JBC-Special Language
Video
Transcript
3 documents
Bills discussed (12)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB130
Act 534
· 3 mentions in agenda, transcript
Matched: “…ate Parks and Tourism Divisions (WFP019) - Senator Irvin 3. SB130 - Arkansas State University - Senator Dismang (HAR051) 4. S…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB130 is now Act 534 |
|
SB359
Act 613
· 2 mentions in transcript, agenda
Matched: “…ndment that we will be adopting. Adopting the amendment for SB 359.”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION OUT-OF-SCHOOL … | J. Petty | Notification that SB359 is now Act 613 |
|
SB360
· 2 mentions in agenda, transcript
Matched: “…on of Elementary and Secondary Education - Senator Petty 4. SB360 - Dept. of Education - Division of Elementary and Secondary…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION OUT-OF-SCHOOL … | J. Petty | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB362
· 2 mentions in transcript, agenda
Matched: “…down, uh, and have removed as well as, uh, Senator Hammer's SB 362, I believe, uh, all are dealing with the same, uh, topic, u…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION YOUTH … | K. Hammer | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB106
Act 898
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…mendments referred to the Special Language Subcommittee: 1. SB106 - Department of Agriculture (BSS023) - Senator Irvin 2. SB8…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB106 is now Act 898 |
|
SB201
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ent - Division of Environmental Quality - Senator Payton 2. SB201 - DHS - Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health - Se…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL … | J. Payton | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB36
Act 890
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…0 - Arkansas State University - Senator Dismang (HAR051) 4. SB36 - Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, Adult,…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB36 is now Act 890 |
|
SB37
Act 608
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…- Division of Higher Education 6. Governor's Letter #32 to SB37 - Department of Commerce 7. Governor's Letter #33 to SB39 -…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB37 is now Act 608 |
|
SB39
Act 609
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…o SB37 - Department of Commerce 7. Governor's Letter #33 to SB39 - Department of Commerce - Division of Workforce Services D…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB39 is now Act 609 |
|
SB8
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…D. Bills referred to the Special Language Subcommittee: 1. SB8 - Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Enviro…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY SUPPLEMENTAL … | J. Payton | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB81
Act 897
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…106 - Department of Agriculture (BSS023) - Senator Irvin 2. SB81 - Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - STATE PARKS AND TOURISM … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB81 is now Act 897 |
|
SB88
Act 610
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…presentative Cavenaugh (LCW048) 5. Governor's Letter #28 to SB88 - Department of Education - Division of Higher Education 6.…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB88 is now Act 610 |
Machine transcript
May contain errors. Verify important quotations against the official video.
About transcript accuracy
- Source
- SliQ live captions
- Model
- SliQ live ASR
- Processing date
- October 2, 2026
Not on chairsorum we'll call this meeting of special language to
order. Don't have any housekeeping items or special or our first item of business will be representative.
Kavanaugh. You're recognized. You're recognized.
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
6:53
Pages 15 through 20. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, this special language, uh, just sets up a grant, um, inside for the fight, the senior hunger community grant program. It sets up that if we're able to find the money for this, it would be 400,000 of it would actually go to non-triple A senior citizen centers, and that's really what the language does is set up the grant process. Thank you, Representative Kavanaugh. Members, you've
heard the amendment. You have any questions on the amendment?
Hearing none, is there anyone here to speak for or against? hearing done. Is there a motion? I Got a motion
In a second, any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, you've heard the motion. All those in favor of the motion say aye, oppose same sign. Thank
you, members. All right, next item will be
governor's letter number 28. It's on pages 21 and 26. We've got some representatives from DFA to come
up and explain it for us. Senator Desma, hold on. Why
is it doing that? You are recognized. I can make a
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
8:29
motion to withdraw my amendment to SB 130. Members, we
have a a motion to withdraw SB 130. The amendment. Yeah, and that was I. The discussion, all those in favor of the motion say aye. Oh, you,
you really Representative Senator Hill, you're recognized. What was the?
Speaker 28
9:04
And you withdrawing what what what what part
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
9:09
was it? Uh OK. There we go. Uh, it was for to Arkansas State University when they wanted the ability to, uh, transfer positions, uh, without coming before us, so we, you know, did not agree to do that and withdrawing the amendment. OK, thank you, sir. Members of the ayes have
it. Pass your motion. Do we have a representative from DFA? Higher Ed.
