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Panel advances transfer of 9‑1‑1 funds to Arkansas 9‑1‑1 Board amid oversight questions
Summary
A bill to move certain 9‑1‑1 related funds, including rural enhancement dollars and program contract payments, to the Arkansas 9‑1‑1 Board advanced after amendment; committee members pressed for assurance on oversight, mandatory allocations (e.g., $600,000 for Smart911, $225,000 for SmartPrepare, $175,000 admin), and whether board spending would face interim legislative review.
House Bill 11 56 (listed in committee as House Bill 11 56) was presented to transfer certain 9‑1‑1 program funds to the Arkansas 9‑1‑1 Board with the stated goal of consolidating 9‑1‑1 funding and supporting statewide services such as Smart911 and SmartPrepare.
An amendment adding an emergency clause was adopted for a sponsor who could not attend. Tina Owens, chief of staff for the Division of Emergency Management, said the transfer aligns 9‑1‑1 funding under the 9‑1‑1 Board and that some funds already support statewide programs. CJ Engle, executive director of the Arkansas 9‑1‑1 Board, described statutory reporting and annual reporting to the Legislative Council required under Act 660 of 2019 and said the board provides an annual report on revenues and expenses.
Committee members repeatedly asked about fiduciary oversight: who appoints the board, whether the board’s expenditures would be subject to interim legislative council review, and whether static allocation amounts in statute (discussed in the hearing as $2,000,000 to counties, $600,000 to Smart911, $225,000 to SmartPrepare, and $175,000 for administrative costs) should remain fixed or be left flexible. Owens and Engle said the allocations mirrored earlier statutory directions and that Rave Mobile Safety currently holds the Smart911/SmartPrepare contract, with the $600,000 and $225,000 contract amounts remaining in effect under current arrangements.
Senator Urban and others expressed concern that an appointed board, not elected, would make spending decisions over taxpayer funds without sufficient legislative oversight; Engle pointed to statutory annual reporting and Legislative Council review requirements under the public safety telecommunications act but acknowledged those differ from interim appropriation review. Members requested additional information on program enrollment (e.g., Smart911 signups) and the precise mechanics of administrative disbursements before further floor action.
The committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill in committee. Several questions were left for follow‑up, including figures on Smart911 participation and whether the board’s administrative expenditures would require Legislative Council review.
