Week in Review

State Capitol Week in Review
March 6, 2009
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas law requiring motorists and front seat passengers to wear seat belts is now stronger.
Act 308 of 2009 allows the police to stop a car if the officer has reason to believe the driver is not wearing a seat belt. Previous law required seat belt use for drivers and front seat passengers, but it was not a primary offense. That meant the police could ticket people for failing to wear seat belts only after stopping them for other traffic violations.
The Senate passed a trio of bills to strengthen domestic abuse laws. HB 1038 makes it a felony to violate a protective order a second time. HB 1040 creates the offense of choking, which advocates say is a common form of violence against spouses and domestic partners. HB 1041 enhances penalties for domestic battering when the abuser is a repeat offender.
Cities and counties could schedule local option elections to allow Sunday sales of alcohol under Act 294, which was signed last week. To hold a local referendum, supporters would need petitions signed by registered voters equaling 15 percent of the number of voters who cast a ballot in the previous gubernatorial election.
Approval by local voters would allow sales of alcohol, for off premises consumption, between 10 a.m. and midnight on Sundays.
The Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed HB 1459 to strengthen penalties for driving while drunk. It increases the "look back" period from five to 10 years. That means more drunk drivers will have their license suspended for repeat offenses.
Now, drivers are penalized for a repeat offense if it comes within five years of the first offense. HB 1459 makes it a repeat offense if it comes within 10 years of the first.
A Senate bill restricting driving by teenagers is closer to final passage. SB 309 affects drivers with a learner's permit or an intermediate license. They could have only one teenaged passenger in the car with them, unless an adult is in the front seat. Siblings would not be included in the restriction.
SB 309 also prohibits young drivers from using cell phones and from driving after 11 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult. There are exceptions for driving to and from work or school and church activities.
The February revenue report for state government came within forecasts, which helps the chances for final passage of SB 88 to reduce the state sales tax on groceries. It would take another penny off the food tax, thus lowering state revenues by $40 million a year.
Legislators had concerns whether its passage would force a cut in services, so they have held up on a final vote on the bill until they got the February revenue statement. The Senate has passed SB 88 and it is in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.
The Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs has been working on legislation to strengthen penalties for tampering with absentee ballots, or using them fraudulently. The tougher election measures are in SB 192.
The legislature approved SB 55, which requires universities to post on their web sites the salary and benefit package of all administrators earning more than $100,000 a year. It is ready for the governor to sign.