On Monday, January 9, 2017, the 91st General Assembly of Arkansas began the General Session for 2017. In a general session, laws affecting any and all issues can be introduced as compared to the fiscal session in even numbered years that is essentially limited to fiscal issues and appropriations. This update has two attachments, an update and a bill summary.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives is Representative Jeremy Gilliam of Judsonia. The President Pro Tempore of the Arkansas Senate is Senator Jonathan Dismang of Beebe. ATRS looks forward to the leadership and direction provided by these two hard-working and respected leaders of the 91st General Assembly.
ATRS is working closely with Governor Hutchinson and his staff on legislative issues already during this session. Governor Hutchinson always provides leadership and important input on retirement proposals and other issues that affect all Arkansans. ATRS appreciates Governor Hutchinson's input and advice on legislation.
The Joint Retirement Committee and its leadership are now known. Representative Douglas House was named the House Co-Chair. Representative Gary Deffenbaugh was named as House Co-Vice Chair of Joint Retirement. Senator Bart Hester is Senate Co-Chair. Senator Blake Johnson is Senate Co-Vice Chair. Of the 20 committee members, 11 have prior service on the committee.
2017 Senate Members of Retirement Committee
| Senator Bart Hester, Chair | Cave Springs |
| Senator Blake Johnson, Vice Chair | Corning |
| Senator Larry Teague | Nashville |
| Senator Joyce Elliott | Little Rock |
| Senator Jason Rapert | Conway |
| Senator Bill Sample | Hot Springs |
| Senator Jeremy Hutchinson | Little Rock |
| Senator Eddie Cheatham | Crossett |
| Senator Linda Chesterfield | Little Rock |
| Senator Jane English | North Little Rock |
2017 House Members of Retirement Committee
| Representative Douglas House, Chair | North Little Rock |
| Representative Gary Deffenbaugh, Vice Chair | Van Buren |
| Representative David Meeks, Chair | Conway |
| Representative Fred Allen | Little Rock |
| Representative Ron McNair | Alpena |
| Representative Bob Johnson | Jacksonville |
| Representative Bruce Coleman | Mountainburg |
| Representative Clint Penzo | Springdale |
| Representative Johnny Rye | Trumann |
| Representative Les Warren | Hot Springs |
HOUSE ALTERNATES
| Representative Lane Jean | Magnolia |
| Representative Les Eaves | Searcy |
| Representative Monte Hodges | Blytheville |
| Representative Greg Leding | Fayetteville |
| Representative Richard Womack | Arkadelphia |
| Representative Charlie Collins | Fayetteville |
| Representative Bruce Cozart | Hot Springs |
| Representative Charlene Fite | Van Buren |
| Representative Michael John Gray | Augusta |
| Representative Rebecca Petty | Rogers |
The ATRS Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to support a nineteen (19) bill package for the 2017 legislative session. With the approval of the ATRS Board Chair, Jeff Stubblefield, one additional bill has been added for a total of 20 ATRS package bills. ATRS will also closely follow all bills that could impact ATRS during session. Every week, the new executive director update will detail new bills, amendments, and the status of all ATRS package bills and other bills affecting ATRS.
This update has an attachment that is session update and an attachment that summarizes the 20 ATRS legislative package bills plus a summary of one additional bill that impacts ATRS. Little activity on the retirement front happened this week other than the Joint Retirement Committee membership being set for the session. Next week should have much more activity.
Remember that ATRS has a new website that allows members to have direct access to specific member account information. Now approximately 9,200 members have direct account access to individualized account information. Here is the link to the instructions to sign up: https://www.artrs.gov/general/director-updates/716-08-15-2014-executive-director-update-the-new-atrs-website.
You can also sign up to obtain these executive director updates through your private email address. Updates are made throughout the year such as at retirement season and other times when information needs to be shared. Now, over 9,500 people have signed up to receive this executive director by listserve email. You can find the link to sign up for listserve delivery to these updates here: https://www.artrs.gov/login.
In addition, over 13,000 people have access to the ATRS executive director updates via direct email delivery. It is always a great pleasure for ATRS staff to learn of more ways to provide information to ATRS members, employers, beneficiaries, government officials, and the public. The ATRS Board is committed to providing a system that is member friendly and transparent.
You can also get helpful ATRS information on the ATRS Facebook page under the name of Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. Over 3,100 Facebook users get updates via the ATRS Facebook page. Go to the Facebook page and "like" ATRS to get daily updates. I try to go to the Facebook page every day to post information and answer member questions about ATRS. In addition, if you use Twitter, you can join over 800 others by following events at ATRS and issues of interest on the ATRS Twitter page. Remember that ATRS is here to serve you! If you have questions, email me or call.
Respectfully,
George Hopkins
(501) 682-1820 Office
(501) 318-5998 Cell
georgeh@artrs.gov
Click on the following document for more information: