very quickly at all and so what I guess I'm trying to say is what we received for the master settlement payment every year is covering their expenses
and what they spend every year so we are trying to whittle that fund bounce down but it's not going down as fast as I would like it to but it is it is moving in that direction it won't move as fast as you're seeing on the bottom of that that that on page 196
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
35:51
so it's your belief that without this appropriation of general revenue we can continue the minority healthal commission doing all the same things it does now and hopefully more yes sir all right thank you
a motion to approve this re exec oh you have a question
yes you're senator irvin you're recognized for
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
36:12
your statement. Thank you and I'll make a motion for executive reck after this but I think it's a really good discussion to have and I appreciate the discussion about and what you just did with that because those are the things that create efficiencies and eliminates and alleviates the pressure off state general revenue that's really really important for us to utilize funds it's not doing our citizens any good s t ack ing up a bunch of money in
these fund balances. it's just not and so we've got to move that out and get it off the shelf, utilize it for the benefit of our our citizens and be smarter about how we're paying for our positions and really taking a keen look at that so I think it's a really good discussion point and I just wanted to highlight it because it it's an it's one that I think we need to be doing consistently throughout state government. So I just wanted to make that statement and I have it in motion for executive right. Thank you Senator Irvin for your comments and your motion. Do I have a second?
I've got a second all those in favor say I any opposed executive recommendation motion passes we are now moving on to to5 Miss Wick you're recognized Thank you Mr Chair. This is the last agency for
Cameron Witt
Unverified
37:34
the tobacco settlement commission starts on page 252.
This appropriation provides for the commission's operation expenses and is funded by the investment earnings of the tobacco settlementgrameund. the commission is responsible for monitoring and evaluating expenditures made from the four program accounts established under the tobacco settlement proceeds Act or initiated actct one of 2000 those are the prevention and cessation programme account the targeted state needsgrac account the Arkansas Biosciences
institute programc account in the medicaid expansion programmecco to ensure that the funds received are used effectively and responsibly. they are also authorized to contract with an independent third party to evaluate these expenditures and to prepare a biennial report. on page 253 you'll see the agency is requesting to continue appropriation in the amount of363.500 in both years of the biennium which is the executive recommendation and that
concludes my presentation on the tobacco settlement
commission. thank you for your presentation Representative
Wooton you are recognized for a question Yes miss Mr Gilmore you have
a fund balance of roughly 20 million expenditure budgeting of 23 million that can that money be used elsewhere or is it designated for that particular line item
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
39:25
the way the settlement was set up and the initiated act that went before the people and it it
needs to be used towards health issues targeted health issues and and appropriated by y'all but it is my understanding that it should be used for health issues
generally and in in the health department it could be used for
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
39:46
other purposes than the 2 if this appropriated that yes sir but it's it is it's kind of locked where it is
us in that column yes sir that's that's a good way of saying it yes sir if we
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
40:03
wanted to we could use that money elsewhere that would be a decision
for this body and and the governor thank you thank you chairman seeing no other questions do I have a motion to approve this executive recommendation. I have a motion do I have a second? I have a motion, I have a second all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries we're now moving
on to so your excuse we are now on number6 which isark's heritage and tourism. We do appreciate you being here today and you your information so Mr Pparish you're invited to the table and then secret Leuiss and team you're invited to to the table as well if everyone will introduce himself or herself for the record then Mrparri you may begin once introductions have taken place
Shea Lewis
Unverified
40:58
Good morning Shay Lewis, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks Heritage and
Jami Fisher
Unverified
41:04
tourism Damie Fisher, CFfo for Park's Heritage and tourism.
Suzanne Grobmyer
Unverified
41:09
Suzannerebmeyer, chief of staff Parks herritage and tourism. if you'll
recognize yourself you may begin. Thank you Mr
William Parrish
Unverified
41:17
Sher Billy Parri with the bureau of Legislative Research we
will start on page 254 this is the shared services section for the department of
Parks, Heritage and tourism the department's comprised of agencies and programs to make up three appropriation bills. the first one is the Capitol zoning commission. next is the division of heritage and then the last one is vision of Parks and tourism. the cabinets were provided that shared services section to eliminate duplication of services and provide efficiencies so on this page you'll see their employment summary and publications and on the next page is the analysis of the budget request Again this section provides for the shared services of the
department across all divisions and programs it's supported by a paying account on page 256 is their appropriation summary if you look in the third column for fiscal year 27 at the bottom the authorizer preparation is 10.9 million. for the biennium in 28, the request is 12.1 million that's an 11% increase and in 29 again 12.1, another 11% increase. however there are no change levels other than salary adjustments carrying forward into the new biennium and discontinuing to vacant
positions the executive recommendation provides for this agency request. Mr chairir, that is the shared services section. thank you
for your presentation what questions do we have? if we have no questions do I have a motion to approve this executive recommendation. I have a motion I have a second all those in favor say aye any opposed motion carries we are now on7 capital zoning district.
Mrparri, you may begin thank you a share
William Parrish
Unverified
43:05
on page 257. this is the capital zoning district commission and the commission regulates zoning development and design within the
capital zoning district pursuant to a master plan formulated and maintained by the commission this page shows the employment summary and publications and the next page is the department appropriation summary that's on page 258. the division has two appropriation requests the total authorized appropriation in
fiscal year 27 again that's that third column at the bottom it's 259,000 that's 259,000 spending authority. there are no change levels the commissioner requests the same appropriation for the biennium. The executive recommendation provides for this agency request the commission is funded from general revenue and cash funds in the form of civil funds. Let's share that is the Ca zoning district commission thank you Mrparish for
this presentation. I see no questions. Do I have a motion to pass this executive recommendation
I have a motion. I have a second all those in favor say aye any opposed most motion carries we are now moving on to number 8, Mr. Parri, you
William Parrish
Unverified
44:14
may begin thank you, Mr Chair. we're at the division of herritage now. this is on page 263 the division of heritage was created in 1975 to preserve and promote Arkansas's natural and cultural heritage.
