2014 Student Congress Committees
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1. Salem High School 1A: Emma Phillips 1B: Grace Phillips 1C: 1D: Isaac Phillips 1E: Gary Morris 1F: High School Delegates by School 6. Little Rock Central High School 6A: Foster Perry 6B: Yibo Wang 6C: Jessica Morgan 6D: Jesus Perera 6E: Henry Laird 6F: Ashley Tran 2. Monticello High School 2A: Sean Kaminicki 2B: Blythe Christensen 2C: Makayla Barnett 2D: Caroline Wilson 2E: Alex Jones 2F: Jordan McDaniel 7. Rogers High School 7A: Blakely Mayhall 7B: Mason Kuppler 7C: Serena Puang 7D: Josh Pineda 7E: Scott Weaver 7F: Isaac Minks 3. Cabot High School 3A: Christen Johnson 3B: Zane Ashcraft 3C: Mary Sue Prior 3D: Soo Matthews 3E: Mckenzie Cummings 3F: Caitlin Cunningham 8. Bentonville High School 8A: Samantha Holman 8B: Nick Cude 8C: Hannah Henderson 8D: Nick Van Slooten 8E: Ethan Webb 8F: Grant Jones 4. Mills University Studies High School 4A: Jessica Morris 4B: Stormy Giddens 4C: Keith Taylor 4D: Timothy Cash 4E: Jordan Alexander 4F: Kristen Gregory 9. Episcopal Collegiate School 9A: Alan May 9B: Hunt Cummins 9C: Townes Delp 9D: Adrianne Owings 9E: Eliot Peterson 9F: Megan Bellfield 5. North Pulaski High School 5A: Brandon Smith 5B: Latayne Gonzalez 5C: Valentino Warren 5D: Rebecca Bailey 5E: Taylor Lackey 5F: Khagji Warren 10. JA Fair 10A: Marie Silva 10B: Tye Boston 10C: Christina Dickerson 10D: Sydney Hill 10E: Clevarus Oney 10F: Natalie Rodriguez 11. Russellville High School 11A: Drew Coker 11B: Thomas Spencer 11C: Hailey Carr 11D: Sammie Bratton 11E: Madison Lester 11F: Madeline Bray 15. North Little Rock High School 15A: KeShawn Foster 15B: Patience Aquil 15C: Hamilton Murry 15D: Timothy Douglas 15E: Josh Wilson 15F: Derek Clarke 12. Conway High School 12A: Jack sheng 12B: Nicole Penn 12C: Dani Reed 12D: Elaina Taylor 12E: Alexi Canges 12F: Bubba Carter 16. Searcy High School 16A: Saige Anderson 16B: Jamie Hall 16C: Hayden Greer 16D: Noah Cooper 16E: Austin Gardner 16F: Katrina Spiker 13. Fort Smith Northside High School 13A: Roxanna Cordova 13B: Preston Chase 13C: Roy Gean IV 13D: Eric McLain 13E: Alely Lopez 13F: Yaquline Martinez 17. Parkview Arts/Science 17A: Jordan Borst 17B: Sean Anderson 17C: Josie Efird 17D: Hannah Burdette 17E: Delaney Robertson 17F: Melissa Vachon 14. Har-Ber High School 14A: Kerim Gales 14B: Jacob McDaniel 14C: Maggie Briseno 14D: Stephen Tate 14E: Merritt white 14F: Drew McDaniel 18. Decatur High School 18A: Samantha Goble 18B: Jason Porter 18C: Skyler Ogle 18D: Haley Burden 18E: Troy Flood 18F: Tyler Riddle 19. Dardanelle High School 19A: Raegan English 19B: Jacky Gutierrez 19C: Katie Parons College Delegates by School 30. Missouri State University 30A: Emily Yeager 30B: Benjamin Gilpin 30C: Ariel Scott 30D: Caitlin Ryan 30E: Emily Schilmoeller 30F: Travis Fogerson 30G: Malory Kjar 30H: Victoria York 31. Hendrix College 31A: Brittany Webb 31B: Konstantin Gruenwald 31C: Chriag Lala 31D: Nigel Halliday 31E: John McAvey 31F: Robert Taylor 31G: Steven Husley 31H: Barrett Goodwin 32. University of Arkansas at Monticello 32A: Leslie Beard 32B: Tyler Harrison 32C: Ruby Kaur 32D: Tanisha Smith 32E: Ashley Lawrence 32F: April Wright 32G: Sarah Phillips 32H: Reba Worthen 33. University of Central Arkansas 33A: C. Aaron Nooner 33B: Dallas Forbes 33C: Alyson Tyler 33D: Sarah McCallie 33E: Audel Garcia 33F: Jack Wren 33G: Nancy Cheng 33H: Zach Helms 2014 Student Congress Committees House I Agriculture Natural Resources Chair: Sean Kaminicki Chair: Blakely Mayhall Clerk: Foster Perry Clerk: Hunt Cummins Blythe Christensen Makayla Barnett Keith Taylor Latayne Gonzalez Townes Delp Samantha Holman Tye Boston Dani Reed KeShawn Foster Kerim Gales Jamie Hall Jacob McDaniel Katie Parons Jason Porter Raegan English Foreign Affairs Chair: Jessica Morris Financial Services Clerk: Hannah Hen derson Chair: Alan May Grace Phillips Clerk: Maggie Briseno Christen Johnsoin Stormy Giddens Nicole Penn Jessica Morgan Royh Gean IV Nick Cude Patience Aguil Drew Coker Hayden Greer Hailey Carr Jordan Borst Saige Anderson Sean Anderson Appropriations Chair: Yibo Wang Education and the Workforce Clerk: Masen Kuppler Chair: jack Sheng Emma Phillips Clerk: Samantha Goble Mary Sue Prior Zane Ashcraft Brandon Smith Valentino Warren Roxanna Cordove Serena Puang Preston Chase Marie Silva Hamilton Murry Christina Dickerson Skyler Ogle Thomas Spencer Josie Efird Jacky Guitierrez House II Homeland Security Chair: Grant Jones Ways and Means Clerk: Jordan McDaniel Clerk: Haley Burden McKenzie Cummings Timothy Cash Jesus Perera Khagji Warren Scott Weaver Ethan Webb Adrienne Owings Madeline Bray Alexi Canges Eric McLain Derek Clarke Alely Lopez Noah Cooper Melissa Vachon Transportation and Infrastructure Chair: Rebecca Bailey Energy and Commerce Clerk: Jordan Alexander Taylor Lackey Isaac Minks Nick Van Sklooten Natalie Rodriguez Stephen Tate Drew McDaniel Austin Gardner Chair: Merritt White Chair: Alex Jones Clerk: Delaney Robertson Isaac Phillips Ashley Tran Josh Pineda Madison Lester Sammie Bratton Bubba Carter Tyler Riddle Veteran’s Affairs Chair: Hannah Burdette Clerk: elaina Taylor Caitlin Cunningham Henry Laird Eliot Peterson Sydney Hill Timothy Douglas Katrina Spiker Small Business Chair: Caroline Wilson Clerk: Soo Matthews Gary Morris Kristen Gregory Megan Bellfield Clevarus Oney Yazuline Martinez Josh Wilson Troy Flood Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry (AN&F Bank, Housing, and Urban Affairs Chair: Emily Yeager Chair: Audel Garcia Clerk: Brittany Webb Clerk: Emily Schilmoeller C. Aaron Nooner Dallas Forbes Sarah McCallie April Wright Tanisha Smith Ruby Kaur Sarah Phillips Chirag Lala Robert Taylor Barrett Goodwin Ariel Scott Malory Kjar Foreign Relations Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Chair: Konstantin Gruenwald Chair: Ashley Lawrence Clerk: Tyler Harrison Clerk: nancy Cheng Alyson Tyler Zach Helms Jack Wren Leslie Beard Reba Worthen John McAvey Steven Hulsey Nigel Halliday Travis Fogerson Victoria York Benjamin Gilpin Caitlin Ryan HOUSE I BILLS HOUSE I COMMITTEE Agriculture (Ag) Number: 101 Bill Introduced by: Blythe Christensen & Michael Hudson Representing: Monticello High School Assigned to Committee: Agriculture Time Approved by Committee: ___________ Chairperson: _____________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT PRENATAL WOMEN AND EXPECTING FATHERS, BEFORE THE CHILD BIRTH, MUST BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A PARENTING CLASS. Whereas, 6 million children are neglected and abused each year. Whereas, Approximately 5 children die every day because of neglect and abuse. Whereas, Annual State cost for foster care is $9 Billion dollars of tax money. Whereas, Child abuse and neglect is a pain that can scar children for life and without proper guidance that chance increases drastically SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2. require prenatal women and expecting fathers to take a parenting class teaching them how to care for a child and what to do in situations with a child. SECTION II This act will be implemented by 2016 and administered by the Department of Human Services. SECTION III This act will be enforced by the department of Human Services and there will be a $150 fine for those who are not in compliance. 2. there will be no cost to parents for the class any funding will come from raising taxes on alcohol and tobacco products and the penalty for those who do not attend. Action of Originating House Time _________________ Passed _________ Failed_________ Signature of the Clerk___________ Action of Second House Passed _________ Failed _________ Time _________________ Signature of the Clerk ____________ Number102 Bill Introduced by : Keith Taylor Representing: Mills University Studies High School Assigned to Committee: Agriculture Time Approved by Committee_________________ Chairperson_____________________________ Short Title : A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT ALL PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT A MANDATORY LIFE SKILLS AND PERSONAL LIVING CLASS. Whereas, Many high school graduates are not ready for the world outside of high school because schools do not prepare them properly, and Whereas, There is not a class that’s devoted to helping a person do things like pay bills or file taxes, etc., and Whereas, High school graduates are more prone to scams, and or areas that will not benefit or suit well for them in the future. Section I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS 2. Guarantee that every high school in the United States carry a mandatory one 3. Year Personal Life Skills and Living class that every high school student has to 4. Take to graduate. Section II This act will be implemented by the 2015-2016 school year, administered by 2. The U.S. Department of Education Section III Funding for implementation will be the responsibility of respective state 2. Departments of education and school districts. Action of Originating House Time____________________ Action of Second House Time___________________ Passed_________ Failed___________ Signature of the Clerk_____________ Passed_________ Failed___________ Signature of the Clerk_____ Number: 103 Bill Introduced by: Keshawn Foster_ Representing: North Little Rock High School Assigned to Committee: Agriculture Time Approved by Committee______ Chairperson:_________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS THAT A HALF CREDIT BULLYING PREVENTION CLASS BE REQUIRED TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL Whereas, Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year, and Whereas, 1 in 10 students drop out of school because of repeated bullying, and Whereas, the average bullying episode lasts only 30 seconds, teachers notice or intervene in only 1 in 25 incidents, and Whereas, bullying prevention class will not eliminate bullying, but help start a trend and lower the bullying incidents in the school system. SECTION1. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS 2. establish a half credit bullying prevention class be require to 3. graduate high school. And that bullying incidents are reported and 4. handle immediately SECTION 2. This act will be implemented immediately and administered upon 2. passage by the Arkansas Department of Education SECTION 3. The penalties for non-compliance will be student will not being able 2. to graduate. SECTION 4. This class can be intergraded into other courses. No Funding will be 2. necessary. Action of Originating House Time____________________ Passed________Failed_________ Signature of the Clerk__________ Action of Second House Time____________________ Passed________Failed_________ Signature of the Clerk__________ HOUSE I COMMITTEE FOREIGN AFFAIRS (FA) Number104 Bill Introduced by : Jessica Morris Representing: Mills University Studies High School Assigned to Committee: Foreign Affairs Time Approved by Committee_________________ Chairperson_____________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMEDNING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT BABY CHANGING TABLES BE MANDATORY IN ALL MALE AND FEMALE PUBLIC RESTROOMS. Whereas, Parents need a place in which they can change their children’s diapers in a clean and safe environment, and Whereas, Children have the right to a clean and proper restroom area just as adults, and Whereas, Public restrooms without baby changing stations force parents to change their children’s diapers in unclean areas, such as the floor of a bathroom, where the cleanliness is questionable, and Whereas, Having changing tables in both male and female bathrooms will present fathers (and other male figures) with the same resources often given to females in the women’s bathroom, and Whereas, Businesses and institutions only offering changing tables in female restrooms imply, or suggest, certain gender roles leaned towards the women’s roles for caring for the children, and Whereas, Having changing tables in both male and female bathrooms will promote gender role equality. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS 2. Ensures that changing tables be an available resource for caregivers in public restrooms 3. And that changing tables be implemented in both male and female restrooms to promote 4. Gender equality. SECTION II This act will be go into effect January 1, 2016. SECTION III This act will be implemented and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SECTION IV This act will ensure that those public areas that comply with this act will receive a marginal 2. Federal tax credit; those that do not comply with this act will face a penalty of a minimum of 3. $250, after an initial warning. SECTION V This act will require no funding because businesses are responsible for all facets of compliance 2. Including cost. Action of Originating House Time____________________ Passed_________ Failed___________ Signature of the Clerk_____________ Action of Second House Time___________________ Passed_________ Failed___________ Signature of the Clerk_____________ Number: 105 Bill Introduced By: Christen Johnson Representing: Cabot High School Assigned to Committee: Foreign Affairs Time Approved by Committee: Chairperson: SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO IMPLEMENT A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE PRODUCTION OF THE ONE-CENT PIECE (ALSO REFERRED TO AS THE PENNY) Whereas, It costs 1.83 cents to manufacture a single penny as of 2014. The United States Mint estimates that the current number of pennies in circulation in the country is about 140,000,000. Therefore, it is a sizable cost to the government; and, Whereas, As of 2013, the manufacture of the penny added $55,000,000 to the national debt. As the national debt increases, the government increases taxes; and, Whereas, In the past, the US government has refrained from removing the penny from the monetary system because they are unsure of how completely removing the penny from the US Monetary System would affect the economy; and, Whereas, Temporarily discontinuing the production of the penny will immediately cut the costs of production, removing that particular burden from the national debt, and as a result, will reduce the burden of the taxpaying citizens of the United States. Whereas, A decrease in the availability of the penny will result in an increase in its value. Whereas, The implementation of a temporary moratorium on the production of the penny allows for a timeline of decision to determine the economic implications of the action and the appropriate response. SECTION I. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES 2. implement a temporary moratorium on the production of the one-cent piece. SECTION II. This act will be implemented and administered immediately upon passage by the 2. United States Mint. Action of Ongoing House Time ___________ __ __ Passed____________ Failed____________ Signature of the Clerk_ ______________ _ Action of Ongoing House Time________________ Passed____________ Failed____________ Signature of the Clerk____ _________ Number:______106____ Bill Introduced by: Nicole Penn Representing: Conway High School Assigned to Committee: Foreign Affairs Time Approved by Committee:______________________ Chairperson:___________________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT ALL PUBLIC OUTDOOR ESTABLISHMENTS STATEWIDE SHOULD BAN SMOKING WITHIN 1609.34 METERS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. Whereas, Over 53,000 people die every year in this country from secondhand smoke exposure. Whereas, Secondhand smoke exposure can cause heart disease and lung cancer in non-smoking individuals and is a known cause of Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory problems, ear infections, and asthma attacks in infants and children. Whereas, In Arkansas, secondhand smoke is the third-leading cause of preventable death with approximately 575 Arkansans dying each year from someone else’s smoke. SECTION I BE THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2. forbids smoking within 1609.34 meters of any public park, lakes, bike 3. trail, playground, or other natural public establishment SECTION II This act will be implemented and administered immediately upon passage by 2. the Arkansas Department of Health. SECTION III This act will require enforcement through active citizenship, local 2. authorities, beginning level police agents, and all other community 3. officials. SECTION IV This act will require no addition funding to what is already in place because 2.those given the task to enforce the implantation of this act already draw 3. salaries from the state government and therefore are incorporated into the 4. state budget. Action of Originating House Time:__________________________ Action of Originating House Time:__________________________ Passed:__________Failed:__________ Signature of the Clerk:__________ Passed:__________Failed:__________ Signature of the Clerk:___________ HOUSE I COMMITTEE APPROPRIATIONS (A) Bill Number: 107 Bill Introduced By:_Masen Kuppler Representing: Rogers High School Assigned to Committee: Appropriations Time Approved by Committee:___________________ Chairperson:______________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECCOMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITHIN THE STATE OPT OUT IN THE 1033 PROGRAM, AND THUS NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO EXCESS WEAPONRY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. Whereas, over 8,000 federal and state law enforcement agencies from all 50 states and the U.S. territories participate in the program, with the intent of aiding compensated law enforcement officers through the powers of arrest and apprehension on citizens despite the baseline knowledge that these vehicles, weapons, and materials are inherently militarized from the Department of Defense; and, Whereas, the extreme use of many such excess vehicles, weapons, and materials is not necessary and in many cases only used simply because the agency has access to the product in question (Tanks being utilized during civil protests and entire, fully-equipped S.W.A.T. teams being sent to a single house within a residential neighborhood to search for illegal substances), allowing actions that result from unprecedented access to cause more damage and inhibit the responsibility for officers to protect and serve; and, Whereas, no former calls for legislation with this impact have been created nor seen the Arkansas legislator until now, either by means of consideration or implementation; and, Whereas, the effect this legislation will have on the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies within the state can be more easily replicated nation-wide, allowing for a higher level of professionalism within state agencies in the short-term and a means of repairing the relationship between law enforcement and the citizens they are entrusted to protect. Section I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT all law 2.enforcement agencies within the state of Arkansas no longer participate in the 1033 program 3.and thus cut unnecessary access to any of the Department of Defense militarized weaponry for 4.use on citizens when enforcing the law. Section II: This act will be implemented on July 31, 2015. Section III: This act will be enforced by the Defense Logistics Agency of Arkansas. Section IV: This act will require no funding, as it simply disallows the law enforcement agencies to purchase 2.excess militarized weaponry and materials from the Department of Defense, and as such all 3.subsequent and previous allocations for these materials will be allocated to weaponry providers 4.whose technology is appropriate for use on civilians. Action of Originating House Time _________________ Action of Second House Time _________________ Passed ________Failed_________ Signature of Clerk _______________ Passed ________Failed_________ Signature of Clerk _______________ Bill number108 Bill introduced by Emma Phillips Representing Salem High School Assigned to Committee Appropriations SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE BE REPEALED AND REPLACED WITH DIRECT ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT. Whereas, Technology allows for a more rapid and accurate count of public voting than when the Constitution was written, and; Whereas, Technology allows for a more thorough dissemination of information than when the Constitution was written, and; Whereas, the Electoral College can elect a President contrary to popular vote, and Whereas, Electoral College electors may vote contrary to the wishes of those who elected them. SECTION I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS THAT 2. The Senate of the United States initiate a proposal to amend the Constitution of the United States, 3. by repealing paragraphs one through three of Article 2 Section 1, addressing the selection of the President of the United States by a college of electors, 4. and Amendment 12, addressing the election of the President and Vice-President. SECTION II: That Article 2, Section 1, will state that “The President and Vice-President of the United States shall be elected by direct popular vote, 2. of registered and qualified voters from the states, territories and the District of Columbia, 3. and United States citizens in foreign countries, the military and space. Section III: This law shall take effect January 1, 2015. Action of Committee Passed______ Failed______ Time_________ Signature of Clerk___________ Action of Originating House Passed______ Failed______ Time_________ Signature of Clerk_________ Bill Number: 109 Bill Introduced by: Author Preston Chase(R) and Co-Author Roxanna Cordova (D) Representing: Northside High school Assigned to Committee: Appropriations Time Approved by Committee:______ Chairperson: N.A.D (National Adoption Database) A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE U.S.CONGRESS THAT A STREAMLINE ADOPTION POLICY BE ENACTED NATIONWIDE. Whereas, A streamline adoption policy would help to decrease time children and teens spend in adoption centers, and, Whereas, In the United States, about 397, 122 children are living without permanent families, and, Whereas, About 101,666 of these children are up for adoption, and, Whereas, About thirty two percent of these children will wait over three years before being adopted, and, Whereas, Over 20,000 will age out of adoptive care and are statistically proven to be less likely to succeed in life, and, Whereas, A unified adoption policy, bringing together all public adoption agencies nationwide would reduce the average time children spend in centers before getting adopted, which will put them into stable and loving homes, which directly increases the chance of achieving success throughout life. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS 2. Make a national database of all children available for adoption be available in every adoption agency nationwide 3. And increase communication and unification of all public adoption centers within the United States of America. SECTION II This act will be implemented and administered immediately upon passage by the 2. Department of Health and Human Services. SECTION III This act will require funding similar to the networking program for the affordable healthcare act which was estimated to be from $100- $400 million. Action of Originating House Time________________ Action of Second House Time___________ Passed___________ Failed____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Passed____________ Failed____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ HOUSE I COMMITTEE NATURAL RESOURCES (NR) Bill Number: 110 Bill Introduced By:_Blakely Mayhall Representing: Rogers Assigned to Committee: Natural Resources Time Approved by Committee:___________________ Chairperson:______________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECCOMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN ALL LEGAL JURISDICTIONS WITHIN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS BE REQUIRED TO WEAR CAMERAS CHEST LEVEL ON THEIR UNIFORM WHILE ON DUTY. Whereas, recent events in the state of Missouri, where the actions of a police officer have been disputed as morally apprehensible, have called for the necessity for the actions of law enforcement officers to be recorded and documented is more eminent than ever before; and, Whereas, the failure of adequate oversight of law enforcement officers today has allowed for some officers to develop a superiority complex, they may be more apt to enforce the law by preference rather than uniformly. Those chosen by society to enforce the law are to be more morally upright than the average citizen, not less, and as such should enforce all laws equally; and, Whereas, this act in particular, nor any similar pieces of legislation, has not seen the Arkansas legislator before, and thus has not been implemented; and, Whereas, the benefit of this act will be invaluable, as law enforcement officers will know that the actions they take while enforcing the law will all be available for viewing in the event of a dispute between a citizen and an officer. This will directly reduce any officer misconduct and return the title of police officer to one of moral distinction amongst citizens. Section I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT all law 2.enforcement officers in the state of Arkansas and its municipalities be required to wear 3.cameras chest level on their uniform while on duty; and said cameras constantly record and 4.upload directly into secured cloud storage where the footage is stored for a minimum of 10 5.years. Section II: This act will be implemented on July 31, 2015. Section III: This act will be enforced by the chief of police in all respective legal jurisdictions. There will be 2.mandatory and indefinite termination for any law enforcement officer found not to be in 3.compliance with this act on two distinct occasions, and fines to the specific department of a 4.minimum of $2,500 if a whole department fails to comply with and enforce this act. Section IV: Funding for this act will be provided by the Arkansas Law Enforcement Commission on 2.Standards and Training. Action of Originating House Time _________________ Passed ________Failed_________ Signature of Clerk _______________ Action of Second House Time _________________ Passed ________Failed_________ Signature of Clerk _______________ Number: 111 Bill Introduced by: Samantha Holman and Hannah Henderson Representing:___Bentonville Assigned to Committee: Natural Resources Time Approved by Committee:___________________ Chairperson:__________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE BE LOWERED TO THE AGE OF 18. Whereas, In the USA, an adult is a person who has attained the age of maturity which is considered 18.At the age of 18, Americans gain all the responsibilities, rights, and privileges of becoming an adult. At the age of 18, a person can buy a house, take out a loan, own a concealed weapon, get married, and serve their country in the military. However, they are forbidden from drinking until the age of 21, and; Whereas, There are approximately 1.5 billion episodes of binge drinking among persons 18 to 21, and; Whereas, Teens often drink for the feeling of rebelliousness according to “Theories of Adolescent Risk-taking Behaviors” from The Handbook of Adolescent Health Risk Behavior, which says, “risky, rebellious behaviors often earn teens acceptance and respect from their peers.” So, if underage drinking wasn’t against the law, the episode of binge drinking would lower Section I. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2002 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS 2. Lower the legal drinking age to 18 Section II. THIS BILL WILL BE IMPLEMENTED 2. starting January 1st of 2015 Section III. NO FUNDING WILL BE REQUIRED Section IV THIS BILL WILL BE ENFORCED BY THE 2. bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives. Section V ANY LAWS IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ARE HEREBY NULL AND VOID Action of Originating House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed_____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Action of Second House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed______________ Signature of the Clerk_________________ Number: 112 Bill introduced by: Kerim Gales, Co-Author Jacob McDaniel Representing: Har-Ber High School Assigned to committee: Natural Resources Time Approved by Committee:________ Chairperson:_______________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ARKANSAS THAT ALL ARKANSAS POLICE OFFICERS BE REQUIRED TO WEAR BODY CAMERAS Whereas, Officers would be held more accountable for their actions and able to defend any reasonable use of force; and, Whereas, This is currently enforced in places such as Rialto, California where the department has seen a 60% decrease in use of force and officer complaints have decreased by nearly 90%; and, Whereas, The Arkansas towns of Fort Smith, Lonoke, and Beebe currently require Police Officers to wear uniform cameras; and, Whereas, Uniform cameras are becoming more widespread as a part of standard police equipment after the Michael Brown Shooting and Ferguson Riots; and, Whereas, Cameras used by the NYC Police Department are approximately $900 per unit SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2. Require that all on-duty police officers wear uniform cameras from the beginning to end of their shift and that cameras are on and recording 4. Require that if the camera is lost, stolen, or damaged it is the duty of the officer to report it 5. Require that violations of this act will result in a fine of $1000 to the officer for a first offense, suspension without pay for the second, and a permanent leave if violations continue. SECTION II This act will be implemented upon the start of the year 2018 by the 2. Arkansas State Police Department and individual Police Departments SECTION III Funding for this act will be provided by 2. A $5 increase to all tickets and court fines, as well as the revenue generated by the fines given to officers in violation of the bill Action of Originating House Time _______ Action of Originating House Time _______ Passed ________Failed __________ Signature of the Clerk ___________ Passed ________Failed __________ Signature of the Clerk ___________ Number: 113 Bill Introduced by: Jason Porter Representing: Decatur High School Assigned to Committee: Natural Resources Time Approved by Committee: ______________ Chairperson: __________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE COST OF DRIVER’S LICENSE PERMIT TESTING DOUBLE WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE ATTEMPT. Whereas, The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, Whereas, passing, Increasing numbers of teens are taking the written driver’s license exam multiple times before Whereas, According to the Arkansas State Police, 12% of fatal car crashes in Arkansas involve teen drivers, Whereas, Increasing numbers of teens report failure to study as the reason for multiple attempts before passing the driver’s exam, Whereas Teenagers proving knowledge and understanding of the laws, standards, and hazards of driving, beyond the current minimum standard, will be better drivers and the motor-vehicle accident fatality rate will be reduced in Arkansas, Whereas Increasing the cost of driver’s examinations, based on previous attempts, will encourage teens to study prior to taking the driver’s exam for the first time. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2013 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY; 2.)Shall require the Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles to establish new guidelines for monitoring the number 3.)of attempts teenagers make to pass the written driver’s exam and to double the cost of any tests required after the 4.)initial attempt. SECTION II THIS ACT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AND ADMINISTERED: 2.) By the Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles, beginning January 1, 2016. SECTION III THIS ACT WILL BE FUNDED; 2.) Through increased revenue. Action of Originating House Passed__________ Failed_______________ Time________________________ Signature of the Clerk__________________ Action of Second House` Passed__________ Failed_______________ Time________________________ Signature of the Clerk__________________ HOUSE I COMMITTEE FINANCIAL SERVICES (FS) Number: 114 Bill introduced by: Alan May Representing: Episcopal Collegiate School Assigned to Committee: Financial Services Time Approved by Committee: Chairperson: SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT AMENDMENT 80, § 18 OF THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION BE AMENDED Whereas, under § 18 of Amendment 80 to the Arkansas Constitution, “Supreme Court Justices and Court of Appeals Judges shall be elected on a nonpartisan basis by a majority of qualified electors voting for such office,” unless voters approve a merit-selection system; and, Whereas, it is the responsibility of these Courts to render all decisions solely on the basis of relevant facts and law, without regard to public opinion concerning the cases before them; and, Whereas, the system of electing members of these Courts is inherently detrimental to judicial impartiality, providing an incentive for their Judges and Justices to consider the effects of their rulings on re-election campaigns, rather than exclusively the facts and law of cases brought before them, in rendering decisions; and, Whereas, forcing judges to campaign for re-election has been shown to influence their decisions in the months preceding elections, impairing their ability to deliver equal justice to all parties in cases brought before them; and, Whereas, forcing sitting Judges and Justices to engage in electioneering is furthermore detrimental to the maintenance of respect for the state judiciary; and, Whereas, other states have avoided the above-mentioned problems by providing constitutionally for appointment, rather than election, of Supreme Court Justices. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2. amend Amendment 80, § 18 of the Arkansas Constitution so that subchapter (A), 3. reads as follows: “Supreme Court Justices and Court of Appeals Judges shall be 4. appointed on a nonpartisan basis by the Governor to serve terms of seven years.” SECTION II This act will be implemented, administered, and enforced by the Arkansas General 2. Assembly and will not require funding over and above current state revenue. Action of Originating House Time Passed Failed Signature of the Clerk Action of Second House Time Passed Failed Signature of the Clerk Bill Number: 115 Bill Introduced by: Nick Cude Representing: Bentonville High School Assigned to Committee: Financial Services Time Approved by Committee: ______ Name of chairperson: _______________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO CONGRESS THAT 20 MILE BUFFER ZONES BE ESTABLISHED AROUND ALL US NATIONAL PARKS IN ORDER TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE WILDLIFE WHEREAS, 12 National Parks currently have oil drilling operations within them and 30 have a high possibility of being threatened because of the proximity to oil and gas resources like the 2000% increase in Uranium claims around the Grand Canyon since 2004 WHEREAS, numerous Parks including Sequoia, Mammoth Cave, Acadia, Kings Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, and Big Bend are suffering from extreme effects of pollution from nearby industries with effects including heavy haze, high mercury levels in bats and fish with risk of extinction, all due to the increase of industry in and on the borders of the Parks WHEREAS, fracking operations have increased along borders of National Parks which require millions of gallons of water from the area, in turn destroying wildlife and plants in the parks WHEREAS, effective Buffer Zones don’t currently exist in the United States, but do in France where there exists a core area then buffer zone which incorporates several municipalities of the surrounding area SECTION I, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT 2. The Department of the Interior establish a 20-mile buffer zone around all National 3. Parks in the United States and provide a 2-year grace period for companies to shut 4. down operations, clean up any waste, and relocate to an area outside of the buffer zone This bill will be implemented the beginning of 2015 and enforced by the US Department 2. of the Interior if the companies have not relocated from the buffer zone in the two years provided, 2. companies will be fined $7,000 per acre of land in the buffer zone on which they 3. operate, accompanied with a deduction of 10% of their income by the government, 4. which will be donated to the National Park which it is nearest No funding is needed to implement or enforce this bill. SECTION II, SECTION III, SECTION IV, Action of Originating House: Passed____Failed______ Time: _________________ Signature of the Clerk_________ Action of Second House: Passed_____Failed_____ Time: __________________ Signature of the Clerk_________ Number: 116 Bill Introduced by: Drew Coker; Hailey Carr Representing: Russellville High School Assigned to Committee: Financial Services Time Approved by Committee: _________________ Chairperson: ________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT THEY AMMEND THE ENERGY IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION ACT (H.R. 6049), SECTION 103(A) (1) TO INCREASE THE FEDERAL TAX CREDIT FROM 30% TO 45%. Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, SECTION I it is more financially efficient to not switch to renewable energy with the current rate; and, non-renewable alternatives threaten public health; and, the dependence on foreign energy sources puts America in a dependent relationship on a turbulent region; and, if higher tax credits are offered for switching to renewable energy, people are more financially inclined to change, allowing the United States to not only become energy independent, but to also be more environmentally friendly. the current Federal tax credit, which ends on December 31, 2016 doesn’t provide sufficient time for individuals to change to non-renewable energy sources. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS 2. increase the Federal tax credit from 30% to 45%, 3. and give the breaks until 2020, 4. and this act will become effective January 1, 2016. SECTION II This act will be implemented and administered immediately upon passage by the 2. Internal Revenue Service. SECTION III This act will make up the money lost by: 2. Increasing taxes on foreign non-renewable energy by 15%. Action of Originating House Time_____________________ Passed__________ Failed_____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Action of Second House Time_____________________ Passed__________ Failed______________ Signature of the Clerk_________________ HOUSE I COMMITTEE EDUCATION & THE WORKFORCE (EW) Number: 117 Bill Introduced by: Samantha Goble and Skyler Ogle Representing: Decatur High School Assigned to Committee: Education & the Workforce Time Approved by Committee: ______________ Chairperson: __________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT ALL OPERATING POLICE PATROL VEHICLES IN ARKANSAS BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A WORKING MOUNTED DASHBOARD VIDEO CAMERA. Whereas, Arkansas was ranked second in the nation for police deaths, with 6 deaths in 2013. Whereas, Whereas, Arkansas has a six year total of 17 deaths of police officers. Dashboard cameras are a cheap and effective way to allow greater protection and surveillance for officers and civilians, alike. Whereas, Evidence presented to court from these dashboard cameras will be indisputable and help in the prosecution process. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2013 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY; 2.)Shall require all operating police patrol vehicles have a working, mounted, dashboard video 3.) camera, SECTION II THIS ACT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AND ADMINISTERED: 2.) Beginning January 1, 2016. SECTION III THIS ACT WILL BE FUNDED; 2.) Through reallocation of state and local police funding sources. Action of Originating House Passed__________ Failed_______________ Time________________________ Signature of the Clerk__________________ Action of Second House` Time________________________ Passed__________ Failed_______________ Signature of the Clerk__________________ Number: 118 Bill Introduced by: Marie Silva, Christina Dickerson Representing:___JA Fair Assigned to Committee: Education and the Workforce Time Approved by Committee:___________________ Chairperson: SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT CONVICTED JUVENILE FELONS BE EDUCATED IN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS. Whereas, Parents have the right to expect the safety and security of their children attending public school. Whereas, The recidivism rate for juvenile felons is 80%+, juveniles felons should be taken away from regular school environments and educated in alternative facilities Whereas, Alternative facilities are already established, Whereas, Juvenile felonies are frequently associated with gangs, Whereas, Gangs use schools as a primary recruiting environment Whereas, A significant percentage of convicted juveniles felons have a record of sexual assaults Whereas, The larger community has a right to expect public schools to preserve community values Whereas, National organizations such as the NEA and NPTA advocate for the rights of children to be educated in a safe environment Whereas, Second Chance Act passed in 2009 with 70 million dollars put into it did not work. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION FOR JUVENILES CONVICTED OF FELONIES. SECTION II This act will be implemented and administered beginning with the commencement of the 2015-16 school year. SECTION III This act will require funding which will come from the Second Chance Act of 2009. Action of Originating House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed_____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Action of Second House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed______________ Signature of the Clerk_________________ Bill Number 119 Bill Introduced by Josie Efird and Jordan Borst Representing Parkview Arts /Science Magnet High School Assigned to Committee: Education and the Workforce Time Approved by Committee _____________Chairperson _____________ A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES THAT COMPANIES SELLING FOOD PRODUCTS MUST LABEL ANY AND ALL INGREDIENTS THAT ARE GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques; and The FDA does not require labeling of GMOs unless they have been found to contain ingredients that are common allergens (such as a soy product with peanut DNA inserted); and The American public has a right to know what is in the food they consume; and The entire European Union and 21 other countries including China and Brazil currently mandate the labeling of GMOs; and The New York Times found that 93% of those surveyed support labeling; and Under this Act, the added labeling of GMOs would not be cause for a substantial cost increase to either manufacturers or consumers SECTION I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 ARKANSAS STUDENT 2. Congress that the Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 101.4 § (21CFR101.4), which 3. concerns the labeling of food ingredients, be amended to add § 101.4(a)(3) to read as 4. follows: “All food products intended for human consumption sold in the United States must 5. label all ingredients that have been genetically modified. ‘Genetically modified’ here means 6. an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. 