The state House of Representatives voted against a bill that would have reduced the license fees for concealed-handgun applicants after questions arose about the effect of the legislation on the Arkansas State Police.
On the 54th day of the session, the House also voted down a bill to legalize ticket scalping for some events and passed a bill that would create a public-school health-advisory committee to study on campus health-care needs and services.
Rep. Andrea Lea, R-Russellville, sponsored House Bill 1329 to reduce the costs of concealed-carry licenses from $100 to $50. The cost would be further reduced to $25 for veterans and people 60 years or older.
The fee would be waived entirely for people who obtained an order of protection.
Thirty-one in the House voted for the bill and 52 opposed it.
Rep. John Catlett, D-Rover, who is a retired state police trooper, said the bill would take $1 million from that agency and could prevent it from holding a yearly troop school where cadets are trained. Catlett said that not having the school would affect the agency’s ability to keep trooper ranks full.
Rep. David Meeks, R-Conway, said the reduced fees would not necessarily mean a reduction in the agency’s budget. Meeks said more people might apply for licenses, which would bring in more fees.
“I think it’s also ... important, as well, to understand that folks who currently are not protecting themselves because they don’t have a concealed-carry license, poor folks, maybe even some women, will be able to now afford it and be able to protect themselves,” Meeks said.
Meeks said the Legislature could increase state-police funding if the reduced license fees resulted in lost revenue.
Rep. Jim Nickels, D-Sherwood, said the cuts could undermine the agency.
“I think it’s a reasonable fee,” Nickels said.
TICKET SCALPING
The House voted against a bill that would have legalized the sale of concert tickets for more than the regular purchase price.
Rep. Douglas House, R-North Little Rock, said House Bill 1404 would allow people who have purchased tickets to a concert to make a profit if there was sufficient demand.
Twenty supported the legislation and 65 opposed it.
The bill would not address tickets to high school or college athletic events. Under current law, scalping those tickets or concert tickets is punishable by a fine of $25 to $500 per sale.
Out-of-state online businesses are already reaping profits by selling tickets above face value. Because they’re not based in Arkansas, the state’s anti-scalping laws don’t bind them, House said. HB1404 would eliminate out-of-state scalpers’ unfair advantage, he added.
Rep. Darrin Williams, D-Little Rock, questioned the need for the bill, saying the attorney general had successfully taken action against out-of-state ticket sellers in the past.
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
In other business, the House passed a bill 84-0 that would create an advisory committee to study the health-care needs of public school children and the services they receive.
Its report would be due Sept. 1, 2014.
House Bill 1411, sponsored by Rep. Andy Mayberry, R-Hensley, calls on the committee to determine the number of full-time school nurses needed. The committee also would recommend the appropriate educational levels, job requirements and salaries for school nurses.
JUDICIAL BALLOT
The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill to let anyone who has served as a judge for the past 12 months use the title on the ballot.
Current law only allows elected judges to use their titles. Appointed judges also could use the title under Senate Bill 694 by Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville.
A recent example occurred in the May 2012 judicial election for the Arkansas Supreme Court, when elected Court of Appeals Judge Jo Hart was allowed to use her title on the ballot, but appointed Court of Appeals Judge Raymond Abramson was not. Hart won with 65.39 percent of the vote.
INMATE COPAY
The Senate State Agencies Committee also approved legislation allowing the Board of Corrections to implement a copay from inmates each time they receive health care.
Senate Bill 803 by Bobby Pierce, D-Sheridan, does not set an amount for the copay. Pierce said it would be $3.
The committee chairman, Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot, said the copay will deter inmates from seeking unnecessary medical care.
Department of Correction spokesman Shea Wilson said the department supports the bill.
END TO PRINTING
The Senate State Agencies Committee also endorsed a bill requiring most state agencies to file reports electronically.
Under House Bill 1216 sponsored by Rep. Kelly Linck, R-Yellville, these reports would be posted online. Paper versions would still be mailed to people who request printed copies.
Certain state documents would still be printed routinely - public information pamphlets; promotional brochures; copies of legislation, statutes and laws; publications necessary to comply with state or federal law; state financial reports; forms to comply with state laws such as tax forms; and information released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Front Section, Pages 1 on 03/09/2013