House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (55)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1793
Act 804
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…re we left off was Representative McKenzie's bill which was House Bill 1793 we”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS. | Duke | Notification that HB1793 is now Act 804 |
|
HB1974
Act 948
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1974 Long TO PROHIBIT STATE ENTITIES FROM EMPLOYING UNAUTHORIZED…”
|
TO PROHIBIT STATE ENTITIES FROM EMPLOYING UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS; TO ESTABLISH THE E-VERIFY REQUIREMENT ACT; AND … | Long | Notification that HB1974 is now Act 948 |
|
HB1024
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1024 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES; AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES; AND TO REPEAL THE LAW PROHIBITING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1028
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1028 A. Collins TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE LAW CONCERNING OBSCEN…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE LAW CONCERNING OBSCENITY AND THE PROCESS FOR CHALLENGING MATERIALS INCLUDED … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1035
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1035 A. Collins TO CREATE THE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 2…”
|
TO CREATE THE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 2025; TO ALLOW ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION; TO … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1036
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO ALLOW HB1036 A. Collins VOTER REGISTRATION DURING EARLY VOTING AND ON EL…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO ALLOW VOTER REGISTRATION DURING EARLY VOTING AND … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1037
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1037 A. Collins AN ACT TO CREATE THE PREREGISTRATION TO VOTE ACT…”
|
AN ACT TO CREATE THE PREREGISTRATION TO VOTE ACT; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1038
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1038 A. Collins TO CREATE THE NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING ACT OF 2…”
|
TO CREATE THE NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1039
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1039 A. Collins TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE BALLOT…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE BALLOTS; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING ELECTIONS. | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1040
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1040 A. Collins TO CREATE THE WATER IN LINE ACT OF 2025; AND TO…”
|
TO CREATE THE WATER IN LINE ACT OF 2025; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1041
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1041 R. Scott TO PROHIBIT DECEPTIVE AND FRAUDULENT DEEPFAKES IN…”
|
TO PROHIBIT DECEPTIVE AND FRAUDULENT DEEPFAKES IN ELECTION COMMUNICATIONS. | R. Scott Richardson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1042
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1042 A. Collins TO CREATE THE DIRECT DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2025; TO R…”
|
TO CREATE THE DIRECT DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2025; TO REPEAL THE ENSURING ACCESS FOR ALL … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1043
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1043 A. Collins TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE AND REPORTING OF NONCANDID…”
|
TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE AND REPORTING OF NONCANDIDATE EXPENDITURES PERTAINING TO APPELLATE JUDICIAL ELECTIONS; AND TO … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1058
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1058 Unger TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ETHICS AND CONFLICTS OF I…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ETHICS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; … | Unger | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1059
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1059 Unger TO PROVIDE THE OPTION FOR A FREE LIFETIME HUNTING AND…”
|
TO PROVIDE THE OPTION FOR A FREE LIFETIME HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE TO A COMMERCIAL … | Unger | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1069
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1069 S. Meeks TO OBSERVE STANDARD TIME YEAR ROUND IN ARKANSAS; A…”
|
TO OBSERVE STANDARD TIME YEAR ROUND IN ARKANSAS; AND TO ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME IN … | S. Meeks | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1078
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1078 Long TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING RUNOFF ELECTIONS; AND…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING RUNOFF ELECTIONS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR A RUNOFF ELECTION FOR … | Long | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1162
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1162 Duffield TO ESTABLISH GOOD FRIDAY AS AN OFFICIAL STATE HOLI…”
|
TO ESTABLISH GOOD FRIDAY AS AN OFFICIAL STATE HOLIDAY. | Duffield | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1281
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1281 McAlindon TO AMEND REPORTING FOR A CANDIDATE FOR CERTAIN MU…”
|
TO AMEND REPORTING FOR A CANDIDATE FOR CERTAIN MUNICIPAL OFFICES AND FOR COUNTY OFFICE; AND … | McAlindon | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1415
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1415 L. Johnson TO REQUIRE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RESPOND TO A…”
|
TO REQUIRE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR A FIRE INQUIRY. | L. Johnson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1459
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “CONCERNING RECURRING REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL HB1459 L. Johnson ASSEMBLY.”
|
CONCERNING RECURRING REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. | L. Johnson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1461
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1461 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EVALUATION OF NE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EVALUATION OF NECESSITY OF VARIOUS COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS. | L. Johnson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1494
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1494 Hawk TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS GUIDANCE OUT OF THE DARKNESS AC…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS GUIDANCE OUT OF THE DARKNESS ACT; AND TO REQUIRE STATE AGENCIES … | Hawk | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1614
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DESIGNATIONS RELATED TO HB1614 Lundstrum CERTAIN CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRANT PROGRAMS.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DESIGNATIONS RELATED TO CERTAIN CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRANT PROGRAMS. | Lundstrum | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1621
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1621 Wardlaw TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO EXEMPT PERSONAL INFORMATION OF … | Wardlaw | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1631
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1631 Wardlaw TO ADDRESS THE ISSUANCE OF HUNTING AND FISHING LICE…”
|
TO ADDRESS THE ISSUANCE OF HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES TO FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS. | Wardlaw | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1632
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1632 Wardlaw TO REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME…”
|
TO REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION FOR FREE OR DISCOUNTED … | Wardlaw | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1667
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1667 Bentley TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING … | Bentley | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1720
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1720 Vaught TO CREATE THE BABIES AT WORK ACT; TO ALLOW STATE AGE…”
|
TO CREATE THE BABIES AT WORK ACT; TO ALLOW STATE AGENCIES TO PERMIT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES … | Vaught | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1753
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1753 Long TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO OPT…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO OPT-OUT OF THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT … | Long | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1769
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1769 Barnett CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STANDARDS; AND T…”
|
CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STANDARDS; AND TO REQUIRE A PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OR ASSESSMENT TO BECOME … | Barnett | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1773
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR BALLOT HB1773 Long QUESTION COMMITTEES AND LEGISLATIVE QUESTION COMMITTEE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR BALLOT QUESTION COMMITTEES AND LEGISLATIVE QUESTION COMMITTEES. | Long | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1780
Act 684
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “have signed up to speak against the bill. Sorry, we have House Bill 1780. Sign up to speak against the bill, Margaret Darter.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RETENTION OF PROPERTY RELATED TO A FELONY INVESTIGATION. | Gazaway | Notification that HB1780 is now Act 684 |
|
HB1790
