Four takeaways from the fifth week of the Arkansas 95th General Assembly
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An active time for the Arkansas legislature in the fifth week of the 95th General Assembly.
Several bills reached the governor's desk for signature, where they became law. Other bills failed in the committee process, and multiple constitutional amendments were filed as the legislature reached its deadline for that process. Finally, the legislature and governor acted to repair an ongoing problem in an Arkansas county.
BILLS INTO LAW
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office announced she signed 23 pieces of legislation on Tuesday. While most of what was signed were operation funding bills for higher education institutions, other signed bills include House Bill 1204, now Act 28, well-sponsored legislation to limit the recovery amount for medical care after an accident.
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HB1204 reached the governor's desk after clearing the Senate by one vote, barely overcoming bi-partisan opposition.
BILLS FAILING IN COMMITTEE
A bill to remove the mandate to fluoridate water failed to make it out of committee on Wednesday. Senate Bill 2 removed the mandate and removed the Department of Health's ability to regulate fluoride levels. Multiple dentists were on hand to testify against the legislation.
A second bill failing in committee was intended to allow universities to hold Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) raffles to support athletic funding. Testimony against the bill included that from a representative of Pine Bluff's Saracen Casino.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
February 12 was the 31st day of the legislative session, making it the final day to submit proposed legislation to create amendments to the Arkansas Constitution. While amendments have been filed since the session began, the last two days saw many resolutions filed.
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Resolutions included judicial candidates being able to list their political party on ballots and removing the tax on food. Other filings were legislative control over commissions and changes to property assessments. One of the final resolutions was for a crime victim's bill of rights.
If the resolutions make it through the legislative process, they must be endorsed by voters before becoming part of the constitution.
AID FOR A COUNTY
A budget stand-off has resulted in Jefferson County employees not being paid since Jan. 1. A bill, backed by the governor, moved quickly through the legislature to require any county that does not pass a budget for its new year to continue to operate on the previous year's budget.
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It sailed through its floor votes & committee hearings and was signed into law on Tuesday night. Employee checks were being cut the next day.
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