it consists of nine sections that's historic preservationgrame, Natural Heritage Commission, state archives delta Cultural Center historic Arkansas Museum, mosaic
tempmplars culturalenter at the old Statehousemuseum, Arts Council and natural and cultural Resources Council. This page shows an employment summary and publications and the next page shows the division's appropriation summary. so now we're on page 264. the division has 16 appropriation requests the total authorized appropriation in 27 is59.9 million. the division requests60.2 million for the biennium. that's a less than 1% increase. The executive recommendation provides for the agency requests
there are no change levels from fiscal or 27 in this budget request. there are sections where they requests carrying forward salary match adjustments to the new biennium or vacant unbudge positions to be discontinued. If you look at funding sources at the bottom chart the division is funded from general revenue federal grants, special revenue and that's from 9% of the18 cent conservation sales tax. They also get special revenue from gas royalties and cash funds that's from museums, gift shops and cultural center proceeds as well as natural area timber thins.
the division also received20 million from the restricted reserve fund that is used to offset the income tax credits
allowed under the Arkansas Major historic rehabilitation Income Tax Credit Act. Mr chairir, that is the end of
the division of heritage. thank you thank you for your presentation. We have a number of questions senatoreyton you're recognized for a question
Senator John Payton
Unverified
46:01
thank you you're not Senatoreyton that's all right. I'll fill in
just some clarification on the delta cultural cash and treasury right so that's at 19 it's going up to 120 is there a big project that's coming there or something that increases that just curious so we allow for that appropriation
Jami Fisher
Unverified
46:22
historically we tried to we we have that authority but they historically typically only spend and bring in revenue between 20 and25 but if they have a
larger event or larger donations it allows for that flexibility for them to
Senator John Payton
Unverified
46:38
have the operating expenditures at the museum and in their special revenue for cash and the same thing on Natural Heritageedergrame that actual was 131 and then I see over
Jami Fisher
Unverified
46:52
the next you're going up to 2 million correct they have appropriation there for land acquisition in the previous fiscal year we had no land acquisitions
but we do have appropriate thank you just for clarity that waspresentative Richardson
asking questions in case anyone online or somewhere else was wondering uhpresentative
wooten you're recognized for a question
you Chairman. clarification whoever wants to
answer it why do we have a budget expenditure of60 million and an actual expenditure of 15.8 million and then the budget remains the same at60 million.2 why why is that what page are you on5 I'm sorry
Jami Fisher
Unverified
47:40
page 264. OK, thank you for the clarification sure you'll notice there there a large portion of the appropriation is the40 million and the historic tax credits and those are redeemed as the projects are finished and we actually had our first transfer this fiscal year in 207. so that program will authorize previously we're
just now starting to see payments go out. follow up Mr Chairman to the same question the fund balance under a budget expenditures shows47.6 million
but yet we have 90.82 million in excess funds well can
you explain that please On page264 at
the bottom shows budget expenditures of47. 6 bill and excess funding of 90.890.8 million.
Jami Fisher
Unverified
48:49
we're looking at column for the 26 for the actual, I think that's because of the
fund balance that we do have available for the historic tax credit we were actually given an additional
and your expenses are 15 million under and I guess this is the place
to ask this question my report shows 975 positions
altogether is that correct and of those76 positions or over two years old can do you look at those each and every year and review them what what is the se6 positions and what and what's the average age
Shea Lewis
Unverified
49:36
of those so of that se6 positions uh40+ are uh796 positions that we are either reviewing for turn back
on every single position when it comes vacant we take a look closely at the need at the time for that position and and in a I review every single position that comes from thank you thank you Mr Chairman. thank you
Mr Secretary. p thank you Representative meeks you're recognized for your question. Thank you and I'm hiding right here by
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
50:10
the column. my my question's kind of a I guess a follow up to what Representative Wooten was asking on the fund balance. it shows
90 million this year then it drops to like you said47 million planned expenditure it looks like in 28 and then 23 million down in 29. so it looks like we are spending that that down to mo to almost zero curious hey what are we spending the money on and is that part of a plan so that looks like by the time we get to fiscal year30 on that trajectory it's gonna be close
to zero think that those projections make the assumption that all
Jami Fisher
Unverified
50:54
appropriations will be expended and as you can see from 26 we don't historically expend all appropriations. I do think the historic tax credits are significantly skewing that as as I stated we did receive an additional $20 million in cash so that's included in the fund reserve there shown so the reserve for
the historic scra taxx credits is actually60
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
51:13
million so so while it it just the way the accounting works it creates the appearance that it's drawing down reality is generally it's not going to and and and the the money in that
balance is it just generally used for operations or what do we generally typically use that that fund for
Jami Fisher
Unverified
51:32
the historic tax credits yes sir the general revenue in our amendment75 conservation sales tax it is absolutely operating expenditures. OK perfect. All right thank
you Representative Collins you're recognized for a question.
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
51:45
Thank you all the way over here to your right so if you could go to page 279 with me this is the well it looks like it was is
being transferred out but this was where so I understand that some of the real estate transfer tax goes into this fund and then it goes to grants and so it's looks like it's for the most part cash and so what it looks like is that it's been moved to a different appropriation which is fine this main street program but my question is what what becomes of the fund balance the7.8 million dollars if that's
not even going to be in the same fund where we're going to make the grants anymore is that just gonna sit there in perpetuity because that's kind of like what it
Jami Fisher
Unverified
52:38
looks like here. This fund's a little unusual so the appropriation is actually transferred into it, from the NCRC funding. so there's actually a transfer that comes from one of our other business areas into this to support the main street grants that you mentioned. so you'll see the expenditures here the appropriation is not requested here. it's requested
in another place and transferred into it. we'll see it in a subsequent appropriation
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
53:04
request here in a few minutes. Well understand that but I mean you are getting around4.5 million dollars in real estate transfer tax a year right? and you're making contributions well 2 million it looks like this past year
Jami Fisher
Unverified
53:19
is this right? yeah3.2 total with operating expenditures correct
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
53:23
so you still do have this fund balance in there and is that
I mean you're not even making grants that are equal the amount of you know the amount of cash you're getting from the real estate transfer tax so we're just gonna see this fund balance increase is that what we're thinking so we unfortunately what's not shown
Jami Fisher
Unverified
53:45
on the schedule is our commitments for outlays and expenditures that are committed to mainin Street
programs that are just not expended in this year well but I'm looking at the other one
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
53:57
which I guess is on page 311.
