At the Capitol today -- UPDATES
I'm in House State Agencies right now, where we're taking up a restructuring of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission from 26 to 13 members. The bill is being presented by Senator Wilkins and Representative Hardy and is opposed by the NAACP. NAACP-Arkansas President Dale Charles is here speaking against the bill. Update: The proposal passed unanimously.
The "sovereignty" resolution is also on today's agenda here in this committee, but it won't be presented until next Wednesday. The most controversial item on today's agenda is Rep. Lindsley Smith's bill that amends the Public Employees' Political Freedom Act of 1999. Rep. Smith had her husband and former Rep. Steve Smith speak on behalf of the bill (see right). Steve Smith was a member of this committee when it was created in 1973. Her bill has drawn opposition from the Arkansas Municipal League (including Texarkana Mayor Horace Shipp). Update: The bill failed.
Social host liability. I posted an item back in September when the Task Force on Substance Abuse recommended expanding dramshop liability to social hosts in Arkansas. In other words, if you're having friends over at your home, and someone leaves your house and causes injury to someone else because they were "clearly intoxicated," you could be held liable for the victim's injuries if this proposal becomes law. Rep. Fred Allen will be bringing this bill to House Rules today. Update: The bill was pulled down.
It's a doctrine that is currently extended to alcoholic beverage retailers (Ark. Code Ann. §16-126-104), but immunity from civil liability is currently given to social hosts in a 1999 law (16-126-106). Such a proposal could energize both trial lawyers and MADD in support of it. Most social hosts may have liability coverage under their homeowners policy as long as liquor is not sold, so insurers could oppose such a proposal.
On the House floor. When the House convenes at 1:30, we'll take up the primary seatbelt law. I'm in a divided family on this issue, as I support it, and my brother/law partner opposes it. It creates some interesting allies (Update: Passed 60 for, 31 against, and 4 voting present).
Also, Rep. Nickels' minimum wage bill cleared committee and will be voted on by the House (Update: Passed 67 for, 27 against, and 2 voting present), and the National Popular Vote bill will finally come up for a vote today as well (Update: Passed 56 for, 43 against, and 1 voting present). Here's today's floor calendar:
Bills for consideration
Budget calendar
Here I am with constituents/students from Genoa, Arkansas at the Capitol this morning:
The "sovereignty" resolution is also on today's agenda here in this committee, but it won't be presented until next Wednesday. The most controversial item on today's agenda is Rep. Lindsley Smith's bill that amends the Public Employees' Political Freedom Act of 1999. Rep. Smith had her husband and former Rep. Steve Smith speak on behalf of the bill (see right). Steve Smith was a member of this committee when it was created in 1973. Her bill has drawn opposition from the Arkansas Municipal League (including Texarkana Mayor Horace Shipp). Update: The bill failed.
Social host liability. I posted an item back in September when the Task Force on Substance Abuse recommended expanding dramshop liability to social hosts in Arkansas. In other words, if you're having friends over at your home, and someone leaves your house and causes injury to someone else because they were "clearly intoxicated," you could be held liable for the victim's injuries if this proposal becomes law. Rep. Fred Allen will be bringing this bill to House Rules today. Update: The bill was pulled down.
It's a doctrine that is currently extended to alcoholic beverage retailers (Ark. Code Ann. §16-126-104), but immunity from civil liability is currently given to social hosts in a 1999 law (16-126-106). Such a proposal could energize both trial lawyers and MADD in support of it. Most social hosts may have liability coverage under their homeowners policy as long as liquor is not sold, so insurers could oppose such a proposal.On the House floor. When the House convenes at 1:30, we'll take up the primary seatbelt law. I'm in a divided family on this issue, as I support it, and my brother/law partner opposes it. It creates some interesting allies (Update: Passed 60 for, 31 against, and 4 voting present).
Also, Rep. Nickels' minimum wage bill cleared committee and will be voted on by the House (Update: Passed 67 for, 27 against, and 2 voting present), and the National Popular Vote bill will finally come up for a vote today as well (Update: Passed 56 for, 43 against, and 1 voting present). Here's today's floor calendar:
Bills for consideration
Budget calendar
Here I am with constituents/students from Genoa, Arkansas at the Capitol this morning:
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 2/25/2009 10:29:00 AM | Permalink |
<< Home