everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Republican Sponsorship
Agriculture

HB1690

To Amend The Law Regarding Return To Service By Essential Seasonal Staff Members Of The Department Of Agriculture.

Passed

Last Action (April 10, 2023): Notification that HB1690 is now Act 527

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1690 amends Arkansas law concerning the reemployment of retirees within the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System (APERS). Specifically, it modifies regulations regarding return-to-service requirements for individuals classified as 'essential seasonal staff members' within the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. The bill provides exemptions for these staff members from certain prohibitions against reemployment after participating in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). By updating the code to include these specific departmental staff, the bill facilitates the rehiring of experienced retirees for seasonal work without negatively impacting their retirement benefits. These changes apply to former employees of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, and the State Plant Board now under the Department of Agriculture.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are retired employees of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, specifically those who participated in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) and are classified as essential seasonal staff. These individuals gain the ability to return to seasonal employment with the department without violating retirement system reemployment restrictions. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture also benefits by being able to retain or rehire experienced staff members for essential seasonal roles, ensuring continuity of specialized knowledge and operational efficiency.

Who Might Suffer?

There are no groups or entities expected to be significantly negatively impacted by this legislation, as it primarily serves to clarify and expand existing reemployment pathways for a specific subset of state retirees. However, one could argue that younger job seekers might face increased competition for seasonal positions if these experienced retirees return to the workforce, although these roles specifically require the 'specialized institutional knowledge' possessed by veteran employees.

Vote Records

Third Reading

April 5, 2023
Yea: 32 Nay: 0 NV: 0 Absent: 3 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Linda Chesterfield Democrat Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Absent
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Absent
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Yea
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate Yea
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Absent
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Yea
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate Yea
Matt McKee Republican Senate Yea
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea

Third Reading

March 30, 2023
Yea: 93 Nay: 0 NV: 7 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Fred Allen Democrat House NV
Lane Jean Republican House Yea
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House Yea
Jon Eubanks Republican House NV
Matthew Shepherd Republican House NV
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Yea
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House Yea
Deborah Ferguson Democrat House Yea
Charlene Fite Republican House Yea
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House Yea
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Josh Miller Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Yea
Jack Ladyman Republican House NV
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Yea
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Lanny Fite Republican House Yea
Grant Hodges Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House Yea
Julie Mayberry Republican House Yea
Ken Ferguson Democrat House Yea
Ron Mcnair Republican House Yea
Milton Nicks Democrat House Yea
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Vivian Flowers Democrat House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House Yea
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jack Fortner Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House Yea
Johnny Rye Republican House NV
Les Warren Republican House Yea
Danny Watson Republican House Yea
Carlton Wing Republican House NV
Austin Mccollum Republican House Yea
Carol Dalby Republican House Yea
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Yea
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House NV
Cameron Cooper Republican House Yea
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Yea
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Yea
Tippi McCullough Democrat House Yea
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jamie Scott Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House Yea
Richard McGrew Republican House Yea
Joy Springer Democrat House Yea
Howard Beaty Republican House Yea
Tony Furman Republican House Yea
Kendon Underwood Republican House Yea
David Ray Republican House Yea
Mark Berry Republican House Yea
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Delia Haak Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Yea
Jon Milligan Republican House Yea
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House Yea
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Yea
DeAnna Hodges Republican House Yea
Hope Duke Republican House Yea
Zack Gramlich Republican House Yea
Mindy McAlindon Republican House Yea
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Yea
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House Yea
Scott Richardson Republican House Yea
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
Chad Puryear Republican House Yea
Ryan Rose Republican House Yea
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House Yea
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House Yea
Steven Walker Republican House Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us