and and that appears to be where you know you have your your expectation of6 million dollars in grants is that right But I see I guess I'm still confused though because if this is if this is where this is then you have a fund balance of $9.4 million in this one and you have7.8 in the other so is it am I supposed to add those two together? I mean what is the total fund balance
is it is the combination of the two
Jami Fisher
Unverified
54:40
it's 16 million it's really 17 million Yes, the the fund balance that's shown in on
page 311 inundenter481 is a combination for the the total NCRC program for that fund that business area so I mean ok and I
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
54:54
guess like these are grants and do we is the demand such like is is this something where we just have the money because the law has has
granted this percentage of real estate taxes to us it's burning a hole in our pocket we got to spend it somewhere or is the demand such that we're really meeting a need I guess I mean this is more of a substantive question about this program I don't know anything about the program
but I mean is it just money that we have to spend basically so we don't have the fund balance
Suzanne Grobmyer
Unverified
55:25
continue to accrue so the main street program is a collection of main streets across the
state there are two categories of main street programs. there's the
main street, the I'll call it the main main street program and then the affiliate for smaller towns this program goes to help them with their businesses helping build streetscapes and overlay districts the program itself is largely funded through real estate transfer tax much like many of our historic, preservation efforts in the department. we get a certain portion of those funds that go from real estate
transfer taxx to fund those programs it does vary year to year because of the real estate market and so those things are not necessarily cut and dry from a from a fiscal perspective but we see it as a need and feel like communities across the state do benefit from that program I'm sure it's a good program. it just seems like there's a lot of slack
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
56:29
in it and to be honest with you with the amount that we're taking from real estate transfer taxes that people do have to pay that's
just a comment thank you Representing ladyman
over here the main street program I think that's a very good program because I think it renews our downtown areas and it gives cities small cities especially funds that they don't have to to save their downtowns really so my question is do y'all know I know it's based on real estate
fees but has that increased over the years are more cities being able to take the opportunity to use those funds as it stayed steady or Mr chair if it's
Shea Lewis
Unverified
57:20
ok we'd like to invite director Marty ye to the table from the herritage division Directorye please introduce
yourself for the record and you may answer the question.
Marty Ryall
Unverified
57:38
heritage uhpresentativeladyman we have I believe it's40 cities right now that participate I'm gonna be
off by 1, maybe39 but it's it's we roughly have 2 in the top tier and 20 in the affiliate tier and we have an application period every year where other cities can come in and apply it was just a couple of weeks ago that we had approximately 12 cities I believe that came in and made a presentation and it's potentially going through the application process
they have until March to complete that process and these will be new cities will be added to it and right now we only have the capacity probably to take4 or5 of these cities into the program right now. so there's a vast need out there and we're trying to accommodate as many as
we can. Well I agree with you there's a need because40 cities out of500 that's not very many and a lot of these smaller towns have no other in no other income that they can use for this so I think we should look at more instead of less here if we can
Marty Ryall
Unverified
58:42
well there's some there's some qualifications for each city and that they have to have someone dedicated to implement the program at the city level so there's certain criteria that have to meet so we can make sure that they have the infrastructure in place to to take care of that but but you're right there's plenty of cities out there that need it and and we try to encourage cities to take this step because it has helped revitalize the downtowns of so many towns around the state chairman just
one more quick question are the people that apply for this is it
Marty Ryall
Unverified
59:18
mostly the smaller cities it varies I mean just this last application period I know we had blivi came to make a presentation and then of course the city of Keo made a presentation so it varies from from you know moderate size cities I wouldn't I mean the larger cities are either in or or run their own program but it is the moderate or or upperle
down to the some of the smallest ones
thank you thank you for that clarification Senator flowers
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
59:52
you are recognized for a question thank you Mr chairir. I guess Mr Ryle might be able to
answer this representative Collins asked a lot of the questions that I had concerning the real estate transfer tax I'd like to know and I think I heard somebody say what the average amount is
collected if there is an average amount collected per year and do we have a list of where these taxes are coming Yes so the real estate transfer tax is
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:00:29
collected and levied when anybody in the state of Arkansas buys or sells a piece of property and the average amount yeah
so it has increased over the last several fiscal
Jami Fisher
Unverified
1:00:44
years. last year's collections were40.8
million to the department.4840.8 million so just just almost41 million. and that's in our next section
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:00:58
that we'll cover in our appropriation request goes
now into this department of heritage and tourism for Main Street is that what I'm understanding
correct so at least4 million goes in there
do we have a list of of cities that are participating our communities that are participating in that and I'd like to
see a list of where those taxes are
Marty Ryall
Unverified
1:01:28
coming from yes ma'am. like I said we have approximately40 cities that are participating and and I
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:01:33
can get you that list well participating in your main street program but I'm talking about where are the taxes coming from what counties are putting in more transferred tax money would have to defer to DF I
Jami Fisher
Unverified
1:01:46
think on that question because I'm not sure we have the details on we just get the cash transferred to us from the tax I'm not sure that
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:01:55
we're provided the detailsir'd like to request that DF andA provide a list of those amounts coming from the various counties Mr.parri, do you have something you can help with on that? Thank
Speaker 113
1:02:04
you umarra, I don't have the specifics about the counties
William Parrish
Unverified
1:02:06
but they do have more history on that tax if you go to the tax handbook on page 19 7 that gives you a history of
the laws that went into this tax and how they changed and on page 198 you'll see the revenues generated and you can see it's fairly volatile and then the distribution of the tax how 80% of it goes to the natural and cultural resources grantrust fund which is again is the section we'll get to later in the presentation and 10% goes to the tourism fund account then another 10% goes to the main street and historicreservationrust Fund in that
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:02:43
manual that you just cited that does it list
the amounts coming from the different counties for real estate transfer fees. No ma'am it doesn't provide that specificity well that's what I'm asking for Mren flowers we're
going to work with DFfa to see if that
if there's any reason we can't provide that and if we can and unless we can't we're gonna get that information to you. I'd appreciate it and
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:03:12
I think in the past it has been provided I think it came fromdF andA but I'd like to see a current list
yes ma'am we're we're gonna get that to you unless there's
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:03:27
some legal reason we can't but he's kind of signaling that he can't we're gonna get I don't see how that
would have some kind of prohibition to disclosure
we're we're good we'll get it to you thank you uhpresentative
Representative Joy Springer
Unverified
1:03:43
Springer you are recognized for a question. Good morning. thank you Mr Chair my question relates to page 279 regarding historic preservation
I am not originally from pulaski County I'm from the south down in Wachita County and I'm very familiar with the historic parks down in that area and Mr. Lewis and I we've been having discussions with respect to historic preservations and I notice here where on page 279 I'm going back to that page where you've previously allocated 9 positions for physical year 26 and then you've decreased those positions down to7 for
years 27 budgeted and authorized7 then I noticed that you've increased extra help positions up to hate to 8 you are you following me? you see who I am. So hopefully you will utilize those extra help positions to maintain certain parts within the areas is it can I count on that to be taking place? so these positions
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:04:53
are directly related to the Arkansas historic preservationgrame that is
headquartered here in littlettleRock not specific to field a lot of those positions do work out in the across
the state in various parts but not specific to a region yeah the historic
Marty Ryall
Unverified
1:05:11
preservation program is your national historic register which is of course getting a a building
or a structure on the national historic register is a first step of getting it qualified to be able to accept grants and and restoration projects and then you know there's there's
cemetery restoration program within there there's a but it it it's it's not just the mainstre program and and it it's I know you had some questions about poison spprings Parks it's not related to the state parks it's more of your of your historic preservation of of historical structures around the state is is son Springs not historical?