Speaker 34
9:45
Please recognize yourself and you explain the letter Nick Fuller. I'm the assistant commissioner for the Division of Higher Education. Uh, this request is to Uh, adjust our current advertising and marketing budget that we have for scholarship programs. We're trying to expand that to utilize the same amount of funding, but to use it for other purposes for marketing for more of the division, not specific to scholarships. I want to be able to, to help advertise like the common application that
was in the Access Act. We want to be able to use the same funding to advertise and market for that as well, not just the, the specific
scholarship programs. that is the request. OK, members, you've heard an explanation. You got questions Senator Hill, you were
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
10:32
recognized Mr. Chair, would you please, uh, kind of let me know where we are. a couple of us over here, they're trying to find where we are on the agenda and stuff. Would you tell us what
page we're on? We are on C5 Governor's letter number 28 should be on page 2121. OK. Thank you, sir.
Any questions? What is the will of the committee? Is there a motion? Motion Your 2nd, 2nd. Any discussion And none all those in
favor of the motion say aye. Po same sign letter is adopted. Governor's letter number 32. Item C6 is on pages 27 through
34. Department of Commerce. Anybody here? There we go.
He's come to the table and recognize yourself. And explain the letter. Morning, Mr. Chairman. Hugh McDonald, Secretary of Commerce.
Hugh Mcdonald
Unverified
11:53
letter number 32. Is effectively um allows is requesting uh Department of Commerce to be able to Relocate uh resources. Within the Department of Commerce. Twice a year, 2 times a year. Very good, members. You've
heard an explanation. Do you have any
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
12:20
questions? Senator Hickey, you recognized? Yes, thank you. uh, Mr. McDon, currently, uh, this has to come before ALC though, is this correct? So what does this current language I'm sitting here trying to see because I see it says the cheapest Gloucester state shall then initiate the necessary transfer documents. Are we, are we removing, are we removing that aspect so it would have to come before ALC. I'm, I'm trying to read through here.
Recognize yourself. I'm sorry. It's on page 29. I do believe. Yep, I see it now. So just a little behind here. Thank you. We good? Yes sir. OK, any other questions, discussion? The motion. Got
a motion in a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion, say aye pose the same sign. Letter is adopted, we will move to C7.
On pages 32 through 45, letter number 33. Mr. Secretary, if you recognize
yourself, Hugh McDonald, Secretary of
Hugh Mcdonald
Unverified
13:33
Commerce, uh, this request is. To, uh, request any sort of remaining funds within ARS and DSB to be carried over to be used for matching funds, uh, for the federal grants. OK, members, you've heard an explanation. Is there any
questions? Seeing none, is there a motion? Motion and a 2nd. Any discussion? All those in favor of the motion say aye. Letters adopted. Thank you. OK, members, we will move to item D2
Speaker 54
14:35
You recognize yourself and explain your amendment. John Peyton Center, District 22. Uh,
Senator John Payton
Unverified
14:42
appreciate it, Mr. Chair and committee. So this is a supplemental funding. Uh, they have $10 million worth of appropriation, but they were only funded 5 million in RSA for this, uh, home delivered meals program that you see at your local senior centers. I don't know if y'all visited your local senior centers lately, but they are, uh, they're turning away more people
than they're serving because there's not enough money in the program. I get about 14 million from the Fed and uh we have 10 million in appropriation, but we only had 5 million in funding. So what this does, it pulls an additional 5 million out of the $384 million cash flow surplus that we currently have for the current fiscal year, and it puts it in the program. It's one time funding. It won't be going forward unless we increase the funding in RSA. They're funding has been flat
for a number of years, and as you know, inflation has driven the price of groceries up, uh, about 30%. And so, uh, just to give you a couple of numbers here. They, they've been providing roughly 3 million meals per year and this year they're expected to be down to 2.1. So it's it's been. A relative, the, the food costs have gone up by 30% and the number of meals that they can serve has gone down by 30%, uh.
I know that I know several. People personally that are uh Shut-ins That are elderly widows and widowers trying to make it on 7 or $800 a month of Social Security and uh living alone and these meals are critical. Arkansas is recognized number one in food insecurity. And if you've been to your local senior centers, they do a great
job, have a lot of volunteers that don't get paid anything to help cook and prepare these meals. Matter of fact, the, the federal money comes with. Demands and audits. To make sure that no more than 10% of the money goes towards administration or overhead. And so this being one time money, it's not going to increase their administration or overhead. We have waiting lists on the home delivered meals that exceed the number being served. And uh this, this amendment.