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “up to speak against the bill House sorry we have House Bill 1790. Sign up to speak against the bill, Margaret Darter.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT. | B. McKenzie | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1867
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “AGENDA (Revised 4/4/2025 @ 9:30 AM) Removed HB1867”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE NO GOVERNMENT TRESPASSING ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT GAME WARDEN TRESPASS ONTO PRIVATE … | B. McKenzie | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1878
Act 978
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1878 McGruder TO ENSURE EARLY VOTING ACCESS FOR ARKANSANS RESIDI…”
|
TO ENSURE EARLY VOTING ACCESS FOR ARKANSANS RESIDING IN POPULATION CENTERS; AND TO REQUIRE A … | McGruder | Notification that HB1878 is now Act 978 |
|
HB1883
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1883 Long TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FOURTH AMENDMENT PROTECTION ACT…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FOURTH AMENDMENT PROTECTION ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE … | Long | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1884
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1884 Long TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE MARKING AND COUNTING O…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE MARKING AND COUNTING OF PAPER BALLOTS. | Long | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1951
Act 929
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1951 A. Collins TO SET FORTH AUTHORIZED DOMAIN EXTENSIONS FOR HI…”
|
TO SET FORTH AUTHORIZED DOMAIN EXTENSIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITES. | A. Collins | Notification that HB1951 is now Act 929 |
|
HB1952
Act 947
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1952 Hawk TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE ATHLETIC COM…”
|
TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE STATE … | Hawk | Notification that HB1952 is now Act 947 |
|
HB1973
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1973 B. McKenzie TO PROVIDE THAT A GOVERNMENTAL BODY SHALL NOT U…”
|
TO PROVIDE THAT A GOVERNMENTAL BODY SHALL NOT USE STATE OR LOCAL FUNDS TO ENTER … | B. McKenzie | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB12
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB12 B. King TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING … | B. King | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB184
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB184 D. Sullivan TO TRANSFER THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ARKANS…”
|
TO TRANSFER THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION COMMISSION AND THE STATE … | D. Sullivan | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB376
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB376 A. Clark TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; A…”
|
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING … | A. Clark | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB445
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB445 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSURE OF ELEC…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSURE OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS. | K. Hammer | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB471
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB471 A. Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANDIDATES FOR NONPART…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANDIDATES FOR NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS; AND TO ALLOW CERTAIN CANDIDATES FOR … | A. Clark | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB486
Act 955
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “…NING SAFETY AND PRIVACY IN CERTAIN ENTITIES; AND CONCERNING SB486 B. Johnson THE DESIGNATION OF MULTI-OCCUPANCY RESTROOMS, CH…”
|
CONCERNING SAFETY AND PRIVACY IN CERTAIN ENTITIES; AND CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF MULTI-OCCUPANCY RESTROOMS, CHANGING … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB486 is now Act 955 |
|
SB489
Act 950
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB489 G. Leding TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF A MONUMENT ON THE STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS … | G. Leding | Notification that SB489 is now Act 950 |
|
SB491
Act 956
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB491 K. Hammer TO REQUIRE A VENDOR THAT CONTRACTS WITH THE OFFIC…”
|
TO REQUIRE A VENDOR THAT CONTRACTS WITH THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS DIVISION TO SUBMIT DATA FOR … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB491 is now Act 956 |
|
SB508
Act 756
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB508 Irvin TO AMEND THE FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT OF A STIPEND FOR CE…”
|
TO AMEND THE FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT OF A STIPEND FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC … | Irvin | Notification that SB508 is now Act 756 |
|
SB521
Act 748
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB521 B. Davis TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT; AND TO EXTEND THE TIME PERIOD … | B. Davis | Notification that SB521 is now Act 748 |
|
SB536
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB536 D. Sullivan TO ABOLISH AND TRANSFER THE ARKANSAS STATE LIBR…”
|
TO ABOLISH AND TRANSFER THE ARKANSAS STATE LIBRARY AND THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD; AND TO … | D. Sullivan | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB551
Act 764
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB551 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSING FOR A PETI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSING FOR A PETITION FOR A LOCAL OPTION ELECTION. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB551 is now Act 764 |
|
SB570
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB570 J. Dotson TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP O…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE. | J. Dotson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB584
Act 768
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM SB584 K. Hammer PETITIONS.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB584 is now Act 768 |
Machine transcript
May contain errors. Verify important quotations against the official video.
About transcript accuracy
- Source
- Whisper
- Model
- ggml-large-v3-turbo.bin
- Processing date
- October 7, 2026
Yes, we have a few more House bills to take up. I believe where we left off was Representative McKenzie's bill, which was House Bill 1793. We
were in the speaking for and against phase. I believe Lindsey French has spoken against the bill. The next person that we have signed up to speak also against, I'm sorry, for the bill. No, looks like all of our remaining witnesses
are against the bill. So next we have, no, I'm sorry, we do have one for the bill, Paul Calvert.
Mr. Calvert, if you would state your name, I'm sorry, if you would state your name, chair sees a quorum by the way, if you would state
your name and any organization may be here representing you'll be recognized but before you do that representative Collins okay before we begin let me say that the speaker kind
of strongly recommended to me that for the remaining house bills we spend about 15 minutes per bill so everybody try to be mindful of that mr. Calvert did you state your name
Paul Calvert
Unverified
1:21
yes there we go my name is Paul Calvert I appreciate your time committee I won't be go too long you're recognized thank you so I was kind of excited to see this bill come up because this is one of my frustrations coming
down here is a lot of you know I come down here and I don't get paid for any this. I've been doing this, I've been coming down here for about 14 years, and I take off work, I pay for my own fuel, come down here, and one of my biggest sources of frustration down here is that I have to compete with tax-funded lobbyists. That's just kind of mind-boggling to me, and I tell other people about that, and I think a lot of people's reaction is,
surely that's not so. We allow tax dollars to be used for lobbying? I think that's probably a common reaction among a lot of people, that surely we don't allow the tax dollars to go toward lobbying. But yes, indeed we do. We allow our tax dollars to be spent on political advocacy.
I'm okay with government agencies sending their people down here to answer questions. I think y'all are entitled to that information. I think it's good for y'all to get that information. I've got a serious problem when tax dollars are going for actual political advocacy. These people need to take their badges off and not be able to use tax funds for this. Unfortunately, this bill doesn't go that far. I like what it does. it takes it a step in the right direction and I really appreciate where he's going with this
and I really think you all should vote for this bill because this is one of those principled issues that we should never allow tax dollars to go for political advocacy. Thank you committee. Mr. Calvert before you go representative Wardlaw
you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's late and
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
3:43
my mind's slow. I'm just a dirt farmer. We usually go to bed at
8 and get up at 4 and run all day.
Do you understand, and I agree with you in a lot of
sense with this bill. I mean, I don't necessarily like the lobbying aspect, but what about all the other services they get from the Municipal League and the Association of Counties? Do you realize most of those go away, too, with this bill? Why does it have to if they quit lobbying? I don't know if I'm educated enough to speak on it. I don't have my iPad because I'm ill prepared tonight. But there was some emails sent to us from the cities and the counties that said they lose those services from the association of counties.
