ALC-JBC Budget Hearings

appropriations that are mentioned in the manual, and both of those were limited funding and so the the funding has expired and so those are no longer requested for this biennium, and this concludes my remarks on AETN. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, members, any questions? I see, uh, Representative Collins, you're recognized. Thank you, um, so I guess, do you guys agree with the executive recommendations to not fund what appears to be teacher professional development, Arkansas 250 commission indeed initiative increases into discontinue the 9 positions. We are fine with the executive recommendation, um, you know, for like America 250, we will definitely do something, um, we hope to do it in partnership with another agency, hoping maybe heritage, but, uh, you know, we, we'll be fine coming back to ask for that. OK. If you would recognize yourself for the record, Miss Bludger, and your guest Courtney Pledger, director of Arkansas PBS at ETN. Jason Kuna, Associate executive director and CFO. Thank you. Remembers, any other questions? I have uh a motion. Let's hear your motion. Executive rec. All right, I have a motion. I have a second, all any discussion. See none all in favor say aye. In your post, eyes have it. Thank you. All right, we're gonna go back to the top of the agenda and start with the Department of Education. And if uh the agency would come to the table. Mr. Secretary, good morning. If you would recognize yourself for the record. Good morning, Jacob Oliva, Department of Education. Thank you. Greg Rogers, Department of Education. Courtney Sales Ford Department of Education. Thank you for being here, Ms. Walden, you may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members taking you back to the very, very beginning of manual 5, the Department of Education, Desi appropriation request begins on page one of this manual. As you all know, the Department of Education administers the programs and financial assistance to the state's public elementary and secondary schools, the Arkansas Constitution requires the state to maintain a general suitable and efficient system of free public schools and to adopt all suitable means to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education. The first appropriation for your review today is their shared services appropriation. It is detailed on page 3. Of your manual? This is the Department of Ed's paying account appropriation. It totals about $9.2 million for each year of the biennium. This is funded with money transferred as well as appropriation from the various divisions of the department to provide overall services to the entire department. As you can see on the summary on page 2, the agency requests to restore 3 special language pool positions with corresponding increases in salaries and matching. And the executive recommendation provides for this request. They also provide for the reclassification of 15 positions and the discontinuation of one position with associated reductions in salaries and matching. Moving to the desi appropriation that begins on page or it is detailed on page 11. Of your manual? This is the overall department appropriation for Desi. ADE has 20 appropriations in this section, and 9 of those include change levels. They request a total of $1.9 billion for each year of the biennium. And this operations budget is funded with federal revenue, cash funds, general revenues, fund balances, trust funds, educational adequacy funds, educational excellence trust funds. And they have recommended 320 positions for this section and 11 extra help. The first appropriation with changes can be found on page 18. This is their Medicaid administration cash and treasury appropriation. This is cash, but it is funded through the Arkansas Medicaid program. It provides Medicaid reimbursement to schools for providing therapy and health services in the schools. You'll see on page 18, they're requesting a $5 million increase for each year of the biennium. This brings the new total for this section to $45 million annually. They state this is needed because in 2019, they changed their billing structure to become more timely and responsive to the school districts and so they're still working out the kinks and that adjustment period, but they believe they're getting closer to the expenditures. And the executive recommendation provides for this request. The next appropriation with changes is on page 20. This is their professional licensure standards board. This is funded with cash funds and it provides for the activities of the professional licensure standards board, including the establishment of standards for potential teachers and the investigations. of the department They request a total appropriation of $1.4 million. This includes a restoration of $50,000 in capital outlay for equipment purchasing. This includes the replacement and purchase of fingerprinting machines. The executive recommendation provides for the agency request, along with the reclassification of two positions within this section. On page 22, you'll see the state operations appropriation. This appropriation is funded with general revenue and it provides for the operational costs and staff of the department, including the central administration, fiscal and administrative Services Division of Educator effective effectiveness and licensure and learning services, their accountability and research and technology. They request $22.4 million each year. This includes an $18.4 million increase in general revenue funding in 202 positions. It includes the restoration of one special language pool position with corresponding salaries and match, the reduction of 33,000 in conference and travel. 75,000 in professional fees, and this is to better align with anticipated expenses, as well as restoring capital outlay at $100,000 for the replacement and purchase of new equipment. The executive recommendation provides for the agency request along with 17 position reclassifications and the discontinuation of 17 positions with corresponding salaries and match. The 4th appropriation with changes is on page 29. This is the child nutrition appropriation. This is federally funded and provides administrative services and reimbursement to districts that participate in the school lunch, school breakfast, and special milk programs. The agency request is for $428 million for each year of the biennium. This includes the reallocation of 99,000 from grants and aid to conference and travel and professional fees to better align with anticipated needs. They also ask for the restoration of capital outlay at 50,000 for equipment replacement and purchase. The executive recommendation provides for the agency request along with 3 reclassifications and 2 position discontinuations. On page 31, the Federal Elementary and Secondary education program. This houses the federal entitlement programs, including the special education programs, early childhood, AID education migrant education, English language learners, and others. They're requesting 1.28 billion each year and within this appropriation, it includes the transfer in of 32 positions that were previously housed within the office of early childhood. They say they believe these positions will be better served within this appropriation. They also ask for the reallocation of 615,000 from conference and travel and 11 million from professional fees to salaries, extra help, matching, grants and aid, and capital outlay all to provide for the alignment of anticipated expenses. The executive recommendation provides for the agency request along with one. Or one position re class and 7 positions discontinued with associated salaries and matching costs. The next appropriation is the alternative certification program. It's on page 39. This cash appropriation provides for the non-traditional licensure program in the state. ADE requests 899,000 each year, and this total includes a $200,000 reduction in operating expenses and a $250,000 reduction in grants and aid. They state this is to better align with anticipated expenses for the biennium. The executive recommendation provides for this request. Finally, I'll just mention that in addition to the appropriations that I mentioned, there are a few others that the agency has requested to discontinue for the biennium, due to a lack of a consistent funding source. They are on page 46, the after school and summer program grants appropriation. On page 48, the boys and girls club program grants. Page 50, the adult high school grants and page 57, the ADE American rescue Plan Appropriation. Those are all discontinued for the biennium and the executive recommendation provides for that discontinuation. These are my remarks on Desi, Mr. Chair. Thank you. All right, members, do we have questions? Uh, Senator Love, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm gonna go to the preparation. That we're gonna discontinue, um. I think we're on page 45 Secretary Leva. And it's for the after school and summer summer program grants. Can you give me a little more insight on it on. On that So those funds were, they were never funded and we still have the ESA that's done in a Public school fund that uh provides for before and after school, uh, tutoring and help. So this fund this program was never funded. OK. So this was never funded, correct? OK. All right, all right, thank you. All right, Representative Richardson, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is that the same for the Boys and Girls Club that, that's never been funded as well. Yes, sir, correct. Or I remembers any other questions? All right, see you none. Do I have a motion? Motion for executive rec. I have a second. Any discussion? See none. All in favor say aye. In opposed Eyes have it. You may proceed, Ms. Walden. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The next budget request for your review is the Department of Ed Public school fund request. Um, that actually begins on page 59 of the manual, but staff has prepared this schedule for your review and the budget manual, the line items are in order of their appropriation number, and that can be somewhat difficult to navigate. So we prepared this schedule for you all. It includes all of the line items in alphabetical order. So if you're looking for one specific one, you can look at this spreadsheet as a guide. The public school fund for Desi is on the 1st 3 pages of this document. As you can see on this schedule, they're all of the line items in alphabetical order on the far left and under the A column, you can see the page number where you can find them in the manual. Then you have the actual expense of all this information is in the budget manual, the actual expense for 24, their budget and appropriation for 25 and then their request is on the far right hand side. The coloring, I want to explain to you all, if, if a line item is highlighted, if it is green, that is an appropriation that has a requested or recommended increase or decrease a change level. If an item is highlighted in blue, it is because it is a Item that receives a mention in the educational adequacy report. And so you can see for all of those line items that were highlighted in blue, those are adequacy items, and you can also see on the far right hand side they were recommended to be flat. That is because, um, the agency did not request an increase in that, and the executive did not provide for that yet, so that, and then finally on page 3. You'll see the total highlighted in yellow. for your review. This appropriation has 70 appropriations around and there were total requests for the biennium is $3.48 billion and within this appropriation, there are 44 authorized positions. Funding is comprived comprised mainly of the public school funding, general revenue funding, educational adequacy funding, fund balances, the educational excellence Trust Fund, transit taxes, and some TNF money. And this provides for all of the state aid that is distributed to local school districts. I'll highlight for the committee the items with change levels now. On page 65, you'll see an explanation of the app scan program. ASCAN's mission is to provide a statewide data communication network that connects all the public school systems within the state and the education service cooperatives that provides electronic access to computing services. It's also the statewide accounting network for districts. The recommended or the, the agency requests to restore $200,000 in capital outlay to provide for unforeseen needs, and the executive recommendation provides for the agency request along with the discontinuation of 4 positions with associated salaries and matching costs in this line. The second appropriation with changes is the early childhood special education, appropriation line, it is found on page 78. This appropriation provides for special education services provided to children from birth to age 5 at various capacities. The total appropriation request is $22.8 million for each year of the biennium. And this includes $6 million that is transferred from the requested to be discontinued EIDT special education funding line also within the public school fund. The agency is requesting to enroll those two line items together and all be housed under the early childhood special ed line in the executive recommendation provides for this request. So then at the bottom of your schedule, you'll see the mention of the EIDT Special Education Service. Line item and you'll see that line item completely discontinuing as requested by the agency or recommended by the executive, and that's to roll it up within the early childhood special ed. wine. Moving to the 2nd page of your schedule. The next line with changes is the Office of Education renewal zones on page 63. This appropriation provides for the operation of the Office of Education renewal zones. It includes a compact between public schools, the co-ops, and institutions of higher education to collaborate for the purpose of higher educational attainment. The biennium recommendation totals $1.3 million for each year. The agency requested to continue the appropriation with salary and matching adjustments as provided in law and the executive recommendation also included the discontinuation of one position with associated salaries and matching costs. The last line for with review, with changes is on detailed on page 82. This is the line item for the positive youth development grants. This is a $5 million annual appropriation. It is requested to be discontinued due to a lack of a consistent funding source, and the executive recommendation provides for the agency request. These are my remarks on the public school fund for Desi, Mr. Chair. All right, thank you members, any questions? All right. See, no questions. Do I have a motion? For executive rec. All right, do I have a second? Second, in discussion? See none, all in favor say aye. And he opposed, I have it, you may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The next division for your review is the Department of Education Division of Public school academic facilities and transportation. It is on page 87 of your manual. This division is responsible for administering programs of the state financial participation and support of local academic facilities assisting all school districts with their academic facility support. It is the facilities partnership program. They also oversee the construction and maintenance plans of the school districts. As well as school bus safety inspections and driver training programs. On page 89. And 90, you'll see the department appropriation summary. They have two main appropriations. And it totals about $218 million each year. They have 32 full-time positions and 5 extra help. The first appropriation is on page 92. It is their operation of their facilities partnership program that includes all of their staff, their office space. As well as the program oversight. The total request is for $3 million each year, and this includes, this includes adjustments to salaries and matching, but no change level requests and the executive recommendation provides for the agency request. On page 94, you'll see the academic facilities partnership program. This provides all of the funding for the state financial partnership program with schools. They're requesting to continue the same level of funding and appropriation at $215.3 million for each year of the biennium, and the executive recommendation provides for this request. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. All right, members, I have some in the queue, so we'll go to, uh, Representative Springer you recognized. Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for, for allowing me to ask the question. I'm concerned about the academic facilities. I noticed that you have um outstanding balance of $73 million can, can you tell me whether or not you have any requests that are pending for this type of funding for this funding. So that balance that you're referring to is in the queue to be distributed. In fact, the committee just met a couple of weeks ago to review and approve some more plans so those dollars will be earmarked and allocated. So, so the answer is yes, that those dollars are already, do you have a list of those school districts to you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. If you would direct that to staff and they'll disperse it to the committee. All right, uh, Representative McNair, you're recognized. Thank you Mr. Chair, uh. Could you tell me why the uh partnership money on facilities doesn't include safe rooms. That they can't get partnership money to to. To do a safe room at the schools. So sorry, um, so currently in the rules that we currently have, a safe room would not meet the definition for an academic facility. That's what that's what's going on with that one. So we'll, would, would, would it fall anywhere in the warm, safe, and dry, or what what uh what uh what's the, what do they do to to get some help on those. Where would that come from? Or is it anywhere that it can come from. So currently the way the law and rules are written, um, the funding is only available for academic spaces. So spaces where the actual instruction is going on. I believe there is some federal funding available that districts can apply for, but, um, there's no state funding that's been specifically appropriated for that. And if I could add, there's some very specific. programs that FEMA supports said districts apply through and get grants to help build those spaces, and I believe the intent was to protect academic spaces because there was a lot of schools getting a lot of money to build fancy gyms or fancy um spaces that weren't improving academic um places for children to learn. So that's why it was tightened up. But if there's an appetite with the legislature to revisit that to maybe include opportunities to build safe spaces. I think that. The conversation as we move forward through the legislative process that's worth having. There there's nothing more important that we can do to make sure that our students are safe so if this is an area that you've identified, we'd be happy to follow up. OK, thank you. All right, Representative Springer, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for the question about the money for safe rooms. What if a school district utilizes that safe room for academic purposes and they have classes within that particular safe room. Uh, in fact, I've visited several schools over the past month wherein they have utilized that safe room for academic, uh, Uh, you know, needs for the particular school. So that's, that's when they go through the application process, they would identify that as an academic space that would also meet the safe room requirements so when they go through the process, that's part of the review to make sure that it meets those rules. It's not just designated as a safe room, but it's an academic space that's kind of too. You're saying if they end up indicate initially that they will be utilizing it for academic space as well as safe room then they possibly could qualify. That's correct. OK. Representative Ladyman, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair, over here. Um, so you mentioned FEMA might have some money for that. Um, so if we want to do that at the state level, do you believe that Adam might be the best place to do that? Emergency services. Department of Emergency emergency Management. Yeah, I think uh it's probably a combination of different opportunities, I mean, they, they definitely work with FEMA on a, a lot uh more intimate basis than we do as an education institution, but as we work with school districts and plan that they should have a seat at the table to help us make sure we can get as many resources for our students here in the state as possible. So if we, if we were to fund that through Adam. Uh, how would that cooperation with With the school systems go, and with that they're in your facilities, how would that work? So we can make that part of the review process. So when, when the committee meets to review applications, anything that's intended to inquire or add additional safe spaces and look at federal matching dollars, we can include them as part of that review. All right, thank you. All right, Coach Chair Wardlaw. So looking through your budgets. I find something very interesting. And that's the amount of money we pay a guy named David Bresco and he's not at the table. So I'm trying to figure out if he really is hired to deal with the legislature or not. Can any of y'all address that? Yeah, he, he's here with here, he's here with us in spirit and on call 24/7. Spirit is the part that I'm worried about. I think it's a little more than spirit. I see him in the back of the room. All right. Thank you, co-chair Ward Law for that very informative question. Um, Senator Hammer, you recognized. Thank you Mr. Chair and good morning. I'm just curious in the numbers that are being discussed in this particular category, do you anticipate any changes either through rural or legislation that may change how these numbers are dealt with when we actually get into session. So I, I'm not aware of any um conversations around maybe making modifications to the formula at this time, but if, if there's an appetite with some members of the legislature, we'd be happy to to look at um the review process because we wanna make sure that these limited resources are being best utilized and definitely serving our our school districts that need um access to the dollars the most, so if that's something you're interested in, Senator Hammer, we'd be happy to follow up. OK. And, and I remember somewhat sitting through all the discussions on this, but refresh my memory on something as far as the demand versus the ability to meet the request. Can you give us an overview or just give us a, uh, you know, a perspective as far as the amount of money that we're talking about budgeting versus the number of needs that are being presented in requested. How, how much are we short, do you think or any idea on that? Just give us a pers perspective. So, excuse me, for this funding cycle, we have funded all the requests that we had, um, as you know, this is a one-time funds that we come and ask for each year. And this year, we asked for um 65 million out of the restricted reserve, and we've funded all requests for this biennial, and I think I have like $19 million left from recision of projects that have not been funded. OK, so as far as the, the requests that were made versus the ability to meet them, they were all met then. Yes, sir. OK, good deal. Thank you. I remember seeing no one else in the queue. Do I have a motion for executive rec. I have a motion. Do I have a second? I have a second, all in favor say aye, or excuse me, discussion, all, well, all in favor say aye. Any your post. See none. I have it. You may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The newly established Office of Early Childhood begins on page 95 of your manual. This division was recently transferred into the Department of Education from DHS. This was mandated by Arkansas Learns. This division oversees the administration of childcare facilities in early childhood education providers in the state. They also grant out federal grants across the state for childcare services. The Department appropriation summary for this section is on page 96. As you can see, they're mostly funded by federal revenue. They also received general revenue and some special revenues in cash. They have 6 total appropriations, which totaled 293 million annually. And they, this includes a recommended 177 full-time positions. There are 3 appropriations in this section with changeable requests. The first one is the operations appropriation on page 98. This appropriation provides to the administration of the Office of Early Childhood. It is funded with general revenue. The total appropriation is 15.4 million for each year, and it includes the following changes. A reduction of $11.3 million from professional fees, data processing services and purchase of services, and this is to align with anticipated expenditures. The executive recommendation provides for the agency request. The next one is on page 100. This is the childcare grants appropriation. This is also funded with general revenue. It provides early childhood education assistance for qualifying families statewide. This is our state match funding for the Childcare Development block grant funding. The agency requests a total of $9 million for each year. As you can see, this is an $11 million decrease in appropriation, and this is to align with projected total cost for the grant program and the executive recommendation provides for the agency request. finally on page 102. You'll see their federal operations appropriation. And this is the federal funding receipt for the administration of the childcare Development block grant program also for early Head Start and USDA nutritional programs for childcare centers and others around the state. The agency request for the biennium totals $268 million annually. This is a $2.3 million decrease, and this is to provide for those 32 men positions that I mentioned earlier that were rolled up into the operations appropriation. And so that decrease includes the corresponding salaries and matching costs. The executive recommendation provides for the agency request. They also had one ARPA appropriation that they have requested to discontinue due to the funds expiring. This is the Office of Early Childhood. Thank you members' questions. I see Representative Ladyman, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, I have a question on page 98 there. About the extra help. Um Normally these budgets show, that's like part-time or fill in. But this one has $84,000 with one person. Why, why is that not normal salary? I mean, is that? If that's part time, they're making a lot of money. So that one was one that was left in there. The rest of them were moved up to the, uh, the operations we just didn't adjust the preparation on that, but we could reduce the appropriation on that. It's fine. That Dario was the only one in there. The rest of them were moved into operations when it transferred over. So Shouldn't that 84,000 be reduced? It could be, yes. OK. All right. Thank you. With the we budgeted right now for uh $20,000. So if it stayed there, we'd be fine with that. There's no one currently in that position. All right. Representative Collins, you're recognized. Thank you. I'm on page 100, just looking at the childcare grants, um, appropriation going from 20 million to 9 million. I understand, you know, the desire, uh, to match with the actual expenditure is better, is what's the history on this and why did we not get up to that 20 million or close to it, and have we ever and kind of what's, what's the background of why there was such a big difference between the 20 we had an appropriation. of the 9 we're gonna go to. I really don't know, um, because this is one that transferred to us from DHS. It's just was, that's what the historical codes of the 20 million, but the funding's only been none, so we were just reducing that down to what the actual funding is, but as far as history, I'd, I'd have to check on that. OK, yeah, I mean, I would be interested and I can look through probably get some information on it, but you guys don't really have any background with this. You're just looking at this year and, but I mean I guess the question is if we're gonna cut it, do we know if in a couple of years ago it was 15 or 18. I mean, I, I would, I would have to check back on the history of it before it transferred to us. All right, thanks. Representative Springer you recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I wanted to inquire about, uh, the amount that's paid to the childcare centers per pupil. Do you all have any information on that? Uh, is anybody here to answer that? I know I have previously had complaints from constituents about the amount that they were being paid and the response was that they needed the the owners needed some additional training in order to receive a certain amount per pupil. Are you all familiar with that? And I, I just wanted to follow up to see whether or not. That whether or not those uh childcare owners are receiving that training necessary to receive the top amount because there were varying amounts across the state that were being paid to these childcare facilities. Are you familiar with that? Yes, ma'am. So there's different funding streams that support the different programs that the students and the child care providers participate in. Like the, the previous mention around the 9 million I believe that's because that's up to the federal matching grant that we get with the community block development grants. So if that's a match that we get from the feds, but I want to verify that that's pretty much the match that we're gonna get. But to your point is a childcare provider can earn additional revenue based on the qualifications or the ratings of that center. And so we do work with, um, we, we part of learns which was great about that, that initiative around unifying and coordinating early learning as we, we've established what's called local leads. So we now have finished cohort 3 of establishing our local leads whose jobs are particularly to go to those centers and help provide additional support and professional development, um, for those providers so that they can increase their, their ratings, so, um, to date now we. have a local lead established at least one in every single county across the state. So this is, um, it's a big, big move in the right direction, can you provide us some statistics on that like how many within each county and, you know, where they're located and what the amounts on who you all have participating, that would be helpful, map, um that outlines each county and who's who's the local lead for that area, so we'd be happy to send that to you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. You're welcome, uh, Senator Hammer, you recognized? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, could I get Tonya Williams to the table with you guys? Is she here? OK, uh, well, let me ask you this, um, With regard, you guys have inherited the childcare portion of things, um, used to be with DHS. Now it's over with y'all. As far as the transition, the, the turnover personnel, the training aspect, how, how do you all feel that it is transpiring and, and just give us an overview and perspective from your side. So I, I think, um. I think the work is exciting and I, I don't wanna feel like it, the transitions had bumps along the ways, right? Anytime you make any, any kind of major um move like that, but overall we're all working now in a unified coordinated manner and in fact, uh one of the challenges I think we had early on is just teams were spread across multiple different buildings all over, I guess downtown Little Rock and now that we've been able to get some space in the commerce building, all of our early learning. transfers from DHS as well as the AD employees are all in 11 building and they're able to coordinate and be more efficient as well, so. Um, I, I, I'd like to think that as we're supporting providers, the support we're getting in and getting a better handle on what's happening in early learning to make sure that kindergarten raise rates go up, is getting a lot stronger. In fact, one of the, one of the challenges that we identified early on is with different programs that operated under different rules that had different definitions based on the funding streams all had different data sets and different dashboards, and they didn't talk to each other. If you were to ask me. Who participated in early learning before kindergarten in this state, we couldn't tell you. There wasn't one place to go to get that information. So as we've been consolidating and looking at more efficiencies, um, internally our IT team has built out a brand new system in fact, it rolled out publicly this morning, a one stop shop that's gonna keep track of all early learning providers, which is one of the reasons you're seeing a reduction in expenses because we're paying uh pretty hefty license fees across. multiple different platforms we're not getting that unified and coordinated so that it's gonna be even more efficient. Yeah, in public disclaimers on board president of a nonprofit. Daycare that we started up and Tonya's been great and her team. The one thing I sensed is that from the transition over from DHS to y'all, um, that there was somewhat of a lack of um Communication, I guess as far as where it is to where it is now. That's not criticism. It's just a, a statement of fact that it is, it seems that it's going to be better off with y'all and, and with the improvements that you're making, do you, do you see out into the future, um, as far as getting to where you want to get a secretary in that area, and Tonya, I think, wants to get to where she wants to get in her position. What do you think between now and 12 months from now or what do you anticipating? So I, I think there's a lot of opportunity, maybe even. To have further conversations this upcoming session. I, I think, uh, when we talk about making sure our, our providers are providing safe and quality uh learning for our students while they're in our care. Some of our roles may tend to be over bureaucratic and discourage people that would be great licensed providers from having an opportunity to participate so as, as we've now established those local leads, the first thing that we're doing now is gettingaccurate counts so that we can have a student identification seat and then I. identifying where those deserts and islands exist across the state. What we know from our data is access to VPK is a a little bit higher than high quality childcare. So we know, um that making sure that parents don't want to participate in high quality learning, have an opportunity and a pathway to do it as we get those maps, we're gonna have to work to identify um the businesses, the faith-based community, civic organizations and have a way to incentivize establishing a new uh system. Sustainable center, so I, I think there's opportunity to keep building. We've laid a really strong foundation. This is a space that I think we can continue to grow because um if there's anything that the research tells us, it's, it's almost like a 6 to 1 investment for every dollar we invest in early learning, we get about a $6 return and if we can increase kindergarten readiness rates across the state, and that's going to help students be better prepared to meet that critical 3rd grade benchmark of being able to read at or above grade level. The last question would be this, the, the I think in the transition, some of the challenges were what it used to be and what people were trained for what it used to be to what it is and what is expected. So that if you call one person, you get one answer, you call another person, you get that same answer from that one person. Do you feel that with the staff that you have in this area that you're I know turnover is always a challenge, but do you feel that you've got the adequate staff in this area or what, where do you see the needs are in order to make sure we got consistency of me. Jean and what the rules say is consistent if told. By different people, it's the same thing, yeah, I think, I think that's a great question and I, I want, I wanna say that's why this legislature and our, and our agencies really invested in establishing those local leads. So that did take about a year to go through a competitive process so I not only help our agency better inform practice, but then those local leads that know those communities, those providers and that are in that space actively, um, that, that third cohort, in fact, we had a meeting about 33 weeks ago or had all three cohorts together for the first time so that we can deliver one solid common message. It had been fragmented and sometimes that translation gets lost in practice, but that, that is the platform that I believe is really gonna change and, and make our early learning environments stronger and um they're, they're, when we talk about the professional development and the support we're making kind of a pretty significant change too on how we define quality, so historically we use this environment environment readiness system scale to evaluate the early learning provider and that was basically like a checklist, you know, when they look at the environment, is there uh blocks? Are there books available? Is there two exits? Do they have a fire extinguisher. It never really looked at the quality of the program, so one of the tasks that the local leads are working on now is training and implementing what's called the class observation tool which measures and rates the interactions between the student and the adults, so that we can make sure not only is the environment safe, but then what are the kids are doing while they're in our care is that of quality, so there, there's a big investment happening in early learning and and and that there's a, this would be a great to even do a full committee update on on all the wonderful initiatives that are happening. Thank you. Senator Dodson, you're recognized? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, Back on page 98. Uh, the operations budget there. Just looking through the line items on there. Uh, not only in the extra help line item, but in virtually every line item, it looks like you're, you're requesting a significant amount more than what you've spent in the past, um. Just starting at the regular salaries on the top, uh. You're asking for 1 1.4, which is obviously what you had the year before, um, actual is. You spent 8,800,000 there. Uh, but you're only increasing 3 positions, uh, from what I'm seeing, and then if you follow on down the page, personal service matching. It's almost double what what you, well, not quite double. Actually, it is right at double what you spent the previous year, um. And then operating expenses overall 7.5 million is the request when you only spent 364,000 last year. Um. So I don't know if you can, if you got kind of an explanation on why you're requesting so much more than what you're actually using. So, uh, first on the actual one with the transfer that that was just where we've had turnover and we've had different, so there's different positions been in vacant for over this past year that that's why we budgeted the same, hoping that we get that continuing and keep those positions filled as far as when you're looking at the operations, we've lowered, um, I'm trying to look at which one we lowered the grants and aids. We were looking at what was going on that one, we were increasing the grants and aids as well as the operations because when Early childhood came over here, a lot of the um things that we're going through grants and AIDS probably should have been contracts and so we've moved more appropriation into contracts to have those contracts reviewed as contracts rather than issued them as grants would be operating expenses line item. So that going on down to grants and aids, um. You're asking for 2.5 million. Whereas only spent 331,000 to anticipate using that much or why was that budgeted so much more so again that's just with us bringing this over, trying to keep everything where it is to give us some time to look at how we're allocating and how we're using it before we make any changes to our appropriation levels. And then On the professional fees line item. Not you. dramatically decrease that, um, obviously there were no expenses, uh, what sort of exposure is there on professional fees that That might come up that this would be used for. So those professional thieves could um try to think where we would have had some of the professional fees not use as contracts, but there may be some that we have professional fees short term and rather than having a contract. Most of it will be through contract which will be through operating, but we just want to leave some there just for our first year to make sure we have it all covered. OK. But so, out of all that, you think you're in line just making sure you have plenty except for that, uh, extra help line item which could be reduced to 20,000. OK. Um Mr. Chairman, I'll have a motion at the proper time. I'm gonna say it's the proper time, Senator. Well, I would move executive rec on everything except online, on page 98, the operation expenses that extra help line item reducing that from the 84,000 down to 20,000 like the department said they could handle. All right, members, I have a motion. Do I have a second? I have a second. Any discussion? So just if you would press a button. Take your time. Thank you so much. Absolutely All right, Senator Chefully recognized for discussion. I guess I get more and more concerned every time we start messing with appropriations. Because there's gotta be a reason why you have the amount and the appropriation line. This means then that if the appropriation is insufficient, then you gotta come back here. So Jacob Do you anticipating having to come back here if we pass this motion, or is the time for asking questions over. Oh well, what the hell? Yeah, this, this is a discussion on the motion and there was an explanation on this particular line out a second ago. I'm gonna let the explanation I'm gonna let the secretary. Thank you so much, Senator. I appreciate you indulging me, so we, we feel strongly behind this recommendation that I'll meet all the needs, otherwise all all those requests that were considered were built into this budget when when um all of the early learning offices moved over from DHS and join ADE bunch of different pots of money came. over and part of some of the decreases in some areas and increases the areas is where we're trying to consolidate where we had two line items that we're trying to do the same thing. So this will be a little bit more efficient as well. So the, the motion meets your needs, in other words. Yes, ma'am. OK, so we don't have to vote against Senator Dotson this early in the morning. OK, thank you so much. I appreciate it. All right, seeing no further discussion. All in favor say aye. In your post. Hearing none, eyes have it. You may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The next division for your review today is the division of Career and technical Education. It begins on page 110 of manual 5. This division is responsible for administering the public secondary vocational and technical training programs for students across the state. I also just wanted to reference the schedule that was prepared for y'all on page 4 of that schedule, these line items show all of the Public school funded lines within the division of Career Ed's budget request. As you can see on the schedule of all the public school funded lines, there is no change level increase. They are recommended to remain the same for the biennium. Going back to the book, the Department Appropriation summary for this division is on page 111. You can see they're funded with federal revenue, public school funds, educational excellence trust funds, and interagency fund transfers, general and special revenues in cash. They have 9 total appropriations totaling $57 million for each year of the biennium. They're recommended to have 35 positions. The first appropriation with changes is on page 117. It is their Votec administration operations appropriation. This appropriation provides to the administration of the division. The total appropriation is set at Or they requested $3.4 million for each year of the biennium. And this includes One change of request and it is for the discontinuation of their motor vehicle education program, and that is valued at $2500. This is to align with program needs and agency operations. The executive recommendation provides for this request, and they also provide for the discontinuation of 9 positions with associated salaries and matching. The next request is on page 123. The agency request for the establishment of a new appropriation set at $900,000 annually. It is for a multiple grant award program appropriation. This will allow the division to receive grants from various entities throughout the biennium without having to come back in the interim and request more appropriation. The first and largest program that will be housed within this appropriation is the newly established Adult diploma program that was approved during the interim and peer. The executive recommendation provides for this appropriation. On page 127, you'll see the SREB Advanced Careers program. This appropriation is an older grant program that came over to the division with transformation. They state that they have not utilized this program since transformation, and they're requesting to delete this appropriation, and the executive recommendation provides for the agency request. On page 129. You'll see detailed another new appropriation request for professional development for CTE teachers. This is a new cash appropriation the division is requesting, which will provide for annual professional development trainings for CE CTE teachers. They request $260,000 for each year of the biennium. And this will allow for the collection of conference fees from educators and schools and then for the disbursement of those expenses to pay for the conferences. The executive recommendation provides for the request. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right, members, any questions? Senator Chesterfield, I see you're in the queue. Thank you so much you're recognized. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair and Mr. Secretary. We just had a great win with Proposition one. What are we going to do to make sure that people know that this is available. Because we still have some of the best kept secrets in the world in education from our futures to the challenge, all of these things. What are we going to do to make people aware, so that they're able to take advantage of this very, very important, uh, in, uh, referendum. Yeah, so, uh, excellent question. Uh, we, we every now and then every now and then. Today's your lucky day or our lucky day, I guess. Um, we have a small appropriation in the higher ed budget to help promote scholarships that we get from the lottery funds to do advertising and um so there's a a little bit of a plan so that kind of ballot initiative or awareness campaign would be built in and a role in that. But I also think just, you know, as we are out and hosting conferences and meeting with stakeholders and um sharing a common message. I, I, I feel like sometimes we have some untapped resources like the, the faith community and civic organizations where we can make sure they're informed about opportunities and priorities. A lot of times they're working with families in transition as well, so, um, as, as we worked with the states to kind of established faith based partnerships, that's something that we want to make. we add to the agenda because, um, the more we can talk about and celebrate opportunity that people can to advance their skills and, and increase their wages is something that is a win for everybody. when we first began the lottery scholarships and I don't want to go back down memory lane because I may be the only one here who remembers when we did that. But we had a robust rollout. And we don't have a robust rollout of many things that are impacting, uh, the ability of individuals to take advantage of what I think, uh, this state does very well, and that's to help fund children. Getting past secondary education. I think it's, it's one of those things that we have available but that we're not telling people about. And so I'm wondering if we would think about it being more robust than just word of mouth. Because we had people, we had bands, we had all of this stuff saying, guess what? You can get some money now. And if we do it that way and I, I don't propose to tell you how to do it, but it would be so helpful if people just knew. And if we rely on just word of mouth, then sometimes the word in the mouth by the time it gets to where it needs to be is totally incomprehensible. So I would just ask that we look at that and that we make sure that people are aware that it's there and do it in a very robust way. I would appreciate it if you would consider that, would you please? and we, we need to make sure that. Some of our partners working in this space are aware of all the opportunities as well as well. All right, thank you and thank you, Mr. Chair, for indulging me, Senator. Thank you. Uh, any other questions, members? All right, see none. I'll entertain a motion. Oh. Is 1 2nd, we do have a question, Senator. Rosin McNair. Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's not actually a, uh, question, but I do have a request if you don't mind if, if someone at the table or DFNA. Uh, good. Respond to a lot of questions. I'm getting on about everybody else about our freedom account. Money is why we couldn't handle that in state. Instead of sending that out just. I know a little bit of it, but if, if for the general public to hear of why. We can't handle our own money. I mean, that's the question I'm getting, so I don't know if that's appropriate or. If DF and I or someone at the table would address that. Secretary, would you like to respond to that or would you prefer to get offline with the representative and get further details, however you propose. OK. Uh. I defer to you. So I, I, I just wanna make sure I understand the question if, if, if this is about why do we contract with a provider to help disperse the funds. Yes, that, that, that, that's what I was talking about, I mean, explanation to me doesn't help my constituents and uh, I've just been, you know, why that DFNA or why, why we couldn't handle. Our own disbursement of money, so I, I think the short answer to that question is perhaps down the road we could. This was a new program that we needed to start up when the bill was signed into law so that we can get that implemented in um that initial school year, so if you remember when we signed learns into law, the rollout for the educational freedom account started a little bit smaller of the first year for the students that qualified, got a little bit more robust the second year they now coming up to the 3rd year. It's, it's more open for students and families to participate. When we were building out the support for the school choice office, there, there, there wasn't one established, so we had to establish an office, we had to write a lot of rules, we had to write a lot of procedures. We had to find schools that wanted to participate, get them vetted, get all these systems put into place, so while that was happening, we put out a bid for a contract to be a third party provider to make sure the disbursements were handled and taken care of. And then I also keeps it cleaner from, I think, auditing purposes so that there's a clear delineation. We're not making direct payments to schools we're not making direct payments to families we're making payments into an account that the schools can then withdraw from and then the families can withdraw from and that was the system that was laid out in the law as intended for implementation. So as we go moving forward, I think there's opportunity to do that, but any of the overhead or the administrative costs for that third party provider is reduced from the 90. percent of the foundation funding that's allocated for that student in that family. Thank you, Mr. Secretary, and yeah, if representative McNair, if you have any other questions, I'd ask, get offline with the secretary and get specifics. Thank you. Representative Senator Love, if you're recognized. Thank you sure. I, I did want to have a, I did have a question about the freedom accounts. So, so what is the administrative cost. For, for administering. Through this vendor. So we're we're actually in a little bit of a transition from one vendor to another, but overall, if I was to say a rough amount it's about 2% per transaction. 2% per tr uh. How, how much are we gonna spend? I mean because we're talking about 2% per transaction. How many transactions are gonna, they're going to be then. I mean that, I, I just, I mean, no, I'm, I'm serious. I'm not trying to be funny. I'm just, I'm just trying to think, I mean, we're, where we coming from and where are we going to as far as the administration of the Freedom accounts. So, so the the allocation is about 97 million, so 2% of that. 7, you said 7 million? 97 million 72% of 97 million. OK. All right, thank you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Chesterfield, do you move for your, well, hang on one second. I have a question from, uh, Senator Stubblefield. Thank you, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, This quick, uh, just a quick question after the election last week, there was talk of, of doing away with the Department of Education. Can you tell me how that would affect each individual state and the state of Arkansas in particular. I guess that's kind of a budget question. I defer to you, Secretary, if you care to answer. So I, I, I think there's some philosophies about the role of the United States Department of Education. It's one of the newest agencies I, I think it came around under Carter administration. It hasn't been around a long, a long time. So there's some strong feelings that we don't really need that, but a lot of the schools and a lot of the states, we all know that it's up to states to to be in control of their of education do receive federal dollars, especially for helping our special education students. We talked about matching grants in early learning, um, students from lower socioeconomic status, we get an allocation from the federal government. I think the hope and and desire is that we would still continue to receive that uh allocation without the bureaucracy, red tape and the strings that the feds like to put on those dollars. So the, the feds like to tell us the local decisions at the local level are up to the states, but if you want to use our money, you have to jump through these hoops, and I'll use like the Title 9 example is something that we've been saying that we're. going to follow state law because we have state law that does not follow the Title IX recommendations from the feds, but the feds are trying to make us implement policy by attaching those dollars. So if that agency was eradicated, the hope or intention was that the states would still get the much needed dollars they receive, but without the mandates that are handcuffing states that are making us implement strategies that we don't think work best for our students and families because the feds think they can do a better job educating our students and our state. So, uh, so in essence you're saying that it would affect the services that you provide. It managed it, it depends on, it's up to Congress and the budgets that they allocate, um, if, if we're able to get a direct appropriation, it would actually make us more efficient because then we wouldn't have to hire a bunch of staff to follow um all of their unnecessary bureaucracy and guidance and and unnecessary editing or or auditing procedures we could establish that in-house and then maybe even give more dollars um to follow the students that they deserve. So you agree there there's an overabundance of bureaucracy and the Department of Education. Yeah, welcome to government. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. All right. Thank you, Senator. Members, I've, uh, granted a lot of leeway in here with, uh, questions related to things that we've already, um, made motions for executive rec and then also other questions. So Senator Chesterfield, I hope you have a motion. You're recognized. I did. But having been around when it was a part of the Department of Health Education and Welfare. And we couldn't get a damn excuse anything done. Because it was wrapped up in the other ones. I have a real concern about it. Because we know that the This has nothing to do with executive rec. I'll, I'll take a form of personal privilege after I make the motion, but we need to be very careful when people are telling us stuff, because there are those of us who remember when it was much worse when it was tied up in the other two. So if you had health, education and welfare all tied up and you had to provide for the schools, our schools deserve to have something set aside specifically for them, and that's why my concern is when we start talking about getting rid of of stuff. The first thing we talk about is education. Which to me is the most important thing we deal with every day. And with that I would move executive rec. Thank you for your motion. Do I have a second? I have a second. Any discussion? See none all in favor say aye. And he opposed Eyes have it. You may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The next division for your review is a division of higher education. It begins on page 130 of manual 5. This division serves the administrative staff for the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Additionally, they review academic programs of institutions, administered statewide financial aid programs. The Department appropriation summary is on page 133. Of your manual, you can see this division has 26 appropriations that total about 136 million for each year of the biennium. I will highlight The appropriations with change levels. The first one begins on page 136. This is the operations appropriation. This provides for all the administrative functions of the division. It is payable with general revenue and lottery proceeds. They request $4.5 million for each year of the biennium. This includes a reallocation of 25,000 from professional fees to conference and travel, and this is for professional development of division staff. They also ask for the reallocation of 50,000 from operating expenses to capital outlay. This is for server replacement and network storage. The executive recommendation provides for this request, as well as the discontinuation of one position, one reclassification with associated salaries and matching costs. The next appropriation with changes is on page 138. It is the research development program grants appropriation. This is funded with the Higher Education Research Development Trust Fund. It provides grants to institutions of higher ed for scientific research. The agency requests to reduce this appropriation by $250,000 for each year. This is to reflect anticipated expenses and revenues and the executive recommendation provides for this request. On page 140, this is the student assistance grants and scholarships line paid by the higher education grant fund. This appropriation provides for the board to provide financial aid based on academic performance and dedicated programs. It is funded with general revenue. The total request is $68.5 million for each year. And this includes an increase of $600,000 per year and the dependence of law enforcement officers scholarships. This is due to increased utilization of the program. As well as an increase of 3 million each year for the military dependent scholarships. This is also due to increased utilization and the executive recommendation provides for this request. On page 142, you have the TANF appropriation. This is federally funded, and it totals $10.1 million for each year. It provides for the administration and aid of the Arkansas Career Pathways program. The appropriation includes a reduction of 273,000 annually in grants and aid, and this is to a mat to match the current TNF grant award funding from the federal government. The executive recommendation provides for this request. On page 144, you have the ADHE Scholarship Administration Appropriation. This provides for the administration of the Arkansas Academic Scholarship Program. It is funded with lottery proceeds. The total appropriation is 714,000 for each year and includes the following change. A reduction of 392,000 each year in salaries matching and operating expenses. This is all to align with anticipated actual agency costs. The executive recommendation provides for this request as well as the discontinuation of one position and the associated salaries and matching with that discontinuation. On page 146, you have technical education federal programs. This appropriation provides for the administration of Carl Perkins funding from the federal government for the post-secondary portion of the Perkins Act funding. The agency request is for 534,000 for each year of the biennium. This includes a decrease of $16,000 each year with salaries and matching to align with the actual federal award and executive recommendation provides for this request. On page 150, you have the nursing program expansion grants appropriation. This is funded with workforce initiative funding. While this was previously appropriated at $3 million. The agency requests to discontinue this appropriation due to lack of a sustainable funding source, the executive recommendation provides for this request. Jumping to page 170 in the manual. This is the web-based applications appropriation. This is funded with the Higher Education grants Fund and is used to support the new universal scholarship application system. The division requests a decrease of 500,000 each year. This is to align with anticipated actual expenditures for the operation of this program. The executive recommendation provides for this request. Finally, Mr. Chair, there are 3 appropriations that have requested to be discontinued due to a lack of consistent funding. They are the ARPA Federal Grant Appropriation, the ADHE Student Information System and the Titan Apprenticeship program, all discontinued and acknowledged by the executive. for the discontinuation. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right. members, I see we have Those in the queue. So Representative Collins. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, so on page 150, the discontinuation of the appropriation for the nursing program expansion grants, um, I understand it's not funded. Is it are we finding that there are no institutions of higher education that want to expand or create nursing programs because we definitely have a need for nurses, um, is there just no request to do this, or are we just not funding it? Ken Warden, commissioner division of Higher Education. So if you recall, uh, in the last year, we've had a very significant investment in nursing and nursing program growth through through the align grants, uh, that was uh that was, uh, facilitated through the Department of Commerce, uh, the moneys that were used in this thing are no longer there, but we do have an $8 million a year grant process that we are facilitating that could be used in this healthcare piece, possibly to the higher grants that have been advertised uh for workforce education and and supporting. raising up these programs, but there was a significant investment, uh, multi-million dollars. I can't, can't recall the exact number, uh, uh, I can get that for you with the aligned grants recently. Well, I appreciate that. It's a little different from what I'm asking. I, I'm just, I am wondering, are there efforts being made by higher education institutions to expand or create nursing programs. Have there been in recent years? Absolutely we've seen, we've seen a lot of proliferation of nursing grants expansion. We've seen expansion back to some, uh, in programs like to your RM degrees that a lot of folks have moved away from. We've seen more LPN programs stand up. We're seeing more LPNs programs for licensed practical nursing of the technical certificate level to high school students. So we are seeing a continued growth over the last few years in nursing programs we expect to see that. So notwithstanding the other source of funding that's been made available, we do have a need for grants to create and expand nursing programs, but we are discontinuing this appropriation rather funding it. Right. So with balancing the available resources, we thought it best that these, these money is considered the other investment to, yes, discontinue these. OK, thanks. Representative Richardson, you recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning. Uh, my question is back on page 142, uh, when we look at the The reduction of the grants in aid, uh, it looks like since 2020, we've, we've seen an increase in that line item, uh, and I'm trying to just understand what's the impact going to be if you guys are gonna remove or drop that down so significantly. So, uh, the tenant funding that was prevalent this department moved over to the Department of Health and there was a significant reduction in the amount of funds that were given to us in the division of higher ed. We use the majority of this funding, the vast majority to fund career pathways programs, which is a very, very, very strong program. It helps, uh, students who have children, uh, get to an associate degree level. So the only reason that we reduced this was because of reduction in our funding. We are also asked to serve, uh, the adult education. ul ation with these funds, uh, which I felt good about, even though it was a reduction in funding, because I think our students as they complete their adults education in GED If they're suited for that, so the only reason for the reduction in this process, it was a reduction in allocation to us for this, for these efforts. So you don't see any families being negatively impacted by this reduction. I would say that they are definitely reductions in funding. We have tried to mitigate those by reducing the administrative overhead to ensure that we keep the, the all the funds that we can directly to the participant. We had a couple of programs in our career pathways that weren't showing efficacy one and one was for if a student kept a certain grade point average at the semester, they would get a bonus or kind of like a just a little cash in their pocket, $100 200 bucks. I forget the exact amount, but weren't seeing any, uh, increasing in retention rates because of that. So we cut that one back. The biggest cut was that we had a reduction in the amount of personnel that we were staffing, we, so we required our institutions of higher education to have a certain amount of participants or student FTEs for personnel that we provided because as, as the populations of these students ebb and flowed, we had some, some institutions that weren't serving as many, as many students as we thought they should have, so we, we Held some standards on how many students they must be serving in order to have a full-time position. OK, so it's just gonna impact more of the, the The people handling it, not necessarily the families, but the overall, uh, administrative. Thank you. OK, that's our goal. Thank you. Verin of Dalby Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm over here to your right. I'm looking at page 144. If you could just explain to me on the line in regard to extra help 2020. 3 to 24 we had $3,744 allocated in one position, but you're requesting 10,0007 positions and the math just doesn't quite add up to me. If you could explain why there's that discrepancy, please. Yes, Nick Fuller, I'm the assistant commissioner for division of Higher Education. We, we were just continuing the availability of those 7 extra positions. We currently only utilize one per year when we, when we do the public service internship program during the summer, the statewide program, and that's, this is the appropriation position that we utilize for the internship program. It, it follow up if, how much is that internship if it's on, if it's $3,744. Will you multiply that by the number that you're now requesting your, obviously, it's, you're cutting back what's going to be available. I mean, it, it just doesn't appear to me that. No, ma'am. We, we had budgeted and for the current year we're budgeting the 7 positions in the event we need to utilize those, but we do not plan to fill all 7 of them at any time. We're not requesting an increase in those numbers. I, I understand that, but my question is in the amount of money that's being allocated, you're only allocating $10,000 when previously we were allocating 3,0744 for one position, so now we're cutting back the amount being allocated for 7. Is that, am I reading that correctly? because that's what it looks like. Yeah Yeah, I mean, we, we, we're not allocating the 3700. That's just the, the actual amount that we spent on last year for the, the person in the internship program. We're just requesting to continue the $10,000 in the event that the hourly rate for those interns go up or we add a 2nd or a 3rd intern that we'll still be able to to fit within the, the appropriation level. We're not planning to, to cut how much we pay each one when they come in at all. Thank you. All right Representative Painter. You're right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can you explain, I'm on page 140. Um, looking at the National Guard tuition assistance looks like we were over almost a million dollars, but yet then in the governor's transition scholarship, uh, we were under 1.8 million, but we're still budgeting 2 million for the transition scholarship when we're budgeting a lot less for the National Guard tuition. So can you kind of help me understand that. Yes, sir, with the transition scholarship, we're still kind of in a ramp up period. It's only in the, the 2nd year, I believe that we've had that scholarship. So we're planning for additional utilization in that. Growing, the 2 million was just the initial allocation that we had and coming in the next year or two, if we don't see that, that will be reduced in the next request. As for the National Guard scholarship, we are looking at other changes to be made within that program to make sure that adequate funding to support the, the guardsmen and make sure that those scholarships are funded fully. So under follow up if I can. So, you're gonna come back, I, I guess, cause it looks like, you know, that tuition assistance is not going to decrease. I can tell you that. Yes, sir. So you're going to come back? But we, we believe that uh. The oversubscription of the National Guard scholarship is a good thing, right? We're helping, uh, uh, guardsmen, uh, National Guard members, uh, get on with their education, which we think is a good thing. We know that the National Guard is under, is, uh, they're undersubscribed right now. We need more people in the guards. This is a good recruiting tool. So we do think, uh, that that, uh, Needs a better, larger, more sustainable funding source, uh, so, um, we would, we would support that if it, if it, if it was available. And then my last question, Mr. Chair. You're right. Do we still see, uh, on the dependence of the KIA, MIAs and POWs still being that high. Yes, sir. And that, and that has been as a growth as we've expand to our private institutions are allowed to utilize those funds, as well as the incorporation of stepchildren without having the legal documentation required for the adoption. So we've seen that expansion. So we do expect to see that and I do appreciate you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Alright right members, I just wanna give you notice, we're gonna recess probably around one o'clock or excuse me, 11 o'clock to return at 1. So I'm just giving you that notice now. Uh, we'll pick back up, um, when we recess at 11 to come back at 1. So Senator Chesterfield, you're recognized. Ordinarily I just say executive rec, but I am concerned about Tanni. I'm concerned about the GED program and I'm really not satisfied with how it's going. We Have lost programs and it's one of the most important things we've got going. Make me feel better about this funding, because what you have said so far has not made me feel better. I know that some of it is the Department of Higher Ed. Some of it's over at uh Department of Health and Human Services, that too is a part of a bureaucracy that creates silos. That I think are. Counterproductive. Let me just say that. So tell me about it. How many programs did we cut? How many folks lost these these uh GED programs because a lot of folks came to us over this last couple of years over the last year saying we lost our program. It was essential to our community. We can't afford the program. Tell me, make me feel better about it. So, um, The Career pathways program, in my opinion, is one of the best programs we have going and that the GED adult adult education uh program is not under the Department of Education. It's under the Department of Commerce. So when the funding was taken away from Department of Commerce and Adult Ed. We were asked by the Department of Health, we knew that we were getting a significant funding reduction if we would pick up and serve the adulted populations. I believe in our adult education program, adults who age programs #2 in the nation. As far as what it does and, and its percentage of graduates and its rates. So I'm very happy to work with those folks, even though they're not under our purview. It's my personal goal for me to make sure that our folks that are on our community college campuses where these, uh, career pathways folks are placed, serve every county and every adult education program, so while they may not be receiving the funds directly. Uh, I think we had a handful, most of them are on community college campuses or the LEA. We have a few that high school or the school districts or the LEA and some other places like that, but we have reached out to those directly and are making extra efforts to ensure there is not a single program who has not served with career pathways. I'm very passionate about that. It makes me feel better if I can, I, I know we're coming on time, Doctor Oren, if you also want to talk about how the legislature established that adult high school diploma program which we probably should give you an update on the numbers because it's. I think the very successful in its first year so participation, yeah, so we had uh better than the GED because they're earning their adult high school diploma. OK, so we have both. We can earn both a high school diploma and the GED and some, some of it works for some and some works better for others. I do know that a colleague of mine had the highest graduation rate of GED. I'm not gonna call her name, but she's right down there, um, because you're sounding like an advocate for school choice. Well thank you so much. I have never not advocated for school choice. I just think it ought to be public school choice. Moving right along and uh with that. I appreciate it and I would move executive record at the proper time. Oh, it's the proper time, Senator. So I have a motion for executive rec. Do I have a second? I have a 2nd. Do we have any discussion? Uh, Senator Chesterville, you recognize for discussion. Thank you, Senator. Uh, see no discussion, members all in favor say aye. And opposed. See none eyes have it. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The division of higher ed Northwest Technical Institute Appropriation is on page 180. This is the appropriation for NTI, which is a subsidiary of the Division of Higher Education. It is a school located in Springdale, Arkansas and functions as secondary career center, providing classes to high school students and offering 18 technical career diploma programs. They're also the Adult Ed Center for the Northwest Arkansas area. Their department appropriation summaries on page 181. You can see they have 3 appropriations totaling $10.6 million for each year of the biennium. They received general revenue, federal revenue, and cash funds. They have 81 positions in 136 extra help. The first appropriation is on page 183. This is their state operations appropriation. This provides for the overall operation costs of NTI is funded with general revenue. Adult Ed grants received from the Division of Workforce Services and transfers from the Workforce 2000 fund. Their request totals about 5.6 million for each year of the biennium. It includes reductions in salaries and matching to better align with anticipated costs. Also reductions in extra help appropriation to align with anticipated costs and associated matching costs. The executive recommendation provides for the agency request for those reductions as well as the discontinuation of one position and the reclassification of 3. The second appropriation is on page 185. This is the federal appropriation for NTI. This appropriation provides for the utilization of those Carl Perkins grants that we were referring to earlier for the job training programs. They request request $316,000 for each year of the biennium. This includes an overall decrease of 73,000 in extra help with associated matching costs to align with anticipated expenses and the executive recommendation provides for this request. The last appropriation for NTI is their cash appropriation. It's on page 187. This provides for the expenditure of funds received from tuition costs, resale from the bookstore, apprenticeship programs, and partnerships with private businesses. It is used to supplement the general revenue appropriation. The total request is 4.7 million for each year of the biennium. This includes a reduction. And matching costs and professional fees to align with anticipated agency expenses. It also provides for an increase of 500,000 operating expenses for secondary career center programs and the restoration of 200,000 in capital outlay for equipment, expenses, instruction and training programs. The executive recommendation provides for this request as well as the discontinuation of one position. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you members, any questions? See no questions. I have a motion from Senator Chesterfield. I have a second, any discussion, see no discussion. All in favor say aye. And he opposed, I have it, you may proceed. Moving to page 189 of the manual. This is the budget request for the Arkansas School for the Blind and visually Impaired. You'll know this is located in Little Rock, and it provides training and education for children from birth to age 21 who are visually impaired, so that they can have the skills to become productive, self-sufficient citizens. The Department of Appropriation summary is on page 190. You'll see they have a requested 4 total appropriations, totaling $10.8 million for each year of the biennium. They received general revenue. They use fund balances, they also get federal revenue and some cash. They're recommended to have 91 full-time positions and 17 extra help. Under their operations appropriation, it is detailed on page 192. This is the general revenue appropriation. In totals $8.8 million for each year of the biennium. It includes a discontinuation of 5 positions with corresponding decreases in salaries and match, an increase of $20,000 in extra help, and this is to provide for additional substitute teachers, paraprofessionals and summer staff. The increase of 187,000 in operating is for equipment replacement and campus upgrade expenses. Also increases in conference and travel for staff conferences, $20,000 in professional fees for therapy services provided to students. The restoration of capital outlay at 50,000 for equipment replacement and a decrease of 75,000 in their summer projects line to reflect actual expenditures. The executive recommendation provides for this request along with 3 position classifications. Reclassifications. On page 195, you have the school for the blinded operations. This is the federal funding they receive. As well as Medicaid reimbursements for therapy services and adaptive technology grant from the Federal Department of Education. They request 1.1 million for each year. This includes an overall reduction in salaries and matching of 24,000 for the discontinuation of two positions. They also asked for an increase in those lines for tutoring stipends. They ask for increases in extra help for the additional substitute help I mentioned previously. Increase in 28,000 and operating expenses for equipment replacement. Conference and travel at 18,000 for staff training, $51,000 for professional fees for therapy services for students, the restoration of 85,000 in capital outlay for equipment purchase and replacement. The executive recommendation provides for this request. Page 197 is the Braille textbooks appropriation. This is funded with general revenue. It's used by the agency to purchase and distribute Braille textbooks. For students at the school of the blind as well as school district statewide. They request 223,000 for each year of the biennium, and this includes 150,000 in general revenue. To meet the demand for raille textbooks and adaptive technology statewide and the executive recommendation provides for this request. Next you have cash operations on page 199. This is funded with USDA reimbursements, interest on cash investments and donations. They request 559,000 for each year of the biennium. This includes an increase in 25,000 operating expenses for campus upgrades, 10,000 in conference and travel to expend fund balances and 100,000 for equipment purchases. The executive recommendation provides for this request. Finally, at the end of the budget, you'll see two appropriations that are requested to be discontinued. They are the ASB demolition fund and the Federal ARPA Appropriation, both of these funding sources have expired and so the agency requests to discontinue those in the executive provides. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you members' questions going to Representative fight. Thank you, Mister Chair. I would like to first issue a public thank you to Doctor Oliva and his staff for the interest you've taken in the schools for the deaf and the schools for the blind and visually impaired, I was able to visit both of those campuses a couple of weeks ago and already see major improvements, not only in facilities, but in morale, in programs, in technology, I would encourage my colleagues to go visit. I think you will be amazed. at the improvement already and the plans that it's going to be state of the art, just very shortly and uh I just am greatly encouraged. It's, uh, makes me feel a lot better about leaving that I know things are in good hands here and so thank you for that. Thank you, Representative. Wouldn't you agree, Secretary? Well, I would say thank you and, and honestly, I, I really appreciate all of the legislative delegation that has spent time in giving their commitment to make sure that some of our most fragile students that we serve in the state of Arkansas get the high quality best learning environment, um, available to them in, and many of you know we're, we're, we're going through a kind of a transformation and and reimagining that learning space and are gonna build some state of the art facilities. And, um, we're, we're in the process where we've, we've got an architect on board and now we have a contractor on board and and site demo work is, is moving forward and I think we're going to start seeing that happen here hopefully before the end of the calendar year and our, our, uh, vision and mission going into this project from the very beginning is, is we want to create the learning space that is the space that everybody in every other state is gonna come and visit so that they can model in their states what we're doing here in the state of Arkansas and. Uh, we're really proud of the work and, and the team there, the dedication of the, the staff and the teachers who go above and beyond and, and for those families that trust um uh sending us their students and keeping them in our care and, and we could not be here uh without support like Senator Fe and, um, many other members of this delegation, so thank you. All right. Thank you Secretary. Members, any other questions? See none. I have a motion for executive rec. I have a second. Any discussion? See none, all in favor say aye. He opposed Eyes have it. You may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The School for the Deaf budget request begins on page 203. Also in Little Rock, the Arkansas School for the Deaf operates as a day school with residential facilities, providing educational services and opportunities for students birth through age 21. Their department appropriation summary is on page 204. You'll see they have 3 requested appropriations totaling about $14.4 million for each year of the buying in. They're funded with general revenue, federal revenue, cash funds, and balances. They are recommended to have 132 full-time positions and 55 extra help. The first appropriation is on page 206. This is their state operations appropriation funded with general revenue. They request about $12.8 million for each year of the biennium. It includes a reduction in salaries and matching for the discontinuation of 18 positions to right size, the agency. An increase of 5000 in extra help for substitute teachers, residential advisors, and groundskeepers, an increase of 5000 in overtime to reflect agency needs and increase of 149,000 in operating expenses for additional overhead expenses. 5000 in conference and travel for professional development for teachers, $10,000 in professional fees to pay for a board certified behavioral analyst for the campus. 119,000 in special maintenance for spending prior year fund balances for their building maintenance and $50,000 in capital outlay for the purchase of equipment. The executive recommendation provides for this request, as well as two position reclassifications. The federal appropriation is on page 209. They request a total appropriation of $1.1 million and provides for the following changes. An increase in salaries and matching for stipends for teachers that provide tutoring services. Extra help increase of 25,000 with matching costs for substitutes, RAs, paraprofessionals and summer staff. $8000 in overtime associated matching as well for anticipated agency needs. Operating expenses of 22,000 for unanticipated cost during campus upgrades. They also want to reallocate 55,000 in professional fees to better align with agency expenses, excuse me, reduction in professional fees of 55,000 to better align with anticipated needs, and 90,000 in capital outlay for the replacement of equipment, including radiology equipment. The executive recommendation provides for this request. The final appropriation is the cash appropriation for the school for the deaf. It's on page 211. This is funded with USDA breakfast and school lunch reimbursements, as well as interest on cash investments. Legacy donations. They request 375,000 for each year. This includes increases in operating expenses and conference and travel for athletic programs. $20,000 in professional fees to spend fund balances down, $45,000 in capital outlay for new equipment, 20,000 in special maintenance for building and equipment repairs. The agency is recommended for all of these by the executive. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. All right, members, uh, Representative Collins coming to you for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I see that you're cutting the number of authorized positions here from 1:30, I'm sorry, 150 to 132, we have actually 133 positions filled, which is more than the number that you're looking to have authorized, um, I, it's number one, it seems like it's really close to the bone. And number 2, I mean, what does this actually mean? We're gonna let someone go? No, um, that just those are positions filled throughout the year, so we're asking for the 132 based software. No one's gonna be gone so that's just where we were at that time with positions that we had authorized, but looking forward, we're under the 3 132, and that's where we feel like we need to be for the number of students we have right now. So why, why, why so close? I mean, I, I understand if they're unfilled positions, but in this case, these are filled positions, right? I mean, you're, you're just going exactly to the number. Well, you said now you're under 132, but not long ago you were at 133. Why so close? Why not leave a little leeway if it ebbs and flows. Consider it. I think that's something to consider. I think we're just trying to make sure that as a state agency runs a little bit different than a traditional school, but it's really hard to run a school within a state agency. So we wanted to make sure that those numbers were aligned and, um, as we plan for it, I, I, we'd be happy to maybe look out to just in that because if, if we do have a spike in enrollment, we're gonna have to come back and probably ask for for more teachers as well so that's something to consider. And I guess relatedly, well, two things relatedly. One is extra help. I see your, uh, staying at 53, I mean, is the anticipation that you're gonna increase through extra help and do it that way, um, I'll ask you that first. Yeah, I, I think it depends on the need at the time of the school because, um, sometimes the, the need may be more in paraprofessional support or resident advisors at night because we have students that live on campus, maybe it's in, in food. maybe it's to provide direct services. We saw some contracts for outsourcing therapies for different behaviorals or physical speech therapy, it depends on the need. It may not be a position to be filled, but it may be just part-time, um, based on a student that may, may come in with something that is you can't really, it's really hard to plan for. OK. And finally, it just begs the question by cutting it, you're not anticipating a reduction in enrollment or, you know, scaling back the number of professionals I think our hope um as people see. Um, the investment that the state is making in the facilities and the staff and the opportunity for students that we like to see more students participate in the services that are provided there. 11 of the, the goals that we've been meeting with the superintendent there as well, um, is building out even regional support hubs, so, so we have a lot of family say they live in the Northwest, they don't want to commit sending their child to get rail services all the way to Little Rock. How can we provide better? support for students and and families in different regions of the state, so our, our hope is this, as we're kind of looking at this allocation and, and repositioning and and going through that transformation that uh we want to establish 3 regional support centers as well where we would not just have dedicated staff that even though they're under the umbrella of the school for the deaf and blind, but they're out in the field providing additional layers of support as well. OK, thank you. All right, Senator Love, coming to you members, I just want to remind you we are going to recess at 11 o'clock, so keep your questions short, Senator Love. No way directed at you, by the way. You, you were looking at me, so I, I just felt like it was directed to me. No, thank you, Mr. Chair, and, and actually, that kind of rolls into my question of what you're talking about in regards to the services because I know that Lans had an emphasis on reading. And so how does this carry over to the school for the different school for the blind. So, uh, so it's, it's a school, right, so whenever we have our state mandates, that school participates in our progress monitoring that school participates in our science and reading initiatives or the school participates in our assessment system and professional development, um, whether you're teaching, reading to blind or reading to deaf, the strategies look a lot different and, and the challenges. This is why we need to specialize, um, institution, but we, we do track the progress of those students, we can be happy. to share the data on how those students are performing. Yeah, I would be, I would be interested in that. I really would because I, I mean that's. That's that really is, I, I just make, wanna make sure that you know, as we try to advance everyone, everyone gets it then. So yeah, I'd be interested so I like to look at data I think y'all are understanding of me of that, but like specifically as we went to like back to end of course exams. I, I wonder how students, especially at the school of deaf and blind, are doing in biology in algebra and geometry and I want to say at the school of the, the blindness here in its small cohorts, they had 3 students. Um, past the biology exam, which is, it's a pretty, um, significant exam like so that it, it's just reassuring that those teachers are going above and beyond. So the students are able to pursue their goals in life and, um, making sure that we're matching their ability to, to their success rate in giving those students the support they need. OK, all right, thank you. They give me share Thank you, Senator. Representative, uh, Ladyman, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll try to be quick. Uh, well, Mr. Secretary, I, for one, I, I like the way you budget, what, what you need. I, I, I believe other departments should look at how you're budgeting here because we need to be careful spending taxpayer dollars, and we need to budget what we think we need. And, uh, you know, if you need additional people, you can come back to us and ask for that. And you understand that, correct? So, and I, you know, I would, I would like to be involved in the discussion if you need more people. I think other legislators would too. So I, you know, I like the way you're budgeting what you need and not cushion. So I don't know whether there's a question in there or not, but best statement of the day. Thank you. Thank you for that question, Representative. All right, members, seeing no one else in the queue, um, do I have a motion for executive rec. I have a motion. Do I have a second? I have a second. Any discussion? See, none. All in favor say aye. And opposed? Eyes have it Um I'm gonna go ahead and chance it. Let's see if we can get through with the next one in 10 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The state library appropriation is on page 213 of your manual. As you know, this provides services to libraries statewide. They also operate the state aid to public libraries program. It's funded by a special public school fund. The Department appropriation summaries on page 214, and if it's OK with the committee, I will just stay here and describing my changes. You can see they have an operations appropriation. Valued at 3.6 million, they requested for it to stay relatively the same, um, but the executive also provided for the discontinuation of 4 positions within this appropriation with salaries and matching. The second appropriation is their federal appropriation. It's federal grants. They requested some small changes for replacement of network equipment. And the executive provided for that request, and they also provide for the discontinuation of 3 positions with salaries and match from the federal appropriation. Finally, um, the one with changes is the aid to public library, that's on page 5 of your schedule. You'll see they requested and are recommended to receive 6.5 million each year for the aid to public library program. In the last bi, they requested to increase that appropriation up to 10 million in case there was funding available, but that funding was not realized, so they're now bringing that appropriation back down to anticipated funding levels, and the executive recommendation provides for this request. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, members. Do we have any questions? All right, see none. Do I have a motion for executive, I have a motion for executive. I have a second in discussion, see none, all in favor say aye. In your post? All right, I have it. All right, call me a hopeless optimistic. We're gonna do the last one before we, uh, recess, you may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Martin Luther King Jr. Commission is found on page 226 of your manual. Their appropriation summary is on page 227. They are funded. primarily by general revenue and some cash donations that they receive in support of the agency. They have two appropriations, as I said. For 475,000, the agency request base level appropriation for both their general revenue and their cash appropriations. So it'll stay relatively the same into the biennium and the executive recommendation provides to the agency request. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. All right, members, see no questions. Do I have a motion for executive? I have a motion. Do I have a I have a second, uh, any, any discussion on the motion, see none. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Thank you, uh, secretary and staff. And we'll come back at one o'clock for public safety and then personnel will meet upon adjournment. Thank you all. We're recessed until one o'clock. OK. She was working? Yeah. Yeah, they're working, Billy. Alright, members, if you would take your seats, we're gonna, um, Call to order the ALC JBC. And uh with that, I'll turn it over to Dalton, recognize yourself and then secretary or colonel, if you would recognize yourself and whoever else at the table. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm Dan Coleman with the Bureau of Legislative Research. Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and members, I'm Mike Hager, Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Director of State Karen Perry, Chief Fiscal Officer, Department of Public Safety. Thank you all for being here. You may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So we'll jump right into administration and shared services on page 244 of your budget manuals. The agency and executive recommendations are both right around $20.1 million for both years of the biennium here, down about $5 million from fiscal year 25 authorized. Mr. Chairman, you may notice that there's a couple of appropriations that are zeroed out, criminal detention facility review, criminal detention committee expenses, transportation of juvenile offenders, law enforcement safety office program, uh, both of those appropriations. They've all been reallocated to uh Center for Law Enforcement Standards and Training due to all of those programs reporting directly to that director, uh, so naturally it made sense for the The agency to transfer those to Quest, um, and if it's all right with you, I'll talk about those when we get to class instead of going over them twice. Perfect. All right. Then we'll jump into our first appropriation with a change level which is on page 255 of your manuals. Uh, this is a federal operations appropriation for administration and Shared Services. This appropriation is utilized to support program operations and expenses of various federal grants. The agencies is requesting $730,000 in operating expenses for support for operations and for equipment purchase for various grants, 123,000 in conference and travel to support professional development and just over $1.4 million in capital outlay for computers, software licenses, hard drives, and system updates for computer criminal history. We've gone to our next change level on page 257. Uh, this is the violent crimes clearance grant program. So this appropriation has a fiscal year 25 authorized amount of $2 million. The agency is simply requesting to discontinue it appropriation in the upcoming biennium due to a lack of funding an executive. Provides for this request. Our next change levels on page 259. Uh, this is the public safety equipment grant program appropriation. This program was created to issue grant awards for equipment to law enforcement agencies, detention centers, and corrections agencies. It's funded by private grants, donations, and other sources that are designed to be credited to the fund. The agency is requesting a $5 million in both years of the upcoming biennium, which is a 50% decrease from the fiscal year 25 authorized amount of $10 million. Next up on page 267, we have the Department of Public Safety cabinet Appropriation. So this is the Department of Public Safety cabinet operating appropriation for this, um, preparation. It's made up of general, federal, and special revenues. The agency is requesting just under $9 million for both years of the biennium, with the exception of adjustments to salary and match, the only change level in this agency request is an increase of 10 or $10,000 in overtime to allow for critical operations. Uh, there's also an accompanying $2.3,000 increase to personal services matching related to overtime increase. Uh the executive recommendation provides for the agency request with the exception of 6 reclassified positions and 1 discontinued position. And the associated salary and match. Uh, and I believe Our final change level is on page 269, which is the crime victims reparation Board Federal Appropriation. Uh, this appropriation is funded by federal reimbursements of 40% of the state's expenditures for the crime victims reparations program, uh, while the total for both years of the upcoming biennium is level with this year 25 authorized. The agency is requesting to reallocate $15,000 to operating expenses and $30,000 to conference and travel from the claims line item, uh, the executive recommendation provides for these changes, Mr. Chairman, that concludes administration. Thank you, Mr. Coleman. Uh, so with that members we're moving to questions and first in the queue, Representative Mark Barry, you're recognized. Thank you, Senator. Um, Of course you've heard me say this before, uh. Colonel, but, uh, I'm concerned about the uh. Uh, what the state is contributing to the safety and security of the citizens of this state and I, we've talked about this before and uh hopefully my colleagues have seen it, but in this far corner over here. That's the Arkansas tax dollar and there's 2 cents out of that dollar that goes to public safety. There's something wrong there when our number one priority of government is the safety and security of the citizens of this state. We've got to do better than 2%. I know we're going to get to it here in a little bit with uh our crime lab in uh uh Doctor Brown and how fast that we were losing, uh, uh forensic scientist. We can't recruit medical examiners and all that's due to pay, but we haven't seen the governor's pay plan yet. But hopefully, it's going to mitigate some of the challenges that we have with recruiting and retaining our law enforcement officers and people that fight crime. If we don't start devoting more money, and I know there's, there's a little bit of meat on the bone and everybody's not on that same bone, but we have got to do more. For law enforcement in the state of Arkansas. Would you agree? That's a tough question, I know, but I know deep in your heart as a law enforcement officer, I think you would agree with me, correct? OK, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Representative Senator, letting, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and good afternoon right here. Um, I heard Mr. Coleman mention equipment, so I thought this might be the place to ask and I'm just genuinely curious, not trying to make a stink, but right before I came over here, it was brought to my attention that the department is buying a $75,000 robot dog, and I didn't know if that was true, and if it's true, where could I get one? Because I think those are pretty interesting. We are buying a dog, uh, but my understanding or a robots, but my understanding is that's all on a grants, um, and it's used for a variety of issues with special operations. Both SWAT and bomb capabilities, um, I've not been briefed on the exact, uh, capabilities of the robot, but um it is uh it's absolutely life saving tool for law enforcement. So I assume it's like just to go to some places that might be unsafe to send an actual person, like maybe if you have a bomb or something like that. Yes, sir, the robots that we currently have are track vehicles and I can tell you I spent almost 11 years on our SWAT team and we utilize those robots while I was on the team. And more times than not operating in Arkansas, you run into places where, uh, that, that robot will lose its effectiveness and the only counter to that is to put a person in harm's way to do some of the jobs that that robot will do, um, this. Dog robot whatever uh the capabilities are incredible. What it's a, what it's able to do and work in, uh, rough terrain and, uh, maneuver around steps and things like that, um, the capabilities it brings, uh, it's, it's next level they are remarkable. I've seen several of the videos. I've also seen the one that has the flamethrower attachment. I don't know if that's one we're we got turned down on that, but that's probably good, good. All right, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator. Uh, seeing no other questions in the queue, members, uh, I'll entertain a motion of executive rec. I have a motion. Do I have to say I have a second. Uh, any discussion, see no discussion. All in favor say aye. In your pose, eyes have it. You may proceed, Mr. Coleman. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on to Arkansas Crime Information Center on page 274 of your manuals, uh, there you'll find the division summary, uh, just going over some quick totals, the ACIC division totals for fiscal year 26 add up to roughly 9.7 million and if it's 27, the division is requesting about 9.3 million. Uh, moving on to our first change level on page 278, you will find these sects and child offender registration appropriation. So this appropriation is funded through fines received by those required to register as sex offenders, the total appropriation level is the same as fiscal year 20 authorized at $60,000. However, the $60,000 that made up the operating expenses line item in fiscal year 25, uh, as requested to be transferred to the sex offender registry transfers line item support system developments and updates. Next, on page 282, we have the system conference cash and treasury appropriation. This appropriation is used to support ACIC's statewide conference using funding provided by registration fees for participants and vendors. The agency was requesting an additional $40,000 in each year of the upcoming biennium to raise the raise this appropriation total to $100,000 for fiscal year 26 and 27.e recommendation does provide for this request. Page 284 you'll find federal operations this appropriation is utilized for expenses of various federal grants. The agency is requesting just over $1.4 million for both years of the upcoming biennium, and the only change level within this appropriation is roughly $516,000 increase in the capital outlay line item for a national criminal history improvement program and sex offender registration and notification Act system upgrades and developments, the execu recommendation provides for the agency request here. Page 286, you'll find the ACIC National Criminal History Improvement Program Appropriation. So this appropriation is specific to the National Criminal History Improvement Program and associated grants. Uh, the agency is requesting just under $418,000 and you're 26 and $0 in fiscal year 27. After talking with the agency, I was informed that this appropriation is for a specific grant, uh, and all future federal grant appropriation will be utilized through the previous appropriation that we just mentioned, uh, the level of preparation is a continuation of fiscal year 25 budgeted amount and executive recommendation provides for the agency request. Mr. Chairman, I believe that concludes Crime Information Center. Thank you, Mr. Coleman. All right, members, I see no one in the queue, so do I have a motion? I have a motion. I have a second in discussion. See none all in favor say aye. Any he posts, eyes have it, you may proceed, Mr. Coleman. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on to Crime lab on page 289 of your manuals, uh, crime lab consists of 7 appropriations totaling about $22.8 million until you're 25. The agency is requesting right around 24.7 million in both years of the upcoming biennium, and there are only 2 change levels to talk about within this division. Uh, the first being on page 291 of your manuals, uh, it's the crime lab Federal Appropriation. So this appropriation is funded by grants from the US DOJ, uh, that enabled the crime lab to purchase scientific equipment and supplies, educate scientists and examiners and outsource casework when necessary. The industry is requesting around 4.1 million for each year of the biennium, changes from fiscal year 25 authorized include a $286,000 increase in salaries, $103,000 increase in match 890,000 in operating expenses, $207,000 increase in conference and travel $214,000. And professional fees and a decrease of about $211,000 in capital outlay. The executive recommendation provides for this agency request. And the final change level in Crime Lab is page 295. Uh it's the crime lab State Appropriation. So this is the general revenue operating appropriation for the crime lab, uh, the agency is requesting $16.3 million for both years of the biennium, of which the only difference from fiscal year 25 authorized is salary and match as a result of the restoration of 4 growth pool positions. Mr. Chairman, that concludes Crime Lab. Thank you, Mr. Coleman, uh, see what we have questions in the queue. Um, I think we might need to get Doctor Brown to the table just to be helpful in answering those questions. Uh, I Presume you'll have some for him, Representative Barry, coming to you. Thank you, Senator, and my questions are for Doctor Brown. And while he's making his way to the table, I'll say, Again, the only way that you can fight crime. Is a lot of times we depend on those guys out there with the badges and guns, but the only way that we can effectively fight crime, hold people accountable for breaking the law is to have those working behind the scenes. And one of those behind the scenes is Doctor Ted Brown right there in the crime lab and they're working in an extremely archaic environment. Fortunately, we're working on getting them a new crime lab. But also, they're, they're getting archaic wages and I wouldn't ask Doctor Brown if you can tell me, uh, about your forensic scientist. How many of you have lost in probably the past year and what the comparable salaries are, uh, with surrounding states where, where our forensic scientists going? Thank you, Representative Barry. Hi everybody. My name is Ted Brown. I serve as the director of the Arkansas State Crime Lab and the chief medical examiner of the medical examiner section within the Arkansas State Crime lab. Representative Barry to your question, over the past year we've lost approximately 25 uh team members at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory and We worked, we continue to work very closely with our partners at DPS with the governor's office, um, to make meaningful changes to improve our retention. We have found that where you have very good success in recruiting. team members to the crime lab and we spend. A lot of time, a lot of money and training experts in forensic. Sciences only to see them leave our crime lab after they're done completing and so uh after they've completed their training and so there is a focused effort to improve our salary, and that's why we've been working so closely under the leadership of Colonel Hager and working alongside the governor's office to make meaningful changes because to your point, yes, we have seen our, our team members after training sometimes can take up to 2. years we invest 2 years of training forensic scientists within the crime lab only to see them leave to go to adjacent states where we have seen individuals be offered upwards to $20,000 more for that same responsibilities and so there are opportunities for us to improve and that's why I'm so fortunate for people like Colonel Hager that I get to work for and alongside to make meaningful changes and with all of your support, um, as you alluded to. who represented Barry, we're making a historic investment in the crime lab, um, the new facility that will, I believe, continued to allow us to recruit and hopefully also retain, but we are acutely aware that just a beautiful state of the art building is one thing we also have to be competitive within our neighboring states to retain exceptional forensic technician, scientists and physicians. So, uh, well, if this is a business, uh, our shareholders would fire us because every time you lose one of those, uh, technicians out of the crime lab, uh, it's a loss of resources to the state, but, you know, we have a nationally recognized one of the top. Crime labs in the country. And the only way that we stay there is by paying our people competitive wages and uh I appreciate what you did until the secretary earlier. I appreciate