Also has the language in it that Representative Kavanaugh requested that she just passed in a, in a separate amendment, so it'll work hand in hand with that grant program for the senior centers that are not AAA, not part of that AAA thing, so it'll work hand in hand, uh, matter of fact has the exact same language. That uh Representative Kavanaugh had in her. I mean with that I'm ready to take questions. Members, you've
heard an explanation, you have any questions?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
17:40
Senator Hickey. You are recognized. Yes, sir. Senator Payton, uh, noble, what you're trying to do, but just from a straight money standpoint. So, As you said, we have the other in RSA. So this is something that although we act like it's gonna be one time. We know that the need is going to continue to be there. I kind of struggle with taking it out of the reserve allotment or interest, whatever we want, want to call it. Because that is just supposed to be a one-time funding and from my standpoint, you know, we've always said that if we're going
to do that, that that should be for like one time capital projects. So I personally like to see this all be an RSA. I do struggle too with the amount because I heard what you said with the 30% food cost will, if they spending 5 million now, 30% of that would add 1.5 more million. And I guess, of course, you said they were serving less. I don't know how much that would add. Is the, I, I know you said we had a $10 million appropriation, which really means nothing to
me. It's what we funded in the past. Where did we come to the additional 5? I mean, was there any type of analysis done by DHS or anyone like that that That showed that maybe we only needed 7 or 7.2 million or something instead of this, just this round number. OK,
Senator John Payton
Unverified
19:03
so first of all, 19 million is the total spend, so 30% of 19% would,
would be what it'd take to remain flat adjusted for inflation, 14 of
that comes from the Fed, and 5 is out of the state general revenue that's been allotted through RSA. So basically, the 5 does not completely replace the 30% increase in cost. It is a round number. They just came off top of my head. I had been told by, by people that they needed 7 or 8 million. And I said, well, if you've got 10 million worth of appropriation, and we funded 5. 5 is all you can go for this fiscal year without more appropriation.
Now y'all are the budget gurus and not me and so I followed this two months ago and, uh, tried to start a
conversation and, and get some sort of assurance that we were going to address this. It is a current problem in the current fiscal year and the RSA we're fixing to address would be for the next fiscal year. This money, when it goes into the account, I'm told by Mr. Anderson. Will carry forward to the next fiscal year. So even if RSA is, is not brought up to 10.
This money will be helping in months, several months into the next fiscal year. But we're, we do have $384 million of cash flow surplus. I don't know. It's not interest. I mean, it's revenue that we've collected that was not part of the forecast and not part of the spend, it's cash on hand the way I'm, I'm a businessman, the way I run my businesses, that's a cash flow surplus of 384 million. And I'm asking for 5 million of it to be put into this program
that already has the appropriation. And, and it It will go beyond the end of this fiscal year and into the next, so we can take that into consideration with RSA. There's also been a bill filed in the House and a bill filed in the Senate to help address this and, and I don't know that either one of those has got legs and and started moving or not, but it is a current urgent problem as food usually is. Everybody likes to eat 3 times a
day or at least once a day, and, uh, you know, waiting on the next fiscal year and the next budget. Means that people are being turned around, turned away every day. In this program. And, and this 5 million I assure you is not enough to not turn anybody away. And it will not raise overhead because those people running the program are already running on shoestring and they want to put the money in the food products and the meals.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
21:49
Just follow up if you don't mind. So the, the bills that are The bills have been filed through the committee. Have they, have, have the sponsor, are you one of the sponsors or has anybody attempted to run
Senator John Payton
Unverified
22:02
those? Uh, I'm not one of the sponsors, uh, Senator Wallace has got the Senate bill. And I spoke to him
in the last couple of days and he said he didn't think he was going to be able to get it done. OK. I didn't get the details on why.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
22:19
Is the, I heard you, you said about the federal funds on the 5 million, do they also send in a, in a match for that. So if we give this additional 5 million, is there going to be additional money that's coming from, from the Fed as a match on that or do you know? Not that
Senator John Payton
Unverified
22:33
I'm aware of, uh. I guess we could probably. If Dana Wells is here, she might can answer that. If you wanna call her up and there
Speaker 63
22:44
might, I mean I might get some people to dispute me here, but just one thing on that 384 million.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
22:51
I mean, I know that, I know that the intent's about to happen too, that we're going to shore up some other, some other items that You know Be it learns or uh. Things to that nature that's supposed to come out of there. So, and also the Medicaid Trust Fund. I know that we're like $250 million supposedly, uh, spending more than What's going in per year and I know that we're going to try to Shore that up just a little bit with that money there also. So it's not like that, that money is just totally available. So I, I heard you mention that.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
23:24
Well, if I could, when I first drafted this, it was to pull money from the medical marijuana. Uh, sales tax or tax, whatever you wanna call it, uh, from that fund because it is earmarked for food insecurity, and, uh, but the governor beat me to it and so we've got, and I applaud her effort to make sure school children all have breakfast. And uh so it's being used properly, but that's originally where
this file was, was drafted to come from and we had the shift.