They won't be able to be members of those entities anymore if they keep lobbyists.
Paul Calvert
Unverified
4:33
So I think the reasonable solution to that is they should stop lobbying. I
mean, all of us have the right to lobby or advocate. I don't think I'm technically a lobbyist because I don't get paid for any of this. But all of us have the right to advocate, and all of these people can still advocate. I think the definition of lobbying is actually spending money on legislators. Is that not right? I think it's spending money on behalf of maybe an organization or someone else.
Yeah, same thing. Yeah, to engage in lobbying. Right, right. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, sir. Representative
Chair
Unverified
5:05
Hawk, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Wouldn't you agree, sir, that when we elect a mayor or a county judge
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
5:11
or a city council member, we elect them to stay in the cities or the counties that they come from to do the work of the people in those counties? Wouldn't you agree with that? No, sir. So you don't think that if we elect a mayor to run a city or a county judge to run a county,
they need us to hang out in those areas rather than hanging out in Little Rock?
Paul Calvert
Unverified
5:34
No, they have the right to come down here and advocate just like the rest of us do. And they do. They do frequently. I mean, we see the halls full of mayors and judges and sheriffs. But their job
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
5:45
is to work in those counties, correct? Not come and spend time at the Capitol. That's why we get
Paul Calvert
Unverified
5:53
elected, correct? In our districts? It's not a hard question. Every other citizen has the right to engage in political advocacy, but I don't think any of them have the right to use taxpayer dollars to advocate for this.
I don't think we should even need a law for this. I think it should be one of those things that should get
Speaker 26
6:13
prosecuted. for using tax dollars to engage in political
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
6:18
advocacy? I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Thank you, sir. Representative Woodridge, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This may be for the bill sponsor. So, if a judge or a mayor is being paid by tax dollars to be here and lobby, would that all of a sudden be prohibited?
Would they have to do like Mr. Calvert and take vacation time
or be here on their own accord, unpaid? How
Paul Calvert
Unverified
6:44
would that work? It's not a question of time. Well, I'll answer that. I think if I understand the bill correctly, it would not prohibit them from doing that. I wish it would, but it doesn't because it only prohibits organizations. It's probably going to encompass the Municipal League and the Association of Counties and maybe another. It's going to prohibit them from hiring lobbyists.
If I understand it correctly, it's more disconnected. They can still hire lobbyists. The state police, if they wanted to, could still hire a lobbyist. Is that correct? The answer to your question is no. Okay. So my understanding, or
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
7:22
the way I guess I read that, was that tax dollars could not be utilized to engage in lobbying practices? No. Contract lobbying or for the use
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
7:31
of membership and organization. It says that. There's only three paragraphs, but it says it in the second paragraph.
Okay. Yeah. Thank you. All right. Seeing no further questions by the committee, thank you, Mr. Calvert, for those remarks. Next, we
have signed up to speak against the bill. Sorry, we have House Bill 1780. Sign up to speak against the bill, Margaret Darter.
Ms. Darter, if you would state your name and any organization you may be here representing,
and then you'll be recognized
Speaker 47
8:18
to present your remarks. Yes, thank you. Margaret Darter, Faulkner County Clerk, also President of
Speaker 50
8:24
the County Clerks Association. As the County Clerk Association president, one of my jobs is to help facilitate and have training for the County Clerk's Association, and those are some duties that I would not be able to do without the assistance of the AAC.
They help facilitate. They set up all of our training. Two or three of them out of the office will be at the clerk's meeting and actually giving the training. We have a lot of county clerks do payroll. We pay bills for the county. And the smaller counties do not have county attorneys that they can reach out to. So we are able to reach out to the association and get help with knowing how to, if we have questions on payroll, if we have questions regarding an employee that's left, FMLA.
I mean, it's unlimited to have someone to come into our county to pay them to be a lobbyist or I would not be able to be down here all the time. They can help cover, they help facilitate getting all the clerks down here to cover what we need. I'm sorry, I'm a little nervous and I take any questions. All right, looks like we do have a couple of
questions. I just want to remind the committee that we, Speaker asks us to try to keep these bills to about 15 minutes.
So we're about six minutes left per my counter. Representative Hawk, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ms.
Chair
Unverified
10:01
Daughter, you said you're the president, right, of the County Clerks Association? Yes. So in your role, and you work in the county clerks for
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
10:09
Faulkner County, You wouldn't have time to be up here every day during session to keep up with what's going on, do you? No, I'm not able
Speaker 50
10:19
to be down here every day. I have been down here for the last several days, but that's leaving my office unattended.
And then when I get back, I have to
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
10:35
catch up on my duties at that office. Yeah, and so the Association of Counties, they're able to keep you informed, and all county clerks. So if there's an issue, if you can't make it, there's other clerks that can come and speak for a bill or not,
Chair
Unverified
10:49
right? But they keep you involved with what's going on? Yes. Okay,
thank you. President Meeks, you're recognized. Thank you. Since you're my county clerk, of course, I've got to throw one at you. So my question is, assuming this were to pass, right?
My questions would be, would the Association of Arkansas Counties provide enough services that you'd be willing to pay for the membership out of your own pocket, or how would your office, in order to try to still be able to access those, wearing your county hat, would you try to figure out another way to pay those dues with non-taxpayer funds or how would
you try to navigate this should something like this pass? I would
Speaker 50
11:41
definitely try to navigate another way to raise the funds. We are required by law to have so many continuing education hours every quarter and so, you know, the laws may have to change if, you know, we have to pay it out of our own pocket to get that training but yes I'd be willing to do whatever I had to do to have the training that's the value of the
So if you had to pay the training out of your own pocket would you expect for the county to reimburse you for that since you're that's being done as part of
your job? Yes I would. All right seeing no further questions seeing no further questions by the committee thank you. Thank you. For your remarks, Ms. Darter. Next, we have signed up to speak against the bill, John Wilkerson.
Speaker 62
12:43
John Wilkerson, General Counsel of the Arkansas Municipal League. I won't belabor the point. I know it's late. Ms. French highlighted a
Speaker 63
12:50
lot of the things we were talking about, that we too are Section 115 status or an instrumentality of government. We are organized as an interlocal agreement which is statutory law where the cities can come together for a purpose that they can already do. They can come together and create an association like the Municipal League. And just to highlight two things, we really work very hard to educate our cities and towns on what's happening
up here at the legislature. And today was a particular day, just this afternoon, I talked to Springtown, Ozark, Charleston, Dover, Gurdon, Glenwood, Carraway, Pea Ridge, Springtown again, and MENA. None of these folks can get up here for this. We're here trying to make sure we can educate our cities and towns and let them know what's happening, and also try to help just craft good policy so that we're all sort of understanding, and you all hear from the cities and towns about what's impacting cities and towns,
and we try very hard to work together. So the fact that we couldn't, that the city couldn't pay membership dues, the municipality, because we also lobby and advocate for cities and towns, we just think is a bad idea. So we'd ask
that you vote no on the bill. Any questions for Representative, Mr. Wilkerson, I'm sorry,
Representative David Ray
Unverified
14:05
Representative Ray, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Wilkerson, I'll just ask you basically the same questions I asked Ms. French from the County Association. Do all states use the same model that you guys use in Arkansas?
