Legislative committee approves rules on electronic signatures, gender-neutral IDs

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Members of the Arkansas Legislative Council approved two controversial rule changes in a meeting Friday: the first had to do with elections, while the second had to do with gender-neutral driver's licenses.

Driver's licenses

The Department of Finance and Administration recently implemented a rule requiring the letter “M” or “F” to be listed under “sex” on all driver’s licenses or state-issued IDs. Right now, a few hundred Arkansans have “X” listed instead of "M" or "F".

Democratic lawmakers protested the rule change, saying it was harmful to transgender and nonbinary Arkansans. Rep. Andrew Collins, D- Little Rock, said the rule change goes beyond the purview of what the Department of Finance and Administration is allowed to do.

Legislative committee approves rules on electronic signatures, gender-neutral IDs

Dwain Hebda/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas Legislature approved two controversial rules at a legislative meeting Friday.

Arkansas panel OKs voucher program with ‘substantive change’ for public schools

KUAR | By Mary Hennigan / Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas public schools will soon have an opportunity to collect money from the state’s new school voucher program, according to a rule passed out of a state subcommittee Tuesday.

With minimal discussion, the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council unanimously reviewed and approved a permanent rule governing Education Freedom Accounts, which included a “substantive change” from previously approved emergency rules.

Under the revised rule, public schools will be listed as “education service providers” and will be eligible to receive funding reimbursements for services given to non-public school students. Public institutions were previously excluded from this distinction.

Arkansas panel OKs voucher program with ‘substantive change’ for public schools

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council meets to discuss education-related rules on July 30, 2024.

Arkansas lawmakers ban gender-neutral ID’s

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A policy ending gender-neutral driver's licenses and state IDs in Arkansas has officially gone into effect. The Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday voted to approve the rule change put forward by the state Department of Finance and Administration.

Driver's licenses and state IDs list a person's sex. Previously, Arkansans could put an “X” in this section instead of a “M” or “F” as in male or female. The policy stops the gender-neutral option, which only 516 Arkansans have opted for. It also bars people from changing the “M” or “F” without documentation, something allowed for the past 14 years.

The approval was made along with a package of other rule changes approved by the committee. Democratic lawmakers unsuccessfully attempted to remove the policy change from the package of rules they were to vote on.

Arkansas lawmakers ban gender-neutral ID’s

Chris Hickey/Little Rock Public Radio

The policy change doing away with gender-neutral driver's licenses and IDs went into effect after the Arkansas Legislative Council adjourned Friday.

Gov. Sanders, DHS announce $30 million plan for mental health, substance abuse, crisis response

KUAR | By Talk Business & Politics Staff

Gov. Sarah Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) announced Tuesday (Feb. 13) a comprehensive plan to invest $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to improve mental health and substance abuse services across the state through a variety of initiatives, including a statewide coordinated crisis response system.

Sanders approved the plan earlier this month, and the Arkansas Legislative Council’s (ALC) Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) Subcommittee approved the funding Tuesday. The full ALC committee will consider the proposal on Friday.

“The mental health and substance abuse crises in this country are layered. If we’re going to tackle them, our efforts will have to be layered too,” said Sanders. “I’m proud to announce Arkansas’ plan to address these issues head-on, including a statewide coordinated crisis response system. This will help us fill the gaps in our current efforts and ensure struggling Arkansans get the help they need.”

Gov. Sanders, DHS announce $30 million plan for mental health, substance abuse, crisis response

KATV-TV

The office of the Arkansas Department of Human Service in Little Rock.

Arkansas authorities see ‘high risk’ of violence against religious nonprofits from Mideast war

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Arkansas lawmakers will direct $500,000 in state funds to bolster security for religious nonprofits considered at risk of violence in light of ongoing conflict in the Middle East once state law enforcement officials specify how the money will be used.

Col. Mike Hagar, DPS secretary and head of the Arkansas State Police, asked on Nov. 2 for the money to distribute as a grant “to support physical security enhancements and other security activities for nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack based on the organization’s ideology or mission.”

He cited increasing safety concerns following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that has incited war between Israel and Palestinian militants.

