This summary covers the House Judiciary Committee meeting on February 4, 2025, including bill discussions and votes.
Representative Howard Beaty presented Senate Bill 15, aiming to repeal an outdated law concerning negligent discharge of firearms while deer hunting. Beaty argued the 1947 law, amended in 1965, is no longer necessary due to the advent of hunter safety training, blaze orange clothing, and improved law enforcement within the Game and Fish Commission. He emphasized that the law had never been used and was merely taking up space. Representative Steve Unger questioned if similar laws existed for other types of hunting, to which Beaty confirmed this was specific to deer hunting. No one spoke for or against the bill. The committee passed the bill.
Senator Dave Wallace presented Senate Bill 13, designed to protect funds already awarded to Arkansas victims of scouting in the Boy Scout Bank bankruptcy trust. He explained that a lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the original bill that allocated these funds, and if successful, the money could leave Arkansas. Wallace stressed that this bill involves no new money and solely safeguards existing awards for over 500 Arkansas victims. Representative Matt Brown inquired about Wallace's thoughts on a recent crime within the House, but Wallace declined to comment, citing legal counsel. The committee passed the bill.
Representative Matthew Shepherd introduced House Bill 1317, proposing to elevate the penalty for making a material false statement related to a retirement system from a misdemeanor to a felony. He explained that the bill addresses concerns raised by retirement systems, particularly during audits, regarding the lack of prosecution for this offense. Shepherd highlighted that current law already designates similar false statements to the Social Security Administration as felonies. An amendment was adopted to clarify the term "false statements." Representative Joy Springer asked about instances prompting this change. Amy Fetcher, director of APERS, cited an overpayment case involving a deceased member whose payments continued due to a lack of notification. She also indicated that prosecutions were difficult as long as the offense was classified as a misdemeanor. The committee passed the bill as amended.