Or is there, do other states prohibit this and you use, do other city municipal associations use maybe like a nonprofit model similar to what Game and Fish Foundation or Arkansas PBS Foundation uses? Not that I know of. And I don't know every league or association
Speaker 63
14:39
don't know of any other model than this one. Of course, our laws are set up differently, so perhaps we have something a little bit unique. I don't think that we do, but I don't know of any other different way of doing this,
Representative David Ray
Unverified
14:53
but I have not surveyed the entire country. - So what does your due structure look
like for cities? What, how much taxpayer funds do cities cumulatively pay in dues? And then can you speak to the question that I asked Ms. French about do any of those funds that you receive go toward lobbying? If they don't, what funds do you utilize for lobbying?
Speaker 68
15:22
Well, my salary's paid through, so the association dues are $40.
It's not a whole lot, but bless you. For every city? But because we offer risk management for legal. One minute. Sorry? One minute. Oh, sorry. Vehicle, work comp. We have an association dues that go in from
Speaker 63
15:43
the administrative costs that go out from those funds into the administration. And I'm paid out of both the administration fund. And then, of course, I also run the legal defense program for the Municipal League as well.
So I'm paid out of that fund as well. So my lobbying, my advocacy dollars, salary come out of the
Representative David Ray
Unverified
16:06
administrative fund. Okay. It sounds like I'm out of time,
so I'll cease my question. All right,
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
16:16
there's 20 seconds left from what I can say. Representative Rose. Thank you, Mr. Chair. How much is collected annually in these dues for the association? $40 times 500. So you don't get dues for city council members? You only get for mayors?
No, from the city. The city pays $40 a year. How much does the association collect in total dues? 40 times 500. That's total? Yes. All right,
Speaker 78
16:45
thank you. All right, the alarm went off. It's
been 15 minutes. I don't know that we have to hold it to just a strict 15 minutes. I'm going to give, of course, Representative McKenzie an opportunity to close for his bill. We're going to end the for and against section with that.
Representative McKenzie, you're recognized to close for your bill. Thank
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
17:08
you, Chair. Guys, I'll be quick. Everything that anyone said could still happen if we pass this bill. What we're talking about is the conscription of tax dollars. I want the municipality to still offer legal services, still offer insurance, same with the Association of Counties, same with the clerks. I'd love for them to come down here and advocate for the things they care about. I do not, with this bill, and I ask you for consideration, to not conscript tax dollars to those ends.
This is a very clear proposition, and I hope you guys can support it. But this is, again, we have to ask ourselves, why are our tax dollars
going to these organizations in the first place? So with that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative McKenzie
is closed for his bill. What are the wishes of the committee? I see a motion do pass. Representative Long, is there any discussion on the
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
18:00
motion? Representative Long, you're recognized. I just wanted to point out something, at least in my district. All the mayors and all the county judges and all the JPs, they all have my phone number.
And I think that all these counties have 100 people down here every, well, almost 100 down here every day of the week advocating for them. I don't see really the need for getting out there and trying to hire lobbyists and everything because they have us here to represent them. So that's all I got. Thank you. All right. Representative Long
has spoken for the bill. Is there any other discussion on the motion? Seeing no further discussion on the motion, all those in favor say aye. - Aye.
- All those opposed. - No. - The noes have it. Sorry, Representative McKenzie, bill's failed.
Next we have House Bill 1974, Representative Long. We got 15 minutes. I'm gonna let you get situated at the end of the
table. We're gonna start the clock. - There's an amazing. And there's an amendment so, better make it quick.
Do you want to go ahead and start it or just-
Speaker 91
19:13
No, just pass the amendment out. All right.
Everyone on the committee should have a copy of the amendment. Representative Long, you're recognized to present House
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
20:12
Bill 1974. The amendment, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Wayne Long, House District 39. The amendment
basically just corrects an oversight on our part that we forgot to put in political subdivisions when we were doing the bill. All
right, Representative Long has explained the amendment. Are there any questions?
Seeing no questions, do I see a motion to adopt the amendment? Representative Long makes a motion to adopt the amendment. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. All
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
20:45
those opposed, the ayes have it. The amendment's been adopted. Representative Long,
you're recognized to present the bill as amended. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Basically, after making some calls to some folks, I guess it was started off with Leslie Fiskin and then I ended up with Jennifer Elkins. She's the Chief Legal Counsel for Office of Personnel Management. I found out that the state doesn't require
E-Verify when they hire employees and E-Verify basically is a federal government program that's for free and it takes about 15 minutes or so to set up the program and just probably less than five minutes to enter the information for the prospective employee. They currently, everyone that gets a job in Arkansas is required to fill out an I-9 form, which is to verify their eligibility to work in
the United States, but that's pretty much where it ends. They take the I-9 form and and put it in a filing cabinet somewhere, and that's sort of the last of it. I guess maybe the Border Patrol could come up sometime and ask to see them, but that's kind of the end of it. What my bill does is requires us to do one more step and use the federal government's program called E-Verify. In that program, they put in the information that's listed on the I-9 form,
and it's run against the database of the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. They verify using that information that the person is a citizen of the United States or a legal avian and eligible to work in the United States. And that's pretty much it. I'd be glad to answer any questions. Representative Clowney, you're
recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative Long,
Representative Nicole Clowney
Unverified
22:41
I'm sorry if you said this in your presentation, but do you know of any
undocumented immigrants who are currently working in any of these, for any of these entities?
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
22:53
No, ma'am. I believe since they don't verify the current forms that they fill
out, we would have really no way of knowing. But this only affects new hires. So at least in the future, we could
make sure that doesn't happen. Okay. Representative Meeks, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Representative Long, we actually looked at doing this back several years ago as a state. And the reason why it was rejected at that time was because there was concerns with the accuracy of the e-file system.
And if there was a false entry, how that was cleared up. Can you speak to, you know, has that concern been
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
23:40
addressed? Yes, Representative Meeks, I believe it has. The new administration seems to be placing a really high goal of having correct and accessible databases so that we can check the voter rolls, make sure this system works.
If there is a discrepancy, the employer can basically follow up with the E-Verify system. and let them know that this looks like, you know, an incorrect result and
it can be basically administratively looked at after that. Okay. A potential unintended consequence. So
if the state of Arkansas opens up an office, say we've had offices in different countries to try to promote, you know, Arkansas rice and products in these other countries.
