Week 6 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details Below):
OPPOSE
SJR9 – Legislative Rulemaking Authority Over Courts – OPPOSE
SUPPORT
SB295 – Welfare Program Integrity – SUPPORT
HB1439 – Volunteer Health Care Act Expansion to Therapists – SUPPORT
HB1447 – Special Election Reform for Tax Elections – SUPPORT
HB1460 – Workforce Freedom – Uniform Licensing Rules Across the State – SUPPORT
HJR1019 – Election of Judges on a Partisan Basis – SUPPORT
Bill Details
SB295 – Welfare Program Integrity – SUPPORT
By: Scott Flippo (R – Bull Shoals) / Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R – Elm Springs)
This is a bill promoting welfare program integrity which is way over-due. It would provide greater integrity, especially in Medicaid eligibility determinations. The bill would require people applying for food stamps or Medicaid to only receive assistance after they are determined eligible. It would also require as a condition of receiving food stamps or Medicaid that they allow information about their income, citizenship, employment and resources of the applicant be received from a third party for eligibility determinations. This will allow accurate information in determinations and ensure benefits are reserved for the truly needy. The bill would require data runs for those winning the lottery or other gambling winnings that may make someone ineligible for assistance. The bill would also require monthly checks of death certificates to ensure dead people stop receiving benefits. For unemployment assistance departments must check other states data against their own recipients to see if people are “double dipping” and illegally receiving benefits from both states. It would also require checking prisoners who apply for and receive welfare benefits. The bill also requires reporting on a public website the number of fraudulent cases, improper payments and expenditure totals, how much money is recovered, and other stats on welfare program integrity. The bill would prohibit presumptive eligibility for welfare benefits that immediately begin paying out regardless of full eligibility and prohibit self-attestation for eligibility.
HB1439 – Volunteer Health Care Act Expansion to Therapists – SUPPORT
By: Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R – Clarksville)
This bill would allow therapists, counselors, and addiction specialists to volunteer under the Volunteer Health Care Freedom Act. The act provides limited liability coverage covered by the state in exchange for free healthcare services to low-income Arkansans. The bill would also increase the number of hours a person can receive continuing education credit for this volunteer time from the current max of eight hours, increased up to thirty-two hours total.
HB1447 – Special Election Reform for Tax Elections – SUPPORT
By: David Ray (R – Maumelle)
This bill (not to be confused with *HB1368-Special Election Reform on our Week 5 Report) would require that special elections for tax levies at the local level, including sales tax increases, are held at the primary election date, general election date, or in off-election years- in May or November. Special elections to raise taxes are much more successful when there is lower voter turnout on random special election dates. Passage rates decline dramatically when held at primary or general election dates when more people make their voices heard. The passage of this bill will ensure more voter participation and a better democratic process when it comes to special elections to raise taxes.
HB1460 – Workforce Freedom – Uniform Licensing Rules Across the State – SUPPORT
By: Richard Womack (R – Arkadelphia)
This bill would require licensing, including occupational licensing, be within the sole purview of the Arkansas General Assembly at the state level. It supersedes any law-making ability of localities to have occupational licenses that are inconsistent with state law. It specifically prohibits cities and counties from making any license, registration, or certification to conduct a trade, profession, or occupation. Regulating occupations will be only allowed at the state level by the state legislature. Since this bill reduces barriers to economic freedom, it is a good bill.
SJR9 – Legislative Rulemaking Authority Over Courts – OPPOSE
By: Sen. Bob Ballinger (R – Berryville)
This proposed constitutional amendment would allow the state legislature to overrule and rewrite any rules of procedure, evidence, or pleadings over any Arkansas court with a 3/5 vote of each chamber. This Constitutional Amendment would ensure special interests (who control politicians) would have a greater ability to determine outcomes in the Arkansas courts when these special interests are sued for bad behavior. This is a bad proposed constitutional amendment and should be rejected. It is assumed this bill will be used by its supporters as a negotiating tool with the Arkansas Bar Association (personal injury attorneys) in order to obtain their long sought goal of caps on damages (which some refer to as a price tag on human life.) This should be called the “Danger” Amendment as the possibilities and ramifications are limitless when the legislature may rewrite Arkansas court rules of evidence and procedure to save special interests.
HJR1019 – Election of Judges on a Partisan Basis – SUPPORT
By: Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R – Elm Springs)
This proposed constitutional amendment would require that judges are elected as partisan officials. Currently judges are elected without disclosing their party affiliation. This fact, along with the rule against answering questions about potential future cases during their campaign, leaves many people in the dark about where the judicial candidate stands on important issues. Under this amendment, candidates could still choose to run as an independent (as well as Republican, Democrat, or other party.) If a judicial candidate chooses to run as a partisan, this at least provides basic information to voters when selecting their judges.
Week 5 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
SB217 – Promoting Election Fraud Opportunities – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
SB230 – Unlimited Assistance by Third Party Persons in Voting– OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
SUPPORT
SB231 – Stripping Felons of State Retirement Benefits – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Retirement
SB252 – Prohibiting an Office in China for Economic Development – SUPPORT
STATUS: There are special interests’ groups, including Tyson Foods, Farm Bureau, the Governor’s office, and AEDC, who oppose this bill and were successful last week in killing it in committee with the “No” votes of Senators Cecile Bledsoe, Jane English, Breanne Davis, and Clark Tucker. Senators Trent Garner, Bob Ballinger, and Jason Rapert supported the bill.