7. Each ingredient listed in the standard ingredient list that has been genetically modified must be 8. labeled as such. This label will be uniform for all products and ingredients, and will be 9. designed by the FDA. SECTION II: THIS ACT WILL BE ADMINISTERED, FUNDED, AND ENFORCED 2. through normal means within the FDA. Noncompliance will result in fines to be 3. determined by the FDA in accordance with current practice. SECTION V: FOOD MANUFACTURERS MUST BEGIN LABELING GENETICALLY 2. modified ingredients within the next two fiscal years. Fines for noncompliance will begin in 3. July of 2017. Action of Originating House Passed___Failed___ Time________ Signature of Clerk_________ Action of Originating House Passed___Failed___ Time________ Signature of Clerk________ HOUSE II BILLS HOUSE II COMMITTEE HOMELAND SECURITY (HS) Number: 201 Bill Introduced by: Jordan McDaniel & Caroline Wilson Representing: Monticello High School Assigned to Committee: Homeland Security Time Approved by Committee: ___________ Chairperson: ___________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT ORAL COMMUNICATIONS CLASSES HAVE AN END OF COURSE EXAM TO ASSESS CONTENT KNOWLEDGE OF STUDENTS Whereas, Oral Communications teaches vital information for job interviews and other real life skills, it also teaches: confidence, speaking skills, and proper body language. Whereas, E.O.C represents End of Course exam to assess the amount of information students are and should be retaining. Whereas, Bill #421 allows for the blending of courses by placing the curriculum of one subject into another and several schools have begun the blending of oral communication into other subject areas, neglecting those much needed skills. Whereas, without the vital set of skills taught in oral communication we leave Arkansas’ students at a disadvantage. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF EDUCATION 2. Require an E.O.C exam to be given to students in Oral Communication. SECTION II This will be implemented in the 2015-16 school year and administered by the Arkansas Department of Education in accordance with other end of course exams. SECTION III Any funding needed will come from the current structure used for the funding of state assessments. Action of Origination House Time _________ Action of Second House Time_________ Passed____Failed_____ Signature of the Clerk_____________ Number 202 Bill Introduced by: Adrianne Owings Representing: Episcopal Collegiate School Assigned to Committee: Homeland Security Time Approved by Committee:_______________ Chairperson:__________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO REGULATE THE RECORDATION OF MORTGAGES Whereas, purchasers of bundled mortgages are attempting to take foreclosure action against purchasers of single-family homes without following well-established law requiring the registration of the mortgage in the county where the real property is located; and, Whereas, the well-established recordation law of Arkansas found at Arkansas Code Annotated § 1840-101 et seq. states that a mortgage on real property does not constitute a lien on that property until it is filed in the recorder’s office for record in the county where the real property is located; and, Whereas, the reason for the recordation requirement is to give notice to all persons of the existence of the mortgage, the legal rights of homeowners, mortgage holders and assignees; and, Whereas, certain lending institutions have created their own recording system called Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS), which bypasses the traditional recording system outside of and without the required approval of the Arkansas Legislature; and, Whereas, under Arkansas law foreclosure cannot take place without having previously followed the recordation law found in Arkansas Code Annotated § 18-40-101 et seq. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2. ensure mortgages that are bundled and sold are recorded in the county 3. where the real property is located or no foreclosure action may be 4. taken with regard to the real property. SECTION II This act will be implemented and administered immediately upon passage 2. by the Arkansas Attorney General. SECTION III This act will not require funding. Action of Originating House Time______ Passed __________ Failed __________ Signature of the Clerk______________ Action of Second House Time______ Passed__________ Failed__________ Signature of the Clerk______________ HOUSE II COMMITTEE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE (T&I) Number: 203 Bill Introduced by: Rebecca Bailey and co-author, Taylor Lackey Representing: North Pulaski High School Assigned to Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure Time Approved by Committee: ________________ Chairperson: _________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS THAT ARKANSAS CODE § 6-14-102 SHALL BE AMENDED SO THAT ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTIONS WILL BE ALIGNED WITH GENERAL ELECTIONS. Whereas, general elections and annual school elections are not held on the same day, which causes a decreased voter turnout and increases the amount of tax dollars used to fund needed school elections. Whereas, Arkansas voter turnout for general elections for all counties range from 20.98% and do not exceed 45.79% which is under half of the registered voters. Whereas, voter turnout for annual school elections result in only 2% of registered voters in the entire state of Arkansas. Whereas, general elections are held on the Tuesday that follows the first Monday in November of each year and the annual school elections are held the third Tuesday in September. Whereas, the school districts in the state of Arkansas now pay one million tax dollars per annual school election. Section I. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS 2. should amend Arkansas Code § 6-14-102 (a)(1), by striking “third Tuesday in September” and 3. replacing it with “Tuesday that follows the first Monday in November of each year.” This act will go into effect one year after the adoption of this bill. It will be administered by the 3. State of Arkansas Election Commission and in conjunction with the school districts of the 4. state of Arkansas. This act will be enforced by the State of Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners. No additional funding will be needed for this bill. School districts will generate approximately 2. one million dollars in tax surplus every other year. Section II. Section III. Section IV. Action of Originating House Time_________ Action of Second House Time_________ Passed_____ Failed______ Signature of Clerk__________________ Passed_____ Failed______ Signature of Clerk__________________ Number: 204 Bill Introduced by: Nick Van Slooten and Ethan Webb Representing:___Bentonville Assigned to Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure Time Approved by Committee:___________________ Chairperson:__________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS THAT A DISCOUNT OF 35% BE IMPLEMENTED ON THE SALE OF STATE LANDS TO GENERATE STATE REVENUE. Whereas, According to the Arkansas Commissioner of State Land, the Arkansas state government has thousands of acres for sale at prices that do not appear to attract potential buyers, and the state continues to gain lands through tax delinquency, and; Whereas, Land sales are stagnant and are forecasted to decrease in the next ten years, and; Whereas, Lower real estate prices are necessary to attract and revive agriculture, manufacturing, and all businesses that Arkansas’ economy relies on, and; Whereas, Sales discounts can increase Arkansas land sales and provide an opportunity for businesses and individuals to acquire this land. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS 2. implement a discount of 35% on the sale of state lands to generate 3. state revenue. SECTION II This bill will be implemented at the commencement of the next fiscal year. SECTION III A committee of Revenue Analysis will be created to measure 2. the impact of and revenue generated by the businesses involved in 3. the sale of these lands. This committee will gauge the efficiency of 4. the discount program. SECTION IV The revenue generated by the discount program will be supplemented 2. into the general funds and budget of the State of Arkansas. Action of Originating House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed_____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Action of Second House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed______________ Signature of the Clerk_________________ Number: 205 Bill Introduced by: Stephen Tate, Co-Author Drew Dodson Representing: Har-Ber High School Assigned to Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure Time Approved by Committee:_____________ Chairperson:_____________________ A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE PROHIBITION OF GAMBLING BE REPEALED Whereas, The Arkansas State Treasury is losing millions of potential tax revenue with casinos not being able to be in the state of Arkansas; and, Whereas, The installment of casinos in Arkansas will create thousands of jobs and bring large amounts of consumer business to the surrounding areas; and, Whereas, The Arkansas Encyclopedia says that the prohibition was enacted in efforts to reduce alcohol consumption and it has not done so; and, Whereas, Citizens in Arkansas are partaking in online gambling where the transactions make no revenue for the state and there is no provision set for regulating online play; and, Whereas, The state of Arkansas has fallen short, for the second time in a row, six million dollars for the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship. SECTION I. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE REPEAL OF THE ARKANSAS PROHIBITON OF GAMBLING WILL 2. Increase state tax revenue by more than 100 million dollars SECTION II. The act will go into effect at the beginning of the year 2015 SECTION III. This bill requires no funding to enact. Casinos and individual winnings will be taxed as follows: 2. 22% state tax, 3% local government tax, and 2% tax to fund problem gambling treatment. All winnings will be taxed per individual at the same rate as Arkansas State sales tax with an additional 4% sin tax. The casino will not be taxed on provided winnings. 3. All revenue gained from casino taxes go to the state, and all revenue gained from taxes on individual winnings will be divided as follows: 20% goes directly to help the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship, 40% goes to local school districts, 20% will go to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Recreation, and 20% will go to The Arkansas Department of Treasury. Action of Originating House Passed__________Failed____________ Time_________________ Signature of Clerk__________________ Action of Originating House Passed_________Failed_____________ Time________________ Signature of Clerk__________________ HOUSE II COMMITTEE VETERAN’S AFFAIRS (VA) Bill 206 Introduced By Hannah Burdette and Melissa Vachon Representing Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School Referred to the Veteran’s Affairs Committee A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES THAT A PATHWAY TO CITZENSHIP BE PROVIDED FOR VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, according to the State Department, the sex industry has rapidly expanded over the past several decades and involves sexual exploitation of persons, predominantly women and girls, involving activities related to prostitution, pornography, sex tourism, and other commercial sexual services; and human trafficking is an atrocity and victims ought to be provided for; and according to the FBI approximately 66% of those victims rescued in the United States are not United States citizens; and victims who return to their home countries, often face grave danger from the criminal organizations which trafficked them. Families of victims are placed in danger as well; and victims are currently afforded temporary refugee status under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Ac, but are not provided any realistic citizenship opportunity. SECTION I: BE IT THERE FORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 ARKANSAS STUDENT 1. Congress that: Public Law 106-386 (Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection 2. Act of 2000) shall be amended to add Sec. 107(2)(b)(1)(F) to read as follows: “A 3. Victim of a severe form of trafficking as defined previously in the Act and who 4. is a foreign national rescued within United States borders by any branch of the 5. Department of Homeland Security will be provided with a quick pathway to 6. citizenship.” This bill does not change any current access to assistance through 7. programs provided to victims by the federal government under Public 7. Law 106-386. SECTION II: THIS ACT WILL BE ADMINISTERED AND ENFORCED BY THE 1. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of Homeland 2. Security SECTION III. THIS ACT WILL BE FUNDED BY FUNDS CURRENTLY 1. allocated to the budget of Public Law 106-386 SECTION IV: THIS ACT WILL GO INTO EFFECT SIX MONTHS AFTER PASSAGE Action of Originating House Time________ Action of Originating House Time________ Passed ___Failed___ Signature of Clerk ________ Passed ___Failed___ Signature of Clerk_________ Number: 207 Bill Introduced by: Elaina Taylor Representing: Conway High School Assigned to Committee: Veteran’s Affairs Time Approved by Committee:____________________ Chairperson:___________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES THAT THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC SCHOL SYSTEMS IMPLEMENT A MANDITORY FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSE FOR K-12 STUDENTS. Whereas, 2.1 billion of United States expenditure for the past two years has gone to translation and interpreting companies. Whereas, Only 18% of Americans speak a second language compared to the 53% of Europeans who converse eloquently in a second language, Whereas, Less than one in five students takes a foreign language in k-12 in America, furthering the language gap amongst the U.S. and other developed nations, Whereas, Requiring foreign language from kindergarten onward in public school systems would: make foreign policy easier and more effective, cost the government less money by eliminating the need for most interpreters, and increase the working vocabulary of the average American, bridging the global educational divide. