Week 9 Legislative Report
OPPOSE
SB351 – Regulating Ride-Share Companies at Airports – OPPOSE
SB418 – Increased Fees for State Parks Use – OPPOSE
SUPPORT
SB379 – Legislative Oversight over Emergency Declarations – SUPPORT
SB453 – Special Election Reform (Retry) – SUPPORT
HB1354 – Prohibiting Gifts from Lobbyists to Cabinet-Level Department Secretaries – SUPPORT
HB1367 – E-Notary Allowed – SUPPORT
HB1642 – Child Support Cooperation in Public Housing – SUPPORT
Bill Details
SB351 – Regulating Ride-Share Companies at Airports – OPPOSE
By: Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View)
This bill would regulate the ride-sharing companies like UBER and LYFT at airports. It would require them to register with the airports and have similar regulations that apply to car rental services apply to these ride-share services. If a company fails to do so the airport can get injunctive relief against the ride share company. The bill would also impose strict insurance requirements on the ride-share services that include the ride sharing parent company (such as UBER or LYFT) would have shifted liability if the independent contractor driving for the service is uninsured or underinsured. All of this new regulation could raise prices for consumers with increased costs to ride-sharing companies. Even if the larger companies like UBER and LYFT are able to handle the regulations, it would limit further competition from new or smaller ride-sharing apps.
SB379 – Legislative Oversight over Emergency Declarations – SUPPORT
By: Sen. Kim Hammer (R – Benton)
This bill would require legislative oversight over emergency declarations by the Governor. The Legislative Council could effectively cancel any renewal of emergency declarations over 60 days if they so choose under this new law. The General Assembly could also vote to terminate the emergency declaration with a concurrent resolution as a committee of the whole. The bill would also require a state emergency for public health to be impacting at least 19 counties in the state and/or 25% of the state population.
SB418 – Increased Fees for State Parks Use – OPPOSE
By: Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R – Beebe)
This bill would allow the State Parks to use “dynamic pricing” that could increase prices/fees for accommodations and services at a state park when the parks are busier, such as during the summer. This would require people to pay more to use state parks that are already paid for with taxpayer money.
SB453 – Special Election Reform (Retry) – SUPPORT
By: Sen. Mark Johnson (R – Little Rock)
This bill is the same as HB1368 that failed in the House. This is another shot at passing a long over-due attempt to reduce the tax burden on Arkansans through reforming special elections. This bill would require special elections (which are often tax increases) to take place at the primary or general election date or in off-election years set dates in May or November. The taxpayer funded lobbyist groups such as Association of Counties, Municipal League, Dept of Education are the primary opponents to this reform.
HB1354 – Prohibiting Gifts from Lobbyists to Cabinet-Level Department Secretaries – SUPPORT
By: Rep. Frances Cavenaugh (R – Walnut Ridge)
This bill would prohibit cabinet level secretaries in state government from taking gifts from lobbyists or those acting on behalf of lobbyists. Violations would be a criminal misdemeanor charge.
HB1367 – E-Notary Allowed – SUPPORT
By: Rep. Clint Penzo (R – Springdale)
This bill would allow a notary public to notarize documents via audio and visual means rather than just in person requirements. This will help streamline legal signings including business transactions and property transactions.
HB1642 – Child Support Cooperation in Public Housing – SUPPORT
By: Rep. Kendon Underwood (R – Cave Springs)
This bill would change the public housing law to prioritize people who are up to date on their child support when considering waiting lists and approval for public housing benefits/accommodations.
Week 8 Summary of CFA Bill Analysis (see Details HERE):
OPPOSE
HB1517 – New Electronic Voter Registration – OPPOSE
STATUS: Passed out of Committee then Returned after Conduit Opposition
SUPPORT
SB192 – Political Freedom for Public Employees – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee
SB194 – Allowing Photographing of Public Records – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Passed House (Vote Breakdown); Sent to Governor
SB195 – Private Foundations with Government Purpose Subject to FOIA – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate State Agencies Committee
SB196 – Attorney’s Fees Awarded for Getting Public Records During Litigation – SUPPORT
STATUS: Failed for lack of 2nd on Motion to Pass
SB197 – Civil Asset Forfeiture Changes to Criminal Proceedings – SUPPORT
STATUS: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
SB301 – Returning of Fees Paid for Violations of COVID19 Orders – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed Senate (Vote Breakdown); Referred to House Public Health, Welfare, Labor Committee
HB1512 – Promoting Work in Food Stamps – SUPPORT
STATUS: Passed House Committee, Sent to House Floor
Week 6 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), Passed House (Vote Breakdown), Sent to Governor
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); SIGNED by Governor – Act 249.
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
