Legislation endorsed by a state Senate committee Tuesday seeks to make it easier for spouses of active military personnel to get professional licenses or certification when they move to Arkansas.

Under Senate Bill 7, state boards that license teachers, nurses and other professionals would be allowed to issue temporary work licenses to spouses of active-duty servicemen if they have similar credentials from another state.

The applicant would be required to be “the holder in good standing” of a substantially equivalent license, certificate or permit issued by another state to get a temporary license, certificate or permit in Arkansas.

The bill would allow state boards or commissions to expedite the process and procedures for full licensure, certification or permitting for spouses of active duty military service members stationed in this state.

The measure is part of Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe’s legislative package, said Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot, told the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee that he, state Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock, and Rep. David Meeks, R-Conway, worked with Beebe’s office on the bill.

Sen. Robert Thompson, DParagould, said the bill looks like good legislation, but he wondered how it would affect a spouse with a law license from another state.

English said the focus of the legislation is to help spouses in the health-care and education fields.

Thompson said the state Supreme Court probably would have to adopt a rule to allow a military member’s spouse who has a law license from another state to practice law in Arkansas.

Afterward, a spokesman for the state Supreme Court, Stephanie Harris, said the bill shouldn’t affect someone who has a law license in another state and wants to become licensed in Arkansas.

“The Supreme Court regulates the practice of law, so something like this would be addressed in the rules,” Harris said.

Front Section, Pages 3 on 01/17/2013