05/08/2002 09:31 AM Senate RLS

SENATOR THERRIAULT  moved to calendar  SB 355-LET ME  HELP ACCOUNT                                                          
and its zero fiscal note at the Chairman's discretion.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS objected and asked for an explanation of the bill.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS noted that he would  put SB 355 on the bottom of                                                              
the calendar.                                                                                                                   
SENATOR COWDERY moved  to calendar SB 355-LET ME  HELP ACCOUNT and                                                          
its zero fiscal note at the Chairman's discretion.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS objected for the purpose of an explanation.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. JERRY  BURNETT,  staff to Senator  Lyda Green,  sponsor  of SB
, explained that SB 355 provides  people with an opportunity to                                                              
contribute  to the  state  to close  the fiscal  gap.  SB 355  was                                                              
inspired by Governor Huckabee's "Tax Me More Fund" in Arkansas.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS asked if SB 355 is a serious effort.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. BURNETT said it is.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COWDERY asked if the program in Arkansas was successful.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BURNETT  said,   to  his  understanding,  it   has  not  been                                                              
successful.  Although the  residents were  asking for taxes,  they                                                              
were not  willing to  contribute voluntarily.  It has only  raised                                                              
about $4,000.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  THERRIAULT asked  if  the "Let  Me  Help Account"  allows                                                              
people to designate to specific government programs.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BURNETT said  SB 355  does not  speak to  designation but  it                                                              
could be used for that purpose.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR THERRIAULT  read, "...  for which  no specific  purpose is                                                              
stated  shall be  deposited into  the  account," and  asked how  a                                                              
contribution to a particular program will be handled.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BURNETT   said  that  it   is  his  understanding   that  the                                                              
contribution  will go to  that particular  program. He  added that                                                              
donations  will be tax  deductible  on federal  income taxes  if a                                                              
person itemizes.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS noted  it is expensive for a bill  to travel through                                                              
the legislative process and that  the cost of this bill may exceed                                                              
the  amount  it  collects.  He  pointed  out  that  Senator  Leman                                                              
proposed  legislation  that pertains  to assignment  of  permanent                                                              
fund  dividends  for  charitable   donations.  He  commended  that                                                              
legislation to the Chairman.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COWDERY repeated his motion to calendar SB 355.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS  announced that without objection,  SB 355 would                                                              
be calendared.