Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Legislation providing the largest state income tax reduction in state history has now been signed into law.

Act 1 and Act 2 are identical pieces of legislation passed by the 93rd General Assembly in the special session held this week.

These acts will reduce the top income tax rate for individuals from 5.9% to 4.9% incrementally over the next four years. Once fully implemented, this will provide nearly $500 million in tax relief to Arkansans.

The legislation also combines the low- and middle-income tax tables andindexes the standard deduction to the Consumer Price Index. It provides a $60 non-refundable tax credit forindividuals with an income of less than $24,700. It’s estimated that 104,881 low-income Arkansans will have their state income tax liability eliminated.

The acts also change the name of the long-term reserve fund to the catastrophic reserve fund. The tax cuts are contingent upon no transfers being made out of the catastrophic reserve fund.

During the special session, the General Assembly also passed legislation amending income tax credits for waste reduction, reuse, or recycling equipment to allow for the use of these credits by a qualified growth project.

A qualified growth project must have common ownership with and locate on the site of or adjacent to an existing qualified steel manufacturer. It would also need a total investment of at least $2 billion and create 700 new direct positions with an average annual wage of $120,000 and 200 new independent direct positions with an average annual wage of $60,000.

The General Assembly also voted in favor of a transfer of up to $50 million from the general revenue allotment reserve fund to the Quick Action Closing Fund for specific economic development incentives.

The recycling tax credits and the transfer to the Quick Action Closing Fund are aimed at creating an incentive package for a steel mill project in Northeast Arkansas.

Other bills passed this week include technical corrections in previously passed legislation.

You can watch the recorded committee meetings and House floor sessions on our website www.arkansashouse.org

Governor Hutchinson Receives Law-Enforcement Task Force Report, Highlights Action Items

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Hutchinson received the final report from the Task Force to Advance the State of Law Enforcement in Arkansas today and shared its recommendations that the Governor intends to support during the 93rd General Assembly in January.

“I created the law-enforcement task force in the midst of the civil unrest and violence that arose across the country after the death of George Floyd,” Governor Hutchinson said. “That national crisis led us to assess the state of law enforcement in Arkansas. We want to ensure that we are providing our agencies with the equipment, guidance and training, support, and compensation, that will allow them to perform their jobs at the highest level. The law-enforcement officers, elected officials, and community activists on the task force surveyed a broad base of citizens and produced a report that is filled with substantive proposals.” 

The proposals include 27 recommendation to increase accountability, training, and raise pay to a more competitive level.

Fred Weatherspoon, deputy director of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, chaired the committee. The other members of the task force are:

• Secretary Jami Cook, Department of Public Safety (DPS)

• Sheriff Marty Boyd, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office

• Tim Campbell, Citizen Advocate, Little Rock

• Kendrell Collins, Assistant Federal Public Defender

• Emma Davis, Citizen Advocate, Van Buren

• Lt. Col. Shawn Garner, Arkansas State Police

• Gina Gomez, El Centrano Hispano

• Sgt. Allen Hamby, Little Rock Police Department

• Scott Hamilton, Urban League

• Sheriff Tim Helder, Washington County Sheriff’s Offic

• Layla Holloway, Citizen Advocate, Van Buren

• Mike Knoedl, Retired Law Enforcement Officer

• Daniel Martinez, Business Owner, De Queen

• Bob McMahan, Arkansas Officer of Prosecutor Coordinator

• Chief Mike Reynolds, Fayetteville Police Department

• Mayor James Sanders, Blytheville

• Geovanny Sarmiento, Rogers Chamber of Commerce

• Randy Shores, Arkansas Department of Corrections

• Steve Shults, Black River Law Enforcement Training Academy

• Jimmy Warren, Citizen Advocate, Conway

• Mayor Shirley Washington, Pine Bluff

• Chief Percy Wilburn, Lake Village Police Department

• Sgt. Coty Williams, Arkansas State Police

• Tomekia Williamson, Arkansas Community Corrections

The highlights are here.

The full report is here.

2021 Regular Session Committee Selection

This year, returning House members and members-elect will make their committee selection for the 2021 Regular Session just days after the election.

A House caucus has been scheduled for November 6. During the caucus, newly elected members will draw for seniority and all members will select their seats for the 93rd General Assembly. After seat selection, the committee selection process will begin.

The vast majority of legislation considered during a legislative session begins in a standing committee.

There are 10 standing committees in the House. These include 5 class “A” committees and 5 class “B” committees.

Each member serves on 1 “A” committee and 1 “B” committee.

Class “A” committees include:

• Education

• Judiciary

• Public Health, Welfare and Labor

• Public Transportation

• Revenue and Taxation

Class “B” Committees include:

• Aging, Children and Youth,

Legislative and Military Affairs

• Agriculture, Forestry and

Economic Development

• City, County and Local Affairs

• Insurance and Commerce

• State Agencies and

GovernmentaAffairs

Each standing committee consist of 20 members which include 5 members from each of the 4 House district caucuses.

Pursuant to a House Rule adopted by the 92nd General Assembly, the most senior member of the House of Representatives will select first and will choose a position on a Class “A” standing committee. The seniority rotation procedure will continue until the member with the least seniority makes his or her selection. After the member with the least seniority makes his or her Class “A” standing committee selection, the most senior member will select his or her Class “B” standing committee. The seniority rotation will continue until the member with the least seniority selects his or her Class “B” standing committee.

Selection for the House Budget Committee, Arkansas Legislative Council, and Legislative Joint Auditing will take place after standing committee selection.