And say if we opened up an office in France and we wanted to try to promote Arkansas in France and we wanted to hire somebody local to act on our behalf to promote Arkansas, say within France or Mexico or Canada or wherever, obviously they're not going to—you couldn't e-verify them, right? So would that prohibit the state from hiring somebody from a foreign country to help promote our state within that foreign country? Well, Representative Meeks, I never
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
25:06
dreamed that possibility of, but just thinking about it,
I think the employment would be taking place in France, so it would be covered under the laws of France rather than Arkansas as far as hiring locally. That would be my guess, but your guess is as good as mine. Okay, but if we're
going to hire them, we would have to comply with our laws. I'm not trying to scuttle your bill by any means, but just a potential and something for you to think about, a possible tweak maybe. going forward.
Yes, sir. Representative Collins, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So,
you mentioned the I-9 and said it gets put in a drawer somewhere, but, you know, that is a sworn affidavit under penalty of perjury in the I-9. There are also audits under the I-9, which can result in fines. So, I guess I just wanted to see what your thoughts were on that. I mean, I mean, it's not like there's nothing to the
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
26:03
I-9. It's not just an ignored form. Yeah, I think I mentioned that, you know, it could be audited, I believe, a moment
ago. But basically, I think this is being more proactive to make sure that on the front end,
we're getting eligible employees working for the state in our political subdivisions. Well, and that
actually is my next question. So you said this is the amendment political subdivision. So that
means every little city in town and the state is going to have to do this and train their employees up on doing this and every office, right?
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
26:36
Yes, sir. It takes about 15 minutes to set it up and maybe five minutes to run one. So I think it's well worth the time and effort. Some states actually require this to be done not only in the state
but also for their private employers, and they seem to make it work. Okay. Thank you. I
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
27:02
don't know about the rest of the committee, but my brain feels like it's an over-soaked sponge, and I just can't really process
anymore today. It's after 10 o'clock, and I'm looking around here, and when my brain starts to get like that, I like to at least ask some people who are most affected by this what their opinion
is and there's no one here that I see from state agencies of any sort. And so I just don't feel comfortable passing this simply for that reason. Not that I agree or disagree or anything, but I just feel like we're not doing the citizens of the state any good right now. There's no one here to speak for or against or ask questions. And that's just my opinion. Take it for what it is. Sorry. Do you agree?
No, ma'am. Representative Woldridge, do you have a question? All right. Seeing no further questions by the committee, we have no one signed up to speak
for or against the bill. Representative Long, you're recognized to close for your bill. I'm close for the
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
28:06
bill and hope to get a good vote and make a motion due pass. Representative Long is closed for his bill as amended.
Yes, sir. What are the wishes of the committee? Representative Long, did you have a motion? Yes, motion do pass. Do pass as amended or is there any discussion on that motion?
Representative Ray, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Representative David Ray
Unverified
28:24
Colleagues, I know the hour is late and we've
been here a long time. I do just want to say that this is a good bill. You know, if you look up, all you have to do is just Google map of states that have e-verify laws. We are in the distinct minority of states that have really no e-verify requirements at all. Most states in the southeast require this, not just of government, they require it of private employers as well.
This bill is, I think, a good first step. All it does is require government entities to use E-Verify. It's very easy to sign up for E-Verify, very easy to use. And the goal is to show an example and prevent, you know, inadvertent hiring of someone who's not eligible to be employed in the country. So this is, I think, should be an easy vote.
Any other discussion on the motion? Seeing no further discussion on the motion, we do have a motion do pass as amended. All those
in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed. No. The ayes have it.
Congratulations, you've passed your bill. Thank you all. All right, next we have representative Magruder, house bill 1878.
And my understanding is you have an amendment, representative Magruder? Yes sir, that is correct. is going to pass that out and after they passed out and committees had an opportunity to review it. If you state your name and district number you'll be recognized present the bill or recognized present the amendment I should say.
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
30:45
Thank you committee members, my name is Jesse Magruder, I'm State Representative District 35 out of Crittenden County and an amendment you are
receiving as sponsors onto the bill. All right, Representative Magruder has explained the amendment. What are
the wishes of the committee? I see a motion to adopt the
amendment. Representative Meeks, any discussion on that motion? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. All those opposed, the ayes have it.
Congratulations, the amendment's been adopted. Representative McGuire, you're recognized to present
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
31:23
the bill as amended. Thank you, committee. Thank you, chair. 1878 is a bill that encompasses issues that have occurred in the last election cycle. In Crittenden County, there was a court case that went before the Supreme Court in regards to early voting locations. This bill just ensures that cities that have a population above 15,000 have an early voting location within their city. It's not a whole lot in the bill.
It just makes sure that people have the right to vote, and voting is a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or course of action expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands or by voice. The vote is the most powerful instrument devised by human beings, quoted Lyndon B. Johnson. The right to vote is the crown jewel of American liberties, quoted by Ronald Reagan, and we We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters, or we will perish together as fools," quoted Martin Luther King, Jr.
All those things are irrelevant in this situation because the city that we did not have a voting location that they had to go before the Supreme Court was not allowed, and it's the highest population within my county, so it's important that this city have a voting location. This just ensures that cities with a population of 15,000 have an early voting location. I spoke with the clerks. They don't have an issue with this. I've also spoke with the Commission of Counties. They don't have an issue with this either. They said that it's perfectly fine. They didn't get any kickback. So with that, I'll take any questions.
Representative McGruder has explained this bill. Are there any questions
Chair
Unverified
32:59
by the committee? Representative Beatty, you're recognized. Representative McGruder, what is this going to
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
33:03
cost our counties? It will not be any extra cost. Early voting locations, you can just use the machines in a different location. so there was no fiscal impact in this bill. Mr. Chair,
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
33:12
I request fiscal impact on this bill. I believe it will have a fiscal impact.
If you'll give me just a moment, Representative Beatty, I'm confirmed with staff on that request and the effect of
Speaker 41
34:19
that request and a few other things. Be right back with you.
All right, Representative Beatty, I'm going to read to you House Rule 3.8 S. When any Any House or Senate bill, this is quote, requiring an expenditure of public funds or otherwise
imposing a new or increased cost obligation is pending before any committee of the House representatives. Any member of the committee may request that a fiscal impact statement for such bill be placed on the desk of each member of the committee before the bill is called up for final action in the committee. The point being is when any House or Senate bill requiring an expenditure of public funds, so the first preliminary question is, does this bill require an expenditure of public funds?