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 2. Ensure that all k-12 graduates take annual foreign language courses SECTION II This act will be implemented and administered for the 2015-2016 academic 2. school year upon passage by the U.S. Department of Education. SECTION III This act will require funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Action of Originating House Time__________________ Passed____________ Failed_________ Signature of the Clerk______________ Action of Originating House Time__________________ Passed____________ Failed_________ Signature of the Clerk______________ Number: 208 Bill Introduced By: Timothy Douglas & Derek Clarke Representing: North Little Rock High School Assigned to Committee: Veteran’s Affairs Time Approved by Committee:__________________ Chairperson:_____________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECCOMENDING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS THAT THE FOOD TAX BE CAPPED TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF FOOD TO CHILDREN IN FOOD INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS Whereas, 16.2 million children live in households that lack the means to get enough nutritious food on a regular basis; and, Whereas, Hunger is the world’s number one health risk. It kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined, and; Whereas, Arkansas is the third most food insecure state, with 28.4% of households with children being food insecure; and, Whereas, Households spend 6.5% on sales taxes on average in Arkansas (6.50$ for every 100$.); and, Whereas, Lowering the sales tax to 5% would make food more accessible to households under the poverty line and make buying groceries less expensive. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS 2. lower the sales tax to 5% in Arkansas and make the maximum sales tax 5% and to ensure that 3. all state institutions uphold this cap. SECTION II This Act will be implemented on September 20th of 2015 to ensure that all vendors have time 2. to alter their prices to fit this new model. State institutions would be responsible for the 3. administration of this new limit. SECTION III This act will be enforced by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration and failure to comply will result in a fine of one half percent of the company’s yearly revenue. SECTION III The money collected from the fines will go directly back to fighting hunger in Arkansas. Action of Originating House Time__________________ Action of Second House Time________________ Passed___________ Failed____________ Signature of Clerk___________________ Passed___________ Failed____________ Signature of Clerk___________________ HOUSE II COMMITTEE WAYS AND MEANS (W&M) Number: 209 Bill Introduced by: Merritt White Representing: Har-Ber High School Assigned to Committee: Ways and Means Time Approved by Committee:______________ Chairperson:________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT A UNIT OF SEXUAL EDUCATION BE REQUIRED WITHIN THE HEALTH CREDIT REQUIRED TO GRADUATE Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, 680,000 women are raped yearly and 60% of those are under the age of 18; and, If parents do not talk to their children regarding sex the only influence they have is peers and media which can often be misleading or incorrect; and, A unit of sexual education is not currently required in Arkansas health classes; and, 3 million people contract sexually transmitted diseases annually; and, 66% of teens have had sex before their senior year; and, 25% of teens that engage in unprotected sex will contract a sexually transmitted disease; and, Half of all new cases of HIV occurs in teens Without the implementation of this bill Arkansas students will remain sexually unaware and therefore unable to take proper precautions ensuring their safety SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2. Require that a unit of sexual education be required in elective health classes from 3. grades 9-12 that are mandatory to graduate and that this unit educate students on 4. topics including: awareness of STDs, date rape, and pregnancy prevention, as well as general 5. sexual awareness and require parents to sign a waiver allowing students to participate in this 6.unit while students whose parents do not allow them to participate complete a mandatory 7. anatomy project in place of the sexual education unit. SECTION II This act will be implemented and administered for the 2015-2016 school year by the 2. Arkansas Department of Health and Education SECTION III This act will require no funding seeing as the teachers have access to online courses, 2. lesson plans, and curriculum provided by SEICUS.org (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States) Action of Originating House Passed_________Failed_________ Time________________ Signature of Clerk______________ Action of Originating House Passed_________Failed_________ Time________________ Signature of Clerk______________ Number 210 Bill Introduced by : Timothy Cash Representing: Mills University Studies High School Assigned to Committee Ways and Means Time Approved by Committee_________________ Chairperson_____________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT UNITED STATES CITIZENS ARE GRANTED EQUAL VOTING OPPORTUNITIES VIA THE INTERNET ON ALL ITEMS OF HOUSE CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATURE. Whereas, The Equal Voting Opportunities Act guarantees the citizens fair and free access to certain voting issues, and Whereas, American citizens should have an equal opportunity to vote on all items of legislature is via the internet, and Whereas, Increases in corporate lobbying and politicized special interest influences contribute to inefficacy of the U.S. Legislature, and Whereas, The trust of the American people in electing representatives can also ensure they will meet their individual duty to vote on legislation in an informed manner, and Whereas, Partisan gridlock has made approval and passage of potentially beneficial legislation difficult, and at times, improbable. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS 2. Decree that United States citizens be granted equal voting opportunities via the internet on 3. All items of house congressional legislature. SECTION II This act will be go into effect January 1, 2016. SECTION III This act will be implemented and administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. SECTION IV SECTION V This act will ensure that votes are only counted from validated IP addresses as well as 2. The identification provided via a social security number, of course this will mean that 3. The only votes counted will be from United States citizens with these credentials. This act will address any deviation or fraud in this process in the same manner any other 2. Voter fraud is disciplined. These votes will be assessed by the House of 3. Representatives congressional clerk. The citizens will receive 50 additional 4. Congressional seats proportionately representative of the public. The Citizen voting bloc is 5. Not to be exclusively affiliated with an existing political party. SECTION VI The technologies used in facilitating this process will be subject to system checks 2. Routinely through oversight by the U.S. Department of Justice. Action of Originating House Time____________________ Action of Second House Time___________________ Passed_________ Failed___________ Signature of the Clerk_____________ Passed_________ Failed___________ Signature of the Clerk_____________ Bill Number: 211 Bill Introduced by: Author Eric McLain and Co-author Alely Lopez Representing: Northside High School Assigned to Committee: Ways and Means Time Approved by Committee: ______ Chairperson: ASH (Anti-Safe Haven) ACT RECOMMENDING TO THE U.S. CONGRESS THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENACT A POLICY TO DECREASE TERRORISTIC ACTIVITY INTERNATIONALLY BY ENCOURAGING FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO EXTINGUISH TERRORIST CELLS IN THIER OWN COUNTRIES. Whereas, Terrorist cells are growing stronger, larger, and wealthier without threat within specific borders, and, Whereas, Countries that allow terrorist cells to assemble and train without repercussion create a “safe haven” for terrorist cells to grow and become a threat to our World, and, Whereas, Countries that allow a “safe haven” for terrorist cells also financially support them with possible U.S. funds intended for other use, and, Whereas, Holding each country responsible to police their own boarders for terrorist cells, not financially supporting them and not allowing them to train, meet, and assemble inside their boarders will create difficulty for terrorist cells to assemble and grow. SECTION I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. 1. Encourage countries to unite and force out terrorist groups. 2. THE U.S. will promise countries military and/or financial support if countries comply. SECTION II: This act will be implemented and administered immediately upon passage by the 1. Department of State 2. U.S. Military SECTION III: Consequences for noncompliance will be a complete cut off of U.S. Aide from the country and that countries government will be seen as supporting terrorist, therefore, become an enemy of the United States. SECTION IV: This act will require an increase in our U.S. military and increasing the military budget. But would guarantee foreign aid would not be used to support terrorist’s cells. Action of Originating House Time________________ Action of Second House Time:____________ Passed___________Failed________ Signature of the Clerk___________ Passed_____________ Failed______________ Signature of the Clerk______________________ HOUSE II COMMITTEE ENERGY AND COMMERCE (E&C) Bill Number 212 Bill Introduced by Delaney Robertson and Sean Anderson Representing Parkview Arts /Science Magnet High School Assigned to Committee: Energy and Commerce Time Approved by Committee _____________Chairperson _____________ A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES THAT THE DEFINITION OF PRIVATE VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATION BE AMENDED TO EXCLUDE FOOD-PROCESSING PLANTS Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, Whereas, SECTION I: SECTION II: SECTION III: SECTION IV: SECTION V: food aid is the “sales of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries and private entities on concessional credit terms” according to PL 480; and through PL 480, food aid is sent to American establishments in foreign countries to be distributed; and through PL 480, these establishments must obtain authorization through the US government; and organizations whose purpose is the building and operating of food-processing establishments internationally are currently permitted the definition of Private Voluntary Organization; and said definition is allowing for the development of food-processing plants in Third-World countries; and said plants are chemically configuring the aid sent by the US into substances which recipient countries cannot produce themselves; and because of current definitions, these organizations hold the authority needed to distribute food aid circumventing the regulations of PL 480 BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 ARKANSAS STUDENT CONGRESS THAT 2. § 203.6 of the Registration of Private Voluntary Organizations be amended to 3. add: (i) Condition Number 9 (Exclusion of Food Processing establishments) to 4. read as follows: “(1) Organizations established for the building and operating 5. of food processing establishments in foreign countries are not Private 6. Voluntary Organizations.” THIS ACT WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE UNITED STATES AGENCY ON INTERNATIONAL 2. Development (USAID) working in accordance with the United States Department of 3. State. FUNDING FOR THIS ACT WILL BE PROVIDED BY FUNDS CURRENTLY ALLOTTED TO 2. USAID to regulate Private Voluntary Organizations. ENFORCEMENT FOR THIS ACT WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE PRIVATE 2. Organizations Board of USAID. Violations will result in loss of non-profit recognition 3. to said company. FOOD-PROCESSING ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED AS 2. Private Voluntary Organizations as of April 27, 2016. Action of Originating House Time________ Action of Originating House Time________ Passed___Failed___ Signature of Clerk______________ Passed___Failed___ Signature of Clerk_______________ Number: 213 Bill Introduced by: Madison Lester, Samantha Bratton Representing: Russellville High School Assigned to Committee: Energy and Commerce Time Approved by Committee:___________________ Chairperson:__________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO AMEND SECTION 107 OF THE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTIONS ACT OF 2000 REQUIRING VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING TO COOPERATE IN THE PROSECUTION OF THEIR TRAFFICKER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ADEQUATE SERVICES AND PROTECTION. Whereas, Traffickers often have access to former victims and their families, even after law enforcement has become involved; and, Whereas, The victims must comply with law enforcement demands to identify, help locate, and testify against their traffickers, and to give evidence and information as requested to be eligible for assistance from the federal government; and, Whereas, Shelters not run by the government can only accommodate 15% of trafficking victims, often without proper resources; and, Whereas, Victims of trafficking often require medical, psychological, and legal help that they would otherwise not have access to without assistance from the federal government. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES 2. provide all trafficking victims with proper protection from their trafficker and access to adequate medical, psychological, and legal help, regardless of their ability or willingness to cooperate in the investigation of their trafficker. SECTION II This act will take effect January 1, 2016; and will be administered by the 2. U.S. Department of Justice SECTION III This act will be enforced by the 2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services SECTION IV This act requires no additional funding for its implementation and administration. Action of Originating House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed_____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Action of Second House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed______________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Bill Number: 214 Bill Introduced By: Tyler Riddle and Hailey Burden Representing: Decatur High School____________ Assigned to Committee: Energy and Commerce Time Approved by Committee: ______________ Chairperson: __________ A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT A (NON-DRIVING) DRIVER’S EDUCATION CLASS MUST BE PASSED PRIOR TO ANY APPLICANT BEING ISSUED AN ARKANSAS DRIVING PERMIT. Whereas, The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, Whereas, Over 5,000 teens are killed and over 400,000 passengers are injured in car crashes each year, Whereas, According to the Arkansas State Police, 12% of fatal car crashes in Arkansas involve teen drivers, Whereas, According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash, Whereas, According to the Arkansas State Police Annual Statistical Reports, despite other licensing changes, the motor-vehicle accident fatality rate for persons between the ages of 16 and 25 has shown little improvement in the most-recently-published longitudinal study, Whereas, Accredited driver’s education courses are available through public schools, private schools, and online, Whereas, Teenagers proving knowledge and understanding of the laws, standards, and hazards of driving, beyond the current minimum standard, through passage of an accredited driver’s education course, will be better drivers and the motor-vehicle accident fatality rate will be reduced in Arkansas, Section I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2.) Require all teenagers seeking a driver’s permit to prove passage of an accredited (non-driving) 3.) driver’s education course and prove passage of the current, written, permit test to be issued an 4.) Arkansas driver’s permit. Section II THIS ACT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED: 2.) By the Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Arkansas State Police, beginning 3.) January 1, 2016. Section III THE ENFORCERS OF THE ACT ARE THE FOLLOWING: 2.) The Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Arkansas State Police, Section IV THE FUNDING WILL BE PROVIDED BY: 2.) The Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Arkansas State Police, Action of Originating House Passed__________ Failed_______________ Time________________________ Signature of the Clerk__________________ Action of Second House Passed__________ Failed_______________ ` Time________________________ Signature of the Clerk__________________ HOUSE II COMMITTEE SMALL BUSINESS (SB) Number: 215 Bill Introduced by Soo Matthews Representing Cabot High school Assigned to Committee: Small Business Time Approved by Committee:_________________ Chairperson:________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS THAT THE JURY SYSTEM BE REFORMED TO IMPROVE COMPENSATIONS FOR SELECTED JURORS. Whereas, On average, the nonresponse rate for jury duty is 30% in the state of Arkansas. Some counties have as high as 100% nonresponse rate; and Whereas, On average, only about 30% of those summoned actually serve on the jury; and Whereas, Every citizen has a right to trial by jury, but lack of participation robs those on trial of a fair representative trial; and Whereas, A lack of punishment and a lack of compensation from the workplace directly correlate to the number of people responding to summons; and SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2. ensure that all businesses pay their employees the full day’s salary during the days missed due to jury duty, 3. and those summoned that are employed by businesses with five or less employees be automatically exempt if they have previously been summoned 3. and that a statewide penalty of $300 due to nonresponse be enforced. SECTION II This act will be implemented and administered immediately upon passage by the 2. Arkansas Judiciary. SECTION III This act will require no funding because juror compensation will be covered by 2. individual businesses. Action of Originating House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed_____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Action of Second House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed______________ Signature of the Clerk_________________ Number: 216 Bill Introduced by: Megan Bellfield Representing: Episcopal Collegiate School Assigned to Committee: Small Business Time Approved by Committee: ____________________ Chairperson: _________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REINSTATE THE TEACHING OF CURSIVE WRITING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Whereas, forty-one states have dropped cursive writing and replaced it with keyboarding; and, Whereas, according to Psychology Today, cursive improves reading comprehension and SAT scores; and, Whereas, many schools are not currently teaching cursive because of keyboarding; and, Whereas, many historical documents are written in cursive and future generations will not be able to read them without the teaching of cursive. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2. mandate that the Arkansas Department of Education require 3. the teaching of cursive during students’ elementary educations. SECTION II This bill will go into effect in the 2017-2018 school year. SECTION III This bill will be administered by the Arkansas Department of Education. 2. Non-compliance by schools will result in the following penalties: 3. On first offense, the school will be placed on a watch list with a warning. 4. The second offense will result in a school takeover by the Arkansas Department 5. of Education. SECTION IV This bill does not require any additional funding. Action of Originating House Time _________ Passed ________ Failed________ Signature of Clerk _______________ Action of Second House Time _________ Passed ________ Failed ________ Signature of Clerk _______________ SENATE BILLS SENATE COMMITTEE AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY (AN&F) Bill Number 301 _________ Bill Introduced By Brittany Webb and Robert Taylor Representing _Hendrix College__ __ Assigned to Committee AN&F ___ Name of Chairperson______________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE HIGH COST GAS TAX BY VOLUME BE INCREASED TO ONE PERCENT OF EVERY DOLLAR OF HIGH COST GAS. Whereas, High cost gases harvested and marketed in Arkansas currently produce $2.3 billion of revenue; and, Whereas, The current price of high cost natural gas is $16.06 per one thousand cubic feet; and, Whereas, The current tax on high cost natural gas is three tenths of a penny per dollar of high cost natural gas marketed; and, Whereas, High cost gas includes gas obtained by hydraulic fracturing and compression drilling; and, Whereas, In 2012, Arkansas produced 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas; and, Whereas, The money from the tax by volume of high cost natural gas is allocated to transportation infrastructure repairs and projects within the state. Section I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT 2. Arkansas General Assembly raise the tax on high cost natural gas by volume to one 3. percent of every dollar of high cost natural gas marketed from Arkansas. Section II: 4. This act will be implemented and overseen by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission. Section III: 5. This act will be effective upon October 1st, 2015. Action of Originating House Time________________ Passed_______ Failed________ Signature of Clerk___________ Action of Second House Time________________ Passed________ Failed_______ Signature of Clerk___________ Bill Number: 302 Bill Introduced By: C. Aaron Nooner and Sarah McCallie Representing: University of Central Arkansas Assigned to Committee: AN&F Time Approved by Committee and Name of Chairman: _________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALLOW STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS REFUSE EDUCATIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO APPLY FOR DEPENDENCY OVERRIDE. Whereas, Students whose parents refuse educational financial support, are unable to obtain sufficient financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because they are classified as dependents of said parents. Under the current system, they are ineligible to apply for a dependency override; and Whereas, Of these students without family backing, 58% drop out of school due to insufficient funding, while only 27% with family backing drop out; and Whereas, The current Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) explicitly denies students whose parents refuse them financial support to apply for a dependency override, forcing many students to drop out of school; and Whereas, By allowing students whose parents refuse support to reclassify as independents, we may be able to increase college student retention rates, increasing the effectiveness of our future workforce; and SECTION I. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS 2. allow students whose parents refuse educational support to reclassify as 3. independent, granting them access to financial aid. SECTION II: This act will apply to application for federal aid submitted for the 2015-16 2. academic year. SECTION III: The Department of Education shall be charged with determining whether a 2. student is independent due to parents’ refusal to provide educational support. SECTION IV: This act will be funded through normal means. Action of the Originating House Time: ___________________ Passed ________ Failed ________ Signature of Clerk ___________________ Action of the Second House Time: ___________________ Passed ________ Failed ________ Signature of Clerk ___________________ Bill Number: 303 A BILL introduced by Sarah Phillips & Tanisha Smith Representing: University of Arkansas at Monticello Assigned to Committee: AN&F Time approved by Committee: ____________ Name of Chairperson: _______________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO INVEST IN THE DEVLOPMENT OF A NATIONAL SMART GRID SYSTEM. Whereas, electricity is a vital function of society in the United States, however the so called analog system in place has not been changed in the century since it was put in place; and that in order to provide better services to the people an alternative smart grid system should be implemented nationwide; and Whereas, the analog grid was designed nearly a century ago to do one thing, deliver electricity to homes and businesses. It's a massive, dependable machine, but it provides limited information, so there is little automation and interaction; and there is little information and control given to the people to allow them to save energy and money; and it is massive drain on our nation’s energy resources. Whereas, despite passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 providing funding to the states to implement smaller scale smart grid systems; and showing success there has not been an effort to fund a nationwide smart grid; and Whereas, digital technology will provide the information and control customers need to save energy and money; and it will also help us integrate more renewable energy resources, and allow more efficient and reliable electric vehicle charging; and the various companies will be able to deploy a quicker response time in outages or costumer issues; and Section I. NOW, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS ON 2.HUMAS RELATIONS, THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS: should further amend 3.the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to allow greater funding for a national smart grid system and 4.develop a schedule for nationwide integration into the new grid system; and Section II. BE IT FURTHER RESOLEVED, THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS: should 2.instruct the Department of Energy oversee a feasibility assessment of the initial 3.implementation; and further installation of advancements based on the initial success of a 4.national smart grid system; which final plans shall be approved by Congress; and Section III. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS: should appropriate the funds allotted for the Smart Grid Electric Energy Consumption Test Facility Project, designed to fund small scale company testing of the smart grid technology, to fund the initial developments of a national system; and create perpetual funding for the Department of Energy to advance and maintain the grid system. Action of Originating House Time: __________________ Passed / Failed: ________________ Signature of Clerk: ______________ Action of Second House Time: __________________ Passed / Failed: ________________ Signature of Clerk: ______________ Number: 304 Bill Introduced by: Author: Ariel Scott Co-Author: Emily Yeager Representing: Missouri State University, West Plains Assigned to Committee: AN&F Time Approved by Committee: . Chairperson:__________________________________ A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE SENATE OF ARKANSAS THAT IT BE MANDATORY FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL FRESHMAN TO TAKE A SEX EDUCATION COURSE IN ORDER TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. WHEREAS there is 4,845 unexpected pregnancies among young girls between 15-19 years of age, and; WHEREAS, one third of five thousand teen moms surveyed said that didn’t think they could get pregnant, and; WHEREAS, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that 19 million new cases of STD’s occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24, and; WHEREAS, in 2011 there were 5,976 diagnosed cases of chlamydia spanning from ages 15 to 19 in the state of Arkansas, and; WHEREAS, if students learn about sex it could help them prevent unwanted pregnancies and avoid getting a sexually transmitted disease. Section I. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT public schools be required to teach a sex education course to all freshmen students for one full year, starting the fall semester of 2015. Section II. All course content should be passed by the state legislature including the following to be taught by a non-biased individual: 2. Students will be informed of what sex is. 3. That abstinence is the only 100% way to prevent STDs and pregnancies. 