Representative Joy Springer
Unverified
1:05:50
I mean some of theivil War it is and it's within the state park but they would
Marty Ryall
Unverified
1:05:56
fall under state parks ok that's right you told
Representative Joy Springer
Unverified
1:06:00
me what was it white oak white oak State Park so so what's the budget for whyhioak? is any of those funds being utilized forpringer we'll get to
that in the next another section here all right so
Representative Joy Springer
Unverified
1:06:15
I mean we I can talk to uhre secret Leiss offline again so we can get this taken care of will say
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:06:22
that these positions support the efforts of Arkansas state parks through historic preservation it's just a kind of a different level of the way they operate
versus directly Well hopefully we can get this worked
out thank you Representative Woootten you are recognized for a question. Thank you Mr Chairman. Mryle, I assume that the six.4 million in excess funds and that's included in the 90 million on the first page which page are we on we're on page one well the the amount I'm asking about is on page 267 but I think it refers back
to the 9ty million surplus the 16 million is in that is that correct that that
that that would be correct OK. is the conservation tax producing more than we thought it would when we passed that tax and that's that's given for the excess money that's in there that's correct and amendment that is earmarked for
conservation purposes and and and the list under Mr Ryle that you gave to us that provides the income for those poss for that along with the real estate and other things correct yes we do the conservation tax is producing more money than we anticipated yes yes I would say you know since
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:07:56
the inception of the the conservation amendment it has far exceeded you know our expectations and and has been
put to good use across our department the state park system Arkansas game and fish keep Arkansas beautiful. thank
you Mr Chairman. thank you. thank you Senator Irvin you're
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:08:19
recognized for a question thank you for asking on behalf of senatoreyton who's watching online
just wanting to know on the main street historic preservation Main Street programme. um, are there restrictions on what that money is used for or if that's just capital improvement.
Marty Ryall
Unverified
1:08:40
there are restrictions but there
are funds that are beyond capital improvements if I'm not mistaken. I'd have to verify that but I mean we provide there are grants every participating city gets a grant like right now on the on the top tier each participating city gets30,000 each year as a grant for them to use for their historic preservation programs and it's not limited to capital improvements it has to be it has
to be used for the purposes of downnstown restoration and improvements but I believe there's some areas in there that aren't capital improvements but I had to get the details and get it to
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:09:24
you. OK. if you don't mind getting those details and following up with Senatoreyton on that
that would be great so it can be used for programs or programming or just let me know because yeah I'll just have to find out I don't recall what
Marty Ryall
Unverified
1:09:37
specifically programming that's allowed but let me just I don't want to say something correct so I I will get it to Senatoreyton.
Thank you appreciate it thank you for giving that to Senatoreyton.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:09:54
senator flowers you're recognized for a question thank you
Mr Chair. just for my clarification so these different funding sources like the conservation tax the 10% that goes now from the real estate transfer fee to Main Street or the division are these stacked
for grants for preserving historic structures could the real estate transfer 10%? be used for preservation of historic structures and is there more sources of funding for that purpose I think you'll see in the next appropriation request that we'll get
Jami Fisher
Unverified
1:10:43
to in the next section. we do have more that is designated for historic structures within
state agencies and state-owned facilities. so we do have a part of the real estate transfer tax, a larger portion that comes to us is designated for that purpose not reflected in Department of Heritage but in a subsequent appropriation request we'll see you in a
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:11:04
moment. Well is there any way since the division actually handles all of those applications and grants is that right? you're
shaking your head yes I guess. so it's at the department level or the division level yes
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:11:25
well you're the head of the department there is there is also NCRC also has a council that is responsible for the distribution of those funds but that's dictated through the the act that created the law that outlines the role and purpose of those funds specifically can we get
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:11:43
a list or a a total amount that is
used for the purpose of historic preservation Yes yes we can provide that and maybe Mrys can say how many how much in those type grants have been allocated for this past year. Sure we have we have we're we're talking about two different things here you have the
Marty Ryall
Unverified
1:12:15
Arkansas Nat and Cultural Resource Commission which is a commission that's made up of I think there's
8 or 9 members that any stateowned facility is eligible for those those grants but then within the division of heritage is further grants that are for historic preservation historic restoration grants I mean there's several but absolutely we can get you that list be happy to
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:12:45
so well from what the conversation has been it's sounded as if the trans real estate transfer tax
that 10% used to go to that natural resources with the board you just mentioned but now it goes to the division is that right? A portion goes
Jami Fisher
Unverified
1:13:10
to state parks a portion goes to Department of Arkansas Heritage and then a portion stays in that the council manages for their awards the larger portion stays with the
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:13:21
council is there a breakdown of that is that what our bureau person referred to there is a separate appropriation request. yes
ma'am. Is this in that tax handbook where we can see
all these things senator NCRC is a little bit later in the agenda so we we
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:13:44
will get to that presentation I under I understand that but I'm it just sounds like what we've done is changed
where some funding goes and it goes into this department of parks heritage and tourism
but we're not getting the total amount I mean where all these funding sources coming from is what I want to
William Parrish
Unverified
1:14:13
know Mr chair if I may yes you're recognized Billy.
thank you Mr. Sherparrienator it's on page 198 of the tax handbook and it'll show the distribution of the tax and the previous pages show you all the different laws that changed how that tax was set up so it'll give you the history of where it went and where it's being moved to and it also shows you
the revenues generated since 2015. since 2015 ma'am and that's on
thank you senator flower. Senator King you're recognized thank you Mr Chair and sorry
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:14:48
I just walked in but and this may not be necessarily the budget but
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:14:52
on the Buffalo River designation issue that caused the big crisis. is there anything you are hearing or any driver at all to change or work on the Buffalo River designation change.