Speaker 67
23:55
Right. And he was going to answer the question about the additional 5. Jay
Speaker 69
24:01
Hill, Department of Human Services, aging and Adult, um. Senator, to your question, the 5 million is, is not, uh, does not have a federal match. Senior centers are funded in two streams, federal funding through Title III primarily, and then there's a GR allotment, uh, as the senator referenced, we have a 10 million appropriation, 5 million is funded through state general revenue. This would be a, this would be an additional
state funds. So again, there is no federal match on that. It does. Contribute to our maintenance of effort requirements towards our federal match requirements, but it does not have a match itself. OK, thanks for the explanation and thank you, Senator Peyton.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
24:39
Senator Hill, you're recognized. Senator Payton, you made a
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
24:46
comment just a while ago that this was, was one time money. I distinctly remember that, uh, we, we funded this before. So do we need to get this in the in RSA or let's make this
permanent. What, what, what's your projection because am I thinking correctly about Funding this, uh, an appropriation a
Senator John Payton
Unverified
25:04
couple years ago. Well, yes, so 5 million has been flat funding in RSA for several years. In, in the budget as far as funding, the appropriation has been flat at 10 million, but it's, it's been funded at 5. This is an additional 5. So I, looking at it as additional, it's a one time addition unless, unless those of
you that are involved in the RSA meetings can Lobby and make sure that RSA comes out with, with more than 5 million this go around. This is one time money. Do
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
25:38
we not find that like I'm going off memory now, uh, 3 million, a couple of years ago or so extra. Not that I'm aware of
Speaker 69
25:46
that you're aware there was a restrict reserve allocation made in FY 23. From it was, it was an amount of 3 million, so it's been 33 million, OK. I
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
25:54
was thinking that you ran that central painting, and if I'm mistaken, I'm sorry.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
26:01
My memory is bad. It's quite possible I did, uh, I just know that my senior senators. Three of them that I'm very close to one in Clever County, one in Independence County, and one in Sharp County. Uh, they continually Have They, they serve like 120, 130 meals. They have 130 people on the waiting list. No, I think this is a good deal. I just wanna make sure
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
26:22
that you understand that and that I would like to see this continue on for our elderly. I appreciate it. I would, I would definitely
Senator John Payton
Unverified
26:32
encourage those that are drafting the RSA to include that. Senator Gilmore,
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
26:36
you recognized? Oh, sorry, Mr. Chair and my questions were asked by Senator Hickey. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions from the members? Hearing none.
The will of the committee Got a motion
Sir, I'm sorry, amendment has failed. Thank you. We will now move to D3. On pages 7 through 9.
Speaker 82
27:20
Senator Petty. Members, there's a handout. There's an amendment. If you would just give staff a couple minutes to get that to you
Senator Pettier recognized to explain your
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
28:11
amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank
Speaker 87
28:13
you, members. Uh, this, uh, this, uh, bill as well as, uh, SB 360, which I'm going
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
28:19
to pull down, uh, and have removed as well as, uh, Senator Hammer's SB 362, I believe, uh, all are dealing with the same, uh, topic, uh, we, Senator Hammer and I have, uh, uh, attempted to get together but with scheduling and everything, we were not able to
do that with the break. Uh, this amendment was added. because we were, uh, and, and our continuing to intend to combine, uh, our request, uh, but this amendment, uh, had, had begun before, uh, or during while, while we were trying to meet. So this amendment is simply adding so eventually this 359 or 362 will be combined and so it would combine with, uh, the, the two numbers that he had originally requested and that I had originally requested, so.
