Capitol Notebook: Three Constitutional Proposals Filed; PO, Tax Cut Bills Move On

Senators passed a Private Option bill while state representatives approved Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s amended tax cut proposal, and three constitutional amendment proposals were filed.

The day started early as the Senate voted 27-7 to approve Senate Bill 96.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs, would set a Dec. 31, 2016 date to end the Private Option.

In the interim, a 16-member task force would study the program and larger healthcare issues. The task force would have a set Dec. 31, 2015 deadline to come up with solutions.

Both plans were part of a Jan. 22 speech given by Hutchinson at the University of Arkansas for Medical Services.

In the speech, Hutchinson said the program’s finances were unsustainable in the future with the state facing a $200 million price tag in 2021 when the state must pay 10% of the cost.

Voting in favor of the bill were Hendren and Sens. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers, David Burnett, D-Osceola, Ron Caldwell, R-Wynne, Eddie Cheatham, D-Crossett, Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, Jane English, R-North Little Rock, Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, Stephanie Flowers, D-Pine Bluff, Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, Jimmy Hickey, R-Hot Springs, Jeremy Hutchinson, R-Benton, Keith Ingram, D-West Memphis, Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville, Bruce Maloch, D-Magnolia, Bobby Pierce, D-Sheridan, Jason Rapert, R-Conway, Bill Sample, R-Hot Springs, David Sanders, R-Little Rock, Larry Teague, D-Nashville, Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot and Jon Woods, R-Springdale.

Voting against the bill were Sens. Linda Collins-Smith, R-Pocahontas, Scott Flippo, R-Bull Shoals, Blake Johnson, R-Corning, David Johnson, D-Little Rock, Bryan King, R-Green Forest, Terry Rice, R-Waldron, and Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch.

The bill was sent late Thursday to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee.

Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, told KATV’s Janelle Lilley that representatives would read the bill this weekend and get ready to tackle the bill Monday morning.

Meanwhile, the committee voted Thursday against a bill that would have set a Dec. 31, 2015 deadline to end the program.

The committee voted 10-8 against House Bill 1181, sponsored by Rep. Donnie Copeland, R-Little Rock.

In a 10 a.m. hearing, Copeland told the committee that his bill would have capped enrollment for the program as of July 1, 2015 and give a 90-day notice for people to be told that the program was ending.

However, a lack of a task force in Copeland’s bill and possible issues with capping enrollment and ending a federal waiver led to the bill’s defeat.

COMMITTEES
The committee also voted Thursday to approve a so-called “web-cam abortion bill.”

The bill, House Bill 1076, would address safety concerns in connection with the procedure, Rep. Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, told the committee.

However opponents of the bill, including Planned Parenthood official Ashley Wright, said that the bill would violate a woman’s right to choose.

The bill, which has 42 sponsors in the House and 20 sponsors in the Senate, now goes to the House floor.

FLOOR ACTION
The House voted 95-2 Thursday afternoon to approve Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Speaker Gilliam and Sen. Dismang.

Gillam said in the debate that the tax cut, which is geared toward people making $21,000 and $75,000, is a “great first step providing our citizens responsible tax policy.”

Gillam also said the bill would help taxpayers by having “lower rates that bring relief.”

Rep. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, said he would vote for the bill despite some reservation. He said the vote is a “vote of confidence for Gov. Hutchinson.”

The bill, which was approved 30-3 in the state Senate Jan. 22, now heads back to the State Senate to concur a House amendment affecting the capital gains tax rate. If approved by the Senate, it will head to the Governor’s desk.

NEW FILINGS
Legislators also introduced three proposed constitutional amendments ranging from term limits to fiscal sessions.

Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot, turned in Senate Joint Resolution 3, which would allow the governor to retain his or her powers and duties when absent from the state. Currently, if a governor leaves the state, gubernatorial powers are transferred to the lieutenant governor.

Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, and Rep. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, introduced Senate Joint Resolution 2. That bill would amend the state’s term limits law.

Under the proposal, a person could serve no more than five terms in the House, no more than three terms in the Senate “but, in no event, shall serve more than 16 years (consecutive or non consecutive).”

The third bill – House Joint Resolution 1002 – would abolish the state’s fiscal session and allow the legislature to meet every two years.

The legislature met every two years in a regular session until voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2010 to create the fiscal session, which starts on the second Monday in February on an even-numbered year.

Legislators have until Feb. 11 to file constitutional amendment bills.

Lawmakers can choose up to three resolutions to go before voters in the Nov. 2016 general election.

WHAT’S NEXT?
The House and Senate will be off Friday and will convene at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the capitol.