Arkansas authorities see ‘high risk’ of violence against religious nonprofits from Mideast war

Arkansas Legislature/Screenshot

Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Director A.J. Gary (left) and Secretary of Public Safety Col. Mike Hagar appear before the Arkansas Legislative Council to discuss a potential grant for religious nonprofits’ security measures on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Several members gathered at the Capitol this week as subcommittees of the Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) held meetings. ALC convened on Friday. This week, we would like to update you on the developments from those meetings. The ALC Higher Education Subcommittee heard a presentation from Dr. Ken Warden, the Commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE). ADHE is currently working on the implementation of Arkansas Teacher Academy. This program is designed to increase the teacher pipeline by paying for education costs if the prospective teacher agrees to work in critical shortage areas. The scholarship should be available next fall.

Members of ALC reviewed the Arkansas Revenue Report from July 2023, showing a 4.6% increase in revenue from the previous July. The Department of Commerce presented its mid-year progress report to ALC, showing 1,102 new jobs with an average wage of $28.32/hour have been created in the last six months as a direct result of economic development initiatives in the state. ALC approved a recommendation by the Executive Subcommittee to conduct the Arkansas Firearms and Concealed Carry Laws Study. The purpose of the study is to review the existing laws of the State of Arkansas concerning ownership, use, and possession of firearms, as well as the concealed carry laws of the state, in order to ascertain the existing rights and restrictions under the laws and recommend future legislation. The Game & Fish/State Police Subcommittee of ALC will conduct the study. They will begin in October of this year and submit their report to ALC in October of 2024. Arkansas Legislative Council Subcommittees will convene again the week of October 16. You can watch live and recorded meetings at arkansashouse.org

Governor: proposed teacher bonuses a ‘curveball’ to districts

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Gov. Asa Hutchinson is criticizing state lawmakers for abruptly changing spending rules concerning federal dollars already appropriated to public schools.

Members of the Arkansas Legislative Council last week voted to rescind $500 million in spending authority from the Department of Education. That money, from the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund, or ESSER, had already been appropriated to the Education Department for schools to use mainly for improvements, hiring and retention.

Lawmakers instead proposed requiring schools to use the funding to provide bonuses of $5,000 to teachers and $2,500 to staff, and for districts to submit detailed spending plans to the committee for approval.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-25/governor-proposed-teacher-bonuses-a-curveball-to-districts

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

Gov. Asa Hutchinson greets a member of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators at the group's annual summer meeting at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock Monday.

Governor Asa Hutchinson Issues Statement in Response to Legislative Council

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson issued the following statement in regards to the Arkansas Legislative Council's decision on the use of money from the American Rescue Plan.

"While I am pleased the Arkansas Legislative Council supports funding bonus pay for teachers, their action to rescind $500 million in spending authority for the Arkansas Department of Education is contrary to the Council’s statutory authority and contrary to the principles of separation of powers underlying the Arkansas Revenue Stabilization Act.

"I am disappointed by the Legislative Council’s vote to rescind its approval to give the Arkansas Department of Education authority to spend $500 million in American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund. Just as the General Assembly could not recall a bill from my desk that had already been signed into law, ALC may not undo the lawful appropriations under Act 199 through a parliamentary maneuver. 

"Under the appropriation passed last month the schools could use the funds for teacher bonuses and incentives. The big change now is that the schools must submit plans which must go back to the legislature for additional review.

"In other words, the local school district priorities may not be approved. I am concerned that teachers in some districts will get a bonus, but others may not. The creative approach by the committee today, while well-intentioned, is not the best approach to helping our teachers."

Arkansas Lawmakers Approve Governor’s 60-Day Extension Of Pandemic Emergency

By ROBY BROCK / TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

Gov. Asa Hutchinson asked lawmakers Monday (March 29) to approve his 60-day extension of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, and they agreed but not without lengthy debate.

On a voice vote from the Arkansas Legislative Council, state legislators extended the emergency order although several members raised objections. In essence, the legislature voted “no” on a proposal by Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, to deny the governor the extension. After members voted down the rejection of his request, they voted to approve five executive orders related to the emergency declaration.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-lawmakers-approve-governor-s-60-day-extension-pandemic-emergency

Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaking to the Arkansas Legislative Council Monday, asking for a 60-day extension of his state pandemic emergency.

CREDIT KATV-CHANNEL 7