Chair
Unverified
29:09
Uh, so it's an increase in the amount of the original request is all this amendment does. Members, you've heard an explanation. Are there any question?
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
29:24
This is the amendment. Just the amendment. That's correct. But
Sorry, go ahead. We are we amending the amendment or is this the amendment? This is the amendment that we will be adopting. Adopting the amendment for SB 359.
Are there any questions or discussion? Seeing none, what is the will of the committee. Got a motion. Motion to amend. In a second, any questions or discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the motion say aye, same sign. Congratulations, your motion passes. Your, your amendment is adopted. OK. one We will now move to D5
not presenting 50 SB 59. No, that was it. I'm done. Got you. We have to, oh, OK, we will. I thought I was asking the right question. I was not
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
30:32
asking the right question. OK, you were recognized to present your amendment. Amended bill, amended bill. OK, right, I'm, I'm confused as well,
so. Uh, members, thank you, uh, again, much like, uh, Senator Peyton's, uh, Request. This is dealing with an issue. It's an investment in the
youth of our communities, uh, in our states, uh, it is around education, uh, it is around, uh, providing out of school support for the students, uh, we have a lot of, uh, around the state, statewide, we have a lot of organizations that provide these services, uh, what this ask is, uh, is to be included in the RSA, uh. evaluation and, uh, provide the
funding at this certain level, uh, to provide these services, uh, and, and it's in, uh, the, the, the context of established organizations is in the context of, uh, those that have measured results and uh uh that's in essence what it is, uh, I'm happy to answer any questions. There's, there's organizations like the Boys and Girls Club. That provide this, uh, uh, have been long time established that have support, they have the, uh,
the outcomes measurements, uh, and have proven to be good stewards of the funds, and so, uh, and, and, uh, out of respect for your time, I'll stop and see if there's any questions and I'd be happy to answer. Members, you've heard an explanation of the bill, or any
questions or discussion? Everybody's lit up. Senator Hickey, you're recognized. Yes, sir. Uh, I just want to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
32:16
make sure I understand where, where this is coming from
because it says to be payable from the cash fund deposited in the state treasury as determined by the Chief physical officer. So What does that mean? Is that, is that coming from the Department of Ed's money that they, they've already been appropriated or is that additional funds? So it's, it's you
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
32:41
know so it it is, it is open-ended in that regard, but, but the intention is, uh, as, as we move
through the RSA process, uh, that if there is funding available, that's where it would come from out of cash as opposed to, uh, existing DESE. But
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
33:01
this wouldn't be within RSA, is that correct? Maybe that's, maybe that's why Senator Dima has, has lit up. So I'll, I'll let send dismay assume that's what you're gonna cover. If you don't mind, let me ask one more question and then I'll go on over on page 2, I see that under the criteria to get this, it
says, must be qualified 501. C3 or C4 has been in operation for more than 5 years. And Has a record of fiscal accountability. I guess the thing is, so, Are these going to go? Are these 501c3s and C4s, are they gonna be all over the state. It is statewide. Yes, sir. OK. I guess my thing is there, Are, are we sure that, are we
sure that we have these organizations that are set up all over, all over the state that have been in existence for 5 years already. Or, or are we gonna, are we going to leave some of the, some of them out by doing that because I don't know, and I could use any anybody, but it's Northeast Arkansas, do they have a 501c3 that's been doing this, that's Been in operation for that long and has that because if they don't, there's no way for them to start one up and to get in it. Sure. Good question, uh,
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
34:21
and, and to clarify, so what our intention was to limit the, uh, all right, here's some funding let's put together an organization, uh, and therefore didn't have the proven, uh, the track record that, uh, that some of these other organizations. I can't speak specifically if you, if you're talking about Northeast Arkansascific community. I can't speak to any, uh, but I do know that there are, for example, the boys and girls clubs, uh, they serve 50,000, uh, uh, students or, or youth
across the state, uh, I know, uh, Bryant, uh, you're going to hear from Senator Hammer. They have an organization that's not part of the Boys and Girls Club, uh, but they have been in existence for, uh, quite some time
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
35:04
as well. That's just my only if it were to pass, you know, my only struggle is, is, is.