According to staff, whether or not it requires an expenditure of public funds or not is typically up to the member who's, based upon the belief of the member who's presenting the bill as to whether or not it will require an expenditure of public funds or, then secondly, otherwise imposing a new or increased cost obligation. So does it impose a new or increased cost obligation? Representative Magruder has testified that he, I guess, has checked and does not believe that it will require an expenditure of public funds and that it would not otherwise impose
a new or increased cost obligation. Which to me seems like the preliminary question that must be satisfied before you can actually get a fiscal impact statement.
Now, staff is checking with John Vines, the Oracle, and as soon as we hear
back from him, we'll let you know.
Speaker 124
37:09
Let us do this. I'll remove my test and then we'll
go. Okay. We'll be at speed.
All right. Fair enough. All right. So, Representative Beatty's withdrawn his request for a
fiscal impact. Representative Meeks, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So then you probably wouldn't know this, Representative, but it wasn't, I don't know, a couple weeks ago when we passed another bill that required the local county election boards to every year or every election cycle to pass an ordinance to name all the early voting. And that was brought to us by the State Board of Elections.
This would actually be a counter to that, would be in conflict with that. So I just wanted to know, A, were you familiar with that? And have you talked to the, it sounds like you did the county commissioners, all that, have you talked to the State Board of Election Commissioners and kind of gotten their
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
38:08
thoughts on this bill as well? No, I wasn't aware of that bill that you recently referenced. I have not spoken with the State Board of Election Commissions in regards to this bill either. I did know all cities with a population of 10,000 already have early voting locations.
That's why it wasn't going to be much of a physical impact in this situation. All
right, thank you. Representative Rose, you're recognized. Sorry, she just had your name on the list. All right, any other questions by
the committee? Seeing no other questions by the committee. We have no one
Chair
Unverified
38:45
signed up to speak for or against the bill. Representative McGruder, you're recognized to close for your bill. Voting
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
38:51
is the fundamental right of all our citizens who are old enough and registered to vote.
It's important that people have the right to vote, and it's important that we have voting locations in our cities. So with that being said, I'd appreciate a good vote. A motion do pass. And a
Speaker 120
39:06
motion of do pass. All right, well, so one second.
Representative McGruder, you're not on this committee, so you can't make the motion do pass. We'll have to have someone on the committee make that motion. What are the wishes of the committee, Representative Ennett? And there was an amendment, so is that a motion? Do pass as amended, Representative Ennett? All right, Representative Ennett has made a motion. Do pass as amended. Is there any discussion on the motion?
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
39:26
Representative Beatty, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the committee. Basically, the bill that Representative
Meeks is mentioning is a bill that I ran in this committee and ran on the floor. And basically, a bill that Representative McGruder spoke against from the well. This would apply mainly to one county, the other 74 counties seem to be functioning fine. Setting of an early voting precinct is a duty that we have entrusted with
the County Board of Election Commissioners, and they take care of that duty. So based on that side, if we add another early voting precinct, there will be an additional cost to the county somebody's going to pay that cost for that additional voting center and for those reasons i'm going to be voting no and i ask you all to vote no as well thank you representative
betty's spoken against the bill any other discussion on the motion representative collins are recognized real
briefly it just shouldn't happen that a city
of more than 15 000 people doesn't have an early voting site that's a pretty simple proposition that's all this bill does makes sense to me i'm for it thanks any other discussion on the motion seeing no further discussion on
the motion we do have a motion do pass as amended by representative innit all those in favor
say aye aye all those opposed the eyes have it roll call let's see two hands call the roll
Speaker 133
41:07
Representative Meeks, present. Representative Meeks, present. Representative Wardlaw? Yes. Representative Wardlaw, yes. Representative Berry? No. Representative Berry, no. Representative Mayberry? Yes. Representative Mayberry, yes. Crawford? Yes. Representative Crawford? Yes. Representative Clowney? Yes. Representative
Clowney? Yes. Representative Collins? Yes. Representative Collins? Yes. Representative Evans? Representative Evans? Representative Innit? Yes. Representative Innit? Yes. Representative McElroy? Representative McElroy? Representative Ray? No. Representative Ray, no. Representative Beatty? No. Representative Beatty, no. Representative Carr? No. Representative Carr, no. Representative Underwood? No. Representative Underwood, no.
Representative Long? No. Representative Long, no. Representative Hawk? Representative Hawke? Representative Rose? Representative Rose? Representative Rose? No. Representative Wardridge? Representative Wardridge? Representative Wardridge? Representative Beck? Representative Representative Beck, yes.
agree to the bill's failed. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, committee. It was a valued effort. Thank
you very much. Mr. Wilkerson, I understand that you had something that you wanted to clarify with the committee while we're in between bills. Representative Wardlaw, are you ready to run your bill? All right. We've got 15 minutes. That's House Bill 1632, but before we begin that, Representative, I'm John
Speaker 63
43:43
Wilkerson with the General Council of Municipal League.
I apologize, Representative Rose. I was walking down the hill and I realized the $40 was the flat fee. There's a per capita fee as well. It's a commensurate with the county. It's about $150,000, $175,000 a year. I apologize. It's late. I just wasn't thinking and I wanted to set the record straight. And I appreciate that, but that's why I asked several times. I'm sorry. I figured it out. I apologize for that. for that. I'm supposed to set the records straight. Thanks for making it right. Okay.
Representative Wardlaw, you are recognized to present House Bill 1632. Remember, it's the same bill we ran the other day. It's just a payback
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
44:37
for a game of fish. I thought we would try it one last time and see what happens. I won't belabor the point.
Representative Ward-Law has explained the bill. Are there any questions by the committee? Representative Meeks.
Remind me, fiscal impact on this? Has none. None? Okay. Any other questions by the committee?
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
44:59
Representative Crawford, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, this session, bills never die. They continually get resurrected. So, and my concern with this is that Game and Fish has plenty of money. They have, you know, I'm looking through their website, and they just have millions upon millions. And I don't understand why we want to take from general revenue, and we want to put more money into Game and Fish.
They're doing a good job. I just think they have the money to take care of this themselves. And do you agree? Nope. I wouldn't be running a
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
45:46
bill if I did. And frankly, we're not giving them any money unless you run a bill tomorrow that gives a free hunting license away. Right now, there's no bills out there to give away a free hunting license. It just sets an insurance plan for that to happen down the road.
That's all it does. It doesn't move any money that costs anything at the moment. Just sets it up for down the road. Follow up. They
run these bills all over the nation at the moment because the feds have made it very clear that if you give anything away for free and a hunting fishing license, you'll lose your federal match dollars. You're
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
46:25
recognized. What did you just say that they'll lose their federal match if they give anything away? If you
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
46:32
give a hunting license away for free, you cannot gain federal match.
I told you last time there's a formula that sets forth the value of those licenses and it has to meet that formula to gain the federal match.
