Senate Convenes

. . . . . Thank you. Thank you. . . . . Senate will come to order, Madam Secretary, please Caldwell. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Ludding, Mallock, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Starch Teague Wallace. Everyone please rise including those in the gallery. Senator Cooper is going to lead us in a word prayer. If you'll bow with me. Gracious Lord we thank you for the blessings that you've given us. We ask Lord that you continue to be with us as a portion of state government. We'd ask Lord that you would Bless the staff that supports us. We realize, oh Lord, that as this session comes to an end, we think back on it and think how much we've been supported by those around us, our spouses, those of our staff, and our colleagues in the Senate. We thank you, oh Lord, for the contributions of each one in state government. We ask, oh Lord, that you continue to be with us, give us health, guide, guard, and protect us in every way that could seem good in your sight. Finally, in heaven, save us. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Senator Chesterfield is going to kick things off. We'll get to announcements in a little bit. Just hold tight. Senator Chesterfield. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. I'd like to leave for the Wonder View women's basketball team and their coaches. These beautiful, bright young ladies are back-to-back 1A champions. I'm especially proud of one of them because she is my pastor's daughter. She was the most valuable player in this year's tournament. Her name is Faith Byers. Faith, wave and show them how cute you are. All right. This has been a wonderful time. They were here last year. Coach, tell me your name. What are our coaches' names? Give them to me and then we'll be gone. Jared Squires. And? Where are the ladies? You read Jared? Oh, I guess we'll let him get away with it then. Ladies and gentlemen, another round of applause for our back-to-back champions, the Wonder View, 1A champions. Thank you, Mr. Chair. thank y'all Senator Hendron is recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I'd like to leave for a group to come out here from Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. I think you all remember a couple months ago, we had a legendary Game 7 of the Hoops for Kids' Sake. But more important than that, we raised some dollars for some great organizations. Matt is going to say a couple words, and then the speaker has come down to graciously help with this amazing trophy presentation. So please welcome the speaker. On behalf of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Arkansas, as well as the Boys and Girls Club of Benton and Selene County, we just want to say thank you for y'all's involvement in the Hoops for Kids' Sake basketball game. We were able to raise about $27,000 for the youth of Arkansas and over the past seven games we've been able to raise over $200,000 for the youth of Arkansas. So congratulations to the Senate for the tie-breaking winning game seven and we hope to be back at it next year and continue this this great event so thank you I feel like I was brought down here to be a prop in my humiliation here but in obviously because of the charity work and the good work that these groups do I'm glad to be here I wish the outcome would have been a little different but you know that's just the way it goes it was a monumental collapse on our part in the second half, but I will say that you noticed my playing time went down in the second half, so I'm going to have to talk to Coach Servillo about that, but anyway, but thank you. We enjoyed being a part of it. Thanks to the Senate. We would ask that you be gracious winners as best you can be, and anyway, thank y'all. Thank you. Senator, we're going to go to, give me one second, Senator, we'll do Clark first. Oh, you won't do that now. Are there any items to be read across the desk? Yes, sir, we guest committee on ingrosed bills to whom we Cowan is Judiciary Committee on and gross bills to whom is approved Senate Bill 577 by Senator Hammer. Compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Public Health Committee on and gross bills to whom is preferred Senate Bill 600 by Senator Stubbeffield, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Energy Committee on adgrada, who was preferred since Bill 665 by Senator Garner recommending do pass Calendar Committee on Insurance and Commerce, whom is preferred since Bill 642 by Senator Davis recommend do pass Calendar Committee on Insurance and Commerce to him as the 4th House Bill 1538 its the recommended past count countergoing options called impossible 1672 игр semantics recommendaling passed Charter committee on insurance commerce to him as your third house bills 1874 by reps that representative davis recommended past score금 Leon insurance commerce him as part thousands that 18 сказал practice certifiedgress that recommended past calendar you've Tamamers combined as she was conferred nicerell 1900, by Representative Johnson, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Insurance and Commerce, whom is Ferd House Bill 1943, by Representative Kavanaugh, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Insurance and Commerce, whom is Ferd House Bill 1656, by Representative Ferguson, recommend do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Insurance and Commerce, whom is Ferd House Bill 1914, by Representative Kavanaugh, recommend do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Joint Budget, whom is Ferd House Bill 61, by Joint Budget, recommend do pass. Committee on Joint Budget to whom was first Senate Bill 101 by Joint Budget recommend do pass as amended number two. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 503 by Senator Bledsoe recommend do pass. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 568 by Senator Caldwell recommend do pass. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 617 by Senator Irving recommend do pass. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 647 by Senator Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 662 by Senator Clark, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 580 by Senator Clark, recommended to pass as amended No. 2. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 625 by Senator Ballinger, recommended to pass as amended No. 1. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 646 by Senator Letting, recommended to pass as amended No. 1. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first sent Bill 658 by Senator Hester recommend do pass as amended number one. Counter. Committee on State Agencies to whom was first sent Bill 306 by Senator Teague recommend do pass. Counter. Committee on State Agencies to whom was first sent Bill 656 by Senator English recommend do pass. Counter. Committee on State Agencies to whom was first sent Bill 557 by Senator Teague recommend do pass to concur in House Amendment number one. Counter. Committee on State Agencies to whom was first sent Bill 573 by Senator Letting, recommended to pass to concur in House Amendment No. 1. Calendar. Committee on State Agencies to whom was for House Bill 1661 by Representative Gonzalez, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on State Agencies to whom was for House Bill 1763 by Representative Davis, recommended to pass as amended No. 1. Calendar. Committee on State Agencies to whom was for House Bill 1767 by Representative Payton, recommended to pass as amended No. 1. Calder. Committee on State Agencies to whom was inferred House Bill 1878 by Representative De La Rosa, recommend do pass. Calder. Committee on State Agencies to whom was inferred Senate Joint Resolution 15 by Senator Clark, recommend do pass to concur in House Amendment No. 1. Calder. Committee on Transportation to whom was inferred Senate Bill 589 by Senator English, recommend do pass. Calder. Committee on Transportation to whom was inferred Senate Bill 632 by Senator English recommended you pass as Am Empress Number One Commander Committee on Transportation to whom is further House Bill 1448 by Representative Watson recommend you do pass Committee on Transportation to whom is further House Bill 1826 by Representative Meeks recommendation do pass Commander Committee on Transportation to whom is further House Bill 1833 by Representative Maddox recommend do pass Committee on City-County and Local Affairs to whom is further general semua 548 by Senator Ballinger recommend do pass Counter Committee on City, County, Local, to whom was first Senate Bill 492 by—let me look. Senator Garner recommended to pass as to concur in House Amendment No. 1. Calder. Committee on City, County, Local, to whom was first House Bill 1737 by Representative Douglas, recommended to pass. Calder. Committee on City, County, Local, to whom was first House Bill 1861 by Representative Dave Ferguson, recommended to pass. Calder. Committee on City County Local to whom was Ferd House Bill 1877 by Representative Ferguson recommended to pass. Counter. Committee on City County Local to whom was Ferd House Bill 1887 by Representative Brown recommended to pass. Counter. Committee on City County Local to whom was Ferd House Bill 1041 by Representative Ladyman recommended to pass as amended number one. Counter. Committee on City County Local to whom was Ferd House Bill 1217 by Representative Tosh recommended to pass as amended number one. Calendar. Yes, it's one, check and see. We are committee on city, county, local, to whom it's referred to House Bill 1306 by Representative Rye, recommend do pass as amended number one. Calendar. If this bill checking out, sure, it's one. Is that, that's the bill I got to call that. We are committee on transportation, who was referred to Senate Bill 315 by Senator Hammer, recommend do pass to concur in House Amendments 1, 2, 3, and 4. Calendar. Dear Mr. President, this is to inform you that on April 1, 2019, I approve the following measures, the regular session, 92nd General Assembly, Senate Bill 2, Act 619, Senate Bill 3, Act 620, Senate Bill 8, Act 621, Senate Bill 148, Act 622, Senate Bill 172, Act 623, Senate Bill 217, Act 624, Senate Bill 219, Act 625, Senate Bill 301, Act 626, Senate Bill 375, Act 627, Senate Bill 382, Act 628, Senate Bill 383, Act 629, Senate Bill 403, Act 630, Senate Bill 477, Act 631, Senate Bill 478, Act 632, Senate Bill 528, Act 633, Senate Bill 581, Act 634, Senate Bill 594, Act 635. Sincerely, Asa Hutchison, Governor. Follow. Dear Mr. President, this is to inform you that on April 2, 2019, I approve the following measures of the 92nd General Assembly. Senate Bill 388, Act 650. Sincerely, Asa Hutchison, Governor. Follow. Will your committee on enrolled bills to whom we spurred the following? Senate Bill 38 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 39 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 45 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 48 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 62 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 67 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 69 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 74 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 103 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 111 by Joint Budget. Senate Bill 117 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 121 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 126 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 129 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 131 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 138 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 275 by Senator Bledsoe, Senate Bill 358 by Senator Rayford, Senate Bill 359 by Senator Rayford, Senate Bill 399 by Senator Rayford, Senate Bill 421 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 190 by Senator Letting, Senate Bill 273 by Senator Bledsoe, Senate Bill 340 by Senator Irving, Senate Bill 530 by Senator Eades, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 by Senator Davis, Senate Bill 6 by Senator Garner, Senate Bill 291 by Senator Rappert, Senate Bill 348 by Senator Eades, Senate Bill 376 by Senator Rappert, Senate Senate Bill 377 by Senator Irving, Senate Bill 392 by Senator Ballinger, Senate Bill 396 by Senator Rayford, Senate Bill 398 by Senator Rayford, Senate Bill 448 by Senator Stubberfeld, Senate Bill 456 by Senator Irving, Senate Bill 458 by Senator Sample, Senate Bill 471 by Senator Ingram, Senate Bill 512 by 513 by Senator Johnson, Senate Bill 514 by Senator Dismayne, Senate Bill 523 by Senator Dismayne. Senate Bill 431 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 459 by Senator Hammer, Senate Bill 446 by Senator Letting, Senate Bill 489 by Senator Caldwell, Senate Bill 527 by Senator Bledsoe, Senate Bill 540 by Senator English, Senate Bill 562 by Senator Wallace, Senate Bill 563 by Senator Malick, Senate Bill 586 by Senator Letting, Senate Bill 565 by Senator Rayford. Compare the enrolled copies with the original and find the same correctly enrolled and at 11.30 a.m. delivered to the governor for his approval. Senator Clark is recognized for a motion. Thank you, Governor. I would like to ask that we suspend the rules and place SJR 15 at the end of the Senate calendar to concur in the House Amendment. Any objections? Without objection, the motion is carried. Thank you. It will be put at the bottom of the Senate bills for third reading. Senator Pitch. Thank you, Mr. Governor. Senator, I'd like to suspend the rules and place Senate Resolution 40 for consideration today on the calendar at the end of Senate bills. Any objection? Without objection, motion's carried. You put it at the bottom of the calendar. Senator, we're going to go to Senator Sturge, and then we'll go to announcements before we go to business agenda. Senator Sturge. Senate Resolution 31 by Senator Sturge to congratulate the Melbourne High School Lady Bearcats for their achievements. Senator's recommendation. Thank you, Mr. President. Could I ask leave for the Melbourne High School Lady Bearcats basketball team, please? Out of objection. Colleagues, I told you several weeks ago that I had a very unique situation in my Senate district that I actually had three state champions for the basketball tournament this past year. that you are now being introduced to the 2A state basketball champions, the Melbourne Lady Bearcats, who defeated the Riverside Lady Rebels with a score of 48 to 23 down in Hot Springs. This was their first five-on-five title and their second state title overall. The last time that they won this was in 1973, led by Coach Webern Watson and Coach Watson's great-granddaughter, Hallie Cooper, played on this year's winning team and scored six points in the championship game. And whereas the Lady Bearcats also was led by sophomore Regan Rapert, I'll give you one guess who she's might kin to, who finished the game with 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals, and earned her the most valuable player as well. Josie Roark and Kylie Webb were named all tournament players. And of course, no team is a team without a coach. And they were led very well by coach Eric Teague. And I want to ask each member of the Senate to commend each one of these young ladies for their commitment to excellence and their support from their school, their family, and their community. Please make them feel welcome. With that, Mr. President, I move adoption of the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Resolution is adopted. Thank you all, congratulations. Before we go to the business agenda, we're going to take announcements, and I know y'all have been waiting for this. Senator Chesterfield, you're always number one. Ms. President, it is my honor to introduce to you my pages for the day. Ms. Franchelsa Francisco, a proud Filipino. Would you welcome her? She is a 10th grader at Lisa Academy West High, where she is a member of the Academy of Pre-Health Scholars Program. She's participated in the STEM Festival of 2019, and she aspires to be a forensic psychologist in the near future. Please welcome Franchelsa to the campus. Please welcome Exander Parker. He is 16 years of age, he's a 10th grader, he attends the iconic Little Rock Central High School, where he plays soccer, and he is the left defender outside. He coaches kids soccer for the Arkansas Soccer Club. He enjoys drawing and architecture. Welcome him to the Senate. And last but certainly not least is Xavier Parker, who in one day will be 15 years of age. You can always tell when they're young they kind of rush this stuff. He is in the ninth grade. He also attends the iconic Little Rock Central High School where he participates in the mock trials. He's a soccer player. He enjoys football where he is a wide receiver. Unfortunately he's a Patriots fan and I'm a Steelers fan but we're going to love him anyway. His job, he works for the Arkansas Soccer Club. Please welcome Xavier Parker. We're delighted to have you. Senator Caldwell, you're going to make your announcement from back there. You're going to come on down. Well, if you're coming on down, then Senator Bond's next, but okay. Senator Caldwell. Senator Bond's always announcing the Doctor's Day, and today I get to announce announce a doctor of a lifetime. Amen. Y'all all know that I had a hard time in December and a helicopter landed from Forest City and it came into Little Rock. And our doctor of the day is my doctor of a lifetime. And Dr. Regis Renard put me back together and continues to take care of me. And let's give a big shout-out. Thank you, Dr. Senator Bond is recognized. Thank you. I have two pages today. Turner Seibert here in the back to the left. He's age 12. He is in seventh grade and goes to the Anthony School in Little Rock. He loves cross-country track and plays left back in soccer. And then we have Quinn Cullen, who's age 13. He's also at the Anthony School in seventh grade. He loves football, soccer, and Boy Scouts. And his parents are Julie and Kelly Link, who work at ADEQ and DHS. Many of you know them, of course. So let's give Turner and Quinn a round of applause, please. Any other announcements? Senator Elliott has an announcement. Senator Elliott's recognition. Thank you, Governor. I want to introduce my page. Morgan, where are you? Stand up, please. Good-looking, handsome young man back there. Everybody, this is Morgan Fells. He's 14 years old, and he's in the ninth grade, and he attends Joe T. Robinson High School, a place where I spent about 15 years, so that automatically gives him an up on everybody in here, Morgan. Just know that. So his extracurricular interests are football. Is your dad up here somewhere on one side or the other, Morgan, he went to do something else, and we need to talk to him about that. So, he plays football. He's a running back at a strong safety. Hey. Senator Elliott's got the floor. I'm talking about Morgan. Thank you. He also plays soccer left back. He is interested in architecture, and his dad actually played for the Redskins in the NFL, he would be known as Kenneth Fells for Little Rock. His brother was the governor of boys' schools, so Miles Fells, so we'll look for you to be the next governor. And his dad was going to be here somewhere today, but please help me welcome Morgan Fells. Any other announcements? Any other announcements? Senator Irvin is recognized. Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 by Senator Irving to designate May 2019 Assystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. Senator Irvin. Thank you, Mr. President, members. SC, Senate Resolution 4 designates May 2019 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in Arkansas. Joining us in the Senate chamber today is the Smith family. Lance and Carmen Smith are the proud parents of this one, their son Crosby. Crosby is five years old, and he was diagnosed at just 15 days old with cystic fibrosis, or CF. CF is a rare genetic life-shortening disease which affects multiple organs in people who are born with the disease, including the lung, pancreas, digestive tract, and reproductive organs. More specifically, CF causes a thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, affecting the patient's ability to breathe, and often resulting in lung infections that require hospitalization. What is particularly shocking is the median age of survival of someone who had CF about 40 years. Unfortunately, significant advancements in the treatment of CF and its underlying causes are being made, but given the severity of the disease and the fact that it is so rare, affecting only 30,000 people in the United States and approximately 250 Arkansans, raising awareness for CF is critical. Right, Crosby? Yeah. and that is what this resolution aims to do. It is here to raise awareness for CF and for people who are living with CF, like this little fellow right here who is, I love this. Yeah, you get to say something. And in the spirit of raising awareness for cystic fibrosis, we have purple lapel pins for you to wear at the Capitol today. And I want Crosby asked if he could say something. So here you go. Hello. Hello. Is that it? Okay. Good job. Thank you. Thank you. Crosby, Carmen, and Lance live in North Little Rock, and they have made it their mission to promote and raise awareness for CF after Crosby's diagnosis in 2013. They have been heavily involved in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They have raised nearly $100,000 to help find a cure for CF. And in November, they ran in the New York City Marathon to help raise awareness and funds for the CF Foundation. So members, thank you for the opportunity to help raise awareness for cystic fibrosis at the Capitol today. And please help me in welcoming them and passing this resolution to designate May 2019 as cystic fibrosis awareness month. all those in favor say aye those eyes have it resolution is adopted thank you everybody Thank you all. We're going to now move to House Concurrent Resolutions. We have three, Senator Stubblefield, then Senator Malik, then Senator Malik. House Concurrent Resolution 1015 by Representative Lady Man, Senator Stubblefield, to support the study of the commercial application of existing technology to reclaim and repurpose spent nuclear fuel rods. Senator Stokeville. Thank you, colleagues. Back in the fall, I think it was in September, there was a group of us served on the energy committee, Joint Energy, that went to Russellville to nuclear one to have a meeting there. And when we drove up to the site, we missed, I went with another Senate member, and we missed the first gate and pulled down to an area which I thought would be guarded and it wasn't. We noticed a lot of large canisters sitting out on the parking lot. And later on when we began our meeting, we began to ask questions about what those were and we found out later that there were 2,000 tons of spent fuel rods that were stored in lead-lined canisters sitting on the parking lot there at Nuclear One in Russellville. Later, we found out that this is not just a problem in Arkansas, but it's a national problem because every nuclear plant in the country stores their spent fuel rods above ground in canisters. And that is problematic from this point of view. There's only 2% of the energy, the nuclear energy, that's removed from those spent fuel rods. 98% of the energy is still in those fuel rods, sitting in those canisters all across the country. Most of you remember back several years ago, there was a bill proposed to U.S. in Congress that would do a project at Yucca Mountain. I think it was about a $16 billion project to bury those spent fuel rods. It became very politically toxic, And really, no states wanted anything to do with this, especially in their own backyard. So that project, as I understand, was abandoned after spending $16 billion. Well, since that time, there's been a process developed called a fast reactor. There's two or three countries now that are using this process to extract the rest of that energy out of those spent fuel rods. In fact, all of it. Take it out and use it. And let me just give you an example. If the 2,000 tons of spent fuel rods that are sitting on the parking lot at Russellville, under this new technology, if you took those and used those in this new fast reactor that they have developed, it would create, and you run them seven days a week, 24 hours a day, It would provide 925 megawatts, enough energy for that plant to run for 1,000 years. That's just the nuclear fuel that's sitting on the parking lot at Russellville, not counting the parking lots all around the country. Congress passed a bill a few years ago that, in fact, it was the Senate that passed it, that set aside $100 million for this very thing to find a way to dispose of these spent fuel rods. Because when you realize the fact that 98% of that nuclear energy is still in those fuel rods, there is no way they would have to be disposed of for a million years. They're so radioactive. It would take a million years of environmental isolation for them to ever be neutralized. So that's, knowing that we've still got 98% of the fuel still there and there's technology now to extract that fuel that other countries are presently using, all this resolution does is request that the governor go after this $100 million that's sitting there to use for a study to be done by the University of Arkansas. Dr. Bobbitt, who's been working in this field for many years, who is also a nuclear engineer, who has worked on radiation shielding for the Abrams tank and other areas of radiation. This money would be used to do a study to find out if this technology would be harmful to our clean air, our clean water, our people of the state of Arkansas, it doesn't mean we're going to do it here. It just means that they're going to do a study. And, you know, when we heard about this, it reminded me, Arkansas could become a leader in this field. This is simply just asking the governor to go after this $100 million that's available to do a study by the University of Arkansas and Argonne National Laboratories. And that's basically what the resolution says. I'd be glad to take any questions. Any questions on the resolution? Anyone wish to speak on this resolution? Is the senator closed? Senator's closed. All those in favor of the resolution say aye. Aye. Opposed? Opposed? Aye. The resolution is adopted. Return the resolution to the House. Senator Malik has two very important resolutions. Senate concurrent resolution 1016 by Representative Fielding and Senator Mallick to congratulate the Magnolia High School Panthers for their achievements. Thank you, Governor. Members, this is simply the resolution recognizing the Magnolia High School basketball team. They were here yesterday. It was a House concurrent resolution, just made its way down here today. I'd appreciate a good vote. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Resolution is adopted. Return it to the House. Senator Mallick on the next one. the next one. House concurrent resolution 1017 by Representative Jean and Senator Mallett to congratulate the Magnolia High School Panthers boys swim team for their achievements. And this resolution members recognizes the swim team that was here yesterday, the the boys state winning championship Magnolia Panthers. I'd appreciate a good vote. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? I have it. The resolution is adopted return to the house. Now moving on to the Senate bills with Senate amendments. Senator Davis. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 452. These are going to go fast, so if you want to queue up, line up, that'd be all right. Senator Davis, Senator Hammer, Senator Sturge. Senator Davis. My bill, my amendment. Any objections? Without objection. The amendment is adopted. Send to engrossing. Senator Hammer. Senator Sturge. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 618. My bill. My amendment. Any objection? Amendment is adopted without objection. Send to engrossing. Senator Dismayne. Senator English. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 638. My bill. My amendment. Any objection? Without objection, amendment is adopted. Send to engrossing. Senator Dismayne. Senator Hammer. Senator Dismayne. Okay. Senator Mark Johnson of Ferndale. Amendment 1, the House Bill 1432. My bill, my amendment. Appreciate a good vote. Any objection? Without objection, the amendment is adopted. Send to engrossing. Is that 1684, Senator Elliott? Okay. Senator Elliott. I don't see Senator Elliott. Senator Dismane. Senator Hammer. We will come back to those three if you see them. We're ready to roll on them. Senate bills. Move on to Senate bills for the third reading. Senator Trent Garner. Senate bill 261 by Senator Garner. to provide a sales and use tax exemption for timber, machinery, and equipment. Senator Gordon. Thank you, Mr. President. A few years ago, the Forestry Commission was put under Agri, which I think was a great thing. It kind of acknowledges our forestry and the land that we have is something we use and falls on that. One thing that the Agri community gets that the forestry people want to bring up is when they use an ATV for exclusively for the purposes of agricultural issues, they can get a sales tax rebate on that. I know the task force addressed this through an affidavit process to make sure it wasn't being abused. We're just simply asking for that same kind of benefit to go to our timber industry, talk to people at DF&A. They'll be able to come up through their rules with an actual affidavit they have to sign to say they're using it for that purpose to keep the abuse down. I think this is a good step to kind of have them equal since they are in the agri. That'll take any questions. Senator Chesterfield is recognized for a question. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And Senator Garner, thank you for taking my question. What is the fiscal impact of the bill? Could not be determined, ma'am. But there is one. They didn't give me no number on it. They said that they couldn't determine. They couldn't begin to tell you how much. Say what, ma'am? They couldn't begin to tell you how much. Thank you. That's right. Any other questions? Senator Bond has a question. Senator Garner, I thought in looking at the DF&A report, you were right, they couldn't determine, maybe I got the wrong one, but it was going to require an additional employee or two. Is that down in the fiscal impact report? Oh, yes, sir. I'm sorry about that. I thought you meant on the actual... No, I agree. It said undetermined. Yeah, they said they want to add an extra employee. You know, I'd push back on that because they already have the apparatus to put this affidavit system in place for those who are in the agri business. My thought process is they can just come up with the same similar form to do it and use the same system for the forestry industry. And that affidavit must be used exclusively for this and if you use it for other purposes, you could be audited and get into trouble. Thank you, Senator. Any other questions for the Senator? Anyone wish to speak on this? Is the Senator closed? Does anyone object to rolling it? There is an objection, so please call the roll. Ballinger? Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Caldwell, Cheatham, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Clark, Cooper. Aye. Davis. Aye. Dismang. Dismang. Eads. Aye. Elliot. Elliot. English. English, Flippo, Aye, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hammer, Hendron, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Letting, Mallett, Pitch, Raypert Raypert Rice Sample Sample Stubbeville Sturge Teague Teague Wallace Anyone who did not vote wish to vote Anyone wish to change their vote Senator Cheatham is aye Senator Dismaine is aye Senator English is I. Anybody else? Anybody else? Cast up the ballot. 21 yays, 2 nays. The bill is passed. Transmit the bill down to the House. Senator Dismay will go to you on your amendments that we skipped over. SB 629, Amendment No. 1, if you're ready to do that. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 629. Members, I do want to explain this amendment rather than just saying my bill, my amendment. What this deal does, it strikes all the language that increased the credits out. It strikes all the language in regards to who can take and who cannot take. All it does is allow the credits to be transferred. It moves that date to 2020, so DFA has time to have the right process in place for that transferability of the credits. But again, this has to do with our areas that have the critical groundwater shortage. And those credits are not being utilized the way they should right now, especially based on our state water plan. And that's what this amendment does. It does strip everything out of the bill except for allowing the credits to be transferable. Any questions for the senator? Any objection? No objection? Then without objection, the amendment is adopted. Send to engrossing. Senator Hammer. Senator Disman. Thank you, Governor. Members, because of the time restraints, I would like to suspend the rules to place this item after it's engrossed at the end of the calendar for consideration. Is that the proper motion? At the bottom of the Senate or the House. What's that? At the bottom of the Senate or the House. At the bottom of the House. That way everybody that wants to take a look at it can. Okay. You've heard the motion. Any objection? Without objection, the motion is carried. It will be placed at the bottom of the House calendar, which is way down at the bottom of the third page. Senator Hammer is up next on his amendment, SB 490, Amendment No. 1. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 490. Senator Hammer. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Governor. What this does is it amends the bill to drop it from 22 to 21. It was caught. 21 aligns it constitutionally with the other age requirements of those that receive the benefit of this be glad to answer any questions any questions, any objection to this amendment seeing no objection, the amendment is adopted, send to engrossing, we will catch the last one, Senator Elliott when she returns, Senator Hammer you can come on back down if you'd like for SB 295 Senate Bill for Third Reading and Passage Symbol 295 by Senator Hammer to promote the collection of labor market data and to require employers to participate in surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. Senator Hammer. Thank you. Members, this is a bill that I'm carrying for the Department of Workforce Services. it does not require that they actually participate, but it does strongly encourage the department needs to collect labor data in order for us to be more competitive in knowing where we are as a state, comparing two states around us that already collect this information. So, appreciate a good vote. Any questions on this? Anyone wish to speak on this? Any objection rolling the vote on this? Please roll the vote, Madam Secretary. Ballinger, Ledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis. Dismang, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallock, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, T. Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Seeing none, cast out the ballot. 