Week 8 Legislative Summary

We are now 54 days into the 86th General Assembly, and we are approaching the constitutional 60-day limit on the length of the legislative session. As has been the case for every session since the 1960s, a bill has been filed to extend the session for an additional three weeks, which requires a two-thirds vote of both houses. While some work still remains, the consensus among members is that we should be able to finish our work and adjounrn by the end of March. The deadline for filing appropriations bills passed this week, and the deadline for filing any bills is Monday, March 5. There have been 2,387 bills filed to date: 1,497 in the House and 890 in the Senate (998 were filed this week). Most of the heavy lifting on the House end is done -- we've passed both public school funding bills, and all tax cut bills have been signed into law.

Members are now turning their attention to pushing personal and party legislative packages. Additionally, we'll be wrapping up appropriations in the coming weeks in order to complete the balanced budget (required by law). Generally, one of the last items of legislation will be to implement the Revenue Stabilization Act for the next biennium, which provides the mechanism for distributing the state's revenue (even general revenues). Any appropriation that isn't funded by the Revenue Stabilization Law is essentially null and void. The filing of this bill generally signals that adjournment is near.

This week, in addition to passing the public school funding bills, the House did act on several items, including portions of the House Democrats' legislative agenda:

Alternative Fuels/Renewable Energy:

House Bill 1379, by Speaker Benny Petrus, to establish the Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Act, is near final action in the Senate. The bill seeks to open the bio-fuel market to more farmers and producers and to reduce dependency on foreign oil. The bill would provide $16 million in grant to companies that make bio-fuels from soybeans or wood products and to farmers who grow the soybeans. Bio-diesel distributors would be eligible for incentives to stock the new product and for necessary equipment. Another $2 million would be available to fund further bio-fuel research at the University of Arkansas, and $2 million would go to help poor Arkansans insulate and weatherize their homes.

I filed HB2291 to give incentives to companies to come into the state, extract poisonous methane from our landfills, and use it as a source of renewable energy. Methane is generated by the natural decomposition of materials deposited in our landfills. It can be extracted, treated, and sold as a substitute for natural gas, which is one of our primary sources of energy. If left alone, it can become an air pollutant and can otherwise be harmful to the landfill area. This Act would be vital to both our health and economic well-being.

Economic Development:

I filed HB1531 in an attempt to attract retirees to the Natural State. The legislation creates the Arkansas Retirement Community Program, which seeks to promote and encourage tourism and retired living in Arkansas communities that have met the criteria for certification. To be eligible for certification, each community must complete a retiree desirability assessment, to include facts regarding crime statistics, tax information, recreational opportunities, housing availability, healthcare services, and similar services. The state will work in conjunction with the cities in the training of local staff and volunteers and help with ongoing oversight with marketing. The legislation requires recertification every five years. An application fee paid by the applicant city will fund this program through the creation of a fund maintained under the General Revenue Fund Account of the State Apportionment Fund.

Judiciary Legislation:

By a vote of 85 for and 5 against with 2 voting present, I was able to successfully carry SB235 through the House, which overhauls the state's District Court system and moves our court system in the direction of a true three-tiered judiciary. It now goes back to the Senate to concur in an amendment I added dealing with the consolidation of city courts.

I was also able to carry SB89 through the House Judiciary Committee, which establishes courtroom security plans for Circuit and District Courts in the state. This bill is largely the product of the leadership of Judge Jim Hudson, the Chairman of the Arkansas Court Security Task Force. I am holding that bill prior to presenting it to the full House while I negotiate financial assistance needed for its implementation with the Governor's office.

Thanks to Sen. Robert Thompson (D-Paragould), my HB1130 prohibiting perpetual transfers passed the Senate. It now comes back over to my side of the Capitol to concur in an amendment before going to the governor's desk.

Health Care:

Today, the House approved HB 1575, by Rep. Denny Sumpter (D-West Memphis), by a vote of 95-0 to establish the state’s first Level One trauma network. The closest now is in Memphis. The bill goes to the Senate. Funding would come from a $25 increase on all driving offenses, including DWI, reckless driving and speeding.

Health Insurance Costs:

I am continuing work on HB1201, which is designed to help retired teachers with the cost of their health insurance premiums. Currently, the state contributes $157.70 towards the premium, leaving approximately $430.00 to be paid by the retiree each month. This is almost half of the plan's benefit per retiree. In contrast, the state contributes $419.17 per month towards health insurance premiums in the Arkansas State Health Plan for other state employees, leaving those participants with a monthly out-of-pocket cost being roughly $169.00. The battle on this project is the funding (approximately $13.7 million in the furst year and $15 million every year thereafter).

As always, don't hesitate to call or e-mail if I can be of service.