[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6300515,"mediaKeyId","2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671","parentId",2492959,"title","Driver-license bill for H-2A workers fails after committee questions about verification and safety","audioSeconds",707,"startMs",889360,"endMs",1597150,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671&start=889&end=1597","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671/thumbnail_889360.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6300515/Arkansas/Driver-license-bill-for-H-2A-workers-fails-after-committee-questions-about-verification-and-safety","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300515-c93f9359b2130f196adb929e03dafb4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150558&Signature=NBRSUxwjv~6pGqcoaMMbolE5Ho6z2r5dh5W1M4oDJqMvnqLlFkPkcdFKRr4Cdpqf4SPzxpg7RY3QONJReV7xfsMn-OwLkO0itGq0KHgxTo6guHxH7oVBENoex36zhpSZ8ctJcvL6fWYOD0xqmIdBstGsm~lsgrh2C9b6R1W3ap147siW6knVEDWvtS5D~IF8pBswY5lgQBSF4ofMEKdwKNldCaYm5gnuFgwVpNkZJyHcFxgLJycIpVQQK2btrMVvVFIhx72Hr1wS5TtWfugEjEuvGEql2QiD8Bnw8-QRIsSwWjaoSlzMXAv4CFyvM-wbu9cXbzU6o1xa2LVMPxOibA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 16-23, sponsored by Representative Jeremiah Moore, proposed exempting H-2A temporary agricultural workers from the driving skills portion of the Arkansas driving test if they present an international driving permit issued by the American Automobile Association.

Representative Jeremiah Moore, sponsor and House member for District 61, said the bill \"relieves some undue burden from the government\" and argued it would help ensure H-2A workers are covered by employers’ insurance because some farmers require an Arkansas driver’s license for coverage. Moore told the committee the bill would still require the written test so drivers would know local signage and that the exemption would not apply to commercial driver’s licenses.

Ali Shasta Smith from the Department of Finance and Administration told the committee the bill “doesn’t really change our current process” and that the legislation would only remove the skills test from DFA’s verification requirements; DFA would still require the documents the bill specifies. Captain Bridal of the Arkansas State Police testified that officers “have never been able to verify” foreign or international permits from the side of the road and said the state cannot reliably run those credentials in ACIC or NCIC. He noted there is a risk because some foreign documents are fraudulent.

Committee members raised public-safety and insurance questions. Representative Childers described standard insurance practice that coverage generally follows the vehicle and said insurers typically want driver lists, while others pressed for clarity on whether the state can verify driving histories from foreign countries. Representative Moore said H-2A workers already can legally drive in Arkansas for six months on foreign licenses but argued an Arkansas license would allow the state to keep a record.

After further discussion the committee called for a vote; the transcript records debate and questions but no roll-call tally. The committee chair announced the bill failed on voice vote.

Because the bill would have removed only the skills test (leaving the written exam) and required documentation such as an international driving permit, DFA said it would not change DFA’s current verification steps; state police raised concerns about verification and public safety that were central to the committee’s decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Public Transportation Committee Meeting Mar 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 16-23, which would remove the driving skills test requirement for H-2A temporary agricultural workers who hold an international driving permit, failed after state police raised concerns about verifying foreign licenses and committee members cited public-safety and insurance questions.","taxTitle","PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION- HOUSE, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",25674,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300519,"Committee approves making DOT construction-manager/general-contractor pilot permanent",151,655200,806990,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671&start=655&end=806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671/thumbnail_655200.jpg","/articles/6300519/Arkansas/Committee-approves-making-DOT-construction-managergeneral-contractor-pilot-permanent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300519-749a535eb0d3b8be78f08c86b4c6052f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150558&Signature=mrQqhnZqnuKoeCHsQB9fj6Gp8hyJPVmUpKfIRNey3c4scUH~HQQaoeUYJkl1kK5kyU8WUzWybqK6CsdghUA01QZll5Zlb1yVyy6jAj37g0cGJH1FbtNu1rH8gzCAV7LNXExLEADLeeuSTbs8YooCLKMa9fF9FZTx2I6xy2yvRW5PtqU~qoxHGqbPZkRMj23QW2KIdseXV69F1kAXpXm06XJh7-qj9SK92JJB7iUEftIk5DyQQHCjIRfW4~D9okrbGtRuOpYavzDis8kQwUim1p6ON4a-~K5twhTUdK9lPkU~T6bctCNsu9FV~Xe-uwyR6q-y6oO9v7py8~sTnDRPZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 16-05, sponsored by Representative Carlton Wing, would remove the pilot status for the construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) procurement method at the Arkansas Department of Transportation and allow the DOT to use the method routinely where appropriate.

