Daily Legislative Update

Friday, February 12, 2010

87^th General Assembly—Fiscal Session

THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL

The first week of the state’s inaugural Fiscal Session went very smoothly. To date, the House has filed 158 appropriations bills and Speaker Wills told a radio audience this morning that about one-third of them have been dealt with. Senators have filed 123 appropriation bills and are making good progress with them too. The deadline for appropriation and non-appropriation bills related to approved Concurrent Resolutions is Monday, February 22.

The deadline for filing Concurrent Resolutions seeking authority to consider non-appropriation bills was Monday, February 8. Senators filed four and House members filed six Concurrent Resolutions.

SCR 1 and HCR 1002 sought authority for a Revenue Stabilization Law that is not an appropriation bill but is an integral part of the budget-related legislation. SCR 1 failed to receive the required 24 votes on its first attempt, but a day later Senators granted approval for the bill to move forward apparently after gaining assurances they desired related to some financial matters. The revenue stabilization bill is typically one of the final bills completed and a critical final step in bringing a session to a close.

The State Chamber/AIA is not actively involved in any of the Concurrent Resolutions, but below is a status update on the non-appropriation action at the Capitol. If approved, each of these Concurrent Resolutions would then require a bill to be filed to address the issue.

SCR 2 by Sen. Randy Laverty, Representative Curren Everett and others to establish rules for a Joint Budget sub-committee is on the Senate Calendar.

SCR 3 by Sen. Mary Ann Salmon would amend the Scholarship Lottery Act to set scholarship sizes and require the lottery commission to withhold state income taxes from certain lottery winnings. This resolution passed the Senate by a vote of 29-1 and has been referred to the House Rules Committee.

SCR 4 by Sen. Tracy Steele to require institutions of higher education to report tuition increases of 10 percent or more to the General Assembly is on the Senate Calendar.

HCR 1001 and HCR 1003 authorized the joint session of the House and Senate on Monday to hear Governor Beebe’s address.

HCR 1004 provides for a recess of the Fiscal Session at the close of business on March 2 and sine die adjournment at noon on March 9. The House adopted this resolution by a vote of 97-1 and the Senate concurred.

HCR 1005 by Rep. Allen Maxwell would grant county hospitals authority to pay members of their boards of director s. At the request of Rep. Maxwell, this resolution has not yet been brought before the House Rules Committee for a hearing. It remains on the committee’s agenda.

HCR 1006 by Rep. Robbie Wills would amend the Scholarship Lottery Act to set scholarship sizes and require the lottery commission to withhold state income taxes from certain lottery winnings. This resolution passed the House by a vote of 98-0 and has been placed on the Senate calendar.

 

NEXT WEEK AT THE CAPITOL

During this Fiscal Session, the legislature plans to work an abbreviated schedule, meeting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week. The Joint Budget Committee is expected to meet each day with all other committees meeting on an as-needed basis.

Committees currently scheduled to meet next week are listed below. All meeting dates, times and locations are subject to change. For the most current committee schedule and agenda please visit the General Assembly’s website.

Committee meetings currently scheduled for the week of February 15, 2010

Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010
9:00	AM -	Room 171	JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
10:00	AM -	Room 130	PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE	Agenda
10:30	AM -	Room 171	EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE
10:30	AM -	Room 171	EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE
10:30	AM -	Room 151	REVENUE & TAX - SENATE	Agenda
10:30	AM -	Room 151	REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE	Agenda
Upon Adjournment of Both Chambers		Room 151	ARKANSAS LOTTERY COMMISSION LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2010
8:00	AM -	Room 272	JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE
10:00	AM -	Room 130	AGING, CHILDREN AND YOUTH, LEGISLATIVE & MILITARY AFFAIRS- HOUSE	Agenda
10:00	AM -	Room 130	CHILDREN AND YOUTH COMMITTEE - SENATE
10:30	AM -	Room 171	INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE
10:30	AM -	Room 171	INSURANCE & COMMERCE- HOUSE
Upon Adjournment of Both Chambers		Room 171	ENERGY - JOINT
Thursday, Feb 18, 2010
10:00	AM -	Room 151	AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - SENATE
10:00	AM -	Room 151	AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- HOUSE

CONTACT INFORMATION

When Legislature is in session:
State Senators: 501-682-2902

State Representatives: 501-682-6211

State Chamber/AIA Staff Randy Zook ,
President/CEO:
rzook@arkansasstatechamber.com

Kenny Hall , Executive Vice President:
khall@arkansasstatechamber.com  

Angela DeLille , Director of Governmental Affairsadelille@arkansasstatechamber.com

State Chamber/AIA phone: (501) 372-2222
State Chamber/AIA web site: www.arkansasstatechamber.com