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:15:07
No, nothing currently in on our plates or associated with it iss this
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:15:10
natural state committee or are they still meeting and deciding things or do you know or you're a part of what are they doing?
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:15:17
Sure I'm a member of the the naturaltural state initiative we have a working group we're in the process of
trying to schedule a meeting here between now and the end of the year have you been meeting this past year? I'm trying to
remember when our last meeting was it it has been a little while if you could just provide me
with it was last September I believe was the last if
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:15:40
you could just provide me summaries of what's discussed there or what your recollations of it and you said you're meeting when we're trying and we're in the process now of scheduling a
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:15:47
meeting between now and the end of the calendar year is that a public meeting are you about finished Senator King? Yeah, I can
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:16:00
see where this is going so ok thank you all right I see
right seeing no further questions do I have a motion to pass this ok
I've got a motion do I have a second? I've got a motion in a second to pass this executive recommendation all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries we are moving on to number
9 Mrparri you are recognized thank you Mr Chair. we're on page
William Parrish
Unverified
1:16:43
298 this is for the Arkansas Arts Council.
Council seeks to advance the arts in Arkansas the council expands cultural and educational opportunities by investing in museums, theaters, symphonies and other providers of artistic programming on page 298 this page shows the republication of an annual report in the next page is their department appropriation summary so now we're on page 299 the division has two appropriation requests the total authorized appropriation for fifth year 27.gain this is that third column at the bottom is
1.19 million the division request for the next biennium is only5,000 dollars less. that's a less than 1% change. This is associated with discontinuing the vacant unbudgeted position. The executive recommendation provides for the agency requests if you look at funding sources the division is funded from federal grants from the National Endowment of the artts and cash funds from registration fees sales and workshop sessions. Mr chairir, that is the artts Council presentation. thank you for
your presentation Representative meeks you're recognized for a question
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:17:51
thank you Mr Chairman. so question I had is you said there was a5,000 dollars decline in the budget and that was due to the elimination of one position I'm just kind
of curious one position only5,000 dollars. I I believe it's
Jami Fisher
Unverified
1:18:06
offset with the pay plan implementations I'd have to look at the details but I think that's the
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:18:12
difference. OK so we're we're spending more on the employee we're keeping and so the difference between and and I'm assuming that that employee we're dropping probably was part time
it would be a full time position OK I I just even with that adjustment5,000 dollars still seems kind of small but I'm assuming that everything's on the up and up. So as as the
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:18:43
new pay plan was implemented salaries went up in other positions that was an entryle administrative analyst position and so
that's the difference that shows there the other positions went up in pay
leaving that5,000 dollars difference. OK right thank you seeing no other questions do I have a motion to approve this executive
recommendation I've got a motion do have a second have a motion I have a second all in favor sayy aye any opposed motion motion carries we are now moving on to 10 Mr. Pparri, you are
William Parrish
Unverified
1:19:19
recognized thank you Mr Chair. we are now on the natural and culturalsources Council. this is page304.
the council administers a grants program for the acquisition, management and stewardship of state owned properties acquired or used for council approved purposes grants are for projects to protect and maintain state owned natural areas historic sites and outdoor recreation. this page shows they have no publications and their next page is the department appropriation summary that's on page 305. the division has three appropriation requests there are no change levels the total authorized appropriation in fiscal year 27 is54 million. The
council requests54 million for the biennial. The executive recommendation provides for this agency request the division is funded from proceeds from the state's real estate transfer tax again that's page 197 the tax handbook 80% goes to the NCRC state owned landsgrame,10% is for Main Street and state historic preservation programs the first appropriation is for0 dollars. This is to allow appropriation to be transferred in from the second section the second section transfers appropriation to agencies
throughout the state when grants are made by the council for the acquisition management and stewardship of state owned property. the third section does the same for the main street and state historic preservation programs you will not see actual expenses for the last few sections special language specifies that when grants were made to state agencies from these sections the corresponding amount of appropriation and funding may be transferred to the receiving state agency therefore actual expenditures are reflected by the recipient agency. Mr chairir
that is the NCRC budget presentation. thank you
Mrparri for your presentation. Senator Irvin you are recognized for a question
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:21:10
thank you and it's primarily on page 310. I think it's another question about the main street programme just to add to the request for Senatoreyton to look at any funding that is going to Main Street programs wanted to see what exactly the use of those are for if it's for capital outlay
festivals programming, whatever. we just I just want to and you can copy me on that too and so just wanted to see any program and if they're are these funding nonprofit organizations that are like Main Street, Hebrew Springs or mains they are OK. so we just I want to just look at that and see what that money's being used for and thank you we'll be glad to provide that thank you senator Mark Johnson you're recognized for a question
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:22:07
thank you Mr Chairman secretary thank you I had a question it's a little bit of a follow up on senator Irvin's question and I don't know if the senator Main Street programer if there's an affiliation with the I'm having a senior moment bear with me the the museum on on Broadway uhmosaic Templars sorry just a little quick clip there I came down 9th Street yesterday and there were containers
in the street and they had some signage on them and all this and I'm is this the kind of stuff that's being paid for out of
Suzanne Grobmyer
Unverified
1:22:50
that fund or and exactly what is that there was a project that was done it kicked off I believe it was early spring, related to sudiomain and they did a pop up alonginth Street to bring up the historic nature of of the street they did a street diet it was
not a program that we ran but we had programming associated with Juneteenth out ininth Street but
that's not our department Well I'mg great glad that they're doing some
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:23:23