Representative Carlton Wing, District 70, said the pilot began in February 2017 and that five projects used the method; one completed project near the I-430 interchange was an approximately $81,000,000 job that he said saved taxpayers about $7,000,000 by using CMGC. He said another project is projected to save about $5,500,000 and other projects are expected to yield savings as they proceed.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the scope of the change; no public opposition was recorded. A motion to pass was made and the committee approved the bill by voice vote. The sponsor described the change as adding another procurement tool to improve quality and reduce taxpayer costs on major transportation projects.

No amendments were adopted during the hearing and no additional fiscal notes were introduced in the committee record during testimony.","House Bill 16-05 would lift a pilot allowing the construction-manager/general-contractor procurement method at the Arkansas Department of Transportation and make it a standing option; sponsor cited multimillion-dollar savings on several projects.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300524,"Committee backs bill to allow doubled fines in defined mobile work zones",183,284590,467970,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671&start=284&end=467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671/thumbnail_284590.jpg","/articles/6300524/Arkansas/Committee-backs-bill-to-allow-doubled-fines-in-defined-mobile-work-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300524-4119ce7ee4b7167e7063c5f2230934e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150558&Signature=en0k9D1CECQWRt4CarQ7dta6Z69YTvbdaSwxsiGw~5kSaJ7MYSWZ360dqA-Nk7niHycWW~UogYTVPgg13Q6ha~5jks1NDknyvmE4g5sy6IbS4DynnhJ~unlhdVYpJLHN7I3MT~PLpA5VZrc0nvr0iUEPzWcFuphp4IFP8E9HC9SLvS4SUFi3rU95CuiUUUEa3giFkyQPUPtsK5ZdaB6rl1bKJQySol2Rp1m1mTM-QGSszV5FSXOeWtADb5DUquA6ilHcB~YTQQjz9LQYMz3uhGYzHpCGQdNAoQdMYjtypjmZBrFUPyehBxlCFH9jNM6-DVH1jw9fDScHliCoxr7ZLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 15-96, sponsored by Representative Trey Steinle, would establish and define a \"mobile work zone\" and allow fines to be doubled in those zones to improve safety for roadway maintenance workers.

Representative Trey Steinle, District 2, told the committee: \"what this will do is this will allow us to double the fines in a mobile work zone.\" He described typical scenarios — two-lane highways with crews patching potholes — and said the bill would require a bright, prototype sign on the rear of the truck for a doubled fine to apply. Steinle and witnesses emphasized the doubled fine would remain subject to officer discretion and judicial review; Steinle said judges may throw out a doubled fine if they determine it is not warranted.

Jeff Holmes, chief of the Highway Police Division at the Arkansas Department of Transportation, testified that enforcement would mirror current work-zone enforcement: \"Basically it would it would work just like work zones now. You know, the officers would be present, and enforce speed and traffic laws.\" Holmes confirmed the department does not retain the fine revenue.

Committee members debated whether the statute should require (\"shall\") an automatic doubled fine or preserve discretion (\"may\"). Representative Steinle and Chief Holmes advocated maintaining discretion so officers and judges can consider context. No amendments were adopted during the hearing. Representative Steinle moved to pass; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