Have we, have we got have we had that written so broadly that Or so that more, I guess I should say narrowly. We've got it written so narrowly that it may exclude some certain portions of the state because of that. So that's just, just the
thought that is coming in my head. And as far as and the fiscal responsibility or the accountability. Are we leaving that up to DFNA or Department
of Ed or who's, it is the Department of Ed, yes. So
Chair
Unverified
35:35
they're gonna establish the, the grant, uh, terms and conditions and requirements. So they're going to determine if the
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
35:41
501c3 is Been physically That that they have a record of fiscal accountability, that would be part of the grant application. All right. Thank you, Senator Petty.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
35:54
Senator Hill, you're recognized? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator Petty look looking at this, uh, I'm gonna go back in time here. I say community service on page 2 and career exposure. Uh, you know, we're looking at adding money to this. I want to think about a, uh, Uh A, a group out of Northwest Arkansas that I saw that was actually doing horseback riding lessons. And getting money from the state of Arkansas for horseback riding
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
36:25
lessons. That's not part of education. I, I don't know anything about that organization and what
they do, unless they're teaching math or science or something on the top of the horseback. I don't, I don't know, but no, that would not be what I would
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
36:40
understand as education, OK, because they, they, they were listed as a 501c3 as well doing it uh as extracurcurricular activities, community service, and I want to make sure that that does not fall under this. That would not be my intention, no. OK, thank
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
36:55
you, sir. I, I, I don't think in the past in the similar fund. funding has that been the case? These are established, uh, using and again if you go into a little more detail, uh, on, on, uh, a few of the following pages talking about what they, uh, uh,
Speaker 96
37:10
what they do and what they are doing in that out of school, uh, time. OK. Thank
Chair
Unverified
37:15
you, sir. Senator Desma, you recognized? I thank you, yeah.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
37:21
So this is an unfunded appropriation. You're, you're just requesting a preparation. It's got an
outline, and it will allow the department, if there is funds made available to promulgate rules, you know, within the constraints of this for a program, but it's an unfunded appropriation, it is not in ourSA. It is not funded through a restricted reserve account. It's a, it's not coming out of general allotment, uh, it, it is an unfunded appropriation. Yes sir. Thank you for the clarification. OK, members, any more questions?
OK, what's the will of the committee? Is there a motion, motion in a second for Du pass for the bill. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the motion, say aye. pose same sign.
Your bill is passed as amended. Members, we will move to D5 on pages 13 through 15 SB 362 also has an amendment also has an amendment that is being handed out.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
39:18
Senator, if you recognize yourself and explain your amendment. Sure, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Kim Hammer, state senator, uh, District
16. The amendment basically uh rewrites what the bill is, but it's for the purpose of bringing clarification to some terminology that was used in the original bill and to uh tighten up
the definitions. Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. Are there any questions? Got a
motion to adopt. In a second in the discussion, hearing none, all those in favor
of the motion say aye. Po same sign. Your amendment is adopted. Thank
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
39:53
you, Mr. Chairman. Please explain your bill. Thank you very much. Uh, explain the bill as amended. First of all, it is
a request for $4 million for youth organization grants. However, there's some uniqueness to it that I think you need to be mindful of. First of all, if you take a look at page one, and you can pretty well go over to page, uh, 2 up to the top of page 3, what I did was went to the Learns Act with some advice of a few
individuals, went to the Learns Act and lifted the exact language of the Lawrences Act that defines how to deal with certain issues and so it is, uh, replicated after what we've already approved in the Learns Act as far as what's allowable, what is not allowed allowable. When you get over to page 3, if you take a look at B, uh, under letter CD and it goes to B. To be eligible for a grant authorized by this act, a youth organization that is affiliated with the national organization shall submit an official
memorandum of understanding between the youth organization and the national organization that acknowledges the youth organization's intent to comply with this act. And the purpose of that is that everything that's required preceding that is what is expected to be complied with and there needs to be a, a memorandum of understanding if there's a national organization that is trying to push down things that maybe the local organization does not align with. So what we're doing is building a firewall between a national organization that may
be trying to push down to local organizations that are affiliated with them, those things that would be prohibited in the law as. id ent ified on pages 1 through 3. If you skip on down or you continue on down through the bill on page 3, a grant on little letter C, a grant authorized by this act shall be provided to your organization in aligns with the educational goals of the governor and the general assembly. And actually, some of this language is, uh, borrowed, and he is aware that I borrowed it out of Senator Petty's bill because I think
it's good language, uh, that kind of identifies that we want youth organizations that are meeting in the after-school setting to align with the educational goals. of the state of Arkansas with any of the programs that they may initiate and so you flip over to page 4. Flip over to page 4. Here are some things that I put in the bill, uh, that I think will bring some uh, fiscal accountability to those organizations that would be allowed to apply for these grants if you notice 7A.