things like that and awareness along 9th street but when you put something in the street, whether it's a bike path on7th or containers on 9th I I start paying more attention to that and I I just want to know is that permanent or is that a temporary
Suzanne Grobmyer
Unverified
1:23:42
thing or what to my understanding it should be wrapping up soon but it is through a nonprofit studio main and and so that's they're working with the city involved in the actual buying a container or anything like that ok
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:23:56
great all right thank you very much thank you Mr chairman thank you uhpresentative gonzalez, the
other Justin in the legislature you're recognized except you went away there you go I didn't mean to turn that on
you're good Representative Wooten you are
recognized for a question thank you Mr Chairman. My my question is on page 309 and page311 and here again it's excess appropriation funding on309 it shows uh700.7 million
and then in and that's in the NCR state owned lands and historic sites and then on the next page311 it shows a balance of 18 million are we not using that money or is it designated funds or what what how how come we have such an excess balance in those two accounts. Yes sir. so the awards
Jami Fisher
Unverified
1:25:11
that we've been talking about the NCRC grant awards that go to general revenue you know
receiving agencies and stateowned properties. they're twoyear awards so it does have to do with the timing of the words and the the drawdowns that those recipients make and so while the fund balance looks large they the full amounts of the appropriation
are essentially warded out every year
so the money is committed but yet it's it's still in the or are we making you have that money invested yes sir
Jami Fisher
Unverified
1:25:42
and the interest earned on that trust fund is directly back into
that fund for future awards you receive the investment amount of money you use a trust in that sir thank you
thank you Mr Chairman thank you seeing no more questions do I have a motion to approve this executive recommend I have a motion. Do I have a second? I've got a motion. I have a second all in favor sayy aye any opposed motion carries we are now on to number 11 Mr.parri, you may proceed
William Parrish
Unverified
1:26:13
thank you Mr Chair. we're on page 312. This is theark's herritage and tourismarks and tourism divisions
the parks and tos and division's missions to enhance quality of life through outdoor experiences connections to Arkansas heritage and resource management on page 312 it shows the employment summary and no publications. The next page shows their department appropriation summary. so now we're on page 313 the division has 15 appropriation requests the total authorized budget in fiscal year 27 is $238 million in spending authority. the division requests $202 million in fiscal year 28 that's a35 million dollars
decrease or about 15% reduction and h97 million for fiscal 29 that's a $40 million decrease or about a se7% reduction in the budget our sections have a change level for something other than normal salary adjustments being carried over into the new biennium the executive recommendation provides for the agency requests. The division's funded from general revenue, federal grants, special revenue from45% of the18ent conservation sales taxxx and cash funds from sales and rentals at state parks. so now we'll go through the change
levels and the first one begins on page 321. On page321 is their conservation
tax section it provides for this special revenuedministration of the division it's supported by a special revenue fund the next page322 is the appropriation summary Again that third column to secure 27 authorized appropriation the total amount is 83.5 million was authorized
in 27 to request in 28 is 85.6 million. that's a 2% increase and in 29 it's 80.6 million that's a4% decrease from 27 and the executive recommendation provides for the agency requests those change levels begin with salaries and match and those are just rate changes that are due to adjustments for the employees that's authorized by law extra help is 2.1 million27 million in 28 it's 1.9 million that's a $200,000 decrease for about 9% reduction. This is to align with existing spin trends for seasonal staffing requirements
operating expenses is 16.3 million27. the request in 2 and29 is 18.3 million that's a 1el% increase. This is to accommodate increased prices for utilities, contractual services and supplies professional fees is authorized at613,000 in2 and29 the request is 200,000 that's a67% decrease. This is to align with the anticipated needs based on current spin patterns and most of the women it happens here in the construction line item what's authorizing 27 is45.8
million in 28 the request is40.8 billion that's a5 million dollar difference it's 11% decrease and in 29 it's35.8 million that is a $10 million decrease or 22% reduction look at and again that is to allow for the current spin trends to continue on maintaining support for current projects. if you look at funding sources the fund balance going into 26 was46.5 million. the fund collected special revenue in the amount of48.99 milliongain
that's45% of the18 cent conservation sales taxx transfer of 1.1 million was set to shared services the division spent48.98 million in 26. that leaves a balance of46.1 million going into 27. the next change level is the next page page323 This is Keep Arkansas Betiful it provides for the special revenuedministration of this commission it's supported by a special revenue fund on the next page324 is their summary total
authorized in 27 it's a little over a million. the request is for0. this is a request to discontinue the appropriation the executive recommendation provides for that request in the 2026 fiscal session special language transferred all funding appropriation positions and responsibilities of the key Arkansas Beautiful programme to the department of transnsportation. if you look at funding sources the balance going into 26 was 1.4 million. the fund collected special revenue in the amount of a little over a million. again that's that's 1% of the18 cent
conservation sales taxx. the commission spent735,0 in26. that leaves a balance of 1.79 million going into 27 and again that's over at the Department of Transportation now. the next change level
is on page 333. on page 333. this is the outdoor recreation great strides programme it's a grant program for local governments to encourage physical activity and provide health
benefits at local parks it's supported by a cash fund account
on page 334 is their appropriation summary 27 there was nothing authorized. the request for the bienniums for500,000. the executive recommendation provides for that request. if you look at fund sources the balance going into 26 was587,000. the fund collected in an interagency fund transfer that line shows540,000 that's from the department of healthalth the division spent468,026 that leaves a balance of684,000 going into to 25 members
appropriation for this program was established through peer and ALc so the division's now requesting to establish this the spending authority in their appropriation Act. exchange levels on
page 343. on page 343 is the delta Heritagetrail construction programme this section spends a grant from the Walton Family
Foundation and a federal raise grant on the development of a delta Heritage Trail Stateark
supported by a cash fund account the next page344 is their appropriation summary in 27 uh37.8 million was authorized the request for the biennium is ze. this is this is a request to discontinue the appropriation as the division anticipates construction completion before the start of the biennium. The executive recommendation provides for that request Mr Chair that is the end of the parks and tourism presentation.
Mrparri, thank you very much for your presentation uhpresentative meeks you are recognized for a question.
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:32:45
you Mr Chairman. so my question and actually is on one of the appropriations you actually didn't touch but on326 we've got the tourism promotion section looks like as a state we spent33 million dollars to promote Arkansas all for that I'm just wondering where are we spending the money at and do we have any way of tracking the success on that investment
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:33:12
Mr Char if it's ok I'd like to invite uhrector Thomas to the stage
or table hererector Thomas please come recognize yourself and proceed
with answering representative meek's question Good morning
Delaney Thomas
Unverified
1:33:32
Delaney Thomas with Park's Heritage and tourism. thank you for the question. yes, we absolutely
evaluate on a ongoing basis the performance of
our marketing so we throughout this program there is about 22 million that's spent on advertising we evaluate the return on investment with that and our last study showed that we returned about 140 or $140 excuse me for every $1 spent but our two primary ways that we look at the strength of the tourism industry is through our economic impact study that we produce annually in 2025 we set records for visitation to Arkansas with over54 million travelers coming and
contributing $17 billion in economic impact to the state and
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:34:18
what revenue what avenues are you using to spend that are we digital advertising commercial who are we targeting? yeah absolutely we have
Delaney Thomas
Unverified
1:34:27
an ongoing basis of marketing so we're always on we adjust our markets based on seasonality to ensure that we're reading or meeting the best traveler at the right time our primary spend is on digital placement through streaming online everything that you would expect there but we do
also place some print media and TV media as well and radio where
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:34:50
it makes sense and where are we targeting you know, Texas, Oklahoma nationwide. Yes,
Delaney Thomas
Unverified
1:34:54
we separate our marketing into three primary categories so instate marketing is important for us because about55% of travel in the state is from an Arkansan. our primary spend is going to be in our short haul markets which are all of our touch states our Texas is our number one travel market so we have a deep level of spending there and then we do have some longer haul markets that are
going to be reflected based on direct flights as well as just travel patterns and where we're seeing some longer haul markets come to the state excellent right
thank you thank you Mr Chairman. thank you thank youpresentative meeks. Director Thomas, I think you just answered this question but I want to ask it directly. So could you help me understand on very highle how we know again if someone is coming from out of state and spending out of state dollars in the state versus you said there were55%
of our travel was in state. Could you again high
Delaney Thomas
Unverified
1:35:48
level not down in the weeds yeah we partner with a leader in economic impact studies tourism economics to produce that plan so we have ongoing research that's conducted throughout the year that helps us look at rural visitation to the state and then self-reported spending that is occurring from that traveler and so that's going to be our very highle but then we do get more in the weeds on the digital placements where we're able to look at where we're placing media and where there's a return
on travel based on that media market. does
that answer your question? if tourism were increased it's not just because of inflation
we've we're looking at other factors besides inflation and not that we're ruling inflation out but we are specifically ok that answers my question thank you very much for for that uhpresentative Wooten you're recognized for your question you Mr
Chairman. I'll be quick. on page 320
is that is that just a paying account to pay the employees yes sir general revenue for state parks and tourism is just340 and 3 uh42 concerning war memorial Stadium we're spending a million roughly a million6 each year I'd assume that that's for maintenance or we breaking even out there now that the university has decided to move their games tofayetteville? No. we're not
breaking even how do you have an estimate of roughly how much
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:37:26
it's costing us if I could invite deputy director Jeff
Jeff King for Arkansas state parks he's you're welcome to come to the table introduce yourself and then I believe our answer the question I believe
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:37:45
our operating deficit is about a million dollars a year about500 about a
million dollars a year and that's that's with Catholic high and Parkview
using the stadiums and and any other event that may take place out there that's right so roughly it's costing us500,000 a year? No, about a million dollars a year. about a million dollars our income is roughly500. correct that's correct. OK deputy directoring do you want
to be recognized and try to clarify that
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
1:38:22
jeff King deputy director for the division of state parkks I can gather that number I don't have the the exact figure from last year I will say that though that the the you know theuFA game was a a windfall for the stadium when we were when we hosted in the in the in the last year and hosted the University of Arkansas vsus Arkansas State so without that game our revenues are shorter but also so are expenses so let me gather those those numbers and get those to your representativeoo that'd be fine that'll be perfect
11 more question it's kind of on the subject here it's not but there's
been a discussion about your about all agencies paying into the shared services of the state how much would it do you have an estimate what that would cost your agency to pay to pay for services being provided and what are those services for
Jami Fisher
Unverified
1:39:15
shared administrative services for the shared human resources functions it's 270 per position
326 per position and 270,000 for our department.
your your department 260,000 that you're paying to the state and you haven't paid that before is that correct In other words this is an addition for services they say that they're providing to you can you tell a difference in services we can it's it has
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:39:43
created an efficiency for us in the HR program specifically in shared services we have been able to not fill some vacant positions because of that and
then it is also creating an efficiency and and kind of lightened our responsibility level of knowledge where we were trying to maintain staff that were keeping the knowledge base that OPm was keeping at the same time and so it kind of
makes or makes OPm the subject matter experts on personnel and next thing I
want to commend you and Mr Chairman, I want to take the time to commend you and your
staff. you've been the most adequately prepared and you've been able to answer all
the questions that we've put forth. thank
you very much thank you you and Mrys and secretary and your staff OK so
hang on right there uhpresentativeladyman has a question and then as soon aspresentativeladyman
has has his question answered Director Thomas we've had a a request for you to provide a little bit more detail so if you'll come back uhpresentativeightdyman you're
recognized my question's forrectorhomas actually or maybe or anyone can answer this maybe
so you mentioned the Arkansas issue game and I don't know a million dollars is what I understand that that netted but but the people up at the UFA told me they lost5 million so AU people made 900,000. So I'm I'm confused about you know what is the financial benefit to the state when we do that because you know UA loses money because a smaller stadium ASsu
gains money because it's a larger stadium for them and it it is an income for you all so what what's the net income that you
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:41:45
received on that game at at war
memorial Stadium it generated the game last year was548,000 dollars for for the stadium itself specifically when you think about the impact of razorback game across the region though the
impact that it has economically back several years ago it was estimated at $10 million economic and return on investment to the central
Arkansas littlettleRock area. but are we causing northwest to lose money I mean
that's the question and I think chairman mentioned that but we we really need detail on is this good for the state or not because some of us have talked about wanting to do that game again but it needs to be a net income
to the state. Is there any way you can give us some kind
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:42:40
specifically I I'll say on behalf of the stadium and the department we would love to host the razorbackx at War Memorial Stadium again people at AU probably would too we would be glad to the governor issued a letter to the universities the at a univers Arkansas State University as well as University of Arkansas to work together
to come up with a solution for that. Well there would need to
be changes at the stadium if we had that game again
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:43:07
as you well know and we continue to make investments and repairs for that and and to be prepared for for a game there specifically you thanks
you you and we're we're gonna go a little bit out of order so all everybody in the queue I'm not skipping over yourector Thomas please come up here but Senator Hill was in the queue and then came out of the
queue somehow but ent er hill you're going to be recognized for your question
