87th General Assembly Convenes, Begins Work on Major Issues

Friday, Jan 16, 2009
87th General Assembly Convenes, Begins Work on Major Issues
LITTLE ROCK - The 87th General Assembly convened on January 12 and quickly got down to business.
Opening day ceremonies included the swearing in of newly elected senators by the chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. By the end of the week senators had filed 87 bills. They were referred to committees, where the public will have an opportunity to express opinions on them.
Legislation filed in the first week of the session includes Senate Bill 26 to establish a state lottery with revenue to be spent on college scholarships. It is in a form known as a "shell bill," which means it has only a title and the substance of the bill will be added later in the form of an amendment. Creating a lottery is among the most important issues of the 2009 legislative session. SB 26 was referred to the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.
SB 31 would restrict the use of cell phones while driving a motor vehicle. It would prohibit drivers from using a cell phone unless they use a hands-free device like a headset. SB 31 has exemptions for emergencies and for law enforcement and emergency response teams acting in the line of duty. The bill is in the Senate Committee on Transportation, Technology and Legislative Affairs.
Also in the Transportation Committee is SB 28 to prohibit anyone under 18 from driving while using a cell phone or while texting. The committee also will consider SB 29 to require that motorcycle riders wear helmets.
SB 78 would allow police officers to pull over motorists solely for the purpose of determining whether they are wearing seat belts. Under current law, the police can ticket a driver for not using a seat belt, but only after stopping the vehicle for other traffic violations. SB 78 also is in the Transportation Committee.
A bill to increase penalties for animal cruelty, SB 77, was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It would make torture of dogs, cats and horses a felony for a first offense, with enhanced penalties for animal cruelty in the presence of a child.
SB 77 exempts standard ranching and farming practices, and veterinary procedures. Only certified law enforcement officers could make arrests.
In past sessions animal cruelty bills failed to pass, but this year the bill has 20 Senate co-sponsors. It takes 18 votes for a bill to pass out of the Senate.
SB 56 would move the date of the Arkansas presidential primary back to May. Last year the presidential primaries in Arkansas were in early February. SB 56 is in the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.
SB 50, also in the State Agencies Committee, would expand home health care services. It would authorize the Medicaid program to reimburse personal care workers for services provided in the home 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Also during the first week, the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor heard a lengthy presentation of the governor's health initiative, which would be funded by an increase in tobacco taxes. It includes creation of a statewide trauma system and increase funding of community health centers.
It would provide health insurance for more children under ARKids First and expand research, diagnosis and treatment for numerous types of cancer.