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
46:47
Okay. We'll have to go up higher up the chain than this, I guess. We'll have to go to Trump. That'll be my next step. Thank you. Representative Woodridge, you're recognized. Thank you,
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
47:00
Mr. Chair and Representative Wardlaw. I think there's nobody that wants to hold Game and Fish accountable more than me. Wouldn't you agree?
But this is a good bill. This is a bill that allows the legislature to enact credits utilizing a license, and it creates a mechanism to reimburse the agency for the decisions we make as a body. Is that correct? That is 100% correct. Thank you. Representative Bayley, you're recognized. Representative Beatty you're
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
47:33
recognized and well I guess my my question is
basically what you're asking is just to restate what was just said is we're just wanting to
make them even make them whole for anything that members of this legislative body or future legislative bodies if we pass a bill to give away free free license all we're asking is to reimburse them and make them whole for those licenses that correct that plus not put their federal match dollars at risk. To protect them and to make them whole. That's all it does. And I mean, that's something I feel like I can support. Yep. Representative Rose, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
48:13
Representative Wardle, I don't know if I missed that the first go around or not, but hearing the risking the federal match seems like a pretty substantial reason to support this. I did have a question. It seemed to me as I read this that there might be some like do not codify language that's in Section 1 referencing well-intentioned programs. Is that something that you'd consider, I don't know, amending or removing or do not codifying after it's passed out of here or anything along those lines?
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
48:43
Sure, I'll look at it. It's not important for me in supporting the vote. I don't have it in front of me, so I'm not going to agree to
take it out, but I'll look at it, and we'll get together on it. Yeah, I appreciate that. Thank you. Seeing no further questions by the committee, Representative Warden Long, you're recognized. Seeing no
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
49:00
one signed to speak for against the bill, to be clear, your recognize to close for your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, you guys may not
know what I do for a living now, but I advocate, similar to the gentleman sitting beside us because I don't lobby, all across the country. And one thing we're very unique in in Arkansas is we've always funded
our Game and Fish with one-eighth of the one-eighth sales tax. We cut four and a half million dollars off of that today in the House of Representatives. When that goes to the Senate, it'll be successful in taking $4.5 million out of Game of Fish's budget. It puts us in a very dangerous place if we lose our federal match going forward. The state of Mississippi only funds their agencies through license fees and federal match dollars. We're unique. Missouri is unique. Both of those states actually have a sales tax that helps fund.
All this does is help protect that going forward, and it's more at risk now with losing that grocery tax than it's ever been. So with that, I'd appreciate a
good vote, and I'd make a motion to do pass. Representative Ward-Law has made a
motion to do pass. Is there any discussion on the motion? Representative Wildridge, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And again, I think for the
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
50:06
points that I made earlier, I think that this is a good bill. You know, we talked about this last time, that there's no cost associated to the agency if we give a license.
A lifetime license costs $1,000. It doesn't matter if a person utilizes the license or not if you give it to them. It'd be like giving you a computer and then you're saying, that didn't cost them anything because I don't use the computer. There's still a cost associated with that. All we're doing is if this body passes a bill that utilizes an incentive to give a license away like the bill Representative Unger ran or anyone else, we have a mechanism to reimburse the agency. It can't be done without the approval of this body. I think that we've debated and hashed out a lot of bills in here, good, bad, indifferent, but this bill seems easy to me.
I'm for it, and I hope that you'll vote for it as well. Any
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
51:01
other discussion on the motion, Representative Beatty? I just kind of want to echo what Representative Woodridge said. It's basically we're in control of this. You know, even passing this bill, it's still going to be this body or future bodies that are in control if there are reimbursements or not because you have to pass the bill to give away these free licenses. So for that reason, I'll be voting and supporting this. we're just making the agency whole and protecting them from loss of their federal funding.
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
51:24
Representative Ward-Law. To echo them, at the current moment, there's no way to form a fiscal impact
off a bill that gives away a free license. With this bill in place, it absolutely outlines a method to have a fiscal impact on any of those bills going forward. That is the purpose. Representative Collins, you're recognizing. All
right. Seeing no further discussion on the motion, we do have a motion due pass. all those in favor say aye
all those opposed the ayes have it congratulations you passed your bill
thank you mr chair and committee all right seeing no further house i'm sorry representative rose representative rose has a senate bill
what is the number well here's the here's the issue this bill has
been previously presented we've heard this bill before and passed this bill. As I recall, Representative Rose, this is back for just a concurrent amendment. Is that right? Yes, sir. Is that on our agenda? Why is it not
on our agenda? It hasn't been re-referred back to committee. Staff is saying it's not been re-referred
Speaker 165
52:41
back to committee. I'm not sure what's, do you know the situation with Okay,
looks like and why I think you're you're right representative Rose in that
it's it shows that it was reported correctly in gross this afternoon at 12:28 p.m. but it has that 24 hours has to pass before it gets referred back to the committee so we'll take that up first thing on uh wednesday thank you mr all right thank you all so much this committee is adjourned
Agenda
AGENDA (Revised 4/4/2025 @ 9:30 AM) Removed HB1867
House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs
Monday, April 7, 2025
15 Minutes Upon Adjournment of House Room 151, State Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas
CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT
Number Sponsor Subtitle
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DESIGNATIONS RELATED TO HB1614 Lundstrum CERTAIN CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRANT PROGRAMS.
REGULAR AGENDA
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1041 R. Scott TO PROHIBIT DECEPTIVE AND FRAUDULENT DEEPFAKES IN ELECTION COMMUNICATIONS.
Richardson
HB1878 McGruder TO ENSURE EARLY VOTING ACCESS FOR ARKANSANS RESIDING IN INSTANCES.
HB1883 Long TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FOURTH AMENDMENT PROTECTION ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF ELECTRONIC DATA AND METADATA.
HB1884 Long TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE MARKING AND COUNTING OF PAPER BALLOTS.
HB1632 Wardlaw TO REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION FOR FREE OR DISCOUNTED HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.
HB1037 A. Collins AN ACT TO CREATE THE PREREGISTRATION TO VOTE ACT; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, § 19.
HB1035 A. Collins TO CREATE THE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 2025; TO ALLOW ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION; TO AMEND ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION,
AMENDMENT 51; AND TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO ALLOW HB1036 A. Collins VOTER REGISTRATION DURING EARLY VOTING AND ON ELECTION DAY; AND TO
Notice: Silence your cell phones. Keep your personal conversations to a minimum. Observe restrictions
AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51.
HB1038 A. Collins TO CREATE THE NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE VOTING; AND TO REPEAL VOTER
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING.
HB1039 A. Collins TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE BALLOTS; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING ELECTIONS.
HB1040 A. Collins TO CREATE THE WATER IN LINE ACT OF 2025; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PENALTIES FOR MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES RELATED TO VOTING.
