Feb. 23: Joint Budget transcript

Joint Budget Committee

Feb. 23, 2022

 

Dismang My clock says it’s a little past 8– or 9, rather. Just one thing. I’m going to say it a couple of times today. So tomorrow Special Language is going to have a long agenda. It’s going to start at 7:30. And so Joint Budget is going to come in tomorrow at 10:00. So again, Special Language at 7:30, long agenda. And then Joint Budget is going to come in at 10:00. With that, do you have anything? We’re good? All right. First up, I think Senator Sample, are you going to read the Rules report? You’re recognized. 

 

Sample Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Rules Subcommittee met Tuesday, February 22nd. There were three rules on the agenda, all of which were reviewed and approved. Move for adoption of the report, please. 

 

Dismang All right, members, do we have any questions about the report? Seeing none, we’ve got a motion to adopt. We’ve got a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed. Motion carries. All right, C1. 

 

Anderson Thank you, Mr. Chairman. C 1 in your packet. This is a bill by Representative Wardlaw for the Employee Benefits Division. This is a bill for the current fiscal year, fiscal year 22 for the payment of stipends for advisory commissions for health benefits. Mr. Chairman, this also goes with C 2, which is the same thing, but it is an amendment for fiscal year 13. But C 1 is a bill before you for your consideration. 

 

Dismang All right. Thank you. Senator Hickey, Rep. Wardlaw, do you have anything you’d like to add? All right. Seeing none, any questions on the bill? Seeing none, we need a motion? I’ve got a motion do pass. I’ve got a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed. Motion carries. C 2. 

 

Anderson Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is that identical– I mean, that companion amendment. This is on Page 3 Item C 2 to amend Senate Bill 45 by Representative Wardlaw for Employee Benefits Division. 

 

Dismang I need a– do we have any questions? I’m assuming you guys are good. No more discussion. All right. No questions? No more discussion? I need the motion to adopt the amendment. I’ve got a motion. I’ve got a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed. Motion carries. C3.

 

Anderson Mr. Chairman, we’re on page 7. C 3. It’s an Amendment to Senate Bill 64 by Rep. Wardlaw. It has Special Language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. C 4.

 

Anderson Mr. chairman, we’re on Page 11. Item C 4. Amendment to Senate Bill 17 by Representative Wardlaw, University of Arkansas at Monticello. It has personnel changes. 

 

Dismang Personnel. C5. 

 

Anderson Page 15. This is an amendment to Arkansas Tech, House Bill 1055. It has Special Language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. 

 

Anderson On Page 19, C 6. This is an amendment to House Bill 1017. It also has special language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. Representative Springer, you’re recognized for a question. 

 

Springer Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a question with respect– for the agency with respect to C 3 about salaries. 

 

Dismang Well, and so we’re not. I mean, all we are doing at this point is referring that to Special Language. 

 

Springer All right. 

 

Dismang Yes, ma’am. 

 

Springer Alright. 

 

Dismang So do you need– Is it on this particular amendment? 

 

Springer Yes, it is. 

 

Dismang Okay. And we’ll have a full discussion on that if you want to come to Special Language tomorrow. 

 

Springer OK. 

 

Dismang Yes, ma’am. 

 

Springer At 7:30? 

 

Dismang 7:30. Thank you. All right. And were we on C6? 

 

Anderson Yes, sir. 

 

Dismang C6 and you’ve already read it? 

 

Anderson Mr. Chairman, C5 went to Special Language and C6 has Special Language. I don’t think we’ve referred that yet. 

 

Dismang All right, Special Language. 

 

Anderson C7 is on Page 25. This is an amendment to Senate Bill 45 that has Special Language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. 

 

Anderson On Page 31 is C8, Amendment to Senate Bill 64. It has Special Language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. 

 

Anderson C 9 is on Page 35. This is a standalone bill, but it does have Special Language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. 

 

Anderson On Page 39, C 10. This is an amendment to House Bill 1070. It does have Special Language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. 

 

Anderson C 11 is on Page 47. It’s an amendment with Special Language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. 

 

Anderson C 12 on 51. It is an amendment to Senate Bill 67 with Special Language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. 

 

Anderson C 13 is an amendment. It’s on Page 52. It has Special Language. 

 

Dismang Special Language. And then C 14, we need a motion to suspend the rules? 

 

Anderson Yes, sir. 

 

Dismang Yeah. For the purpose– yeah, motion to suspend. We’ve got a motion to suspend. Without objection. 

 

Anderson And this C 14 has Special Language in it. 

 

Dismang All right. Special Language. All right, members on Section D, we do not have any bills that are ready at this point. So we are not going to be referring any of those out today. If you have a hold on a bill, it is time to start wrapping that conversation up with whoever the agency might be. And again, if there’s some issue that we need to know about, please let us know. But, you know, it’s the goal for us to, you know, effectively work through whatever those solutions are and for you to do that as quickly as possible. So if you, if you have a hold, we’re going to start asking what those are for at some point in the future in trying to make sure that you’ve worked through your particular issues. And then we have a Governor’s Letter number 10. 

 

Anderson Well, yes, sir, Governors Letter Number 10 does have special language. 

 

Anderson Special Language. That’s all we have, Mr. Chairman. 

 

Dismang All right, members, again, just mindful if you, if you’re on that, you know, held bill list there and have something you’re trying to work through, let’s try to get that done this week if at all possible. But with that, again, we’re going to– Special Language is going to come in at 7:30 tomorrow. They have a lengthy agenda. You’ve got one more? I’m sorry. And then we’re going to come in at 10:00 and we’ve got one more. Hold on just a second. 

 

Anderson Mr. Chairman, I’m sorry. Governor’s Letter 10 also has a position change. Tony just pointed out. 

 

Dismang OK. So Personnel. 

 

Anderson Personnel and Special Language. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

 

Dismang All right. Thank you, members. We have any other business? Any questions? All right. Thank you for your time this morning. We’re adjourned.