Arkansas Legislature reconvenes, Senator Flippo prepared to veto SB496

The Arkansas legislature convenes Monday afternoon following Governor Asa Hutchinson issuing a call Friday for an Extraordinary Session of the 91st General Assembly to tackle a short list of items. The call comes as the legislature was scheduled to return for the purpose of sine die, the official closure of the session that began in January and adjourned on April 3.The main item of business on the Governor’s call for the special session is consideration of changes to Arkansas Works, the Medicaid expansion initiative first passed in 2013 as the Private Option.
While the Governor’s call covers a short list of items, one local legislator is taking steps to add one piece of business, an override of the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 496.

Senator Scott Flippo of Mountain Home’s sponsored bill would restrict the powers of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division from enforcing laws related to gaming machines, specifically those machines operated by fraternal organizations. Senator Flippo says his bill would make local law enforcement officers and prosecutors responsible for enforcing state laws related to gaming devices.

Listen:

 

right-click to download mp3

During a meeting in Mountain Home following the governor’s veto, Boyce Hamlet, Director of ABC Enforcement, pledged to personally return to Mountain Home and Bull Shoals to clear machines that are legal for operation by the fraternal organizations. While Senator Flippo and the representatives of the organizations have expressed that progress was made in the meeting, the local legislator said they are seeking further action to prevent future issues like this one.

Listen:

 

right-click to download mp3

Governor Hutchinson vetoed Senate Bill 496 citing infringement on the executive branch’s power to enforce existing law.
An override of the governor’s veto requires a simple majority vote in both chambers.

WebReady^TM Powered by WireReady^® NSI