Insurance & Commerce committee approves suite of bills including esports exclusion and casino background checks
March 09, 2023 | INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee passed several bills by voice vote during its session.
Representative David Ray presented an esports bill that was amended to add exclusionary language: esports would not include activities involving horse racing, dog racing or an electronic pull-tab game, which the sponsor said ensures the bill does not authorize casino-style wagering. The committee passed the bill by voice vote.
Representative Bridal McKenzie presented House Bill 13-38 to modernize the Arkansas Video Services Act. McKenzie said the change clarifies that right-of-way authority applies to physical devices in the right-of-way, not the information that passes over those cables; no oppositions were recorded and the bill passed by voice vote.
Senator Justin Boyd described Senate Bill 368, which would require that when a deductible is stated as a percentage the insurer also list the equivalent dollar amount. Boyd used a 5% example on a $1.4 million asset to illustrate that the bill would require both percentage and dollar statements; the committee passed the bill by voice vote.
Representative Zach Gramlich presented House Bill 13-89 to require federal background checks for most casino employees and certain contractors; Michael Harmon (DFA) and Jennifer Rushan (DFA Casino Gaming) answered questions about licensing and appeals. Rushan said DFA uses background checks to approve or deny licenses and that, under current rule, a felony within the last 10 years is disqualifying subject to possible appeal or waiver to the commissioners. The committee voted to pass the bill by voice vote.
The committee also passed House Bill 14-83 (retaining background checks up to three years at the request of the Arkansas Crime Information Center), House Bill 14-84 (process for bank closure during disasters, with a 3-day automatic closure and possible two-week extension by commission), and House Bill 14-97 (clarifying that utilities using a formula rate review may request a return to a general rate case). Each of these items passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Votes at a glance: the committee recorded "Ayes have it" on these measures and moved them forward from committee; actions were taken by voice vote rather than recorded roll call.
Next steps: Bills passed out of committee will move to the full Senate for further consideration according to the legislative calendar.
Representative David Ray presented an esports bill that was amended to add exclusionary language: esports would not include activities involving horse racing, dog racing or an electronic pull-tab game, which the sponsor said ensures the bill does not authorize casino-style wagering. The committee passed the bill by voice vote.
Representative Bridal McKenzie presented House Bill 13-38 to modernize the Arkansas Video Services Act. McKenzie said the change clarifies that right-of-way authority applies to physical devices in the right-of-way, not the information that passes over those cables; no oppositions were recorded and the bill passed by voice vote.
Senator Justin Boyd described Senate Bill 368, which would require that when a deductible is stated as a percentage the insurer also list the equivalent dollar amount. Boyd used a 5% example on a $1.4 million asset to illustrate that the bill would require both percentage and dollar statements; the committee passed the bill by voice vote.
Representative Zach Gramlich presented House Bill 13-89 to require federal background checks for most casino employees and certain contractors; Michael Harmon (DFA) and Jennifer Rushan (DFA Casino Gaming) answered questions about licensing and appeals. Rushan said DFA uses background checks to approve or deny licenses and that, under current rule, a felony within the last 10 years is disqualifying subject to possible appeal or waiver to the commissioners. The committee voted to pass the bill by voice vote.
The committee also passed House Bill 14-83 (retaining background checks up to three years at the request of the Arkansas Crime Information Center), House Bill 14-84 (process for bank closure during disasters, with a 3-day automatic closure and possible two-week extension by commission), and House Bill 14-97 (clarifying that utilities using a formula rate review may request a return to a general rate case). Each of these items passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Votes at a glance: the committee recorded "Ayes have it" on these measures and moved them forward from committee; actions were taken by voice vote rather than recorded roll call.
Next steps: Bills passed out of committee will move to the full Senate for further consideration according to the legislative calendar.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