To be a qualified 501c3 or 501c4 organization that has been in operation for more than 5 years and has a record of fiscal accountability, be a youth organization shall provide a substantial, uh, sustainability model demonstrating a minimum of 50% of funding derived from non-state resources. So what that does is says that an organization that's 5 years old or older has to prove that they are fiscally. accountable, have a record of that, but also this is a 50/50
grant for those that are 50, uh, that are 5 years old or older. If you take a look at C, if a youth organization has operated for 5 years or less, the youth organization may provide a financial plan and have a certification of good standing from the Secretary of State to be approved by the Department of Education, and secondly, the youth organizations holding a charter of 5 years or less shall be eligible for a match. grants share of 75% using the funds appropriate in this act
once certification that's 75 or 25% local investment is made for the program. We have a lot of areas in our state that do not have youth organizations. In fact, if you look at our state and you look at the eastern border of our state and loop around through the southern part of our state. Those are pretty much youth organization deserts that are very minimal as far as providing any kind of structure for after school. And so what this bill does is it lean to provide a 50, 75 matching grant for those that
are 5 or less so that they can go ahead and get started, but they got to have some. of the game, whereas those that are existing for 5 years or more would be available for fifty-fifty, and this will make the money go further. It will also require that the local clubs, regardless of whoever they're affiliated with as long as they comply with what's in this bill, we'll have to invest some or do some to help themselves. And then the last thing is, if you look at the little letter I at the bottom of page 4, it says, if at any time it is determined by the department
that the youth organization has not followed requirements established by this section, the youth organization shall not be eligible for any future grants, so we want to put something punitive in there that if they take the money, there's going to be some accountability for it as well, and then, um, the rules will be promulgated by the Department of, uh, or the division of elementary and secondary. education and so that's the essence of the
entirety of the bill, and I'll be glad to answer any questions. Members, you've heard an explanation, Senator Dismaying,
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
45:02
you're recognized for a question? Uh, just, just so we'll say it. Uh, this is appropriation only, it doesn't pull from general allotment reserve is not going to be or included in RSA and it is not currently funded by a restricted reserve account. Just like Senator Petty says, yes, well, well,
Speaker 123
45:50
Representative, is that you? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, thank you for allowing me to
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
45:57
step in on your committee, uh, Senator Hammer, good to see you. I like what you're trying to do, um. Could you said after school and then out of school and, and that's, I'm sorry, I'm probably out of school would have been a better
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
46:20
choice of words, um, out of school being anytime that school's not in. And, and we know that there are programs that are run after school. That's the majority. That's why I said that. But also there are summer programs that I think that this would, would also fit. So thanks for bringing it to my attention. It should be out of school that opens the door for after school and out of school during the summer. Thank
Motion you Got a motion in a second, any discussion. No, all those in favor of the members, these have been released to the Joint Budget Committee. The amendment to SB 36, the governor's letter number
28 amendment, Governor's letter number 32 amendment. Governor's letter number 33 amendment SB 359 as amended SB 362 as amended. Anything else? With no other business, we are adjourned.
Agenda
A. Call to Order.
B. Comments by Co-Chairs.
C. Amendments referred to the Special Language Subcommittee:
D. Bills referred to the Special Language Subcommittee:
E. Other Business.
F. Adjournment.
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE, Apr 1, 2025 | Agenda | 1 | Official source ↗ |
| C. Referred Amendments | Exhibit | 46 needs OCR | Official source ↗ |
| D. Referred Bills | Exhibit | 16 needs OCR | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Senator Matt McKee Chair
Unverified
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
Speaker 28
Speaker 34
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
Speaker 43
Hugh Mcdonald
Unverified
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
Speaker 54
Senator John Payton
Unverified
Speaker 63
Speaker 67
Speaker 69
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
Speaker 82
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
Speaker 87
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 96
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
Speaker 123
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified