Week 8 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details Below):
OPPOSE
HB1517 – New Electronic Voter Registration – OPPOSE
SUPPORT
SB192 – Political Freedom for Public Employees – SUPPORT
SB194 – Allowing Photographing of Public Records – SUPPORT
SB195 – Private Foundations with Government Purpose Subject to FOIA – SUPPORT
SB196 – Attorney’s Fees Awarded for Getting Public Records During Litigation – SUPPORT
SB197 – Civil Asset Forfeiture Changes to Criminal Proceedings – SUPPORT
SB301 – Returning of Fees Paid for Violations of COVID19 Orders – SUPPORT
HB1512 – Promoting Work in Food Stamps – SUPPORT
Bill Details
SB192 – Political Freedom for Public Employees – SUPPORT
By: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R – Jonesboro)
This bill would allow for political freedom and free speech of public employees to make statements of public concern or private concern such as support or opposition to candidates to public office without facing repercussions in their workplace. It provides a private cause of action to receive an injunction to protect their political free speech from being used against them in their employment as a public employee.
SB194 – Allowing Photographing of Public Records – SUPPORT
By: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R – Jonesboro)
This bill would allow the taking of pictures or video recordings of public records through image capture without having to physically copy the documents.
SB195 – Private Foundations with Government Purpose Subject to FOIA – SUPPORT
By: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R – Jonesboro)
This bill would require that private groups that fundraise for government entities or help provide labor/staff for public entities equal to or in excess of one million dollars in one calendar year, would be subject to the FOIA laws. This would allow public disclosure of financial donations to and spending by groups such as those related to the state’s economic development sector which privately pay big bonuses to government employees. An example of the use of this bill would be to allow Arkansans to know whether the Communist Chinese were privately funding large bonuses to Arkansas’ Secretary of Commerce, Mike Preston.
SB196 – Attorney’s Fees Awarded for Getting Public Records During Litigation – SUPPORT
By: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R – Jonesboro)
Under current law, legal expenses may be ordered by a judge against the public entity, defendant, when a citizen prevails in a FOIA lawsuit. This bill would also allow attorneys’ fees and other litigation expenses to be awarded to the person bringing a FOIA lawsuit if after the lawsuit is filed (but before an order entered by the judge), the public entity releases a substantial or material portion of records originally sought but withheld. This will provide greater incentive for the state to willingly produce legally obtainable information prior to the need by the public to file time-consuming litigation, as well as encourage the public to bring legitimate FOIA lawsuits knowing they may recoup their legal costs spent at any point after immediately filing the case, even when settled prior to a judge’s orders.
SB197 – Civil Asset Forfeiture Changes to Criminal Proceedings – SUPPORT
By: Sen. Alan Clark (R – Lonsdale)
This bill would eliminate the egregious civil asset forfeiture law in Arkansas and replace it with a criminal proceeding held in conjunction with the criminal proceedings in which the underlying crime is tried. Therefore, instead of taking a person’s real or personal property prior to any criminal conviction, all forfeiture of assets would be part of the initial criminal proceedings. This would ensure greater due process before a person’s property is seized (often without recourse) by the government.
SB301 – Returning of Fees Paid for Violations of COVID19 Orders – SUPPORT
By: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R – Jonesboro)
This bill would require state agencies, including the Department of Health and the State Alcohol Beverage Control board, to return fines they levied and collected as a result of health directives or orders issued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a good bill which supports small businesses already unfairly treated under these arbitrary state mandates. Bottomline-there is no Arkansas-based evidence to prove fines (much less these arbitrary rules) diminish the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
HB1512 – Promoting Work in Food Stamps – SUPPORT
By: Rep. Kendon Underwood (R – Cave Springs)
This bill would prohibit the Department of Human Services from exercising the state option to waive work requirements for food stamp program.
HB1517 – New Electronic Voter Registration – OPPOSE
By: Rep. Justin Boyd (R – Fort Smith)
This is a horrible bill! It is the left’s dream. It would allow new electronic voter registration in charge of one elected official (sound familiar) with online rather than a more stringent mail in form that is currently used. (Line 20 of page 5 even allows for online ballots.) An electronic signature rather than an actual signature would be accepted for a new voter registration. The bill amends the Arkansas Constitution requiring EITHER a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a social security number for a new voter to be registered, and the registrar must register them when provided with this information. Our most recent elections have proven, across the country, that more stringent not more lenient voter laws are needed. This is a bad bill which would open up our elections to more fraud, not less.
HB1553 – Earning Licensing Requirements while Apprenticing – SUPPORT
By: Rep. Joshua Bryant (R – Rogers)
This bill would allow apprentices to use their time and experience while apprenticing towards any licensing requirements. If a person completes an apprenticeship in that same licensed occupation and passes any tests (if any) and pays any fees, they can receive their occupational license. This will allow quicker access to a valuable occupation without excessive hours requirements or other requirements for an occupational license.
Week 6 (Week 7-snow week) Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
SJR9 – Legislative Rulemaking Authority Over Courts) – OPPOSE
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies
SUPPORT
SB295 – Welfare Program Integrity – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Committee; Heard on Senate Floor (2/25), Pulled for Amendment
HB1439 – Volunteer Health Care Act Expansion to Therapists – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
HB1447 – Special Election Reform for Tax Elections – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Revenue and Tax Committee
HB1460 – Workforce Freedom – Uniform Licensing Rules Across the State – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
HJR1019 – Election of Judges on a Partisan Basis – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to House State Agencies
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: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Referred to Senate
HB1231 – Rejecting the 1619 Project in Public Schools – SUPPORT
STATUS: FAILED in 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: Heard in Committee Meeting; No Vote Taken
SB205 – Transparency for the Rainy-Day Fund – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown), Referred to the House
HB1316 – Phasing Out and Ending the Soft Drink Tax – SUPPORT
STATUS: WITHDRAWN BY THE AUTHOR
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: WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
HB1038 – Internet Sales Tax on Delivery Charges – OPPOSE
STATUS: WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
HB1045 – Defines Cigarette Paper to Include Vaping Products – OPPOSE
STATUS: WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
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: Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Referred to Senate
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 (Vote Breakdown), Passed the Senate (Vote Breakdown); Sent to Governor
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 (Vote Breakdown); Sent to Senate
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 (Vote Breakdown), Sent to the Senate
[1] Week 6 Legislative Report was published during the 7th Week of the Session due to one-week recess for snow/ice.