35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed, transmitted to the House. Senator Hammer, you're up again because Senator Ballinger is not in the chamber. Senate Bill 461 by Senator Hamer to amend the law concerning the creation of and timing of tax collection in certain fire departments and improvement districts and declare an emergency. It has an emergency clause. Senator Hamer. Thank you, Governor. What this bill does is it is dealing strictly with fire protection districts only. There are five methods back when the law was originally passed in the 70s for the establishment of volunteer fire departments there were five methods that could be used in order for the individual communities to decide how they were going to form this bill only pertains with fire improvement districts it doesn't deal with any of the other methods of which a volunteer fire department could be formed and what this bill does and let me kind of lay the groundwork a little bit back in 1980 there was an event that happened where a house was on fire fire department showed up and the fire department did not put out the house fire the reason they didn't put out the house fire was because the individual had not paid their dues as a result of that there was a law that was passed that mandated that volunteer fire departments have to put out fires whether or not the individual had paid their dues so you might call it an unfunded mandate that was put on the fire department fast forward to where we were a couple sessions ago maybe last session we basically took away GIF funding from we took GIF away or we gave up GIF and that kind of dried up another money stream if you would to the volunteer fire departments and so what this bill does is it places it above the line and places it with the tax collectors of which they came and actually helped craft and want this bill because it would take those dues that are established at the local level as far as the rates, and it would put it what we would say above the line, and it would require that before you pay your personal property taxes, you also have to pay your volunteer fire department dues. There are other dues that are collected with that, some other improvement districts, but also the one that kind of jumped off the page at me was the trash collector dues, if you would. The sanitation fees are above the line and required to be paid before the property taxes. So what this does is it allows for the, it would require the tax collector to put the volunteer fire department dues above the line so that that money would be collected prior to the personal property being collected. I would argue it on this merit. The volunteer fire departments are essential to our communities. They had an unfunded mandate put on them in the 80s. Then we came along later and we dried up the GIF's dream to where they could not be able to have access to that money. And as a result of that, it has put some of them in financial straps. And so what this is going to do is allow them to make sure they can have those dues collected by the tax collector. And that way they can be funded. There's a couple of things that are in the bill that I want you to pay attention to. Number one is there are some areas where there are some challenges with fire departments wanting to become fire improvement districts and those requests are not being honored. So what it does is that if the volunteer fire department makes the request to the quorum court, the quorum court shall respond in 60 days as to the reason why they would not allow that fire department to convert to be a fire improvement district. The second thing it does is that they could not increase or fees would not be allowed to be increased above $100 by the local individuals without the review and the approval of the quorum court. And what that does is just kind of build a safety net so you don't have a fire department running away with their dues. And that's what the meat of the bill does, and I'll be glad to answer any questions. Any questions? Senator Irvin has a question and is recognized. Thank you. So this isn't like a checkbox to where you can voluntarily pay those dues. This is an assessment that has to be collected and paid. Is that right? That is correct. In case you didn't hear Senator Irving's question, this is not a checkbox. This is not volunteer. This would be placing it with the collector for the purpose of collecting it prior to you paying your personal property tax so that they could get to the 100% collection rate of the dues that are Okay, second question is, can the Quorum Court talk to me about audits? Because I've had, I mean, I love my volunteer fire departments, but there have been some real issues with no oversight or accountability. And individuals have stolen thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars from volunteer fire departments. dues from fire departments. So I know it was difficult for my quorum court to even get an audit to even catch all of that. So is there anything in relation to the audits for volunteer fire departments of the dues collected? Yes, ma'am. Well, as far as requiring an audit, this does not require an audit, but let me tell you what this does that addresses your issue that will help. Number one, we're talking about fire protection districts, which they have a greater accountability to the quorum court than a volunteer fire department that is organized under non-profit status. And having sat on a leg audit, the majority of the problems rest with the volunteer fire departments that are non-profits. And that's why this is segregated out from the others, because just to be quite honest, there are some volunteer fire departments that are non-profit that are in runaway mode right now and and they don't have the accountability to the quorum court that the fire protection district does because the fire the quorum court can step in of a fire protection district and disband the board they can they have greater accountability and that's why we put the hundred dollar limit in here is to make sure that a fire department that's a fire protection district would not run up the dues on somebody without the quorum court having that review and approval authority. Okay that makes sense and how many how many of these districts do we have in our state? You know that's a great question and the problem is nobody can answer it. Okay. When it comes to fire protection districts and that's something I'll be working on in the interim because we are really lacking when it comes to information about some specifics on that. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Teague is recognized and senator mark johnson will be next senator t uh you'll be surprised though the senator hammer but i have some attention attention issues and being still is not my strong suit either so did you talk about that these districts that when they get their fee put on to the assessment it's it's it's not what you don't need to choose whether you pay or not it's automatic don't they have to pay regardless if it's put on the assessment the way this bill is written remembering it only applies to fire protection districts this doesn't give you an option of not paying you have to pay if it's on your assessment bill that is correct under this bill if you're a fire department under a fire protection district status your taxes would be required or your dues would be required to be paid prior to your property taxes being paid and a fire protection district is a fire rural fire department only they ask the JP's to make them a district right I'm sorry senator could you say that one more time a fire protection district is basically a rural fire department that asked to become a fire a fire district right not much more to that than that is asking the quorum court to well fire protection district has chosen to be that style of fire department which in the process under which fire departments are our fire protection districts they are they are submitting themselves to a level of accountability to the quorum court that did that answer your question? I think so. Thank you Senator Hamer. Thank you. Senator Mark Johnson and then Senator Clark. Thank you Mr. President. Senator Hamer, first of all I appreciate the problem you're trying to solve and I applaud you for that. My question has to do with saying that someone can't pay their property taxes until they pay this fee. Is that what it does? That's what it does. I have a real problem from a constitutional standpoint of can we do that? Can we constitutionally tell someone that if you haven't paid this fee, you showed up at the courthouse to write a check for your property taxes and they wouldn't accept it because you didn't pay or wouldn't pay or hadn't paid this fee, that you suddenly your property taxes are in arrears and i i just don't know it appears to me to not jive with the constitution as far as ad valorem taxes and the way they have to be collected what i would say to that is this was heavily debated in committee that issue was not raised number one number two this is following along the lines of what is already in the same status as the dues are when it comes to certain improvement districts, when it comes to sanitation fees, and there were about four other things that were on that list. So if we've broken the Constitution or violated the Constitution, it's already been done by four other entities that have exercised this option to make sure that those dues are collected. So do we also, in those cases, require that they be paid prior to someone being able to pay their property taxes? That is my understanding, and that's the way I presented the bill in committee. Thank you, sir. You're welcome. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Clark has a question, and then Senator Hill. Senator Hammer. One second. Senator Clark has a floor. The Attorney General has not voiced any concern with this bill, as far as you know? No, sir. the uh you've got in this bill you amended it for me that anything over a hundred dollars per year has to be approved by the local quorum court correct it has to be reviewed and approved that was the amendment we added to to guarantee that fire departments wouldn't do a runaway on their dues uh even though the fire protection district it just added another layer of comfort another layer of security because we're only talking about fire protection districts. Am I wrong that this is something that volunteer fire departments can do now if they have an election to do it? As far as going above the $100 or as far as placing with the tax collector? Involuntary because it's my understanding that volunteer fire departments can petition and it's voluntary or they can have an election and it's involuntary. is that your understanding well let me see if I can answer your question this way and if I don't I'll take another run at it remember this is a bill that I work with the county tax collectors because there's a lot of inconsistency across the state as far as some collectors enforcing the dues that are placed or collecting the dues are placed with them voluntarily what this does is those dues that are placed with the tax collector across the board across the state would be collected as as mandatory prior to paying your personal property tax but a fire protection district okay which is covered under this bill they go through a election they go through a a process locally to establish what their dues are what this bill adds to that is they would now need to be reviewed by the quorum court for review and approval whereas prior to that it wasn't and a reason for this is is it not that insurance companies used to your insurance used to be at class nine uh and unless you were a member and then you got the discount for whatever rating that the fire department had the insurance companies no longer do that they give you the benefit of the rating which makes your actually makes your fire department dues way less expensive than what your insurance would be uh so this is a way of since everybody gets the benefit this is a way of making sure everybody pays is that correct this is a fairness bill that if you're if you got a neighbor that's not paying their dues and you are paying your dues this is a fairness bill to make sure everybody's pulling equal weight because yes everybody benefits when those iso scores improve thank you and then Senator Hickey now are you doing this based off of a parcel of property or a an individual address or how are you doing that I believe it speaks to a parcel because I have like 16 parcels of property it would be on page four lines 12 through 14 i think is where your question is addressed if the animal if the annual benefits assessed exceed 100 per parcel the quorum court of the county in which the fire protection district lies shall approve the reassessment so it is on the basis of parcel and in the election i mean in matt well i can't uh if your property is in a fire improvement district, then you should have been given the opportunity to cast a vote as far as what your dues are. And so this does not, this does not create any higher dues than what have already been established through that voting process that you have within your fire protection district. Okay, so if I have several parcels of property, vacant land, am I going to be assessed of hypothetically $45 per parcel if that's the way that your fire protection district solicited your vote for your dues it would be if that's the way I said say you got 10 parcels each one of them are $45 a parcel and that's the way you're you know that you voted it when when they put it out to you to raise the dues and be my understanding be $45 per parcel unless your fire protection district did something different we're not messing with what's been decided at the local level we're just saying what's been decided will now be placed with the the collector for collection okay one more question on the site same situation let's say if I have four or five rental properties is it based off an address then my understanding to be based off the address thank you thank you Thank you, Senator Hammer. Now, with these assessments, the delinquent assessments where individual property owners have not paid and are delinquent for several years, Because it hasn't been going through the tax collector's office, that may now be many years of unpaid assessments. And so what this bill does, I'm asking you, is require that all those delinquent assessments that have not been paid be collected prior to the other taxes. okay so senator I'm looking at page five on the bill lines eight and nine right that's what I'm looking at okay and it says the collector may certify delinquent assessments for collection after January 1 each year but that includes all prior years of unpaid assessments is that right I'm gonna I'm gonna answer your question this way if you've got a if you got a constituent that has a piece of property out there that's been delinquent for the last 10 years the collector would have no authority under this bill to go back and collect those last 10 years because they have to certify it on January 1st so January 1st of the upcoming year would be when they would be able to begin to certify for collection so this is not intended to go back and sweep in all the ones, and in my illustration, the last 10 years. So are you saying that then all of the delinquent taxes prior to January 1, when this bill becomes law, if it becomes law, cannot be used to declare the property with unpaid taxes and certified to the state? because the previous way it was, those were volunteer, uncollectible by the tax collector, and that's part of what this bill is intended to do, is clear that. Now, say January 1st, 2021, somebody has not in the last year in that one-year time frame, that would be turned over as delinquent. But as far as right now, past, that is not, nor is it the intent of the bill, to make those collectible. Because they haven't been certified yet as uncollectible. January 1st, those are just going to be hanging out there uncollectible. Who makes the certification? The Fire Improvement District? They certify it to the... Who makes the certification? Well, in my opinion, it would be the tax collector on the basis of the information turned in by the Fire Protection District to the tax collector. Right. So the Fire Protection District is making the certification to the collector who then acts on it. So I don't see in this bill language that would prevent that fire protection district from actually including all the past unpaid assessments from being certified to the collector for collection. And I understood in committee that there were many delinquent property owners, and that's the reason, part of the reason, for this bill in the first place. Yes, ma'am. And again, I would just say on line 9, January 1st each year, and that would be, the law is unenforceable until it becomes a law, so it would be beginning January 1st into the future. Senator Hickey, sir, I can ask for a question. Yes, sir. Mine's just on the language, page 4, line 14. And I think that I heard Senator Clark say that he had asked to put this on a committee. But we say the quorum court of the county in which the fire protection district lies shall approve this reassessment. And I know what y'all were probably trying to do is just say that they shall have approval authority or they shall approve or disapprove probably. the way that they have written that it's like they're saying the county the quorum court shall approve that reassessment if it's over a hundred dollars so i just it's not written very very good right there so just to bring that to your attention all right thank you sir well then again the intent was at the quorum court okay that they'd have the approval or disapproval is that correct okay they would have the approval or disapproval to and it's to prevent a runaway fire district and that and I understand that and I think that was great but the way that they had actually written it actually says that they shall approve they shall approve it so in other words it could be read it could be looked at that no matter what that it's going to be sent to them but that they shall approve the reassessment. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak on this bill? Against it? For it? Senator, close? No. What the senator would like to do is pull this bill down. Oh, okay. At this point. Okay? For right now. Senator's going to pull the bill. We skipped over Senator Elliott's amendment. She's not here. Senator Ballinger's bill. and he's not here. Senator Hendricks, you want to run Senator Elliott's. 1684, Amendment No. 1. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1684. Yeah, I remember this came out of education with an amendment. It just clarifies that the bill does what the title says, but it just deals with the legal residents of Arkansas. Appreciate a good vote. Any objects? Senator Garner, for what purpose do you rise? If Senator Hendren will entertain the question, then you can be recognized for a question. Senator Garner is recognized for a question. Thank you. So this does deal with DACA recipients, correct? That's my understanding. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Any objections to the amendment? Seeing no objections to the amendment. The amendment is adopted without objections into engrossing. Senator Ballinger, he's not here, so we're going to go to Senator English. if you're ready for Senator English, for yours, which is SB 483. Send Bill 483 by Senator English to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code concerning public school fiscal accountability and reporting. Senator English is recognized. Thank you very much. This has to do with, this is the Department of Education bill, has to do with technical corrections to fiscal accountability. Any questions for Senator English? Senator Bond has a question. Senator English, there's a big, on page 6, line 26, and going for a couple pages, there's a big repealer on some of the physical distress stuff. I just wondered, was there a discussion in committee about why that repealer was in there? Yeah. Thank you, Senator. We have a question. Anyone want to speak on this bill? Senators closed. Any objection to rolling the vote on this bill? Any objection at all? Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Jismang, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Ludding, Mallet, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stubbofill, Sturge, T. Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 1 nay. The bill is passed. Transmit to the House. Senator Irvin. Oh, I'm sorry, Senator Ballinger. We're going to go back to you. Right there. Senate Bill 319 by Senator Ballinger to amend the law concerning eminent domain and to add new definitions under eminent domain. Senator Ballinger, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Okay, what this does is basically codify—actually, Arkansas has got really good law when it comes to eminent domain. So everyone or a lot of us heard of the Kelo decision that basically said you could use them in a domain purely for economic purposes to increase tax base. Well, in this case, you know, in Arkansas, we've said, no, it's got to be for some sort of public purpose, which is good. So what we've done is put together legislation, basically codifying case law so that we make it more permanent and more stable, and that's essentially the purpose of this legislation. I'm happy to answer any questions. Senator Pitch Thank you Senator Ballinger I know of several different types of organizations who have the right to do eminent domain I'm assuming as I looked at this law that traverses all of them Correct and it doesn't affect any like we have several code sections that deal with and like for years I've worked on trying to do real eminent domain reform this has nothing to do with that Okay so like follow up So economic development agencies, communities, utilities, we hit all of those with this? Correct. But economic development, that would be a very, I mean, it's already limited under the Arkansas Constitution. We have different. Right, right. But yeah, yeah, it doesn't touch any of that. It doesn't change anything. Thank you. Appreciate a good vote. Any other questions? Senator, it's closed. Anybody who wishes to speak for or against the bill? Saying none, is there any objection to rolling the vote? Saying none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rafer, Rice, Sample, Stubbofill, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Are there any Senators who wish to change their vote? Senator Rice is non-voting. Any other Senators who wish to change their vote or vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. The vote of 33 yeas, one nay, and one non-voting. The bill has passed. Transmit it to the House. Senator Irvin is recognized for Senate Bill 505. Senate Bill 505 by Senator Irving to amend the provisional license requirements for psychologists and psychological examiners. You recognize me. Thank you, members. What this bill is for UAMS and the ability for there to be a provisional license requirements and then to define what that is for psychologists and psychological examiners so that these individuals that are in school can go out and do a preceptorship in between semesters during the summertime. So it allows them a provisional ability to do that. Are there any questions for Senator Irvin? Seeing none, Senator, are you opposed? I am, thank you. Anyone that wishes to speak for or against the bill? Seeing none, is there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismane, Eades, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Pitch, Raypert, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, T. Wallace. Any senator who wishes to change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. The vote of 35 yea, 0 nay, Senate Bill 505 is passed, transmit to the House. Senator Irvin, you recognize for Senate Bill 506. Senate Bill 506 by Senator Irvin to amend the law concerning the Youth Justice Reform Board. Thank you, members. This is just concerning the membership of the Youth Justice Reform Board, and we added some language in here that we wanted to add some legislators onto this, and so those would be appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate and the Speaker of the House accordingly. and that's really what it does it also adds juvenile court staff and program representatives to the board are there any questions for Senator Irvin saying none there are you closed for your bill I have thank you anyone who wish to speak for against the bill saying none is there any objection to rolling the vote Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eves, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stutherfield, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Any Senator who wishes to change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary cast up the ballot. The vote of 35 yeas, 0 nays. Senate Bill 506 is passed. Transmit to the House. Senator Johnson, you're recognized for Senate Bill 515. Senate Bill 515 by Senator Mark Johnson to create the Arkansas Heritage Protection Act. Senator, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 515 is a bill to protect monuments from disturbance or vandalism. A few things to point out. It does not include anything that's a temporary exhibit, a temporary structure, or a street sign. It's limited to monuments that are on public property. It does not have anything to do with private property. It says that monuments shall not be relocated, removed, altered, renamed, rededicated, vandalized, damaged, destroyed, or otherwise disturbed. And any entity that exercises control over public property that is a monument or has a monument, in a situation where they need to make changes, can petition the History Commission for a waiver from the requirements. And this puts the authority in the History Commission to review these applications for waivers. There was some concern earlier about the penalty clause, and I did amend the bill in committee. A first offense under this is if the value of the property is more than $500. It's a Class A misdemeanor. And if the value of the property is more than $1,000 and the person has been previously convicted of a Class A misdemeanor under this chapter, then it would become a Class D felony. Appreciate a good vote. Be glad to answer any questions. Senator Chesterfield, you recognize for a question, ma'am. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Senator Johnson, for answering my question. there's a movement across the country to remove the statutes of, say, Nathan Bedford Forest and individuals of that sort. Is this designed to prevent that from happening in Arkansas? It would protect any statute, regardless of whom. It might include that. It might also include the Little Rock Nine or the monument to the Vietnam veteran. What we're trying to do here, Senator, is to stop certain political whims of the moment destroying heritage. We have people that are, you know, we had a problem the day after the Ten Commandments monument was installed. Someone came over at night and ran over it with a car. So it would allow changes to be made, but they would have to go through the History Commission. And those monuments have not been the monuments of controversy, have they? The monuments of controversy have been those that have related to those individuals who fought in the South for the maintenance of a slave system. And that's basically what this movement has been about nationwide, am I correct? where people are trying to protect the monuments all of a sudden now? Well, this was originally brought to me by the Daughters of the War of 1812. Certainly, Senator, you and I are going to find some items like this that we might from time to time disagree on, but this is much broader than what you were speaking of. Thank you so much, sir. Thank you. Any other questions for Senator Johnson? Senator Bond, you're recognized for a question, sir. My seatmate, Senator Johnson, We've had this debate in state agencies a couple of times, but if you look at page one of the bill, it says it applies to any monument that's located on public property and has been erected for or named or dedicated in honor of a historical person or historical event. There is no definition in the bill of what is qualifies as a historical person or historical event. There are certain things, Senator, I think are clear to anyone who reads and writes the English language. I think that there are people that are historical that we all know about, and I would venture that probably someone like George Washington is at the top of the list. But then there are people we learn of later. I think of some of the people who were considered by this body to recommend for our new statue in Washington before Senator Wallace convinced us that Johnny Cash was a more important one. Some of the people, for example, that Senator Flowers recommended were people I had never heard of, but they were clearly historical figures, and I'm proud that we bring these to people's attention. So, yes, I think that there are some definitions, but once someone has a monument created to them, then I think it's pretty safe to say to at least some people that it becomes a historical figure. And this bill applies to school districts, cities, every public entity that you can think of. Yes, sir. And what we did on the case of school districts, for example, I was contacted regarding Darby Junior High in Fort Smith, which is named after Colonel Darby, who created Darby's Rangers in World War II. And they said, we're going to tear it down, and we're going to build a new school. and we're going to name it Darby Junior High, would that keep us from doing that? And it's absolutely not. And, of course, if there was any question about that, the History Commission could easily waive that. But under your example there, they would have to keep the name Darby, correct, under this bill? They probably would, but I think, again, there could be a waiver where if they felt, the History Commission felt there was a more appropriate way to honor Colonel Darby. So, last question. This is the example we talked about. If you had a district judge who had the courtroom named after him, say, in the city of Wynn or somewhere, they could not change the name of the courtroom without going to the History Commission. I would I would think they could do that but here's the thing Senator this is a safety valve the history commission is the safety valve if someone is has dishonored a situation then they could possibly do that let me let me give you an example and this was on private property it had nothing to do with that at my alma mater at Hendricks the lieutenant governor and Senator Chesterfield's alma mater as well we had an individual who was involved with the foundation that gave a lot of money to Hendricks. And after they put a bust of him up on campus, it was determined that he had actually stolen money from that foundation and the monument was removed. That was on private property. But I would think in a situation like that, that might be an example of where the History Commission could use their waiver authority to allow. Well, in response to that, if you look on page 3, lines 16 through 18, or 15 through 18, where it says and. I just, I don't think the waiver provision is as broad as you say it is, and I'll sit down and be quiet. Thanks for your patience. Thank you. Any other questions? Senator Hill, you're recognized for a question. Senator Johnson, does it just to appear, the appearance on this bill to me looks like it's removing local control and basically putting it all with the state? Are we not taking, getting rid of our local control on what they have as far as monuments and everything goes? And do we not consider them in charge of what takes place in their own city or county? Well to some extent someone might see it that way, Senator. I look at it as protecting the actual monument from maybe a whim of a particular six members say of a city council who, or five members of an eight-member council that could could do something that would dishonor a monument. And I'm not saying they would, but it would would protect that in a case like this. Senator Chesterfield, for a question? Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. This is so broad. If, for instance, there were a plaque dedicated to someone on public property and a company came in and wanted to establish a business on that particular property, They would have to go to the History Commission in order to get that done, or that could not be done in the regular course of business with the, with, oh Lord have mercy on Jesus, excuse me. That could not be done in the normal course of business, say it were Little Rock, and we had an opportunity to attract Amazon here, but you had a plaque on the piece of property they wanted, and instead of just the city of Little Rock negotiating with Amazon, they've got to negotiate with the History Commission. Is that correct? No, ma'am. This only applies to public property, not private property. This could be on public property. If it's owned by the city, that would be public property, right? Well, if they were to sell it to a private firm, then at that point this private firm could do what they wish. Where is that in here, sir? What you're saying in this bill is that you cannot move a monument that is on public property. No, ma'am. It says that it's true about public property, But in the instance you just related, that would be becoming private property. So if you sold the place where the monument sat to a private entity, this would no longer be applicable. Is that what you're saying? That's correct. All right. Thank you. Any other questions? Senator Elliott, you're recognized for a question, ma'am. Thank you. Senator, I apologize for having been out of the meeting. when you first started your discussion, this would not apply, for example, to, would this apply to a mascot, say, like in a school, for instance? I don't read it that it would, but I just need a clarification. You mean an intangible mascot, a name of a mascot, say changing it from Razorbacks to, or from Cardinals to Razorbacks, for example. Well, actually, yeah, maybe. But, for example, when I taught at Joe T. Robinson, the mascot is the Senators. If we had, for example, a picture or a carving of Joe T. Robinson on the school, and we decided we no longer wanted to have that because we're going to change our mascot to something else, I'm just wondering if it applies to something like that. or with people who, you know, have their mascots named after Native Americans. Many times they want to change those things, and sometimes there are carvings and stuff or even statues of what they are thinking of, if it applies to anything like that. Senator, I think that if you look on page one of the bill, 30, 31, and 32, it defines what monument is, and it doesn't include a mascot or anything such as that. Now, these are mainly tangible items. These are not the name of, say, Senator Robinson in the case that you just outlined. Actually, I'm talking about it as a tangible thing, though. We are the mascots, but on our campus, let's say, if there is a bust or carving of some kind of Joe T. Robinson, I'm reading it to mean that that would be covered because he's a figure of historic significance. A tangible, say, bust of Senator Robinson at Robinson High School would be covered. That would be covered. But if they wanted to name their team the Mountain Goats instead of the Senators, they could do so without any problem. Yeah. I get that part, because I know in some cases people actually have these real-life symbols engraved and whatnot on some of our schools, and it's really quite nice. But if they decide to change it, I'd like to know that they can change it. That's why I'm asking about that. Not just the notion that I'm a warrior, but if I don't want to demean, say, Native Americans, and I've got a big bus somewhere calling John, I'd like to know if we wanted to move that, that we could. And we could under your bill, is that what you're telling me? If it were truly a historic figure, then I think they would need to go to the History Commission. And it's really more about destroying something as opposed to relocating something. That's the kind of thing that I would think this safety valve would allow to be addressed in an equitable manner. All right. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator. Would anyone like to speak for or against the bill? Anyone to speak for or against the bill? Seeing none, Senator, are you closed for your bill? I'd like to close, Mr. President. a while back could we get order Mr. President Senator Johnson has the floor a while back I picked up this book I hadn't read in a long time it's called 1984 by George Orwell I want to read a quote from it this is Winston Smith in the book every record has been destroyed or falsified every book rewritten every picture has been repainted, every statue of the street building has been renamed, every date has been altered, and the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the party is always right. I appreciate a good vote. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Ballinger? Ballinger? Bledsoe, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, Clark, Clark, Cooper, Cooper, Davis, Davis, Dismang, Eads, Eads, Elliot, English, English, Flippo, Flippo, Flowers, flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hammer, Hendron, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Ingram, Irvin Irvin Blake Johnson Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Letting Letting Mallet Pitch Pitch Rapert Rice Sample Stubbafield Stubblefield, Sturge, Sturge, Teague, Wallace, Wallace. Do any senators desire to vote or change their vote? Senator Flippo, aye. Senator English, aye. Senator Eads, aye. Senator Flowers, no. Senator Chesterfield, no. Senator Bledsoe, aye. Senator Stubblefield, aye Senator Gardner is Are you doing something with your hand? Senator Pitch, no Any other senators who wish to change their vote or vote? Senator Wallace, aye Any other senators who wish to change their vote? saying none cast up the ballot with the vote of 16 yay 9 nay and 10 non-voting the bill has failed to pass senator johnson you recognize sir which senate bill 6515 failed motion to expunge you've heard the motion any objection to the motion saying no objection so moved senator hindron you recognize sir yeah members i got a special guest i want to introduce real quick you all familiar with the arkansas national guard i'm very familiar with them but this year they've had deployments overseas to South America. They've worked on national disasters and deployed to the border. We have the commander, two-star General Mark Berry, up in the VIP gallery. If he'd stand and say hello, and if you'd welcome him, I'd appreciate it. Mr. President. Senator T. For what purpose? Is it possible to ask him if he could help us with Senator Henry? Do what, sir? Is it possible to inquire if he could help us with some apprehension? Thank you. Senator Hammer. Senator Hammer, you're recognized for a motion, I believe, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to make a motion to place Senate Bill 520 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. You've heard the motion. Is there any objection to the motion? Seeing no objection, so move. Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 520. Senator Hamer, you're recognized. Explain. Thank you. Members, what I'd like to do is send this back to the committee that would be heard this afternoon. This amendment is addressing an issue on the PBM bill that was raised. I believe it's going to bring greater clarity. and I'd just like to get it back into committee for the purpose of being amended. Thank you. I'd be glad to answer any questions. Are there any questions on the motion? On the amendment, excuse me. Seeing no questions, any objection to referring back to committee? Oh. Without objection, the amendment is adopted. All in favor of the amendment? Aye. All opposed? Amendment adopted. Send to engrossing. Mr. President. Yes, Senator Hamer, you're recognized. Thank you. I'd like to ask for Senate Bill 461 that we heard a minute ago on the Fire Department be sent back to the committee, please. You've heard Senator Hamer's motion to re-refer Senate Bill 461 back to committee. Is there any objection to the motion? Seeing none, so move. Mr. President. Senator Malik. Just a point of order, now we did not send 520 back to committee. We adopted an amendment on the floor, is that correct? Yes, sir, and it will be engrossed, and then we will re-refer back to committee. Okay, it will go back to committee after engrossing? Yes. All right, thank you. Senator Hester, you're recognized for Senate Bill 525. Senate Bill 525 by Senator Hester to modernize plumbing plan review submissions and responses and to clarify that local jurisdiction review of certain plumbing plans and specifications does not require review by the Department of Health. Your colleague Senator Hester has the floor. Thank you, Mr. President. So this is a bill I work closely with the Department of Health on. They support. A lot of it's their language. I work with architects, work with engineers. Basically this says that if a city has an engineer that works for them or with them and they approve the plans, then it does not have to go to the health department and get another set of government approvals. As we know, the cities already control the water lines and plumbing lines in their city, so they're going to make sure they're done right in the first place. Happy to answer any questions. Any questions? Senator Hester, Senator Chesterfield has a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Senator Hester. I understand that we're streamlining, and it precludes state from having to be involved in everything, but is there an appeal process for the citizens whose plumbing they don't feel has been handled properly at the local level? Well, I think that would be a problem with the contractor. This is just talking about the design of the plumbing. Just the design of the plumbing. This is just the design, and it has to be the engineers are certifying that they design them within the standards set by the Department of Health. Okay, and if they do not, do they then apply to the Department of Health? If it is found that that has not happened, do they appeal it to local government or to the Department of Health? Well, I think that would be an issue with the engineer's license who stamped it and said that they did it that way, which is currently, you know, they designed a lot of standards. Is that a local matter? I'm not familiar with your profession. Is that a local matter or is that a state matter? It's a state matter. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions for Senator Hester? Anyone wish to speak on this bill? Senator Hester, closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote on this bill? Please roll the vote. Madam Secretary. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismangue, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Seeing none, cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed, returned, or transmitted to the House. Senator English is recognized. Thank you. Senate Bill 549 by Senator English to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code with respect to public school academic facilities. Senator English. This bill has to do with technical changes to the school academic facilities code. Any questions for Senator English? No questions. Anyone wish to speak on this bill? None. Senator closed? Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote, Madam Secretary. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismane, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, T. Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Seeing none, cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Transmit to the House. Senator Ballinger. Whose guest is the tag? Senate Bill 555 by Senator Ballinger to amend Arkansas law regarding state emission plans for fossil fuel fired electric generating units. One second, Senator Ballinger. I just want to recognize the Adjutant General, I just want to welcome you to the chamber. You've got two stars. You're not in trouble for anything. Senator Ballinger. Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 555, some of y'all who've been paying attention, most of y'all probably don't care, but a couple years ago, I think in 2015, Senator Edgio Williams, I carried a piece of legislation that was in response to the clean power plan that the Obama administration was putting together, and all it did is it just set a process where the legislature could review before the Public Service Commission and ADEQ were implementing a plan to comply with it. Well, there's actually a new plan that is being developed that at least the preliminary drafts that have went out is probably going to be something that's easy for us to comply with, but we still want to have the review process before we actually implement it. But what this will do is allow for an abbreviated review process. We won't have to do the same kind of testing and report. So they'll just make it a little cheaper if it looks like it's not going to cost the rate payers in Arkansas any more money. So that's basically it. It is agreed to. All the utilities are on board. ADQs are the ones who put the bill together, and there's no opposition to it. Any questions for the senator? Anyone wish to speak on this bill? Senator has closed. Any objection or rolling the vote? Please roll the vote, Madam Secretary. Malinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Ludding, Mallett, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Seeing none, cast up the ballot. Thirty-five yays, zero nays. Oh, she didn't have it. Okay. Thirty-four yays, zero nays. The bill passes, transmit to the House. Senator Letting. Senate Bill 593 by Senator Letting, concerning training and educational materials on child trafficking. Senator Letting. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, this bill just requires that ADE and DHS collaborate and produce training and educational materials on human trafficking. Both agencies are fine with the bill, and there's no fiscal impact. I'd ask for a good vote. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on it? Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallett, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbafield, Sturge, T. Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 35 yay, 0 nays. Bill is passed. Transmit to the House. Senator Dismayne, first of two. Symbol 602 by Senator Dismayne to establish the Small Wireless Facility Deployment Act. Senator Dismayne is recognized. Thank you, Governor. This bill just lays out the parameters for the deployment of small steel here in the state. Allowing it to be able to be uniformed will allow it to occur more quickly here and also allow the providers to know what to expect as they go from city to city. This has the potential to benefit not just our more populated areas through better service, but also rural areas, especially those that may have some industry located there. With that, I'd be happy to take any questions. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Hitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Seeing none, cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Transmit to the House. Senator Dismayne. Senator Dismayne. Senator Dismayne. To clarify that an accommodations intermediary is required to collect and remit the sales tax and tourism tax due on arrangements and accommodations intermediary makes for the sale or use of an accommodation. Senator Dismayne is recognized. I'd like to make a motion to withdraw Senate Bill 628 from further consideration. You've heard the motion. Any objection? Without objection, the motion is carried. Senator Hendren is recognized. Hey, members. So we've got Senate Bill 664. It got assigned to state agencies. It really should have been the Department of Education. It's a reading bill for Department of Corrections. I've talked to both chairmen. They're both agreeable to that and the sponsor. So I'd move that we we refer to Senate Bill 664 from State Agencies to Education Committee. You've heard the motion. Any questions? Any objection? Without objection, the motion is carried. We're going to go to Senator Bledsoe. Senate Bill 634 by Senator Bledsoe to require the Arts on Medicaid program to cover opioid antagonists as a pharmacy benefit. Senator Bledsoe. Thank you, Mr. President. ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. There's a new medication that is an opioid antagonist, which means that the new antagonist medication prevents relapse to dependency following opioid detoxification. This is a new medication. It's considered another tool in the toolbox to help fight opioid dependence and other substance use disorders. But during the time since I had it in the public health committee, I have had several conversations with DHS, the lady that is over this particular division of pharmacy benefits, and they have agreed that they will put it in their Medicaid pharmacy benefit, and that if I would not run this bill, they felt like they could manage the medication better, and even though the surrounding states have already done this, and we, some people have been working on this for several years, I'm going to believe that they will do it, but if they don't, I'll be back, and I'd like to withdraw this from consideration. Without objection, the bill is withdrawn. Senator Caldwell, SB 651. Send Bill 651 by Senator Caldwell to amend the maximum number of passenger motor vehicles for certain institutions of higher education and declare an emergency. And this bill has an emergency clause. Senator Caldwell, good to see you walking down to the well. Thank you, Governor. I appreciate it. This is basically a technical bill with the universities to allow them to have some to have some new vehicles on others. It transfers vehicles from one entity to another, for instance, the University of Fayetteville. If you were to look at the bill, it drops from 605 vehicles to 299. What they're doing is transferring those vehicles over to the Division of Ag. And so the biggest part of the bill is the cleanup bill. The same thing on East Arkansas Community College. It shows a big increase from 13 to 28 there. But they're transferring from Pearls Ridge Votek. The newest vehicle that East Arkansas Community College has is seven years old. They're not getting any new vehicles out of this, but this is mostly a cleanup bill, although a few of the universities will get additional vehicles. I appreciate a good vote. Any questions for the senator? Anyone wish to speak on this? Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eads, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallett, Pitch, Raper, Rice, Sample, Stubbafield, Starch, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Seeing none, cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Transmit that bill to the House. We're going to go to Senator English, and then we have two resolutions, the two that we discussed at the beginning of the session, SJR 15, Senator Clark, and Senate Resolution 40 for Senator Pitch. Those will go fast. So Senator Clark and Senator Pitch will be up immediately following Senator English. Senator English is recognized. Senate Bill 659 by Senator English to allow a state supported two-year institution of higher education to market and provide services to any individual in Arkansas, regardless of the service area in which the individual resides. Senator Ingram. Thank you. What this basically does is gives permission to two-year colleges to advertise their programs and to recruit students from across the state. Any questions? Senator Ingram has a question. At one time, Senator Ingram, there was some concern that schools would recruit in other people's areas that might have duplicative programs. Has that all sort of been worked out? Is everybody on board with this? Right. If you had the best process technology program and you were in El Dorado and you had jobs down there, then you could advertise that to other people across the state. We don't have another process technology program in the state. So those kinds of things. But duplicative programs, say like CDLs and things like that. I don't think that that's not part of this what this is allowing schools if they have a program to be able to recruit students for that program specific program outside of their district. I understand that. My question is, not that two-year schools wouldn't be competitive with certain things, because their funding is based on programs that are duplicative, that we have multiple, but somebody that might recruit into another area, that has always sort of been, we've not allowed that. This would. Is there any concern that's been brought up about this? No, it's kind of competition. So if you have the very best diesel technology program and you have an industry certification and people are leaving your diesel technology program no matter where you are in the state and they're getting good jobs, then that puts you in a competitive position and you ought to be able to advertise that. Let me give you another example of why this. In the state we have one vet tech program at BB. It has never been advertised. It has 15 students in it, but we have vet tech needs all over the state. So what we would hope is happening is that that program would start to be advertised across the state so other people would be able to come to that school. That's the idea of this. I understand single-entity programs. Yes, ma'am, but you still haven't answered my question. and I'll just give up, about ones that are duplicative in nature, that are standard to other two-year schools. They will be able to recruit in, even though there's a truck driver school in Forest City, one from Fort Smith could theoretically recruit into that. They probably could, but I think you have to be rational about it. And why would you, if you had a good school in Forest City, Why would you just choose to go to Fort Smith where you don't live? Well, my experience sometime in higher ed is rational, is not second nature. But thank you. Thanks. Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak on this bill? Senator closed. Do you object to rolling the votes, Senator Ingram? Please call the roll, Madam Secretary. And then when we're done with this, we'll go to Senator Hester for a motion. Ballinger? Ballinger? All right. Bledsoe. Bond. Bond. Caldwell. Caldwell. Cheatham. Cheatham. Chesterfield. Chesterfield. Clark. Clark. Cooper. Davis. Davis. Dismang. Eads. Elliot. Elliot. Aye. English. Flippo. Flowers. Flowers. Garner. Yes. Hammer. Hendren. Hendren. Hester. Aye. Hickey. Hill. Hill. Ingram Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Letting Mallet Mallet Pitch Riper Rice Rice Sample Sample Stubbeville. Stubbeville. Sturge. Teague. Wallace. Anyone wish to vote or change your vote? Senator Hill and Senator Sample C is aye. Senator Ingram is no. Senator Hickey is aye. Senator Hammer is aye. Senator Hendren is aye. Senator Cheatham is aye. Anybody else? Cast up the ballot. 30 days, one day the bill is passed. Transmit that bill down to the House. Senator Hester, we're going to go to you for a motion. Members, thank you, Mr. President. I would like to suspend the rules to add House Bill 1763 on the agenda for purposes of engrossing the amendment from committee today. It's the transformation bill. We're not sure if it will take them one or two days to get it engrossed, but we'd like to get it off our floor this week and back down to the House. So it came out of committee today. I'd just like to add it on the agenda so we can get it engrossed. You've heard the motion. Any questions on the motion? Any objection on the motion? Senator Garner, do you have a question? I have a question. Thank you, Mr. President. Please ask. So we're voting just to have it engrossed. We're not voting on the actual bill itself, correct? No, no. My hope is we can vote on it tomorrow if we can get it engrossed in time. Got you. I want to make sure I was clear on that. Thank you. Okay. Questions? Any objections? Without objection, the motion is carried. No, to adopt the amendment. It was put on in committee. Boy, I had to suspend the rules, which you just did. Okay. Now we've got to deal with the substance. Senator Hester. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1763. We have the amendment. Senator Hester, Senator Chesterfield has a question. Where's the amendment? Well, we just had a committee. But you haven't had it on the floor. You're asking us to adopt an amendment we haven't seen? Yes. Really? I'm happy to pull us down, maybe come back at the end of the calendar and provide you the amendment and answer some questions. That would help me because I'd like to see what I'm voting on. Senator Hendren is recognized. We've already suspended the rules, but Senator Hendren is recognized. So I asked Senator Hester to do this because this is, as you all remember, an over 2,000-page bill. And how thick is the amendment? It's significant as well. So it's going to take them a lot of time to engross it. It's going to be much better to read the bill after it's engrossed than trying to find where that 2,000-page is, that amendment goes. So in order to make it easier for everybody and let the staff not have to work all night on engrossing it, I think it's important that we go ahead and put the amendment on, and then you can read it in an engrossed form later today and tomorrow. Senator Chesterfield. And I understand the context in which you're visiting, but I've never been asked to vote on an amendment that I've never seen. And what you're asking us to just vote on a ghost amendment. That's correct, but then you'll get a chance to vote on the bill with the amendment in it, which will be a whole lot easier to understand. But without looking at the amendment? Correct. That's right. That's wrong. Okay. Thank you. Senator Hickey has a question. One second, Senator Hickey. one senator at a time senator hickey's got the floor right uh if i could have the members attention we actually to help senator hindron right here this thing was so large what we did is we tried to put everything into one amendment but also the bureau has prepared a whole spreadsheet that will go along with the amendment which we do have and that that spreadsheet will keep it so you don't have to know where we went in this large bill to find it so if it's okay with everybody we can get you not only the amendment but the spreadsheet that goes along with it so that you'll know what each change meant and where it's at page the page and line number so if that does yeah again if you want to know what after the bill is engrossed where those changes were you will have the spreadsheet and the amendment but again this is such it's unusual to have to engross something this large, so we really need to get going on. Senator Ingram is recognized for a question. May I suggest that anybody has any questions about any of the changes, they should talk to Senator Hickey or Senator Sample. You may suggest that. Any other questions? All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Send to engrossing. Okay. Senator Clark, and then immediately following, and I appreciate you being over there, Senator Pitch, immediately following Senator Pitch, and this is SJR 15, and we first must amend, is