4. Contraceptives, how to avoid pregnancies. 5.The dangers of STD’s and prevention. 7. The complications to the mother and child during the pregnancy. 8. The cost and repercussions of being teen parents. Section III. Each public school board will enforce this act 2.If a school does not comply a fine will be set. Action of Originating House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed_____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Action of Second House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed______________ Signature of the Clerk_________________ SENATE COMMITTEE BANKING, HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (BH&UA) Number: 305 Bill Introduced by Author: Emily Schilmoeller, CoAuthor: Malory Kjar Representing: Missouri State University, West Plains Assigned to Committee: BH&UA Time Approved by Committee:___________________ Chairperson:__________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE ARKANSAS CIVIL RIGHTS ACT BE EXPANDED Whereas, Discrimination is a major problem in today’s society; and, Whereas, As social groups have arisen, antidiscrimination laws have evolved to reflect the respect their members are due as citizens; and, Whereas, Certain minority groups are not yet protected under the Arkansas Civil Rights Act; and, Whereas, When individuals are discriminated against, they lose motivation in the workplace, leading to a loss of productivity; and, Whereas, An expansion of the Arkansas Civil Rights Act will recognize these groups as protected minorities, which will lead to an increase in productivity in the members of these groups. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2. add the categories of sexual orientation, marital status, age, and gender identity 3. to Arkansas Code § 16-123-107 after the category of “religion.” SECTION II This act will be implemented and administered immediately upon passage by the 2. Little Rock Area Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. SECTION III This act will be funded through normal means. Action of Originating House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed_____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ Action of Second House Time_____________________ Passed__________Failed______________ Signature of the Clerk_________________ Bill Number: 306 Bill Introduced By: Dallas Forbes Representing: University of Central Arkansas Assigned to Committee: BH&UA Time Approved by Committee and Name of Chairman: _________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS TO ESTABLISH A RESIDENCY STATUTE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. Whereas, This bill will attempt to discourage police promoting a military occupancy environment, to encourage trust of officers, as well as to encourage faster response times; and Whereas, The use of excessive force accusations (the death of Eugene Ellison, Collin Spradling, Landris Hawkins) portray that violent crime is increasing in Little Rock according to the Little Rock Crime Statistic chart; and Whereas, If Arkansas citizens should expect to build a more secure future, as supported by the Little Rock Police in their mission “to gain community support in the suppression of criminal activity” one must establish a sense of community to build off of; and Whereas, By enforcing a residency statute, law enforcement officers and the members of the community will have the trust and knowledge to an extent that has yet to have been accomplished; SECTION I. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS 2. require that law enforcement officers live no more than ten (10) miles away 3. from their town of employment’s City Hall. Law enforcement officers have the 4. ability to request that their residency requirement be abolished after ten years of 5. service. SECTION II: This act will go into effect two years upon passage and will be implemented by the 2. public law enforcement agencies of counties with populations of thirty (30) or 3. more people per square mile. Exempted from the population rule are the cities in 4. the above stated counties with populations less than two thousand (2000) residents. SECTION III: This act will be enforced by the local City Hall. Any officer, as well as their city of 2. employment, who does not comply will be required to pay back any monies paid 3. during the time of disobedience to the Arkansas Government. Action of the Originating House Time: ___________________ Passed ________ Failed ________ Signature of Clerk ___________________ Action of the Second House Time: ___________________ Passed ________ Failed ________ Signature of Clerk ___________________ Bill Number: 307 A BILL introduced by April Wright & Ruby Kaur Representing: University of Arkansas at Monticello Assigned to Committee: BH&UA Time approved by Committee: ____________ Name of Chairperson: _______________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECCOMINDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS TO INSTRUCT THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REQUIRE THAT ALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLASSES GRADES 9-12 TEACH COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION AS OUTLINED IN THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CIRRICULUM FRAMEWORK. Whereas, in 2011 the US Department of Health and Human Services reported that Arkansas was ranked 5th highest teen pregnancy rate in the US and the Arkansas teen pregnancy rate in 2011 was 50.7 (births per 1,000 females ages 15-19) compared to the national rate of 31.3; and Whereas, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, teen pregnancy has been linked to social and economic hardship for teen parents and large public cost including an estimated $129 million spent 2010 on teen child bearing in Arkansas; and Whereas, only 38% of teen girls who have a child before age 18 graduate with a college degree and a child born to a teen parent is three times more likely to become a teen parent themselves in comparison to mothers who have children ages 20-21; and Whereas, the Arkansas Department of Education requires ½ unit of health and safety education for grades 9-12 with the curricula framework including “Strand: Healthy Life Skills and Relationships,” however, there is no state requirement or outline for the teaching of sexuality education and sexually transmitted diseases/HIV prevention; and Whereas, according to the University of Washington and Advocates for Youth foundation studies, students who receive comprehensive sexuality education are significantly less likely to experience teen pregnancy and are more likely to have an increase in positive sexual behavior practices in comparison to abstinence only education or no sexuality education; and Whereas, a state requirement of comprehensive sexuality education requiring medically accurate, evidence based teaching methods and the combination of teaching abstinence and contraceptive methods will save the million in public cost in addition to preserving education in the lives of teens. Section I: NOW, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS ON 2.HUMAS RELATIONS, THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF 3.ARKANSAS SHOULD: instruct the Arkansas Department of Education to require all Health 4.and Safety Education courses grades 9-12 to teach comprehensive sexuality education as 5.outlined in the curricula HLSR.4HW.6 “analyze the importance of sexual abstinence and 6.other forms of contraception in teen relationships” and require that all instruction be based on 7.medically accurate information and evidence based teaching methods with equal emphasis on 8.abstinence and contraceptive methods. Action of Originating House Time: __________________ Passed / Failed: ________________ Signature of Clerk: ______________ Action of Second House Time: __________________ Passed / Failed: ________________ Signature of Clerk: ______________ Bill Number 308 Bill Introduced By Barrett Goodwin Representing Hendrix College Assigned to Committee BH&UA Name of Chairperson _______________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS THAT FAILURE TO VACATE BE REPEALED AND REPLACED WITH A CIVIL SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES A WARRANTY OF HABITABILITY Whereas, An estimated 1/3 of all Arkansans rent their current residential properties; and, Whereas, These residents are more likely to experience sudden changes in income or expenses leading to a missed rental payment; and, Whereas, Arkansas’ Failure to Vacate law provides for the arrest of renters who fail to move out after 10 days from missing a rental payment, even if they withhold payment due to unfulfilled repairs to the property; and, Whereas, The state bears the full financial cost of both providing law enforcement officers for the eviction and providing prosecutors for their criminal trial; and, Whereas, Most renters are unlikely to have legal representation and thus are at a distinct disadvantage in a criminal trial, in addition to being unable to bring counter claims on their landlords; and, Whereas, Arkansas law has no implied Warranty of Habitability, thus landlords in the state of Arkansas are currently not legally required to maintain their property. SECTION I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT 2. Arkansas code A.C.A. '18-16-101 be repealed and that it be replaced with 3. new legislation that reads: “Tenants who fail to pay their rent as per their rental 4 .agreement with their landlord shall be subject to legal action that includes the 5. possibility of fines for any damage incurred to the property as well as possible 6. eviction from said property.” SECTION II: In addition to this new language, let it be added in subsection 18-16-101(A) that 2. “Landlords have a legal responsibility to repair their property and ensure that 3. the property meets the standards the renter agreed to upon entering into the 4. rental agreement”. SECTION III: This law will take effect at the start of the 2016 fiscal year (1 October 2015). Action of Originating House Time________________ Passed_______ Failed _______ Signature of Clerk___________ Action of Second House Time________________ Passed_______ Failed _______ Signature of Clerk___________ SENATE COMMITTEE FOREIGN RELATIONS (FR) Bill Number 309 Bill Introduced By Konstantin Gruenwald Representing Hendrix College Assigned to Committee Foreign Relations Name of Chairperson _______________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES THAT PATENT TROLLING BE ABOLISHED. Whereas, The number of patent troll suits have doubled from 2009-2011; and, Whereas, “Ninety percent of high-impact patent suits were brought by plaintiffs who purchased the patent instead of being owner asserted;” and, Whereas, In 2012, more than 60% of all patent lawsuits filed were done so by patent assertion entities; and, Whereas, Patent trolling hinders innovative technological and economic development in favor of benefiting corporate self-interests; and, Whereas, A study The Private and Social Costs of Patent Trolls finds that patent trolling litigations force the defendants to forego approximately $500 billion per year; and, Whereas, Patent suits with less than $1 million at risk cost an average upward of $500,000. Suits with $25 million at risk have a mean litigation cost of ~$4 million; and, Whereas, High litigation costs often force smaller businesses to settle rather than confront the litigation; and, Whereas, 97% of patent infringement suits are settled before court due to these high expenses. SECTION I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT 2. the first sentence of 35 USC § 115(a) be amended to “Naming the Inventor; Inventor’s 3. Oath or Declaration.— An application for patent that is filed under section 111(a) or 4. commences the national stage under section 371 shall include, or be amended to 5. include, the name of the inventor and plan for utilization of production or dispersal for 6. any invention claimed in the application.” SECTION II: This law will take effect at the start of the 2016 fiscal year (1 October 2015). Action of Originating House Time________________ Passed_______ Failed _______ Signature of Clerk___________ Action of Second House Time________________ Passed_______ Failed _______ Signature of Clerk___________ Bill Number: 310 A BILL introduced by Tyler Harrison & Reba Worthen Representing: University of Arkansas at Monticello Assigned to Committee: Foreign Relations Time approved by Committee: ____________ Name of Chairperson: _______________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO AMEND UNITED STATES LAW TO REDUCE POLICE BRUTALITY AND REDUCE MILITARY EQUIPMENT FROM BEING TRANSFERRED TO LOCAL POLICE UNITS. Whereas, in 1997 the United States Congress authorized the creation of the Department of Defense’s Excess Property program, which authorizes the transfer of military grade equipment decommission by the Department of Defense to local municipality, county governments, and state police forces; and Whereas, since 1997 the Department of Defense reports, it has distributed $4.3 billion worth of equipment, including tents, generators, pickup trucks and all-terrain vehicles, as well as military aircraft, grenade launchers and heavily armed tactical vehicles, to local police departments; and Whereas, the National Police Misconduct Reporting Project (NPMRP) of the CATO Institute, reports a 48% increase in reported police misconduct including, excessive force, sexual misconduct, police brutality, since 2000; and Whereas, the NPMRP reports 60-70% increase of majority of police brutality & excessive force in major all cities that have received military grade weapons and transportation equipment from Department of Defense’s Excess Property program; and Whereas, the Police Foundation, an advocacy group of police organizations, suggests that the wearing of surveillance cameras on a police officer’s person can reduces accounts of excessive force and misreporting. Section I: NOW, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS ON HUMAN RELATIONS, THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS: should limit the transfer of military equipment that is not standard police gear to local police stations, by requiring the all transfers of military equipment decommissioned by the Department of Defense to be approved by a federal independent government commission to be named the Military Equipment Resourcing Commissions (MERC) and the governor of the state the equipment is be transferred to. MERC shall consist of twelve presidential appointees: three nominated from the National League of Cities, three nominated from the Secretary of Defense, and three nominated from the federal recognized non-profits who’s mission includes deterring gun violence on a national scale in the United States; and Section II: BE IT FURTHERED RESOLVED, THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS: should require all publicly funded police & security officials to wear surveillance cameras on their person while performing policing duties; requiring local departments applying for US Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants to use funds for complying with this bill before using funds for other lawful purposes. Action of Originating House Time: __________________ Passed / Failed: ________________ Signature of Clerk: ______________ Action of Second House Time: __________________ Passed / Failed: ________________ Signature of Clerk: ______________ Bill Number: 311 Bill Introduced By: Alyson Tyler and Jack Wren Representing: University of Central Arkansas Assigned to Committee: Foreign Relations Time Approved By Committee and Name of Chairman:________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS THAT ARKANSAS STATE FUNDED COLLEGES WOULD NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT THE LOWEST COMPETITIVE BID OFFER FOR FOOD SERVICES. Whereas, The public procurement law under Arkansas Code Annotated sections 19-11-228 and 1911-229 in Arkansas mandates that state funded colleges take the lowest competitive bid available to the college; and Whereas, Requiring public colleges to accept the lowest bid presented to them can lead to poorer food quality. In addition, bidders will often create incentives with the college to increase the likelihood of a contract renewal instead of searching for lower bids through things like facility improvement projects amortized over long periods; and Whereas, Evidence shows that publicly funded colleges will renew the same contract, adjusting for inflation, over several decades because once a company is established on a campus, it is cheaper for the existing bidder to maintain establishment on campus than for a new bidder to create establishment; and Whereas, If we allowed Arkansas public colleges to accept a bid of their choosing, then students could have healthier alternatives than what they currently receive. Both food quality and student satisfaction would increase; therefore, revenue through meal plan and individual meal purchases would increase; SECTION I. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS 2. allow publicly funded colleges to select a food service bid of any amount and 3. let the college choose how to justify/allocate funding for the greater cost to the 4. college outside of existing funding from the state. SECTION II. This act will go into effect immediately upon passage. However, nothing in this 2. bill is intended to affect the validity of current contracts. SECTION III. This act will be funded by normal means. Action of the Originating House Time_____________________ Passed______________Failed______________ Signature of Clerk________________________ Action of Second House Time______________________ Passed_____________Failed_______________ Signature of Clerk________________________ Number: 312 Bill Introduced by: Travis Fogerson, Co-Author: Benjamin Gilpin Representing: Missouri State University of West Plains Assigned to Committee: Foreign Relations Time Approved by Committee:_________________ Chair Person:_______________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES THAT A HEALTH INSURANCE CLAIM DENIAL REVIEW BOARD SYSTEM BE IMPLEMENTED. Whereas, H.R. 3590(Affordable Care Act) made health care insurance essentially a requirement for all citizens. Whereas, Review of a denied insurance claim is currently handled by the insurance company that denied the claim. Whereas, Citizens required to have insurance by their government need aid from that government to ensure they receive coverage for necessary medical services. SECTION I BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: 2. implement a system of boards to oversee appeals of denied health care 3. claims and determine if the denial is justified or should be overturned. SECTION II Review boards shall be comprised of five members: a representative of the 2. insurance companies, a judge, a senior physician, an elected official, and an 3. advocate of the consumer. SECTION III This act will be implemented and administered 365 days after passage under 2. the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services. Action of Originating House Time_________________ Action of Second House Time _________________ Passed _____________Failed____________ Signature of the Clerk__________________ Passed ____________Failed ____________ Signature of the Clerk________________ SENATE COMMITTEE HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR & PENSIONS (HELP) Bill Number: 313 A BILL introduced by Ashley Lawrence & Leslie Beard Representing: University of Arkansas at Monticello Assigned to Committee: HELP Time approved by Committee: ____________ Name of Chairperson: _______________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ESTABLISH A UNIVERSAL APPLICATION PROCESS STREAMLINING ALL STATE AND FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES. Whereas, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported a total of 99,089,648, or 87% applicants whom receive of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are also recipients of the Separate State Program-Maintenance of Effort programs in the Fiscal Year 2013; and Whereas, the same program study revealed that 61% of all needy families participating in TANF programs receive on average seven difference assistance programs from either state or federal sources, including: aid from food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, rent assistance, utilities assistance, etc; and Whereas, the lack of coordination of assistance to families results in duplicity in aid and coverage for many families resulting in an estimated $29 billion in unnecessary aid to families from both state and federal programs; and Whereas, the current application procedures require recipients to apply separately for all 126 federal programs and estimated 1,300 state programs. This process of uncoordinated programs creates unnecessary burdens for the individual social welfare programs are time consuming for government workers, complex to individuals/families in need of services, and repeatedly humiliating to applicants in need of temporary assistance; and Whereas, a universal application process, coupled with a coordinated management system, for all state and federal assistance programs could decrease the likelihood of duplicity in aid, streamline the process allowing for efficiency savings, and relieve arbitrary barriers to families in need. Section I: NOW, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS ON HUMASN RELATIONS THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS: should amend the Personal Responsibility & Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) (Sec. 323) to read as follows: “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shall develop an universal application and client management system to process and determine recipients of any aid or assistance program funded by public fund for basic needs of food, shelter, healthcare, and vocational training/job placement.” Section II: AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: should instruct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop the universal application and client management system based on the standards established by the Government Accountably Office for intergovernmental & interagency coordination and electronic system management; and instruct the Department to review the policy every four years. Action of Originating House Time: __________________ Passed / Failed: ________________ Signature of Clerk: ______________ Action of Second House Time: __________________ Passed / Failed: ________________ Signature of Clerk: ______________ Bill Name: 314 Bill Introduced By: Nancy Cheng________________ Representing: University of Central Arkansas Assigned to Committee: HELP Time Approved by Committee and Name of Chairman:_________________________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD ELIMINATE PENNIES FROM THE MONETARY SYSTEM. Whereas, It costs the government 1.8 cents to make each penny, thus it has become too expensive to mint and worthless to keep; and Whereas, As time goes by that cost is likely to go up even more as the prices of the metals that are used in the coins go up. Furthermore, when people don’t pay the exact change, they in return get pennies that will end up being littered or lose monetary circulation; and Whereas, The Price Rounding Act of 1989, HR 3761 to eliminate the penny in cash transactions, rounding to the nearest nickel, was introduced by United States Representative Jim Kolbe. While the bills received much popular support from the public, and from their representatives, the bill was not made to law when Congress adjourned; SECTION I. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS 2. Discontinue minting pennies. Business shall be authorized to round 3. transactions to the nearest nickel. SECTION II: This act will go into effect upon passage and will be implemented by the Department of the Treasury. Action of the Originating House Time: ___________________ Passed ________ Failed ________ Signature of Clerk ___________________ Action of the Second House Time: ___________________ Passed ________ Failed ________ Signature of Clerk ___________________ Bill Number 315 Bill Introduced by John McAvey, Senate Representing Hendrix College Assigned to Committee HELP Time Approved by Committee____________ Name of Chairperson__________________ SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT A COMMITTEE BE CONSTRUCTED TO INCEASE DATA SECURITY BY REGULATING THE USE OF PATIENT DATA IN MEDICAL SOFTWARE Whereas, technology has expanded in the consumer section by 1200% since 2000 (half a billion to six billion devices); Whereas, current regulations prevent the use of new technologies created after the year 2006; Whereas, Microsoft ended support for server 2003, the most recent required version under HIPAA, as a result of security vulnerabilities Section I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2012 STUDENT CONGRESS 1. A new committee be created to generate new technological standards for the use of patient data; Section II: 2.This committee is to be constructed of experts in technology. 3. This committee must contain at least 2 Cisco Certified Architect certified networker, 2 Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (hereon MCSE) Security architects, 2 MSCE Certified Database Administrators, 2 Cisco Certified Infrastructure Expert, and 3 EC-Council certified ethical hackers; 4. This committee may contain no more than 15 members; 5. This committee will decide the criteria for the selection of members for the next committee; Section III: 6.A committee president will be appointed by the president of the United States and affirmed by the Congress; 7. The president of the committee will preside over sessions and be responsible for selecting the members of the next committee; Section IV: 8. The committee will produce documentation of best practices and minimum requirements for securing patient data. 9. The requirements will be published to a publicly available website. 10. The requirements will be enacted no sooner than 4 months after the requirements have been published. Section V: 11. The Department of Energy will be tasked with enacting the bill. Action of Originating House Time: __________________ Passed _________ Failed __________ Signature of Clerk: _______________ Action of Second House Time: ______________ Passed _________ Failed __________ Signature of Clerk: _______________ Bill Number: 316 Bill Introduced By: Victoria York Representing: Missouri State University-West Plains Assigned to Committee: HELP SHORT TITLE: A BILL RECOMMENDED TO THE ARKANSAS STATE LEGISLATURE THAT REVENGE PORN SHOULD BE MADE ILLEGAL. Whereas, when bitter ex-lovers or hackers post private pictures of their exes or others on the Internet for all to see without written permission it is a clear invasion of privacy, and Whereas, the victims may then be exploited on webpages with links to other social media, and Whereas, violators often rotate photographs on different webpages and/or ask for payment to remove them. SECTION I: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE 2014 STUDENT CONGRESS THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS THAT ARKANSAS BAN REVENGE PORN, 2. Making it a Class A misdemeanor to share images of an identifiable person who may be in a state of full or partial undress, 3. for the purpose of viewing the body of, or the undergarments worn by, that other person, in an interior room (e.g. bedroom, bathroom, changing room, fitting room, dressing room, or tanning booth,) or the interior of any other area in which that other person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, 4. without the person’s consent on electronic communication devices, which includes, but is not limited to, telephones, cell phones, computers, Internet Web pages or sites, Internet phones, hybrid cellular/Internet/wireless devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), video recorders, fax machines, or pagers. Section II: Be it also resolved that all photos or recordings put up anywhere with/on electronic communication without consent of the identifiable person before this bill was enacted will be taken down within seven (7) days after the implementation date, or 2. the person(s) responsible will face a $743 fine. 3. This includes, but is not limited to selfies, pictures or recordings obtained through hacking measures, pictures or recordings obtained where the subject is unaware of pictures or recordings going on, and pictures or recordings obtained through a third party. SECTION III: Third parties may also be prosecuted. SECTION IV: And that this bill be enforced through 2. the Arkansas’ justice system, including local authorities and courts, and 3. be enacted January 1, 2015. Action of Committee Time_________ Action of Originating House Time_________ Passed______ Failed______ Signature of Clerk___________ Passed______ Failed______ Signature of Clerk___________
