Hutchinson signs bills, discusses legislative session

Before giving his COVID-19 update, Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed two bills and gave an update on the legislative session so far.

The first bill was HB 1343, a law enforcement support bill for the Arkansas State Police. It reduces the number of years required to retire from 30 to 28, which Hutchinson said brings ASP in line with other state employees.

“It provides incentive and retention of our incredible Arkansas State Police troopers,” Hutchinson said of the bill.

The second bill he signed was SB107, which is the Computer Science Education Advancement Act.

“This is a huge step forward among many steps taken toward advancing computer science education in Arkansas,” Hutchinson said.

The bill requires all students to take a computer science course to graduate in Arkansas. He said the class can be a core class or career class. It can also be a math or science class.

“This allows Arkansas to stay on the forefront of the nation in computer science education,” Hutchinson said.

He said he has already signed the Task Force Bill on the Future of Law Enforcement.

“This enhances accountability and training of officers,”

Hutchinson said.

He said law enforcement worked with protesters in the wake of the death of George Floyd to create this bill.

During the discucssion, Hutchinson noted that he is hoping for the approval of a bill to raise teacher salaries.

He also has signed the bill on the Emergency Service Act, which he said he is satisfied with.

For this legislative session, he still wants discussions about tax cuts, the reserve fund and scholarship legislation.

Hutchinson said he has gotten the Women’s Sports Bill, but has not reviewed it. He agrees with the bill’s purpose and intent, but wants to study it before signing it.

During the COVID-19 briefing, he said he chose to veto the bill to return fines levied against businesses because he feels the bill violated the separation of powers and he wants to support public health professionals.

“It would undermine the rule of law and undermine those who worked hard to comply,” Hutchinson said.

He called the bill counterproductive.

Hutchinson once again discussed the need for Hate Crimes Legislation, which he feels is important to balance legislation from this session. man of the Glen Rose Volunteer Fire Department.

Houpt mentioned he is still willing to work and help the election commissioners whenever they need help.

The HSC election commission committee accepted Houpt's resignation on March 2. Election commissioner Walt Grant appointed Jerry Craycraft as the new chairman to replace Houpt. Terry McDermott was appointed by the Republican party to serve as a new HSC election commissioner.

Upon a vote and approval by the committee, McDermott and Craycraft both were sworn in by the county clerk Boyette.