my understanding, Senator Clark. Amendment 1, the Senate Joint Resolution 15. One second. Senator Clark's got the floor. I want to move that we adopt the House Amendment. The amendment is not, it was done in the House. It's not technically a House Amendment. As I was getting ready to run SJR 15 on the Senate floor, the bill writer caught me in the hallway and said there are some technical changes that we just caught that need to be made and so we made them in house committee and they do not change the bill at all they just actually make it do exactly what we told you it would do to fix a little bit of language any questions on the amendment any objection to the amendment without objection the amendment passes Yeah, it's concurred, and now we're going to deal with the underlying resolution. Senate Joint Resolution 15 by Senator Clark, a constitutional amendment to be known as the Arkansas Term Limits Amendment, and amending the term limits applicable to members of the General Assembly. Senator Clark, on the underlying resolution, joint resolution. Okay, this is SJR 15, the same Term Limits Amendment. with some technical corrections that you voted on before we sent it to the House. Grandfathers, current legislators, end where they're at. Anyone elected after January 1st, 2021 will be 12 years, have 12-year term limits. It changes term limits from lifetime to successive with a four-year waiting period before someone can run again. I'll be happy to take any questions. Any questions? Any questions? anyone wish to speak on it the center closed I'm closed I appreciate a good vote any objection to rolling the vote on this there is please call the roll madam secretary Ballinger Bledsoe Bledsoe Bond Caldwell Cheatham Cheatham Chesterfield. Chesterfield. Clark. Cooper. Davis. Dismang. Dismang. Eads. Elliot. Elliot. Aye. English? Aye. English? Flippo? Aye. Flowers? Yes. Garner? Yes. Hammer? Yes. Hendren? Yes. Hester? Aye. Hickey? Aye. Hill? Aye. Ingram? Yes. Irvin? Yes. Irvin? Yes. Irvin? Yes. Yes. Blake Johnson, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Pitch, Raypert, Rice, Sample Stubbeville Sturge Teague Teague Wallace Senator Chesterfield is aye Senator Bladsoe is aye Senator Cheatham is no anybody else over here Senator Dismaine is no anyone else over here anybody else cast up you got it cast up the ballot 26 yays 5 nays the resolution is passed transmit to the house Senator Engrossing No, no, this is the joint resolution Enroll it Senator Pitch Senate Resolution 40 by Senator Pitch Requesting that Representative Vaught be authorized to pursue the consideration of House Joint Resolution 1008 As a third proposed constitutional amendment We're going to need a, we will have a roll call on this one, Senator Pitch, and this requires, Senator Pitch, this requires 24 votes. This requires 24 votes, Senator Pitch. We need 24. Thank you, Mr. Governor. Congratulations to Senator Clark for passing his bill. We were not allowed to do this bill until we had two amendments approved, headed to the governor for signature. What this resolution is, is a sister resolution with the House, both of which are asking to consider a third constitutional amendment, at which point we need two-thirds vote. And so this amendment, be it resolved by the Senate of the 92nd General Assembly of the state of Arkansas, that Representative Vaught is authorized to pursue for consideration of House Joint Resolution 1008 as a third proposed constitutional amendment for referral to the electors of the state for approval or rejection, be it further resolved that Senator Pitch is authorized to pursue the consideration of this said House Joint Resolution if said resolution comes before the Senate for consideration. Basically what we have, this is the petition of the Constitution Bill and we are asking by resolution to consider it for vote as a third constitutional amendment. Question. Senator Chesterfield. Is it in our packet? I'm looking for it. Is it in our current packet or is this another one of these ghost things that we're just supposed to accept? It is filed online. It was filed yesterday and we could not, it's been sitting there, we could not deal with it until he passed his. I guess you know, once we start stuff, Once we set these precedents for accepting stuff, and if you didn't know it was online, then you didn't go online to find it. Is there no way we can wait at least until we get an opportunity to read it intelligently or somewhat intelligently to find out what it says? Or can you read it to me? I just did. It's a very simple resolution. Which is to do what? Besides to help her pursue a third thing? suppose somebody here wants to pursue a third one. What are you pursuing? I mean, but if you just want to pursue one for the heck of pursuing it, or is there something specific in mind that she is pursuing? Yes. We are pursuing House Joint Resolution 1008, and we're not allowed to do that until this is passed. Okay, so you can't tell me what's in 1008 so I'll know how to intelligently vote on this bill absolutely can it's been heard by state agencies but it's not been allowed to be voted on okay until this is passed what does it say house joint resolution i got it back here but i can tell it to you from memory okay it's the it's hard to hear and hear it's the petition to present protect our constitution from all of the changes that have been taking place you'll get a chance to vote on 1008 you're good thank you okay Senator Garner did you still have a question Senator Garner then Senator Hammer then Senator Teague Senator Garner we aren't voting on the merit of that 108 we're just voting on the procedural part that allows us to hear that as the amendment agreed upon by both the Senate and the House correct Absolutely. Thank you. Senator Hammer. Thank you. Could you tell me what the subject matter is that Representative Bott is wanting us to hear? It's the sister bill to my SJR that was presented in state agencies. Right, but is it? Constitutional protections. Okay, thank you. Senator Teague. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Pitch, is this the state chambers bill on something? Initiated acts, is that what this is? This is... Senator Teague has got the floor. It's going to be interesting. I know that this is not... This is not. But this would authorize you to work on that? Just to hear the state chambers and attorney generals and the governor and the election commission. And a lot of people were involved in getting that process put together. And is that filed already? It's filed, been filed since early in the session. And what's the number on it? Eight, there's two of them, HJR 1008 and my sister bill SJR 10. Because the house gets to vote the third bill, we're using 1008. Thank you. Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Pitch, in the past, there's been a different procedure to bring these to the floor. And it appears that by bringing this resolution forward, you're kind of like getting the inside track on this thing. And you know I like your amendment, but I like the one that I'm working on and the one that Representative Eubanks and Senator Ingram and I are working on better. And while I wouldn't want nothing to pass, I'd kind of like to at least have an even start on that. And can you convince me that I shouldn't vote against your resolution because I want us not to put yours up on the front row? Your point is well taken. This sister amendment has to be in the House and in the Senate before anything can be heard. And the House gets to pick, which is the third one they want to pick, and they have picked this one. So this resolution is to allow them to start their process on the one they picked. But it's permissive, but it puts you at the head of the queue, doesn't it? Or Representative Vaughn at the head of the queue. Well, the House is who picks it, and they have picked this, and they wrote their resolution, and we matched it. They're hearing the exact same House resolution. Okay, I'm still confused, but thank you. Anyone else have a question? Senator Hendren, do you have a question or are you going to speak on the bill? Senator Hendren is going to speak on the bill, in favor of the bill. I just want to clarify, I think Senator Garner kind of alluded to this. First thing is we're not voting on the issue. We're voting on whether or not there will be a third and it will come from the House. We changed the rules two years ago about the way these resolutions work. So the House got used to, it was joint meetings and it was gridlock. So we have, each House can have one now, but in order to have a third, there has to be this joint resolution, which requires two-thirds vote. Well, the reason that the House is wanting this one, and we have, I think it's fair to let them have it, is they ran the highway one, which was a constitutional amendment, as their first one. We ran the revenue gas and diesel tax down. They ran the highway amendment back down this way. And so I think it's only fair that we pass this resolution. Again, if you don't like what it is, you can vote against it when it comes to the floor. That's just a simple majority. But in order to have a third, to give the House the ones that they use for their highways, this is the purpose of this resolution. So I'd appreciate a good vote. Anyone else wish to speak on this bill against four? Is the senator closed? I'm closed. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Do not roll the vote. Ballinger? Aye. Bledsoe? Bond? Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eads, Elliot, English, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Letting Letting Mallet Pitch Rapert Rice Sample Stubbafil Sturge Teague Teague Wallace Anyone wish to vote or change their vote? Senator Chesterfield is no, correct? Correct, Senator Chesterfield? No. Senator Teague is aye. Senator Cheatham is no. Anybody else over here? Anybody over here? Senator Mark Johnson is aye. Anyone else? Anyone else? Cast up the ballot. But 27 yays, 6 nays, the resolution is adopted. The last, well, we've got budget too, I was going to say it on the last page. dismay would you would you say yep senator dismay is the first house bill house bill 1219 by representative hillman to amend the law concerning the forfeiture of retirement benefits by a judge or justice who is 70 years of age senator dismay white county same bill as yesterday i thought we'd give it another go Thank you. Any questions? Anyone wishes? Okay. Senator Mark Johnson wishes to speak against. Senator Clark, are you interested in speaking on it? Nope. Okay. Senator Mark Johnson is recognized to speak against. Thank you, Mr. President. Some people have alluded to the fact that the retirement restriction on judges is a de facto form of term limits, and I guess it is. And when some of the judges approached us when Senator Clark was working on SJR 15 to include some term limits for judges, they pointed this out, and they rightfully so did. So this is how we limit the terms of judges. What we see here, though, is a bill, and I'm sure there's some probably very good judge that Representative Hillman wants to help, and he's probably a great guy, Senator Dismang. I don't know who it is, but there's probably somebody that would like to be able to stay a little longer. And Lord knows a lot of us would like to stay a little longer. I'm probably the exception because, you know, I'm a freshman. I'm 65 years old next month, so I'm different. But what we'll be doing in this, we're taking a judge who just is under his 70th birthday and is reelected, if that's a Supreme Court justice, he'll have almost eight years. He'll be almost 78 years old before he has to retire. I think it subverts the whole intention of what we're trying to do with the limitation on judges. There needs to be some turnover. Now, not every 78-year-old or 77-year-old judge is losing his faculties, but some of them are. And remember, this is something that came from the Bar Association in the first place years ago. So I think it's probably as good a system as we have, unless we include judges in term limits, which we haven't, and that's okay. But I think this is a good example of how we need to keep it just like it is. And I'll be glad to answer Senator Flowers' question. Senator Flowers, you have a question for Senator Mark Johnson of Ferndale? Yes. I was about to say, Your Honor. Your Honor, Senator Johnson, wouldn't you agree that the experience that a judge who is already on the bench matters? And not only that, the voter still using a democratic process can decide whether to keep them on the bench or not. Wouldn't you agree? Well, I would agree in limited circumstances, Senator Flowers. Unfortunately, in my experience, the general public is really not that well attuned to judges. Now, they know about political candidates because judges often are limited under the judicial canons to, like, they can't comment on issues. And they really are very limited on how they speak to their judicial philosophy. So while, yes, voters get to vote, there's such a restriction on what judges can say that incumbents have a tremendous advantage. And this would, I think, extend that advantage even further. And I don't know if, Mr. President, I don't know if Senator Garner is wanting to ask me a question or he just wants to speak after me. But if he had a question, I'd yield to him. He's going to walk around the chamber. Okay. No questions. He's going to speak against. All right, well, but I just say this, is that here we're carving out an exception for someone, and I just think it's a bad idea, and I'd appreciate a no vote on this. Thank you. Before you speak against, anyone wish to speak for? Anyone wish to speak on? Senator Garner wishes to speak against. Thank you, Mr. President. So democracy is still allowed under this. They're still able to vote on it? still able to run again. We don't stop that at all. The only thing that changes is if they decide to make that commitment for public service, they lose their retirement. That's the only distinction. So by no means, they can run until they're 90 years old if they want to. They won't get their retirement. But nothing in democracy gets stopped about this. Nothing. Thank you. Anyone else wish to speak in any way, shape, or form? The senator is closing. Yeah, so members, you know, we just voted out something in regards to term limits for ourselves. And so we evidently like term limits and we don't like term limits all at the same time. And I'd also like to say that 60 is the new 70. So I think we're, or 70 is the new 60, really. So I appreciate it. Center's closed. We're going to assume an objection to rolling the vote, and we're going to have a regular roll call. Ballinger. No. Bledsoe. Bledsoe. Bond. Aye. Caldwell. Aye. Cheatham. Aye. Chesterfield. Aye. Chesterfield. Clark, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eads, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Ervin, Ervin, Blake Johnson. Aye. Mark Johnson. Aye. Ladding. Aye. Mallet. Yes. Pitch. Pitch. Riper. Riper. Rice. Aye. Sample. Sample. Stubbafil. Aye. Starch. Aye. Teague. Teague. Wallace. Wallace. Anyone wish to vote or change their vote? Senator Chesterfield is aye. Senator Teague is aye. Anyone else? Senator Wallace is aye. Cast up the vote. Senator Clark is aye. Anybody else? Cast up. Senator Hester is no. Anybody else? Pass up a ballot. 19 days, 11 days. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Senator M. Johnson. Mark Johnson of Ferndale. House Bill 1468 by Representative Lowry and Senator Mark Johnson to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code concerning public school choice. Senator Johnson today's not April Fool's Day is it Mr. President yesterday was wasn't it it can be today is my anniversary so congratulations thank you thank you very much House Bill 1468 basically has to do with allowing school choice for a student that can move out of a school district that is classified, a public school that has a rating of F or is under the level 5 intensive support situation. it's only limited to those situations it contains language that limits that choice to the transfer to that it doesn't apply to the succeed scholarship situation or anything else and I will try to answer any questions to the best of my knowledge I knew Senator Chesterfield would have one for me any question for the gentleman from Ferndale Senator Chesterfield fellow Hendricks alum has a question for Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you Mr. Hendricks alum to the other Hendricks alum as we make everybody sick of ourselves. If it's if a school district is an F and all of the students decide to move out, what is the plan to just close the school down? Is that what we're doing. Well, Senator, this is a school would have to be an F, not a district, obviously. Well, there are some school districts that only have a school. All of them, you mean a straight F, so to speak, in a case like that. Well, if you only have a high school, a junior high, and an elementary school in that district, you know, we tend to think in terms of multiple schools within a district. That is not always true in many of the outlying areas. So what you're doing is allowing those schools that are failing to lose money so that they continue to fail more. Because when you take students out, that eliminates the money. Is that not correct? Or are you holding those districts harmless economically? Well, I think you've come to a very important point on this, Senator. The whole idea of even allowing the public to know the grades of these schools is that they can then make a decision if they so desire for their child to have a little bit better opportunity. Now I realize in many cases they're not going to do this and as a practical matter I think we could agree that in those limited cases they would there would just be a few that would do this and there's certainly some limitations on the how many can be allowed to transfer but Yes, it would. The head count for that district would go down by that one. So if the head count for the district, for instance, goes down by two, or three or four or five, but the number of teachers that are required to teach the remaining students remains the same, the district will suffer economically. however we will still hold them accountable as they lose more students so in essence what we're doing is closing schools is that what we're trying to do here? No ma'am, it's not what we're trying to do what we're trying to do is give those students that a parent really feels that this is an opportunity for them to get out of a failing situation and into a better situation to exercise such a choice but would you agree that that could be an unintended consequence? Oh, I'm sure, Senator, everything could have one, and I appreciate the fact you bring that up. Thank you so much. Any other questions for the senator? Senator Elliott is recognized for a question. Senator, I don't think I was in education when you discussed this bill, but this appears to be like a lot of bills that we have done in education. I'm sorry, Senator. I'm having trouble hearing you. Okay, I don't think I was in education when we discussed this bill, because I don't remember this discussion. But this appears to be, like a lot of other bills that we have passed out, is change in language to conform with the new Act 930. That's correct. Well, so in that case, this is not new law. This is really a change to make us comply with the way we now classify schools. like level five would be the same thing? Intensive support. Yes, ma'am. Is that what we're doing now? That's what we're doing. Yes, ma'am. All right. That would have been so easy to say. Well, I thought I said that in my opening remarks, and I apologize if I wasn't real clear. I'm just kidding with you. I'm just kidding with you. But I just want to be sure I'm reading it right and thinking about it. Yes, ma'am. I know we had several like that. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions for the senator or senator Sturge? Senator Johnson, I want to make sure that this is the right bill that I'm thinking of when it was presented I don't think it was a department bill but the department did testify that in response to every student succeeds act in our new grading system this was needed for accountability on how students would be transferred in what order and so forth when they reach the three percent we're not doing anything with their three percent maximum we're just trying to establish a procedure for accountability in those school choice options is that correct yes sir and Commissioner key testified to that extent in committee Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? Is the Senator closed? Yes, sir. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? There's not one. Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Vaughn, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismay, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Garner, Flowers, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malick, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Senator Bond is present. Senator Chesterfield to no. Senator Elliott is very present. Senator Letting is quite present as well. Anyone else? Cast up the ballot. 31 yeas. 31 yeas. One nay. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Senator Sturge. House Bill 1509 by Representative Davis and Senator Sturge to amend the law concerning use of higher education funds, to amend the law concerning private resident and correspondence schools, and to amend the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship eligibility requirements. Senator Sturge. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, this is a cleanup bill from ADAT. If you'll recall, we used to have a department of private career education, and that is now in the purview of the Department of Higher Ed. What this essentially does is make sure that the rules are the same for those schools outside the state who may be recruiting students in the state to make sure that we're not requiring anything unduly from each side. So what this is going to essentially do then in the next part of it on page two is make sure that they're eligible to use those funds. Mainly they were being funded by fees that they were imposing upon the schools outside to come and do business in Arkansas, but we never allowed them to spend them. And so what we're asking to do in this bill is to give them the authority to spend those funds on scholarships. If you'll look at page two, what we've done is we've made sure that they know that it is to go to scholarships, but also to fund a particular scholarship that's been on our book since 2011, but was never funded. You may recall that we have some slots through SREB with certain out-of-state schools, whether it be veterinarian schools or dental schools or whatever, but this one fund at the Mississippi State University College of Medicine for veterinary medicine has never been funded, so we're just making sure that all of our current slots on the books are funded, and this is essentially what the bill does. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? Appreciate a good vote. Senator Squares, any objection to rolling the vote on this? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hill, Hickey, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallock, Pitch, Raypert, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Starch, Teague, Wallet. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Return it to the House. Senator Teague. House Bill 1516 by Representative Kapp and Senator Teague to allow a foundation to serve as a fiduciary and to provide for a foundation to serve as an executor of an estate. Senator Teague. Members, the end times may be upon us. We've got a bill here that the United Methodist Foundation and the Baptist Foundation agreed on. so it allows religious education or charitable foundations to serve as administrator of a trust the trust can't be more than 750,000 the bankers had a problem we amended it I think there's no opposition to it that I know of any questions anyone wish to speak on this senator is closed any objection rolling the vote. I see none. Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield-Sturch T. Wallace. Senator English. I'm sorry. She walked down there and I was like, cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Now, Senator English. House Bill 1537 by Representative Eves and Senator English to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code concerning student residency, compulsory attendance, and minimum enrollment age. Thank you. This bill basically gives a parent has the ability to sign their child up for school or make those decisions for them, but in the case where there is not a parent, where there's a legal guardian, a grandparent, or whatever, this bill just allows that person to enter a student into school. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? Is the senator closed? Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote, Madam Secretary. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Yeah, you're next, too. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, zero nays, the bill is passed, return of the House. Senator English, again. House Bill 1573 by Representative Cozart and Senator English to amend and update various provisions of the Arkansas Code concerning public education. Senator English. Thank you. This is Department of Education building, I mean, bill, and basically it's technical corrections to their code. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? Is the senator closed? Yes. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Tee, You know, we should change the vote, cast up the ballot, 34 yeas, 0 nays, the bill is passed, return to the House. Senator Teague. House Bill 1722 by Representative Gray, to toll the statute of limitations for tax collection in the event of a bankruptcy filing, and to provide that certificates of indebtedness relate back to the date of a tax assessment. Senator Teague. Members, this is House Bill 1722. It has to do with bankrupting filings and I'll admit it's way over my head. Uh, it's a Dfna bill allows leads to relate back to the date of assessment. Federal laws allows the IRS to relate back to their assessment. So despite there being an earlier assessment, the state can be placed behind the federal lien. Uh, tolls time to enforce a state tax lien during bankruptcy, pauses time for DFNA to enforce the collection of delinquent taxes. I think what that is, if it was five years in and there was three years while the bankruptcy was worked out, that then the lien would restart itself after the feds got out of the way. I didn't answer your question, but I'd prefer not to. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? Senator has closed. Any objection on the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Samples, Stubbeville, Starch, Teague, Wallace. Sir, Dismayne's no. Senator Hill is no. Anybody else want to change their vote or cast up the ballot? 32 yays, 2 nays. The bill is passed. Return it to the House. Senator Mark Johnson. House Bill 1730 by Representative Hodges and Senator Johnson to allow an authorizer to transfer and assign a public charter schools charter under the Arkansas Quality Charter Schools Act of 2013. Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you, Mr. President. We had a situation a while back where a charter school had a problem and there was another organization that was willing to come over up and assume that charter, have it reassigned to them. The department had a lot of technical issues to try to affect that change. And the response is this bill that specifically adds words, transfer and assign the charter. so that it would be a seamless operation, and the new charter operator, holder, whatever the term would be, would be able to take this on. So this kind of cleans up that language to allow that in a more expeditious manner. I appreciate a good vote. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak? Senator Ingram is recognized for a question. Does the Board of Education have to approve the transfer? That is the board. Or it's a charter authorizing panel, which is part of the Board of Education. Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? Is there any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Madam Secretary. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismane, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Pitch, Raypert, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Senator Stubblefield. Cast up the ballot. Sorry. 34 yays here. When they walk down here, I think they're ready to speak. The bill is passed. Return of the House. Senator Stubblefield. House Bill 1739 by Representative Payton. to amend the law concerning the process of providing redemption deeds by the Commissioner of State Lands and to expand the forms of acceptable payment. Senator Stolkefield. Thank you, Mr. President. This is one of the last land commissioner bills that deals with redeeming land and also deals with expanding the acceptable forms of payments. I could go into the three things it does. First, it addresses an issue which might expose the state to an adverse court ruling, if we don't correct this. Second, it specifies interested parties are to be identified by the Commissioner of State Lands and send notices of sale. Third, it seeks to expand the methods of payments acceptable for redemption of taxed and linked lands to make it easier for citizens to redeem the property. Third, it specifies the redemption deed is proof of payment and does not transfer ownership. puts us into line with the Supreme Court's definition of redemption deeds. Take any questions. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismaine, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irving, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Hitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Starch, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Senator Dismay not voting. Senator Hester not voting. Anyone else? Cast up the ballot. 32 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Senator Wallace. House Bill 1748, by Representative Richmond, Senator Wallace, concerning a veteran who voluntarily sought mental health treatment and who subsequently seeks to obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon. Senator Wallace. Thank you, Governor. This is a veteran bill, and it's also a gun bill. Our current concealed carry laws state that an individual who has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or a mental health treatment center may not have a concealed license permit. Now this bill will change that. It will change it to read that an applicant who is a veteran who voluntarily sought mental health treatment at either a mental health institution or a mental health treatment center may obtain a concealed license permit under the subchapter if a circuit court grant that petition and here's the stipulations that individual must wait two years after treatment to apply that veteran must provide the circuit court limited medical waiver so they can review all of his mental health records that in the prosecuting attorney and they have the ability and they will consider the circumstances that led to the individual, to the veteran, voluntarily seeking mental health treatment. They have the right to look at his mental health records to see if he has any criminal his or her, any criminal history and they'll consider the petitioner's reputation. and they'll consider any change in the petitioner's condition and the petitioner may apply and reapply every two years you know members the current law is a barrier to many young service members who come out a lot of our young soldiers Marines or fellows that grew up hunting they enjoy the outdoors we send them off to combat and they come back and we say you know you can fight for us but we're never gonna let you have a weapon now to go out and enjoy what you enjoy doing been out in the woods or just carrying it for your own protection This is adequate protection for society. We'll take a look at the veteran. We'll consider everything about him. We'll look at his mental health records. We'll look at any criminal activity. It gives our veterans who voluntarily sought mental health treatment a second chance. We talk about giving our criminals a second chance, which I believe in. Let's give these young folks a second chance, too. Thank you. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against this, for it, on it? Is the senator closed? The senator's closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irving, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Return it to the House. Senator Letting. House Bill 1808 by Representative Boyd to repeal Uncodified Acts 2015 number. 8.63, concerning participation in interscholastic activities. Sir, Lenny. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, this bill repeals a law that we passed in 2015 that affected just one private school in the state of Arkansas. What it did, it was allowed students at that private school who wanted to participate in spring athletic sports that that school didn't offer, they could participate in Favre, Portsmouth Public School sports. Those students now are looking for the opportunity to participate in false courts, too. So the Arkansas Athletic Association, Fort Smith Public Schools are behind this bill. They felt that the best thing to do was simply repeal this bill and allow those two organizations to work together. There is no known opposition to this bill. And my cousin, Representative Boyd, would appreciate a good vote. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? Senator's closed. Any objections on the vote? Please roll. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Return it to the House. Senator English. House Bill 1818, by Representative Perry, to amend the Arkansas Code concerning certificates of convenience and necessity for new construction to supply a public service or to extend a public service. Senator English. Thank you very much. This bill basically gives a public utility who owns property and is going to extend a transmission line not to have to go to a public service hearing. any questions anyone wish to speak on this any objection is Senator closed she's closed any objection rolling the vote please roll the vote Ballinger, Bledsoe, Vaughn, Caldwell, Cheatham Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis Dismang, Eades, Elliott English, Flippo, Flowers Garner, Hammer, Hendron Hester, Hickey, Hill Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Letting, Mallick, Pitch, Rape, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, T. Wallace. Anyone wish to change the vote? Cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Senator Hendren, recognized. House Bill 1824 by Representative McKenzie. To allow recipients of Arkansas Governor's Scholarship, Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarships, and the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship to continue to receive the scholarships while enrolled part-time. Senator Hendrick. So this is my sister's bill, and after the way she's treated most of my bills down there, I'd really like y'all to kill it. But unfortunately, it's a pretty good bill. What it does is it corrects the situation. This is agreed to with higher ed, where that a kid who's been on scholarship for three continuous years but has enough hours to graduate that without taking a full-time load can continue to stay on scholarship that fourth year if they drop to part-time status. You have to answer your question. Any questions? Senator Darner. Thank you, Mr. President. Isn't this your sister's first bill that she's the primary sponsor on? Yeah, I can't believe she's letting me handle it, but I think that's right. Secondly, is there a nepotism thing we can do on the record or anything like that? Between you and Greg Letting, Senator Letting, I don't know what's going on in here, but we've had Game of Thrones Eve going on. Any serious questions? Appreciate a good vote. Senator Chesterfield has a question. Thank you, Governor. And Senator, thank your sister for the bill. Just one question. Would they receive the full amount, even though part-time? It's prorated. It's prorated. That's all I needed to know. Thank you, sir. Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak on it? Senator has closed. Senator's closed. Any objection rolling the vote? please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change the vote? Cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Senator Davis. House Bill 1848 by Representative Collins concerning data collected by the Arkansas Crime Information Center. Senator Davis. Thank you. Currently, the Arkansas Crime Information Center receives data from law enforcement officials regarding the crimes committed. However, usually they do not specify an address. They'll use a general location. So all this bill does is allow them to go ahead and collect a physical address. What this does is really helps the ACIC, I guess, determine whether using this type of predictive modeling can help work to stop abuse and neglect and develop place-based prevention initiatives that are centered on understanding that people and the places in which they live are interrelated. The better the data is that law enforcement have to work from, the more targeted we can allocate our resources and prevention initiatives for Arkansans and children who are being abused. And with that, I'll take any questions. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak? Senator Close? Yes. Any objections? Rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, T. Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Seeing none, cast up the ballot. 34 yays. Zero nays. The bill is passed. Return of the House. Senator Pitch. House Bill 1853 by Representative Beck and Senator Pitch to amend the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act. Senator Pitch. Thank you, Governor. This is an update to an existing act that was signed into law in 2015. It's a technical correction. The original act simply required that if your state agency was providing a food service and the state subsidized your program with $25,000 or more, you were required to submit a report showing that 20% of the food purchased was a local state food. there were three technical corrections. The first allowed state agencies to designate a food service provider to return in their report. The second change allows that same state agency to use a wholesaler to provide that report. And the third change took it away from BLR and put it into the Department of Ag who's trying to develop the relationship. It's an agreed-upon bill passed the House, 93 to 0. Any questions? Senator Cooper? Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on the bill? Senator closed. Any objection to roll on the vote? Please roll. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rayford, Bryce, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Senator Hickey of Miller County is no. Senator Rayford of Faulkner County is yes. Anybody else? Cast up. We good? What's that? We good? Okay, okay. Cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 1 nay. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Senator Garner. House Bill 1879 by Representative House to amend the law concerning death benefits and to authorize the payment of a death benefit to a designated beneficiary of a member of the Arkansas National Guard in certain circumstances. Senator Garner. Thank you. This was actually Senator Wallace's bill that graciously let me do. Basically there's a quirk in our law that if we have National Guard guys who are on active state duty, not overseas, nationalized or anything like that, but if they're killed then it could be an issue with who gets their death benefits. This has never happened in Arkansas. They just anticipate that with the continuing use of our National Guard and state emergencies and things like that could happen and when that happens we make sure we take care of the guys. So I answer any questions. Any questions? Senator Garner. Anyone wish to speak on this? Senator Closed? I am. Thank you. Any objection for rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallick, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, T. Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0, nays. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Senator Eads, the last bill on the House bill calendar. House Bill 1885 by Representative Lundstrom and Senator Eads to amend the local job creation, job expansion, and economic development act of 2017. Senator Eads. thank you mr president in 2016 members voters passed amendment 97 that gave a economic development activities to the local areas to participate in we passed that enabling legislation in the last session and part of that included the definition of what an economic development project was we omitted the words retail facilities so this just adds in facilities for the retail sale of goods into that enabling legislation. I appreciate a good vote. Anyone wish to speak on this? The Senate has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Malik, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubberfield, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 35 ayes, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Senator Dismaine's bill, for which he made a motion, is put at the end of the House calendar. We are committee on engrossed bills to whom we first sent Bill 629 by Senator Dismaine. Compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Senate Bill 629, Senator Dismang, to allow for the transfer of income tax credits under the Water Resource Conservation and Development Incentives Act. Senator Dismang. Thank you, Governor. Again, members, this is the amendment we had just had and we passed earlier today, stripped out all the extensions of the credits and the increased amounts in the credits and also who else could apply for the credits. So all that stays in place. as it is under current law, the one big change that we do have that makes them transferable. And that will begin in year 2020, which will allow DFA enough time to have the right rules and regs in place for that program. Any questions for Senator Disman? Senator Garner has a question. Thank you. I know we talked about this committee. Is there a fiscal impact on this? I can't remember the date. About $600,000 is the fiscal impact. Take it away from the state and get into the state. Can you help me with that? I'm sorry. Yeah. Again, it's not because there's a change in the credit. It's because these credits aren't being able to be utilized by our farmers right now. So they may do the work, you know, be able to have the credit, but they're unable to utilize the credit because they don't have enough income to offset to do that. So that's the reason it's important to make it transferable. And again, we've got a, you know, water program here in the state. This is a very important component. Thank you. Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak on this? The senator has closed. Any objection on the vote? Please roll it. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Mallet, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 35, yay, 0, nays. The bill is passed. Transmit the bill to the House. You want to read across the desk before we go to the budget? You want to go to the budget? Okay. We're going to read some items across the desk. Before we do budget. Senator, sorry. Will your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 452 by Senator Davis compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 618 by Senator Sturge compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 490 by Senator Hammer compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 520 by Senator Hammer, compared to the engrossed copy of the regional and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 638 by Senator English, compared to the engrossed copy of the regional and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred House Bill 1432 by Representative Mayberry, compared to the engrossed copy of the regional and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. We're not engrossed bills to him as Florida House Bill 1684 by Representative Douglas. Compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar and. I think that was a mistake. INC on that engrossed bill. It should have been calendar, shouldn't it? Yeah. Insurance and commerce. Okay. Within five, Senate. Okay. Senate Bill 520 was insurance and commerce. Yes, that's right. You want to go over these? We've got some more on this. Okay, Senator Teague is recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. I've been waiting for hours and hours, just standing here patiently. I've been here the whole time. Members, we've got nine budget bills. House Bill 1632, Bureau of Legislative Research, Appropriation House Bill 1637, Department of Arkansas State Police, Supplemental House Bill 1741, Higher Ed Uniform Classification and Comp Act. House bill 1139 appropriations for state turn back for counties and municipalities by the office of treasurer. House bill 1144 state military department appropriation. Senator Chesterfield, am I talking slow enough? Thank you. House bill 1153 Department of Human Services, Division of County Ops, House bill 1154 Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance, House bill 1155, Department of Human Services Medicaid Expansion Program Appropriation. That's the tobacco portion of it, I think. House Bill 1168 Department of Health Appropriation. I'd answer any questions. Mr. President, I move that we batch the vote. Roll it. I don't see any objection. Any objection? We're batching and rolling. Senator Chesterfield, are you satisfied? Thank you. Thank you. I want to make sure sure you were satisfied. That's a priority in this chamber. That's why you're on the front row. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. And all these have emergency clauses. Ballinger, Bledsoe, Bond, Caldwell, Cheatham, Chesterfield, Clark, Cooper, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliot, English, Lippo, Flowers, Garner, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Ludding, Malik, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbuffield, Sturge, Teague, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote, cast up the ballot. 35 yays, 0 nays. All of the batched bills have passed. Emergency clauses are adopted and return all of those bills to the House. Are there any items to be read across the desk, Madam Secretary? Yes, sir. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 85 as amended by the House. Calendar. Calendar. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 441 as amended by the House. Agra. Calendar. Agra. Agra. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 455 as amended number one. City, county, local. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 99 by the House. Enroll it. Enroll it. Notice the passage of Senate Bill 534 by the House. Enroll it. Notice the passage of Senate Bill 575 by the House. Enroll it. Notice the passage of Senate Bill 582 by the House. Enroll it. Notice the passage of Senate Bill 584 by the House. Enroll it. And we're going to go to announcements. If that's okay, Madam Secretary. We've got a lot of Senators waiting. Senator Teague. One second, Senator Teague, because I want everybody to hear you. Senator Teague is recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. We've got a budget at 9. Budget at 9. We're trying to wind down. It's important that you guys be in there so that we can take care of our business. I appreciate it. Senator Cooper. And we're coming in at 1 o'clock tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. President. It looks like budget might be fairly quick in the morning. so we've scheduled an ag meeting for 945. We've got a bill or two we need to do. Senator Hendricks, recognize. As you heard, 1 o'clock tomorrow, and members, I've had a lot of questions. We likely will meet Friday to just ensure that we can get all of our business done next week. We will be done. If we do meet Friday in a session, it will be at 11 o'clock so that we can get out at lunch or shortly thereafter. So committee meetings plan on potentially Friday morning at 9 and a session at 11 to get us in good shape for next week. Senator Rafer. I have one announcement and three motions. Senator Rafer has announcement and motion, so listen carefully. Insurance and Commerce will meet 10 minutes after adjournment to take care of an amendment for Senator Hammer and I think maybe one more bill. and these I've got y'all's attention here so these are these are small motions let me get uh he has some he has some motions and I want to withdraw some bills see y'all excited y'all paying such attention and I was thinking about re-referring Bart Hester's bill but I didn't know if I'd get away with that go up please I'd like to uh I'd like to withdraw Senate Bill 191 from judiciary area and send it to interim study. Without objection. I'd like to withdraw Senate Bill 395 from this is public health. Withdraw that from further consideration. Without objection. And I want to withdraw Senate Bill 556. Also, I believe from public health, I think. It's a sewage bill. these are your bills they are my bills I wanted to have a little fun so bad but Malik's already stepped away so Senate Bill 556 City, County, Local, I'm sorry withdraw that for further consideration, thank you Senator Johnson Blake Johnson transportation technology tomorrow after adjournment in the old Supreme Court football legend city county local we'll meet 15 minutes from adjournment and we'll meet Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock I appreciate it after church, after church is that a joke? Senator Ballinger thank you Mr. President I forgot that I said I'd make a motion there's two bills in city county local that are causing some stir back home that are planning on going to interim study so if I can make a motion for Senate Bill 510 and Senate Bill 645 to send both of those bills to interim study any objection without objection thank you I love this without objection stuff Thank you Mr. President, I would like to re-refer House Bill 1041 back to committee on Sunday afternoon, 1041, be back to city county local for the 12th time. Any questions without a, Senator T, this is not Johnny Riley's, without objection. I think we're done. Good. Yeah. Is there any items to be read across the desk? I've got to make my anniversary dinner. My wife's going to fire me. House Resolution 41 by Senator Dismayne to congratulate the England High School Lions basketball team. Senate Resolution 41. Calendar. Senate Resolution 42 by Senator Flowers to encourage and urge Governor Asa Hutchison to act expeditiously on certain parole board recommendations. Senate Resolution 42. State agencies. Senate Bill 670 by Senator Mark Johnson to amend the law concerning poll workers and other election officials and to amend a portion of the election laws as amended by Act 258 of 2019, Senate Bill 670. State agencies. Senate Bill 671 by Senator Mark Johnson. To require apportionment of awards be conducted by the county boards of election commissioners and to amend the law concerning designation of awards and municipalities. Senate Bill 671. City, county, local. Senate Bill 672 by Senator Mark Johnson. To amend the law concerning early voting and to end early voting on the Saturday before an election. Senate Bill 672. State agency. Was that 672? Yes, sir. It's hard to hear. State agencies. Senate Bill 673 by Senator Rayford, to authorize a limited program of an optional system to allow an employer to secure coverage for injury or death of an employee without regard to work-relatedness and declare an emergency. Senate Bill 673. Public Health. Senate Bill 674 by Senator Clark, to reduce the Senate's classifications for certain offenses from a felony to a misdemeanor. Senate Bill 674. Judiciary. Symbol 675 by Senator Davis, concerning the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and to establish the two-year Higher Education Coordinating Board, Symbol 675. Education. Symbol 676 by Senator Davis, to repeal the statute that imposes limits on state-supported institutions of higher education expenditures for academic and performance scholarships, Symbol 676. Education. Symbol 677 by Senator Elliott. To require that youths undergo reading assessments and dyslexic screenings, to require reading and dyslexia services, and to require that Division of Youth Services teachers know best practices, scientific reading instruction, Senate Bill 677. Education. House Concert Resolution 1014 by Representative Cervelo to congratulate the Little Rock Christian Academy, Lady of Warriors for their achievements, House Concert Resolution 1014. Calendar. House Will 1094 by joint budget and act to make an appropriation for personal services operating expenses for the Arkansas Waterways Commission for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. House Will 1094. Calendar. House Will 1134 by joint budget and act to make an appropriation for personal services, operating expenses, and data processing system services for the Office of the Treasurer of the State for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, House Bill 1134. Calendar. House Bill 1221 by Representative Dotson, an act to make an appropriation of personal services and operating expenses for the Arkansas Supreme Court for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, House Bill 1221. 1221, House Bill 1221's calendar. And this one did not have anything on it. I said calendar, joint budget. Oh, that isn't even yours. Yeah, that was 1094. Yeah, it goes, but it is. That's calendar? This goes with the bill. Well, there was a 1094. You called. She pulled off the bill. Okay. All right, we're on 1700. House Bill 1700. House Bill 1700 by Recicent of Wooten. An act concerning background checks of applicants of educational entities to require the Department of Education to inform an educational entity to which an individual is applying, whether the individual is eligible for employment based on the results of the individual's criminal records, background checks and child maltreatments, central registry check, House bill 1700. 1700 is education. House Bill 1800 by Representative Davis to create an act to create the Arkansas Major Historic Rehabilitation Income Tax Credit Act to create the Arkansas Major Historic Rehabilitation Trust Fund, House Bill 1800. 1800's revenue tax. House Bill 1815 by Representative Perry, an act to amend the death certificate registration process for the signature of the medical certificate of death, House Bill 1815. Public Health. Senator English, could you get those gentlemen under control back there? Is that possible? I didn't think it was possible. House Bill 1821 by Representative Murdoch, an act to provide for Medicaid reimbursement rates that address the minimum wage increases to provide for immediate and ongoing regular reviews of Medicaid reimbursement rates and methodologies to declare an emergency. House Bill 1821. House Bill 1346 by Representative Warren, an act to amend the law concerning the purchase of military service credit under the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System by a member of the General Assembly, House Bill 1346. House Bill 1521 by Representative Gray, an act to establish rules to improve contracting and service delivery of Medicaid, non-emergency transportation, and to ensure compliance with Federal Regulations. House Bill 1521. Public Health. House Bill 1630 by Representative Lundstrom. An act to exempt certain information pertaining to a law enforcement officer from the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 concerning public record websites. House Bill 1630. State Agencies. House Bill 1665 by Representative Brown. An act to strengthen voter trust in the election process to amend the law concerning election process and administration. House Bill 1665. State agencies. House Bill 1920 by Representative Capp, an act concerning the consolidation of venture capital programs in the state to amend the Venture Capital Investment Act of 2001 to repeal the Arkansas Risk Capital Matching Fund Act of 2007. House Bill 1920. Agriculture. House Bill 1944, by Representative Meeks and Senator Elliott. Concerning blockchain technology, House Bill 1944. Transportation slash technology. House Bill 1958, by Representative Meeks. What creative? An act to amend the Credit Repair Service Organizations Act of 2017, House Bill 1958. Insurance slash commerce. Not to be confused with and. Senate's adjourned until one o'clock tomorrow subject to the clearing of the desk if there's anything else to be cleared, but I think I've got it all cleared.