Capitol Notebook: Lawmakers Push Bills As Finish Line Nears

The day before an anticipated session close, state lawmakers worked late into the night changing language of a controversial religion measure, while wrapping up budget discussions and last-minute bill fixes.

The House voted to approve Senate versions of the state’s budget, while their counterparts in the Senate did the same thing with the House bills. The $5.2 billion budget, which was sent to the governor’s office Wednesday night, was released earlier in the week.

The bill includes an overall 2.8% increase for state programs, with increases centered on public education, corrections and the Department of Human Services. It also includes $40 million for general improvement funds with that money being divided among the state House and state Senate ($10 million each) and Gov. Asa Hutchinson ($20 million).

Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia, who chairs the Joint Budget Committee, said Tuesday that $3 million of the House’s $10 million share will go equally to rural fire departments, hunger relief and senior centers in the state.

Once signed into law, the bill will take effect July 1, 2015 and will run through June 30, 2016.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Controversial HB 1228, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), was the dominant news story of the day with national media swarming the capitol along with pro-RFRA and anti-RFRA activists.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson outlined changes he wanted to the existing bill, which awaits his signature or veto, or a new bill. Hutchinson indicated in a press conference Wednesday morning that he only wanted a measure that reflected federal law.

By day’s end, lawmakers found two Senate measures – SB 229 and SB 975 – which were parked in Senate Judiciary Committee. The two bills were stripped of their shell language and replaced with federal RFRA content. The committee quickly adopted the bills and sent them to the full Senate, where that chamber’s body approved them by large margins.

On Thursday, the House will take up the hot button issue.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
A committee on Wednesday also referred three proposed constitutional amendments to lawmakers, setting the stage for the bills appearing on the 2016 general election ballot.

The Joint Committee on Constitutional Amendments approved Senate Joint Resolution 16, sponsored by Sen. Jon Woods, R-Springdale and Rep. Lance Eads, R-Springdale; Senate Joint Resolution 3, sponsored by Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot; and House Joint Resolution 1027, sponsored by Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro.

SJR 16 would remove the cap – currently 5 percent of the state budget – on super project general obligation bonds issued under Amendment 82.

SJR 3 would allow the governor to maintain his or her powers when he or she leaves the state.

HJR 1027 increases the terms of county judges, sheriffs, and other county officials from two years to four.

The House approved HJR 1027, while the Senate advanced SJR 3 and SJR 16. The Senate bills are headed to the House Thursday for review, while the House bill is headed to the Senate.

TEN COMMANDMENTS BILL APPROVED IN HOUSE
It was a debate of freedom of religion and from religion Wednesday as the state House overwhelmingly approved a bill to display the Ten Commandments on a monument at the Capitol grounds.

The House voted 72-7, with one present, to approve Senate Bill 939, sponsored by Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway. Under the bill, the monument would be built using private money. The bill also notes that the monument would not “favor any particular religion or denomination over others.”

Rep. John Walker, D-Little Rock, who spoke against the bill, said he believed the Founders of the country fled a state endorsement of religion when they left Great Britain.

Walker called the bill an “unnecessary schism.”

Rep. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, said the nation has a long history of supporting religion ideas and religious ideals including the 1st Amendment and the Declaration of Independence.

“If our forefathers quit, would we be here today?” Hammer said of the history.

Hammer also said several other monuments at the Capitol complex, including ones honoring the Little Rock Nine and firefighters who have died, have religious imagery as part of their monuments.

The bill now heads to Gov. Asa Hutchinson for his signature.

OTHER BILLS
The House voted Wednesday to approve a bill to look into the creation of agriculture schools in the state.

The 84-0 vote, with one present, on Senate Bill 1037, sponsored by Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, came after the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development committee approved the bill Tuesday.

Under the bill, a school would be created for grades K-12 with students learning various aspects of agriculture.

A mayor, county judge or a school board would have to apply for an application to participate in the program. Also, the school would have to work with a higher education institution to offer concurrent credit among other opportunities.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

A bill seeking to open different records involving prison inmates got strong support Wednesday in the House.

The House also voted 83-0 to approve Senate Bill 617, sponsored by Sen. David Sanders, R-Little Rock. The bill would open records like a summary of an inmate’s felony convictions, discipline records and the person’s crime and sentence on the state Department of Correction website.

The bill moves back to the Senate.

Senators voted twice against a bill seeking to curtail electioneering communications among candidates and special interest groups.

The Senate voted 16-6, with 12 not voting and 14-4, with 16 not voting (short of a majority of 18 in both cases) against House Bill 1425. Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock, the goal would be to look at the coordination issue. The bill would have only covered television and radio advertising.

The bill passed the House by a 56-14 margin last month.

The Senate also voted Wednesday to approve a bill involving the administration of lethal injection drugs for people on death row.

The 25-4 vote, with four not voting, was on House Bill 1751, sponsored by Rep. Doug House, R-North Little Rock and Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs.

Under the bill, the Arkansas Department of Correction would use a three-drug cocktail for executing people convicted and sentenced to death in capital murder cases.

The bill would also provide anonymity and immunity from lawsuits for companies that provide the drugs to state officials.

The bill now heads back to the House.

The House took time Wednesday to honor former Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt, who died Wednesday at age 92.

Rep. Ron McNair, R-Alpena, called the former 3rd District congressman “beloved” and someone who was instrumental in making the state a better place.

The Senate also approved a resolution honoring Ann Cornwell for her 35 years career as a staff member, director and secretary of the Arkansas State Senate.

THURSDAY SCHEDULE
The following committee meetings are set for Thursday in the Arkansas General Assembly:

House Committees
10:00 a.m. – Judiciary, Room 149.
Call of Chair – State Agencies & Governmental Affairs, Room 151.

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m., while the House will gavel in at 1 p.m. Thursday.