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
1:43:34
thank you overrector Thomas if you would go go into a little more detail on the research and partnership that you do for the out of state tourism dollars how you how you get those I'd like to hear the who what when where why and how. we determined it to make sure it's accurate that we're getting our money's worth on that that specifically would like to know how we track tourism
Delaney Thomas
Unverified
1:43:56
dollars versus instate dollars we have through our digital marketing partnerships we partner with a company called Adara. they've also sojourn has acquired that
company and it is one of our primary tools that helps us look at the ads that we're placing in market and when a consumer is exposed to that ad if they then take some sort of action in terms of searching for a hotel booking flight booking and then all the way through the point of booking. we evaluate that on an ongoing basis with our ad agency partners to eliminate any markets that are not performing well and then the annual study that I mentioned through tourismconomics which is
a company that's under Oxfordconomics really well renowned for their work in data and and an economic impact they help us look at that on an annual basis in terms of travelers and who's spending money in the state how accurate do you feel like that information is? I feel it's accurate with all data there's in my opinion there's a gut check as well that you associate with that but there's no one silver bullet so to speak in terms of the data we have to look across all of our platforms to look at who's
coming to our website and then we compile all of that information to make our decisions in an informed way
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
1:45:12
do you feel like that's your most accurate information
Delaney Thomas
Unverified
1:45:16
you're receiving that is accurate the most accurate would be the 2cent tax collections though that is the real number that shows overnight stays visitation to attractions in the state that is our main metric. thank you very much thank you thank
you Director Thomas for that explanation. Representative MacGruder, you are recognized
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:45:38
thank you thank you Mr Chair. thank you for the to the commit you all for being here today. I'm a freshman legislator so I'm really not even qualified to ask a question cause I have no understanding of what's going on but I'm on page 318 in regards to the museum of naturaltural Resources seems if you have a $4 million fund balances and I'm trying to get a better understanding of what's that for
and also exactly what this museum is doing
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:46:20
so while Jamie's looking for the related to the the tax collections there the Arkansas museum of
Natural Resources and smackover, Arkansas and was created for the interpretation and promotion of the Arkansas Natural Resources primarily oil fields found in Union County specifically so it tells the
story of the Arkansas oil fields and the great boom that happened here in interprets that as long as well as the timber industry today and Bryan collection and even into lithium now too so why do we have such a large
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
1:46:56
balance remaining are you on page 18 I believe this says38 I'm not seeing the $4 million
Representative McGruder, will you get back in the queue and I'm gonna move to Senator Caldwell so we
can keep things flowing is that ok? yes
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
1:47:46
sir thank you Senator Cadwell you are recognized for a question. Thank you Mr Chair. Secretary Shea on the Delta Heritage Trail project y'all are at Watson Arkansas going east to the levee of the Arkansas River going blacktoppa road and build a park down there iss this coming out
of the grant or is the state of Arkansas paying for
that project? So the the majority of the project that's funded the completion of the delta Heritage Trail has come from a combination of private grants and federal grants and we're using the the our balance of those grants to complete to complete both the trail and and the roadway project we are supplementing some of some of the federal funds with state dollars and so I can get you an exam breakout of that project if
you'd like for the paving of the roadway we're partnering withardott for that effort that's fine.
I'm not but again the park itself the bathhouses and stuff is that being paid for with the grant money or by state revenue that's that all it's all grant
funds right now at this point in our construction that's fine
thank you uhpresentative garner you are recognized for a question. Thank you Mr
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
1:48:59
Chair. I've got a couple of questions. One is the out the outdoor
recreation grants on page 328 we've gone from36 to almost 10 million 171% I just would love to have an overview of what those projects are and where they are in the state just kind of an overview yes ma'am so the3
Jami Fisher
Unverified
1:49:21
million there that's reflected is the actual expenditures we have quite a bit more that is committed that's not reflected on that schedule that is land water conservation funds that come to us they're federal dollars
that are managed by our outdoor recreation team and awarded we do have a listing of those we could provide. We do have we've we do have quite a bit still outstanding
and committed to to be paid out of that appropriation that we're requesting
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
1:49:47
yeah I'd love to see just a list and kind of where they are in the state. I'm excited about that and then I just have a question because I have no idea what it is and that is on page 313 and just the department appropriation on the wine council tourism facility I just have a special interest
Shea Lewis
Unverified
1:50:06
in that facility and where it is and what it is Director Thomas if you want to join us back up here again for that the the wine council was moved to the
department of parks heritage and tourism about a year ago since that time uhrector Thomas has been working and attending commit their commission meetings and you can get a bit update on
Delaney Thomas
Unverified
1:50:31
where we're stand as Secretary Lewis mentioned it was very recently moved over to our department so we've been working
with that group it's has commissioners from across the state obviously that are in the wine industry there is right now no wine building. there's no wine tourism building that exists the funds are still being collected towards that so our primary conversations have been around how we can better partner to promote wine tourism and agri tourism at large but that fund needs to grow a bit more before we could have infrastructure developed. Great. thank you very much.ppreciate y'all they have4.1
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
1:51:03
million dollars in in their account currently
Representative painter you're recognized for a question thank you
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
1:51:17
Mr Char. You said the 2% collections that we know from that estate have we seen what kind of increase have we seen in the last couple of years in that 2% from
Delaney Thomas
Unverified
1:51:28
out of state I wouldn't be able to put give right now the out of state we could work with DFfa to see if that number is available we get that based on countylevel collection and we're able to see by category of expenditure for hotel stays but we don't
currently receive the number for out of state versus instate. The2cent at in its whole is at an all time high ended fiscal year 26 just under 27 million totalling collections. great thank
Speaker 340
1:51:54
you appreciate it and we're up5.79% fiscal year date thank you RepresentativemcGruder. did you want
to continue or are you good OK great thank you
senator Irvin for that seeing no further questions do I have a motion to approve? I have a motion do I have a second? I have a motion.
I have a second. all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries seeing no other business for the day we are adjourned we will be back here tomorrow. Senator Irvin will be chairing andpresentativeladymann will be the vice chair thank you.
Agenda
B. Reports and Communications
Appropriation
C. Presentation of Budget Requests
D. Other Business
E. Adjournment
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — ALC - JBC BUDGET HEARINGS, Oct 7, 2026 | Agenda | 3 | Official source ↗ |
| C.1 Health Boards and Commissions | Exhibit | 1 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Senator Justin Boyd Chair
Unverified
Speaker 5
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 9
Cameron Witt
Unverified
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
Don Adams
Unverified
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
Representative Jim Wooten Chair
Unverified
Speaker 70
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
Senator Fredrick J. Love Chair
Unverified
Speaker 92
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
Renee Mallory
Unverified
Speaker 125
Speaker 128
Shea Lewis
Unverified
Jami Fisher
Unverified
Suzanne Grobmyer
Unverified
William Parrish
Unverified
Representative Jack Ladyman Chair
Unverified
Senator John Payton
Unverified
Speaker 133
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
Speaker 200
Marty Ryall
Unverified
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
Speaker 113
Representative Joy Springer
Unverified
Speaker 252
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
Speaker 290
Delaney Thomas
Unverified
Speaker 301
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
Speaker 313
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
Speaker 322
Speaker 330
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
Speaker 340