what, what everybody does, uh, but, uh. You, you're also a practicing medical examiner over there, right. So you're wearing two hats. Used to you wore one hat. You, uh, anemi. Now you're the director of the crime lab and you're the ME, so we're getting a pretty good bang for our buck there. But so you have a ME, I think, coming, uh, for an increase in, uh, salary for an Emmy coming to, uh, the personnel, ALC personnel this afternoon. Is that correct? That's correct, yes. Is that to recruit an Emmy from outside to come to the state of Arkansas. That is correct. Awesome. OK, well, hopefully we can keep them. So, uh, all right, well I appreciate your Uh, again, what you do and thank you for answering my questions. Thank you, chair. Senator Ludding, you recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon. Uh, I don't think it got mentioned because it doesn't look like anything is changing, but the rapid DNA program, uh, I was proud to work on that a couple of years ago with Representative Carlton Wing. My understanding, if I remember correctly, was that we were going to roll it out as a pilot in a couple of counties. Is that kind of where we still are? Yes, and if you don't mind, I'd like to bring up uh one of my deputy directors, uh, Jennifer Beatty West to speak directly to that question and give you a status update. Thank you. Hi, Senator. My name is Jennifer Beatty West. I am the deputy director of scientific operations and I have been working close with my CODIS team on the rapid DNA project. Um, and you're correct, we are working with two pilot agencies, uh, Sling County and Faulkner County to implement the rapid DNA program for the state of Arkansas. Um, currently both agencies have been granted, uh, Department of Justice grants to buy, uh, their rapid DNA DNA instruments. Our team at the crime lab has received two rapid DNA instruments. They have gotten those instruments installed. They are in the process of learning those instruments, how to utilize them, so they can go to those two pilot agencies and help train them on how to utilize those. Um, we are also in the process of drafting, uh, procedures and a training manual for the rapid DNA program, um, with the goal of early 2025 submitting approval to our uh to our national. So, um, DNA system for approval for rapid DNA here in Arkansas. So, so here, like sometime early in the next year, we'll actually be put to use. Yes, sir. It is a multi-step process again, um, it, it has to go through FBI, um, in this approval, um, we will also have to do somewhat of an audit of the two, booking stations to make sure they're following our procedures and policies to also show to the FBI that we are following the FBI policies and procedure. Um, but we're really excited about it and just one last question. Is there a specific, I forget if there's a specific length of time for the pilot or we're just gonna use it until we decide whether or not it's something we should expand or should not continue to use the goal is is to one, get these programs up and running in Saline County and Faulkner County. Make sure we're working out all the kinks and once we kind of get our feet under us, um, with those two programs, the goal is we hope to, um, expand it, um, across Arkansas. OK, thank you, thank you. Mr. Chair. Like you, Senator, Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you for Doctor Brown. Have you ever done, and I, I know you still peeing on the ground probably, but have you done a cost study as far as assigning a dollar amount to those 25 employees you mentioned a while ago. Yes, thanks to, um, our lead in HR Philip Warner, um, we estimate the cost to train the employees is approximately $100,000 on average. So, and, and did you say that we're losing, uh, 2025. Could, could you repeat that number or, or what you said about that. Yes, so within the past year, one year, we have lost 25 team members at the Arkansas State Crime lab. And do you put a value on each one of those at 100,000 for the training or what would you? What cost would you assign to that? Yes, that's correct, $100,000. All right, so $250,000 just in training alone. Uh, and that doesn't count the, the, the call the other costs associated with like the time to recruit, interview and all those kind of things. Would you have a way to establish what you think it would be, or is that 100,000 included in that. That $100,000 is included in that, I think what is not included in that is the effects that it has on our turnover, our turnaround time, excuse me, and as we continue to train new trainees, the efficiency of our turnaround time. Also is negatively impacted because our more experienced team members are having to vote time and time and time again of slowing down and, and teaching our new scientists and technicians the appropriate way to become experts, and so the biggest Not money impact here is, is Arkansans that we serve in the turnaround time. The, uh The training that you have to give them an extensive training you had to give them. Why you have to do that? Are they, are they coming out of school or from wherever they're coming from, not trained specifically in the field of yours or is there anything that you could recommend that we could do that would help individuals come to you that are more qualified so as not to have to do all that training on the front end. I think in large part we have seen at our lab is that going back to the pay, oftentimes. Where the individuals that we recruit are individuals that are just out of school without experience. So if we were fortunate to recruit individuals that had 5, 10 years experience at other crime laboratories, we would not have to invest so much time in training those employees, but rather the majority of our team members, if you look at the our crime lab of the makeup of our crime lab, approximately 2/3 of our Team members have less than 5 years of experience. Again, less than 2/3 of our team members have less than 5 years of experience and so who were attracting as people that are future excellent forensic scientists, and we are making them excellent, uh, and, and so again, I think a lot of that goes back to the salary and working with Colonel Hager in the governor's office to make meaningful changes as we move forward together. How's that impacting your When Los Rachel in court. I think The expertise that we provide to all of our stakeholders and first and foremost, we remind, I remind myself and our team every day, our number one stakeholders is the is the families that we get to serve every day. But also it extends to public health, public safety, the legal system, and so many more. And so to your question, The expertise that the court system, for example, relies on us to give is impacted by the, the expertise that we can provide and so clearly the more experienced technicians and scientists and physicians that. are part of our team and can testify to the forensic sciences that we deliver, the better off Arkansans are served. All right. So the final takeaway is last year. You've lost about $250,000 just because you can't keep the employees, so if, I mean, that's money out the door whether we spend it increasing pay or whether we just keep sending it out the door without. About holding it. OK, thank you. Thank you. And we are attempting to recruit board certified. physicians, right, or MEs, whatever that might be, we are attempting to do that, I would presume. Yes, Senator, and I'm excited to be able to present um to Representative Barry's group this afternoon, um, a, a physician from Dallas with 10 years of experience, um, that, um, that we are very excited to have her join our team in March of 2025. Fantastic. Representative Springer, you're recognized. Thank, thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe my questions have been answered. I'm following along in the budget, so thank you. I appreciate that and thank you. Thank you. All right, remembers seeing no one else in the queue, I will entertain a motion motion executive rec. Do I have a 2nd, 2nd, um, any discussion? See none, all in favor say aye. In your post. I have it. You may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We're moving on to emergency management now on page 307 of your manuals. There you'll find the appropriation summary for the division. So the division's 18 appropriations contain $373 million in 5 or 25, uh, and it's right about that same number, uh, in both years of the upcoming biennium, but there are some change levels to go over, uh, the first being on page 310 with the state operations appropriation. So this is the GR based operating fund for emergency management, the federal government also matches funds for day to day operations of the agency here. Uh, the agency request only contains one change level with $22,000 increase in personal services matching, uh, the executive recommendation provides for this request with the exception of the reclassification of 6 positions along with the discontinuation of 6. The agency is requesting a total of $4.8 million for each year of the bn while the executive recommendations around 4.4. On page 312 of your manuals, you will find the federal operations appropriation for Adam. This operations appropriation is federally funded by FEMA. Apart from salary and match adjustments, there's only one change level within this appropriation. The agency is requesting discontinue the capital outlay line item appropriation of just over $1 million for the next biennium, bringing the total for the agency request to just under $12.4 million for both years of the Valium and the executive recommendation to $12.3 million for the same time period. Page 318 of your manuals, you will find the Adam Federal surplus property program appropriation. Uh, this program acts as a broker to secure excess property from the federal government, which is then made available to state and local governments as well as schools and hospitals. Funding comes from fees charged for services which include the transportation and handling charges associated with this appropriation. The only non-salary and match-related change level is in the capital outlay line item in which the agency is requesting to discontinue the $999,000 appropriation for the next biennium. Agency request totals are roughly $2.2 million for both years of the biennium while the executive recommendation provides around 2.1. Uh, next, on page 320, you'll find the hazardous materials appropriation, uh, this program implements and enacts emergency planning and supports local planning committees and response and recovery actions related to hazardous or toxic accidents within the state. The agency is requesting a total of $702,000 for both years of the biennium, uh, the agency is requesting to discontinue the capital outlay line item. With a total of $130,000 from fiscal year 25 authorized executive recommendation provides for the agency requests with the exception of one reclassified and one discontinued position. Next, on page 326, we had the fire services appropriation. So this is the operations appropriation for the division of fire protection Services receives funding from special revenue from license fees for fireworks and the fire protection premium tax. The agency is requesting new appropriation in the amount of $1.6 million in the fire services transfer line item to support. firework licenses and tank permit portal and for development and maintenance of the fire services program. Uh, the executive recommendation provides for the agency request at just over $2 million for each year of the biennium. Page 330, you'll find the 911 Rural Enhancement Appropriation. It's appropriately used for personal services and operating expenses of the Arkansas Rural Enhancement Program. Uh, cash funding for this appropriation comes from the Arkansas High Cost Fund, the only non-personnel related change within this appropriation as the discontinuation of $60,000 in capital outlay. The executive recommendation provides for the agency requests of just under $3.1 million for each year of the biennium. Uh, the next preparation we have to look at is on page 332, the fire Protection Services Board expenses appropriation. So this GR appropriation provides for reimbursements of expenses by the Arkansas Fire Protection Board. The agency is requesting to discontinue the $5000 appropriation for the upcoming biennium, which is supported by the executive recommendation. And, and our final change level on page 344 is the 2019 levy mitigation cash appropriation. I'd levy mitigation, cash fund provides assistance to support levy mitigation due to the 2019 flood. The agency is requesting a decrease of about $247,000 from the fiscal year 25 authorized amount of. $250,000 to better align with available revenues. The executive recommendation provides for the agency request of $3,246 for both years of the upcoming biennium. Mr. Chairman, that concludes emergency management. Thank you, Mr. Coleman. Uh, Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you. I was just looking to make sure is the fire marshal category under what we just went through. Which, which, uh, page is that on? So Mr. Gary, before you sit down, you might just want to come up to the table, yeah. Senator Hammer, I believe that's on page 326, the Fire Services Appropriation. OK. Let him get to the table there. I got a question, please. Last, uh, I think it was last session we moved the fire marshal. Over under Mr. Gary's. Office over there, jurisdiction, if I remember right, um. Do you, uh How that I think that's going well, but are they adequately staffed and when it comes to Taking calls for when there's arson. How's the response time and how's that going since that transferred over. I'd just like to hear the comments. Sure, thank you, AJ Gary, director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, um, I think it's going real well. We've had a uh I think they've been there now a little over a year. So we're, we're evaluating the things that we've done so far and the things that we need to do in the future, uh, as far as adequately staffed, we had one vacancy that we are in the process of filling. And that is a vacancy we had 2 architect positions when it got transferred over to us. Uh, we made the determination that a plan reviewer was a better fit for that and also match better the salary level that we had, so we changed one to a plan reviewer. Uh, the other position that we're working on right now will be a fire prevention person, um, as you're probably aware, we've, we've had quite a few fire deaths in the state over the last uh last little while. So we want to really focus on the fire prevention side of the house. Um, and I'm sorry there may have been another question there. The, well, the grant writer, um, what, what about the grant writer? So we do have that person in place, uh, she's, uh, more than just one role she also takes care of the, uh, fire portal during, uh, fireworks time, um, but she's been available. She's visited with uh a few of the, uh, especially the volunteer fire departments, so she is available to assist them on those grants. And then the, the other question was what's in the question a while ago, and that is, whenever there's an arson and there's a request for investigation. Is that still falling under you, Colonel, or AJ is that coming under you? So the, the investigators are with the state police, so, um, if, if, you know, the call may come in directly to the state police or it may come in through the fire marshal and the fire marshal works with those investigators, OK. Yes sir, that's correct. The, uh, we do still have a team. Within state police that are dedicated for, uh, origin and calls to, uh, determine arson. And then depending on the circumstances of that case it's passed off to the criminal investigation division. They worked alongside with our uh fire investigators. You may feel like I'm about to ambush because I'm actually public and I didn't talk to you privately, but let's go ahead and ask you anyway, how would you feel about expanding the investigation capacity over to, uh, the fire marshal or expanding the ability that if a call is made for an investigation, uh, is there, is there a pathway where those responsibilities could be shared under AJ's jurisdiction as well as the state police or What would your, what would your thoughts be about that? You know, I would have to probably yield to Captain Morgan to talk in more specific detail if you would like more detail, but I think the biggest hurdle with that is the investigative authority and, uh, the law enforcement authority. We'd have to also statutorily be given to the fire marshal's office and through Adam, the way it's determined right now and please correct me if I get this wrong, but. Uh, the fire marshal is more of a, uh, prevention role. And Once we have a, uh, suspected arson then it does become a criminal law enforcement matter that uh a lot of times is handled by state police, but other times it's handled uh by local jurisdictions as well. Um, I think. It would be a, uh, it could get complicated to try to shift law enforcement authority to Adam. Get that. Makes any sense. So if, if, if I may, Senator, I, I would suggest maybe get with them offline and have that discussion and then, uh, work out maybe whatever policy you considering. Yeah, I was just, the reason I bring it up is because personnel, I mean, you asked for additional personnel, and if we're gonna ask for additional personnels or something we could do to maybe shift some of that responsibility, but we that's the reason I bring it up. We'll talk offline though. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Representative Alby, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a quick question on page 312 because Dalton was reading so fast, I missed the explanation. Can you explain on capital outlay, outlay why it's going down. I just missed the explanation to 0. It I'm sorry. Well, the, the question on page 312 capital outlay went down to 0 and I just missed it when it went through that fast as to why it's gone to 0. That's my only question. From the agency requesting recommendations 0, so I'm just curious to why I just missed the explanation earlier. All of our capital outlay for all divisions have gone to zero, so we have to, I guess we'll have to come back and ask for a capital outlay if we see the need in the future. OK, thank you. Thank you, Representative. Seeing no one else in the queue, I will, uh, entertain emotion. I have motion. I have a second. Any discussion? See no discussion, uh, all in favor say aye, and you post. Eyes have it. You may proceed, Mr. Coleman. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So we'll skip ahead to the commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training division summary on page 349, your manuals. Uh, so as you can see here, uh, Cle will transfer in some new appropriations not previously with the division in fiscal year 25. Criminal detention facility review, transportation of juvenile offenders and the law enforcement safety office are all requested to be transferred to this division, uh, like I mentioned previously, the agency told me that classed as a more natural fit for these programs as they previously reported to the director of Clus anyway. Um, the agency was questioning about $6.5 million for both years of the biennium, uh, within this division. Our first change levels on page 354 and the 911 training and education appropriation. Uh, this appropriation is currently funded by distributions from the Arkansas Public Safety Trust Fund. The agency is requesting a total of $388,000 for both years of the upcoming biennium. This includes a reallocation of $39,000 from conferences and travel and professional fees to operating expenses to support regional training. The agency request is provided for by the executive recommendation. Nexchange levels on page 356. This is the class cash operations appropriation. So this cash appropriation is funded by grants, donations, and cash receipts and includes funding received from the public safety equipment grant program. The agency is requesting a new appropriation in the public safety equipment grant line item and the amount of $100,000 to utilize receive grant funding. Next on page 358 is another class cash appropriation. So this appropriation, much like the last, is a cash appropriation funded by grants, donations, and cash receipts and is used specifically for the advanced law enforcement rapid response training or alert program. Uh, the agency is requesting appropriation in the amount of $145,000 for both years of the upcoming biennium and the executive recommendation provides for this request for this appropriation. Uh, next on page 360, you'll find the class Federal Appropriation. Uh, this appropriation is funded by federal grants. It includes funding received from the Department of Human Services Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services for the crisis intervention program. The agency is requesting $100,000 in both years of the biennium within the federal award line item to support program operations. On page 362, you'll find the criminal detention facility review appropriation. This is one of those that transferred over from administration shared services. If you want to see the fiscal year 24 and 25 information, it's on page 249. Uh, but this state central services appropriation provides for the operations of the criminal detention facility Review Committee. The agency is requesting the transfer of the $172,000 appropriation from Shared Services to class through the program reporting the class director, as I mentioned before, uh, there are a few changes to, um, from fiscal year 25 authorized that were transferred over, the first being a $2500 increase in operating expenses for vehicle maintenance and a $200 increase in conference and travel. The executive regulation provides for this agency request. Uh, next on page 364 is the criminal detention Committee expenses appropriation, uh, the original appropriation for this can be found on page 251 if you want to see that historic, those historical numbers. Uh, this is another preparation that was transferred over from Shared Services, uh, the GR appropriation provides for the operations of the criminal detention committee. The only change involved with this appropriation is the transfer. To class itself as the agency is requesting the same $18.6,000 in each year of the biennium. The executive recommendation does provide for this request. Our next transfer appropriation is the transportation of juvenile offenders on page 366 and those historical numbers are on page 253 of your manuals if you want to look back at those. So this is a GR preparation, um, it provides grants and reimbursements to counties and cities for transportation of juvenile offenders to appropriate care or custody facilities approved by courts. Agencies is requesting the continued level of fiscal year 25 appropriation at $187,000 for both of the biennium. Um The law enforcement law enforcement safety office cash appropriation on page 368 of your manuals as another one that was transferred from the administration and Shared Services, uh, the original preparation can be found on page 261 if you want to look back at those numbers. Uh, so this cash of preparation assists law enforcement agencies in the acquisition of federal property for qualified participants with emphasis given to drug and counterterrorism operations. The agency is requesting the 25 authorized amount of $40,000 for this appropriation, which is supported by the executive recommendation. And the last appropriation transferred over from administration and shared services on page 370 of your manuals. Uh, this is a law enforcement safety office state appropriation. So this is the GR appropriation for the law enforcement safety office program. Um, the agency is requesting roughly $94,000 in appropriation for both years of the biennium, slightly up from the fiscal year 25 budget amount to a salary and match adjustments. The executive recommendation does provide for this agency request. Next we have the law enforcement training program appropriation. Uh, this appropriation is used for personal services and operating expenses of the law enforcement training program, the special revenue funding comes from booking and administration fees after a person is convicted of a felony or class A misdemeanor. The agency is requesting an increase of $60,000 in law enforcement training program expenses to bring the appropriation total to $160,000 for both years of the biennium. Mr. Chairman, that concludes uh KL. Thank you, Richard Coleman. All right, remember seeing no one in the queue, then I will entertain emotion. I have a motion, I have a second. Any discussion? See none. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? I have it. Thank you, Mr. Coleman. You may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So our last division of the day is Arkansas State Police and the summary for that is on page 381 of your manuals. So ASP is requesting a total of just over $137 million for each year of the biennium, uh, while the executive request provides for just over $136 million for that same time. First change level in Arkansas State Police is in the highway safety program state Appropriation, which is on page 384 of your manuals. Uh, so ASP uses this appropriation to purchase child safety seats and provide education and administration of the child passenger protection program. The agency is requesting a transfer within this appropriation of $74,000 from grants and aid to operating expenses. The total appropriation requested is this year 25 authorized at $203,000 for both years of the biennium exact recommendation provides for this request. The next appropriation is highway safety programmed on page 386 your manuals. So this appropriation is utilized for administration of the state highway safety program. It's appropriation is primarily funded by the IJA, uh, to better align with available funding. The agency is requesting a total dec. increase of roughly 200 or $23 million including decreases from extra help, personal service matching, overtime, operating expenses, conference and travel, professional fees and grants and aid line items. The agency is requesting around $1.5 million in both years of the biennium and the executive recommendation does provide for this request. Next, on page 388, we have the Homeland Security Federal Appropriation. Um, so this appropriation utilizes federal grants to support preparedness activities to enhance response capability. It is funded with federal funds from Adam. The agency is requesting just over $718,000 in both years of the biennium. We changed levels from fiscal year 25 authorized and the operating expenses and capital outlay line items. The agency is requesting an additional $40,000 in operating expenses to better align with funding and an additional $91,000 in capital outlay to purchase equipment like night vision goggles, bomb suits, and drones. Uh, the executive recommend provides for these changes. Page 390, you'll find the automated fingerprint ID system, uh, so AFIS provides state of the art filing, recording, and matching of fingerprint records and provides law enforcement with quick and accurate fingerprint records using 22 remote live scan stations located throughout the state. The appropriation is funded through special revenues from criminal background checks. The agency is requesting around $1.7 million in both years of the biennium, representing a roughly $600,000 increase or decrease from fiscal year 25 authorized. This change is in the capital outlay line item for which the agency is requesting $50,000 for both years of the biennium for system developments and enhancements. Uh, the executive recommendation provides for the agency request here. On page 392 is ASP operations. So this is the primary operating preparation for ASP. Uh, primarily general revenue appropriation is funded through the Arkansas State Police Fund. The agency is requesting around $125 million in each year of the biennium. The agency is requesting a transfer of $106,000 from professional fees to conference and travel and fiscal year 26 only to support training needs. The agency is also discontinuing the fiscal year 25 capital outlay amount of $170,000 for both years of the upcoming biennium. Uh, in the uniforms line item, there's a $600,000 addition to fiscal year 25. Uh, fiscal year 25 is the amount of $40,000. Uh, this is due to the uniform Quartermaster program appropriation being moved into this operating appropriation, uh, the executive recommendation provides for those requested changes. Next, on page 394, we have the various federal programs appropriation. So this federal preparation is utilized to support. Various programs received as grants from the USDOJ. The agency is anticipating receiving federal funding from the Internet crimes against children grants, uh, and the agency is requesting just over $1 million in each year of the biennium that includes the following changes, a $237,000 increase in operating expenses, $200,000 of which will be reallocated from commerces and travel to better align with expenditures. A $6000 increase in professional fees to support mental health televisits for task force members and an increase of nearly 250 100 $0 in capital outlay to purchase forensic software and services for daily operations. Executive recommendation does provide for this agency request. Page 396, you'll find the confiscated funds transfer appropriation so this appropriation is utilized for special purpose equipment, specialized training, overtime, personal services, operational needs and capital improvements for ASP. Funding comes from federal and state asset forfeitures, uh, the agency is requesting just over $690,000 in both years of the biennium down from the $900,000 in fiscal year 25 authorized executive recommendation provides for the $90,000 decrease in overtime, $70,000 decrease in competent travel and reallocation of $100,000 in professional fees to the capital outlay line item as requested by the agency. On page 398, we've got criminal background checks appropriation, uh, this appropriation is utilized to conduct criminal background checks. It's funded from special revenues from background check fees. The agency is requesting just under $3.8 million for both years of the biennium, with changes including a $500,000 increase in operating expenses to support the mobile officer virtual environment system. And a decrease of $300,000 in total capital outlay appropriation that will be used to support mobile officer virtual environment system development, the executive recommendation provides for the agency request with the exception of one discontinued position. Um, I believe we have 2 more change levels, Mr. Chair, uh, the first being on page 400, that's ASP training and equipment, uh, this appropriation is utilized to provide critical training and equipment for state police. It's funded by criminal background check fees, uh, the agency is requesting $1.8 million for both years of the biennium, which changes from fiscal year 25 to include 5 positions in the associated salary and match along with a $217,000 decrease in capital outlay with $250,000 requested for the upcoming Binium to be used for drone purchases. Uh, the executive recommendation provides for the agency request here. And um our next change level is on page 402. This is the ASP cache operations appropriation. The appropriation is funded by grants, donations, and cash receipts to support the operations of ASP, uh, the agency is requesting new appropriation in the amount of $100,000 in operating expenses for each year of the upcoming biennium for the utilization of grant rewards for the public safety equipment grant program executive recommendation provides for this agency request. And sort of technically not a not a change level here, but on page 404, you'll see the uniform quartermaster system appropriation. Uh, this is for $600,000 in fiscal year $25 and that was moved to operations, uh, for the uniform. Quartermaster system within that appropriation. Thank you, Mr. Chair. That concludes tape, please. Thank you, Mr. Coleman. Uh, Representative Richardson, I'm coming to you with what I hope is emotion, but I think it's probably a question. Uh, it is a question, yes. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, uh, just a quick question. I, I was told recently that the, the state police do not wear body cameras and I don't see an outlay here for body cameras. Is there a policy somewhere around body cameras? Uh, that's correct, we do not wear body cameras, so just to try to give you a 30,000 ft overview on the thinking on that. Um, a lot of police departments, the sheriff's departments, uh, do utilize body cameras. That's because they work in. Businesses, residences, they worked uh more face to face interaction outside and away from their patrol unit with the state police, uh, 95% of our work is done in front of the car, so the I guess the quality of our uh camera system that we have, um, that we currently utilize is excellent, and we spent a lot of money on that camera system, um, it's very rare that we have incidents that happen away from the camera or from that car. So the decision has to be made at some point to um, do we utilize either vehicle cameras or body cameras and the decision is made that we're going to stick with vehicle cameras, which is the standard among state police agencies around the country. Um, we simply just don't have the money to utilize both and the percentage that we would gain. Uh, with the body camera, we would lose exponentially that much more if we went to the body camera versus the vehicle camera. So even if we had the, uh, the Capitol upfront to uh purchase a body camera, the expense of the storage in the cloud um space needed to utilize that program is honestly, it's just, it's astronomical, so especially if we utilize both. So at the end of the day, we have to make a decision on either a vehicle system or a body camera system. And by far we, we think it's beneficial to have the vehicle system. I, I, I think that's an interesting, um. Story, I think it's interesting that you, you made the decision to go that route. I, I know that, um, we're one of very, very few states that do not require a body camera and I, I just wonder about the officers that happen to be in those um situations where they don't have a body camera something said and accused them of they don't have the protection of that and, and that makes me a little a little concerned, so you, but you're saying that there's no outlay for that and there's no consideration for that. That's correct, yes, sir. OK. All right. Thank you. Just to, uh, just one step further as far as uh conversations them being accused of things, and they do wear a mobile, uh, microphone on their person, which picks up, uh, I, I'd lie to you if I told you the exact distance, but it's a significant distance. I would say, you know, 100 yards, maybe even more. So there's a lot of things that are captured on body or on their body microphone, for instance, if there's a foot pursuit following a vehicle pursuit or something like that, that interaction will be captured. A microphone there's just not video, but uh just to give you an example, um, if you've ever seen any of the, you know, the, a lot of the footage that's shown on TV on police shows or body cam, whether it be YouTube or whatever, if, you know, the majority, as you well know, um, pursuits are an issue with us. The ANCs that had chosen body cams over vehicle cams. The only thing that you're gonna see during that entire pursuit is a steering wheel. Um, you, it just doesn't capture what we needed to capture on video. So, uh, that's the reason that we have utilized, uh, the, the vehicle cameras versus the body cameras, OK. I appreciate it. Yes, sir. Thank you, Representative. Representative Lederman, you recognize. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, right over here. Um Got a couple, hopefully quick questions, but on page 386. The overtime. And also I think it's on 396, but, but 386 is where I'll ask the question. Um Your actual expenditure, uh, was $8,563. And I mean, you're going to 0, but there was 808,000 budgeted. uh, how do you eliminate Overtime Without increasing the number of employees, how do you do that? I, I'd like to know. If, if I can answer the overtime in this program is being moved to the IIJA program. So we do have the overtime program. We're just moving it from this appropriation to the other. Are you consolidating the overtime because on the other sheet. On 396, I think it was reduced as well. Yes, well, we reduced it too because we were, we didn't spend what was authorized currently, so we reduced it to more to what we were currently spending. OK. One more, Mr. uh, on page 400. On the operating expense there and this is training and equipment, which is very important in your business, um. You spent 8000. $382 and You're increasing that to a million. Why the big increase. Well, this is a fairly new program that we just started and we are driving track is included in the, in these expenditure or in this budget, and we expect to have some expenses from our driving track, and we also need to replace our drones, and the drones are going to come out of this budget. So how many years have you had this budget? 3, I think. All right, thank you. Thank you, Representative, uh, Representative Painter, I believe you have a motion executive. That's a proper motion. Do I have a second? I have a 2nd. Any discussion? See, none. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? He none, eyes have it. Uh, members with that, we are going to adjourn with personnel to follow 15 minutes upon our adjournment, and then we have uh. Meaning tomorrow, uh, with DHS at 9 o'clock. So please be here for that. Members, we are adjourned.