Healthcare bill OK’d in the House, education bill signed into law

It was an action-packed Wednesday as lawmakers approved several education bills and a health care bill, while a bill that allows school districts under 350 students to get a waiver to remain open was signed into law.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed House Bill 1263, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs, into law during a 1 p.m. ceremony at the Capitol. The bill would allow districts to provide information to state education officials on average daily membership, standards, a yearly budget, a copy of an audit and a statement that the district is not in academic, fiscal or facility distress.

The Senate voted 22-0 and the House voted 95-0 earlier this month to approve the bill. In the past several years, lawmakers said law had hamstrung districts that faced the 350 number. One of the districts, the former Weiner School District, was annexed into the Harrisburg School District.

During a House committee meeting earlier this month, Cozart said the district had strong test scores, good parental involvement and good finances but faced closure due to the number.

SB 681 – EDUCATION COMMISSIONER
It was an argument of professional experience versus work experience as senators approved a bill to modify the qualifications of a person to serve as state education commissioner. The Senate voted 24-6 to approve Senate Bill 681, sponsored by Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale. The bill would amend state law on the qualifications for the post.

Currently, a commissioner has to be “a person of good moral character, recognized as a leader in the field of education and qualified technically and by experience to direct the work of the department.” Also, the person has to hold a master’s degree, have 10 years’ experience as a teacher, with five years in an administrative or supervisory role.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson recently named former State Sen. Johnny Key, R-Mountain Home to the post, contingent upon the qualifications being altered. Opponents to the bill have said that Key does not have the qualifications to serve in the post.

Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, said while she likes Key, she had problems with the bill. Chesterfield said the education commissioner needed to be someone with experience in the field, noting, “In order to be a general, you have to be in the military.”

Clark told senators he was “never more proud to present the bill,” noting Key’s work as a lawmaker and chairman of the Senate Education Committee when Key served in the Senate. Clark also answered critics by saying the bill would keep the requirements and that either a director or deputy director must have the qualifications.

Also, Clark said Key has received support from people in the education field and that Key had turned down the job back in December when he was first offered the job. The bill was referred Wednesday afternoon to the House Education Committee.

HEALTHCARE BILL PASSES HOUSE
The House also approved a bill that would prohibit the creation of a state-based health insurance exchange until a United States Supreme Court ruling on insurance subsidies is decided. The House voted 74-11, with two present, to approve Senate Bill 343.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs, would put the decision on the exchange up to legislators.

“If a ruling in King v. Burwell modifies the eligibility requirements for subsidies in a health insurance exchange …., a state-based health insurance exchange should not be implemented in this state without the legal authority to establish and operate an exchange under state law and the approval of the General Assembly,” Hendren’s bill noted.

There is also a provision in the bill if justices ruled the other way. If justices rule that subsidies are allowed for a state exchange and not for a federal one, the legislature will make the decision on starting an exchange. However, if justices rule that subsidies are allowed for “a state-based health insurance exchange and a health insurance exchange operated by the federal government, then the authority of the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace to implement a state-based health insurance exchange shall not be affected.”

Senators voted 25-0 March 4 on the bill.

Senators also voted 33-1 Wednesday to approve a bill that would allow grain farmers some recourse in case of problems with grain dealers. The bill, Senate Bill 555, would require grain dealers to be licensed annually by the Arkansas State Plant board, post a surety bond based on the volume and size of their operation, and allow officials to temporarily suspend a license under some circumstances.

Sen. Ronald Caldwell, R-Wynne, who co-sponsored the bill, said lawmakers have worked on the bill since last summer when details about issues related to Turner Grain Merchandizing were disclosed. The Brinkley-based company faced complaints of farmers not getting paid for their crops. Caldwell said while no law can completely stop a crime from happening, farmers would be able to report issues to authorities in a timely manner and protect themselves against further problems.

The bill now heads to the House.