The bill’s sponsor said the measure is intended to protect roughly 2,000 maintenance workers and to be implemented alongside RDOT training and driver-training manual changes referenced in testimony.","House Bill 15-96 would define \"mobile work zone\" and permit officers to double fines in those zones; sponsor and Highway Police chief said the measure aims to protect maintenance crews, while committee preserved officer and judicial discretion.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300529,"Panel approves cleanup to transportation rules for moving mobile classrooms",65,194080,259570,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671&start=194&end=259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671/thumbnail_194080.jpg","/articles/6300529/Arkansas/Panel-approves-cleanup-to-transportation-rules-for-moving-mobile-classrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300529-444de0f5a42874f58127c5c19403482f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150558&Signature=P2wnNyT~K0WoBHG8qw8Cc8FEtZd8Zr6mOxfzt7bi84L4I~IkqpGBSBfzOXhBvBI12IONa9z19ajd3ZYAwSxnL81TzNsYBrjf3JzOODoLVvYYbrcGdL5onIokG~Z6zbAi3-RsMD8DY~YwYeYbR0qm6W03r7thfYuydMVhInQnsET4zRBfmde5ACqY1nKF-BIn1ZQF0UQxEsWaIky59uqKHuwBvtzYCfAxhhONMROmC1tSep-hXyGTzCfAcU6vuYlMETWL4buOL6AxGIXyZeKfNCLHvatpabIAXkG5F193ucmz2aqTcKEZ8iH82cBGROFNwyUQf87sS8iwrEjvkI2ocw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 253, presented by Representative RJ Hawk, would remove the phrase that caused some mobile classrooms or portable office buildings to be treated like manufactured homes when transported, simplifying permitting for short moves.

Representative RJ Hawk, District 81, told the committee the bill is “just some cleanup language” aimed at preventing schools’ portable classrooms from being classified the same as manufactured homes when moved across campus or to nearby job sites. He described the current classification as triggering “more licenses, more, guidelines” with the Department of Transportation.

No questions or public testimony were recorded in opposition. Representative Hawk moved to pass the bill; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and the bill was recorded as passed for the next step in committee processing.

The committee did not record any amendments or technical changes during the hearing.","Senate Bill 253 removes references that treated movable school classrooms like manufactured homes when transported, easing permitting requirements for schools moving portable classrooms short distances.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300533,"House committee advances bill to change antique vehicle tag age from 45 to 30 years",40,80,40250,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671&start=0&end=40","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492959-00c7fc284d2910290cf1fd21a3e5b671/thumbnail_80.jpg","/articles/6300533/Arkansas/House-committee-advances-bill-to-change-antique-vehicle-tag-age-from-45-to-30-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300533-f61b52d4c062ee4c8c52890696d84cd5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150558&Signature=bDkfZcQYb9r0uIZJWfhHf-dwl2-39Hv5TvMM0ZMMbLVbZEjsH9sHDAtnq817mybw~4NQr15HTjhF07GITExz9jGFvjrh1Q~qGQdoH~t8aaWyM99rvX1yw9trKVoBDQkFKSLMYgKHAH0F0SCx9oxkshHqbLZbkt04dVPw4oFHeE~J4a2vFkhI9qItEiFZ1ROONRkCqxViKP6aFwu6KAXpxgMoB~9dg4jPigsiHEFl54sHgyBwYDHe1F0A0RzkToWTd3tVXwzwJW6BNlEd9xTqtqfD1cIoPysPEWPCBeM~RJ7TQ1mCLs56cbk8Rk0tkUQf~EQ0DEUqzxFkMVNMDpON4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 15-02, which would lower the vehicle age required for an Arkansas antique tag from 45 years to 30 years, was introduced and given a do-pass recommendation by the committee.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Maddox, told the committee the measure “is really simple” and “just changes the, the year back to ’30,” and stressed it does not remove the proof-of-ownership, insurance or mileage limitations created in a prior bill. He described the change as a compromise between prior ages and noted it restores a shorter threshold that had been 25 years in the past.

Committee members offered no questions and no public testimony was recorded. Representative McElroy made the motion to pass; the motion carried by voice vote and the committee recorded the bill as passed for referral as appropriate.

The bill leaves intact the other eligibility rules that were added in the earlier Fortner bill, such as additional proof-of-ownership requirements, insurance provisions and mileage limitations, according to the sponsor’s remarks. The committee took no additional amendments and no further details were specified at the hearing.

With the committee’s do-pass recommendation, the bill will proceed through the legislative process as outlined by House rules.","The committee voted to pass House Bill 15-02, which reduces the vehicle age required to qualify for an antique tag from 45 years to 30 years while leaving existing proof-of-ownership, insurance and mileage limits intact.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Driver-license bill for H-2A workers fails after committee questions about verification and safety

Committee approves making DOT construction-manager/general-contractor pilot permanent

Committee backs bill to allow doubled fines in defined mobile work zones

Panel approves cleanup to transportation rules for moving mobile classrooms

House committee advances bill to change antique vehicle tag age from 45 to 30 years