HB1042 A. Collins TO CREATE THE DIRECT DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2025; TO REPEAL THE
ENSURING ACCESS FOR ALL ARKANSANS AND VOTER PROTECTION ACT OF 2023; AND TO AMEND THE PROCEDURE FOR THE FILING OF A BALLOT
INITIATIVE PETITION AND REFERENDUM PETITION.
HB1951 A. Collins TO SET FORTH AUTHORIZED DOMAIN EXTENSIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITES.
HB1952 Hawk TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION TO CONTINUE ITS MISSION TO PROMOTE A ROBUST, HEALTHY, AND SAFE COMBATIVE SPORTS INDUSTRY.
HB1973 B. McKenzie TO PROVIDE THAT A GOVERNMENTAL BODY SHALL NOT USE STATE OR LOCAL FUNDS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH A LOBBYIST FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY.
HB1974 Long TO PROHIBIT STATE ENTITIES FROM EMPLOYING UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS; TO ESTABLISH THE E-VERIFY REQUIREMENT ACT; AND TO REQUIRE STATE ENTITIES TO USE E-VERIFY TO CONFIRM EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.
SENATE BILLS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
SB12 B. King TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING
REDISTRICTING BY THE BOARD OF APPORTIONMENT.
SB376 A. Clark TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC MEETINGS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION ACT OF 1967.
SB445 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSURE OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS.
SB471 A. Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANDIDATES FOR NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS; AND TO ALLOW CERTAIN CANDIDATES FOR NONPARTISAN
ELECTIONS TO USE THE TITLE OF THE NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL OFFICE ON THE BALLOT.
SB491 K. Hammer TO REQUIRE A VENDOR THAT CONTRACTS WITH THE OFFICE OF STATE
PROCUREMENT FOR SERVICES FOR THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS DIVISION TO SUBMIT DATA FOR VERIFICATION BY AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB508 Irvin TO AMEND THE FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT OF A STIPEND FOR CERTAIN
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THE STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT ADVISORY
COMMISSION.
CONCERNING SAFETY AND PRIVACY IN CERTAIN ENTITIES; AND CONCERNING SB486 B. Johnson THE DESIGNATION OF MULTI-OCCUPANCY RESTROOMS, CHANGING ROOMS,
AND SLEEPING QUARTERS IN CERTAIN ENTITIES BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S SEX.
SB489 G. Leding TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF A MONUMENT ON THE STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS IN RECOGNITION OF THE DESEGREGATION OF THE CHARLESTON AND FAYETTEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN 1954.
SB521 B. Davis TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING
REIMBURSEMENT; AND TO EXTEND THE TIME PERIOD AFTER COMPLETION OF TRAINING FOR WHICH REIMBURSEMENT IS REQUIRED.
SB536 D. Sullivan TO ABOLISH AND TRANSFER THE ARKANSAS STATE LIBRARY AND THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB570 J. Dotson TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE.
SB551 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSING FOR A PETITION FOR A LOCAL OPTION ELECTION.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM SB584 K. Hammer PETITIONS.
DEFERRED BILLS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1024 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES; AND TO REPEAL THE LAW PROHIBITING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
HB1028 A. Collins TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE LAW CONCERNING OBSCENITY AND THE PROCESS FOR CHALLENGING MATERIALS INCLUDED IN A LIBRARY; AND TO REQUIRE A LIBRARY TO HAVE A POLICY PROHIBITING BOOK BANNING IN ORDER TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDING.
HB1043 A. Collins TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE AND REPORTING OF NONCANDIDATE
EXPENDITURES PERTAINING TO APPELLATE JUDICIAL ELECTIONS; AND TO ADOPT NEW LAWS CONCERNING APPELLATE JUDICIAL CAMPAIGNS.
HB1162 Duffield TO ESTABLISH GOOD FRIDAY AS AN OFFICIAL STATE HOLIDAY.
HB1058 Unger TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ETHICS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; AND TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FROM GIVING ADVANCE NOTICE TO ENTITIES OF REQUIRED INSPECTIONS.
HB1059 Unger TO PROVIDE THE OPTION FOR A FREE LIFETIME HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE TO A COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVER WHO IS A RESIDENT AND PROVIDES CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATED TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
HB1078 Long TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING RUNOFF ELECTIONS; AND TO
PROVIDE FOR A RUNOFF ELECTION FOR CANDIDATES FOR THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
HB1281 McAlindon TO AMEND REPORTING FOR A CANDIDATE FOR CERTAIN MUNICIPAL OFFICES AND FOR COUNTY OFFICE; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS
CODE THAT RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996.
HB1415 L. Johnson TO REQUIRE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR A FIRE INQUIRY.
HB1494 Hawk TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS GUIDANCE OUT OF THE DARKNESS ACT; AND TO REQUIRE STATE AGENCIES TO PUBLISH FEDERAL GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS ONLINE.
CONCERNING RECURRING REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL HB1459 L. Johnson ASSEMBLY.
HB1461 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EVALUATION OF NECESSITY OF VARIOUS COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS.
SB184 D. Sullivan TO TRANSFER THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION COMMISSION AND THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
HB1667 Bentley TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC MEETINGS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION ACT OF 1967.
HB1769 Barnett CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STANDARDS; AND TO REQUIRE A PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OR ASSESSMENT TO BECOME OR BE
EMPLOYED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
HB1621 Wardlaw TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO EXEMPT PERSONAL INFORMATION OF ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, JUDICIAL OFFICIALS, ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS, ELECTED MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS, AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY.
HB1631 Wardlaw TO ADDRESS THE ISSUANCE OF HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES TO FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS.
HB1069 S. Meeks TO OBSERVE STANDARD TIME YEAR ROUND IN ARKANSAS; AND TO ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME IN ARKANSAS.
HB1720 Vaught TO CREATE THE BABIES AT WORK ACT; TO ALLOW STATE AGENCIES TO PERMIT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS TO BRING THEIR INFANTS SIX MONTHS OR YOUNGER TO WORK.
HB1753 Long TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO OPT-OUT OF THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 1993; AND TO AMEND
PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, § 5.
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR BALLOT HB1773 Long QUESTION COMMITTEES AND LEGISLATIVE QUESTION COMMITTEES.
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Representative Jimmy Gazaway Chair
Unverified
Paul Calvert
Unverified
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
Speaker 26
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
Speaker 47
Speaker 50
Representative Stephen Meeks Chair
Unverified
Speaker 51
Speaker 62
Speaker 63
Representative David Ray
Unverified
Speaker 68
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
Speaker 78
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
Speaker 91
Representative Nicole Clowney
Unverified
Representative Andrew Collins Chair
Unverified
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
Representative Jessie McGruder
Unverified
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
Speaker 41
Speaker 124
Speaker 120
Speaker 133
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
Speaker 165