*HB1368 – Special Election Reform – SUPPORT
STATUS: Failed AGAIN on House Floor. Clincher Motion Adopted. Vote Breakdown:
Republicans Voting “No”:
Stan Berry
Frances Cavenaugh
Craig Christiansen
Bruce Coleman
Bruce Cozart
Carol Dalby
Marsh Davis
Gary Deffenbaugh
Brian Evans
Charlene Fite
Lanny Fite
Michelle Gray
Delia Haak
David Hillman
Joe Jett
Lee Johnson
John Maddox
Ron McNair
Johnny Rye
Stu Smith
Les Warren
Danny Watson
Jim Wooten
Republicans Refusing to Vote:
Ken Bragg
Les Eaves
Jack Fortner
Spencer Hawks
Lane Jean
Matthew Shepherd (*Speaker)
Dwight Tosh
HB1371 – School Choice Tax Credit Scholarships – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Education Committee
HB1428 – Repeal of Arkansas Works, Transition to Medicaid Fee for Service – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Public Health Welfare Labor Committee
HB1431 – Increased Sales Tax Exemption for Used Cars – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Tax and Revenue Committee
HB1416 – Work from Home Freedom – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House City County Local Committee
HB1403 – Reducing the Top Income Tax Rate – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Revenue and Tax Committee
SJR3 – Allowing the State to be Sued – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
Week 4 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
None this week.
SUPPORT
HB1254 – APRN as Primary Care Provider within Medicaid Program – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
HB1231 – Rejecting the 1619 Project in Public Schools – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Education Committee
HB1227 – No Minimum Wage While Off Duty for Truck Drivers – SUPPORT
STATUS: Signed by the Governor, Now Act 91
SB208 – Updated “Meeting” Definition for FOIA; Updated Groups Subject to FOIA – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee
SB205 – Transparency for the Rainy-Day Fund – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Senate, Referred to the House
HB1316 – Phasing Out and Ending the Soft Drink Tax – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Revenue and Tax Committee
SB186 – No Collaborative Practice Agreement for APRNs after 1,000 Hours – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
Week 3 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
HB1030 – Ensuring Increases in Gas Tax Revenue – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to House Revenue and Tax Committee; On Deferred List
HB1038 – Internet Sales Tax on Delivery Charges – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to House Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1045 – Defines Cigarette Paper to Include Vaping Products – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to House Rules Committee
SB141 – Granting Power Over Election Changes to the Secretary of State During an Emergency – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee
SUPPORT
HB1211 – Religious Freedom Protected During Emergencies – SUPPORT
STATUS: Signed by the Governor, Now Act 94
HB1215 – Full Practice Authority for Nurse Midwives – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
SB153 – Waiving of License, Permit, and Filing Fees for New Businesses – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
SB176 – Allowing Pharmacists to Treat Certain Health Conditions – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
Week 2 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see bill Details HERE):
OPPOSE
HB1139 – FOIA Exemption for Funeral Home Investigations – OPPOSE
STATUS: Withdrawn by the Author
SB132 – Corporate Welfare Appropriation of $75 Million – OPPOSE
STATUS: In Joint Budget Committee
SUPPORT
HB1112 – Voter Integrity in Provisional Ballots – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed the House, Sent to Senate
HB1157 – Increased Deduction for Teacher Expenses – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1160 – Sales Tax Exemption for Used Cars Increased – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1189 – No Special Interest Pay for Government Workers – SUPPORT
STATUS: In State Agencies Committee
HB1190 – Cost of Living Adjustments for Standard Deduction – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Revenue and Tax Committee; Heard but no Vote Taken
HB1191 – Increase of Standard Deduction – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1198 – Amending Supervision Requirements for Nurse Anesthetists – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Public Health Committee
SB117 – Hybrid Car $100 Fee Removed – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Transportation Committee
Week 1 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see bill Details HERE):
OPPOSE
SB2 – Massive Tax Increase for Redistribution of Wealth Scheme – OPPOSE
STATUS: In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee
SB10 – Redistribution of Wealth through EITC – OPPOSE
STATUS: In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee
SUPPORT
SB9 – Repealing of Car Wash Water Usage Tax – SUPPORT
STATUS: Heard in Committee, No Vote Taken. In Senate Revenue and Tax Committee
SB15 – Emergency Powers Duration Limited – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Senate Judiciary Committee
SB17 – Liability Immunity Against COVID19 Lawsuits – SUPPORT
STATUS: In Senate Public Health Committee
SB23/HB1055 – Self-Regulation for CO-OP Organizations – SUPPORT
STATUS: In House Insurance and Commerce Committee
HB1011 – Repeal of Income Taxes for Those Making Under $22,000 – SUPPORT
STATUS: In House Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1063 – Expansion of Telemedicine to Phone Calls – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House Committee, Sent to House Floor
HB1064 – Price Transparency for Medical Services – SUPPORT
STATUS: In House Insurance and Commerce Committee
HB1066 – Beer Shipping Direct to Consumers – SUPPORT
STATUS: In House Rules Committee
HB1068 – Expanded Telemedicine Use – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed the House, Sent to the Senate
