Joint ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Committee
Key Moments
Dwight Tosh — Representative Dwight Tosh presented the Game and Fish State Police Subcommittee report and then continued by moving for its adoption.
Jane English — Jane English was recognized, presented the Hospital, Medicaid, and Developmental Disability Study Committee report, and then moved for its adoption.
Dave Wallace — Dave Wallace was identified as the senator presenting the occupational licensing report, then took the floor to present it, and finally moved for adoption of the Occupational License Review Subcommittee report, with the motion seconded and adopted.
Glenn Howie — Glenn Howie, the State Broadband Director, responded to questions about a provisional selectee in the broadband program and clarified that the provider was not among the 15 providers presented because they had not met all required program checkboxes. The discussion also touched on concerns about participants who may not have paid local property taxes, but the key point was that the provider in question had not satisfied all requirements for inclusion.
Jeff Wardlaw — Jeff Wardlaw questioned whether broadband grant dollars would be protected from being used to pay old bills, especially given the entities’ delinquent property taxes dating back to 2022, and asked how the committee could ensure the funds would instead be used for new broadband buildout and subject to proper auditing. He then concluded his questions and indicated he would make the motion.
Denise Garner — Likely the intended name behind the garbled 'Representative Kavanaugh' reference, though uncertain.
Rick Beck — Representative Rick Beck presented the State Insurance Program Oversight Subcommittee report and moved its adoption, with a follow-up mention reiterating the motion to adopt the report.
Les Eaves — Les Eaves, acting as chair, presided over the meeting proceedings by recognizing members, asking for questions, and moving the body through agenda items, including transitioning from the adoption vote to item 14 and then to item H.
Les Warren — Presented the Personnel Subcommittee report and moved adoption.
Terry Rice — Senator Terry Rice requested that AID staff come to the table and then continued questioning AID representatives, focusing on Navitus Health Solutions’ objection to data production.
Jimmy Harris — Jimmy Harris identified himself as the Insurance Commissioner for the State Insurance Department and then explained that the department’s examination is focused on whether the PBM is complying with affiliate pricing law. He said the PBM has generally complied, but there is disagreement over whether the state can request certain data. Harris acknowledged the PBM’s objection as a legitimate argument, while emphasizing that due process must be followed and the issue addressed through briefing before the hearing officer and commissioner.
Daniel Holland — Identified himself as PBM General Counsel for the State Insurance Department.
Ricky Hill — Ricky Hill followed up on whether the PBM was complying with Arkansas law and what threshold would count as compliance, then pressed the witnesses on the related point that the state, as the client, should prevail.
Ryan Rose — Representative Ryan Rose was recognized and continued questioning the witness, asking for clarification on whether the witness meant the objection had substantive merit or was simply a matter requiring due process.
Missy Irvin — Senator Irvin is recognized and asks for clarification about the request for claims data on a self-funded plan, specifically how it relates to Navitus’s contract with a private company. A later reference follows up on her question.
Fredrick Love — Asked why the company would not want to turn over the data and what the core argument is.
Jimmy Hickey — States he will not vote because he may have an ownership interest through a parent company and cannot determine the conflict from the dais.
Kim Hammer — Senator Kim Hammer continued questioning about whether PBMs are compliant with the law, asking if they are currently compliant under the law as passed and as applied now.
Dr. Silva / Carlos Silva — Introduced to present the revenue report; identified himself as Carlos Silva of the Bureau of Legislative Research.
Carlos Silva — Presented the January 26th Monthly Revenue Report for the Bureau of Legislative Research.
Justin Boyd — As co-chair, reported on the executive subcommittee's actions.
Justin Boyd — Senator Justin Boyd asked whether the West Virginia fine against Navitus was being considered or reviewed, then continued the discussion by asking whether five PBMs were being audited and whether the others were making the same argument. A later reference tied back to Boyd’s earlier comments about the four PBMs and their objections, reinforcing the same PBM-related line of questioning.
Tyler Dees — A member was recognized to present the Administrative Rules Subcommittee report and motion to adopt the report; the transcript appears to contain a transcription error in the member’s name.
Matthew Shepherd — Presented the Administrative Rules Subcommittee report.
Matthew Shepherd — Identified as the representative giving the PEER report, though the transcript says 'Representative Boardlaw' and may be garbled.
Stetson Painter — Asked to take a seat as the meeting was getting underway.
Kim Hammer — Senator Hammer is recognized to deliver the morning prayer.