February 18, 2013
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (26)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1041
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1041”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1295
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1295”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB217
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “place Senate Bill 217 back on second reading for the purpose of amendments. Prope…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1013
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1013”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1109
· 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “0 presents. You have passed the bill. Read House Bill 1109. House Bill 11-09, Representative Broadway, to amend the la…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1275
· 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Bill 1275. House Bill 1275, for representatives of Ward Law and all, to amend the law…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1281
· 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Bill 1281. House Bill 1281 by Representatives Shepard and Vane to amend”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HR1006
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ion carries. Send the bill to engrossed in, Mr. Clerk. Read House Resolution 1006.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1017
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1017”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB11
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “0 presents. You have passed the bill. Read House Bill 1109. House Bill 11-09, Representative Broadway, to amend the law concerning sp…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1185
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1185”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1187
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1187”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB12
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…present. You have passed the bill and the emergency clause. House Bill 12, Representative Gilliam, moves to the clincher. All in favo…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1227
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “are deferred House Bill 1227, beg lead report, we've had the same under consideration, h…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1232
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1232”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1252
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1252”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1257
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1257”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1262
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1262”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1270
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1270”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1300
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1300”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1311
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1311”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1313
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1313”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1314
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1314”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HR1011
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “We're going to pass over House Resolution 1011 to read House Resolution 1013. Members”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HR1013
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “We're going to pass over House Resolution 1011 to read House Resolution 1013. Members”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB92
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB92”
|
Pre-2017 bill |
Machine transcript
May contain errors. Verify important quotations against the official video.
About transcript accuracy
- Source
- Whisper
- Model
- ggml-large-v3-turbo.bin RTX5060
- Processing date
- October 4, 2026
Speaker 1
0:00
We thank you for the weekend and time that representatives had to be with their family and to recharge their batteries before a busy week. Lord, I know that as we come and pray for the representatives, we have a number that are still dealing with health issues and family health issues and those sorts of things. And so, Lord, we just pray for them as a group. We ask that you encourage them and let them know that our thoughts are with them and that we continue to pray for them. Lord, I pray for those here today as they begin to serve and move into open session.
Lord, I know that all of these bills and amendments and all the things they deal with, down in the guts and in the weeds of those things, there are so many issues and so many questions and so many decisions that they have to make. Lord, I pray that you'll just guide them. Lord, I pray you'll give them wisdom. Lord, I pray that you'll help them to have the freedom to set aside the people that tug at them and all the emails and all the stuff that comes at them and just have the freedom to make the decisions that they think are best,
make the decisions that they think are wisest. Lord, I pray that you'll bring everyone together and help them to see their way to the greatest wisdom, to the best laws and the best structure that will allow the people of our state to flourish. Lord, we thank you that you are the giver of that
Speaker 3
1:29
wisdom and that we thank you, Father, that you're here with us today. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Members, indicate your
Speaker 6
1:42
presence by pushing your yellow present button.
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Catch the balance. There are 95 members present. The chair sees a quorum.
Are there a request for leave? Representative
Davis, you're recognized. Leave for Representative Neal. Leave granted for Representative Neal. Leave granted.
Representative Andy Davis
Unverified
2:40
for leave for Representative Walker. He is here and present.
Representative Dale, you're recognized. Leave for Representative Rice. Leave granted for
Representative Rice. Leave granted. Any other requests for leave? Representative Westerman, you're recognized. Representative Neal. Leave's already been granted for Representative
Neal. Any other requests for leave? Representative James L. Word moves we dispense for the reading of the previous day's journal. No objection, so ordered. Are there reports from select committees? Read the report, Mr. Clerk.
Speaker 17
3:26
Mr. Speaker, we, your Committee on Public Retirement, to whom
Chair
Unverified
3:29
are deferred House Bill 1227, beg lead report, we've had the same under consideration, herewith return the same, with the recommendation that it do pass. Respectfully submitted, Alan Kerr, Chairman. Are there reports
Speaker 18
3:45
from standing committees? Is there any unfinished business? Are there any executive communications?
We'll go to the red calendar. Representative Jean moves we
place Senate Bill 217 back on second reading for the purpose of amendments. Proper motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Read the amendment, Mr. Clerk. Amendment
number one, the Senate Bill 217. Representative Jean is recognized to explain the amendment.
Representative Lane Jean
Unverified
4:26
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This puts me on as a sponsor of the House, and that's
all it does. Thank you. Representative Gene has explained the amendment. Does anyone wish to speak against the amendment for the amendment? Question before the House, the passage of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 217. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Motion carries. Send the bill to engrossed in, Mr. Clerk. Read House Resolution 1006.
Chair
Unverified
4:56
H.R. 1006 by Representative Linderman and Ratliff. What purpose? Mr. Speaker,
Representative Homer Lenderman
Unverified
5:14
that's supposed to be on tomorrow's calendar. I apologize.
No, without objection, we'll pass over House Resolution 1006.
We're going to pass over House Resolution 1011 to read House Resolution 1013. Members
of this time, I'd like to introduce our Doctor of the Day, Dr. Peter J. Post of Moralton. is Representative Tommy Thompson's next-door neighbor
and is also the doctor's birthday. So welcome, Dr. Post. The
Speaker 32
6:07
morning hour has ended. Representative Westerman moves to replace House Bill 1041 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. All in
favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion. Ayes have it. Motion carries.
Read the amendment. Read amendment number two,
Mr. Clerk. Amendment number two to House Bill 1041. Representative Westman, you recognize to
Representative Bruce Westerman
Unverified
6:50
explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this amendment is my own amendment to clean up some technical language brought out in the committee meeting by DF&A.
It simply says that the revenue cap is on expenditures of net general revenue to clarify that it does not affect the gross general revenue. It also cleans up some language in the title, and it cleans up language on the emergency expenditures. I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Westman has explained the
amendment. Does anyone wish to speak against the amendment?
for the amendment if sir westman's closed for the amendment the question before the house the passage amendment number two the house bill 1041 prepare the machine mr clerk has everyone voted it's everyone voted it's everyone voted cast the balance mr clerk 49 yeas 42 nays and zero
Chair
Unverified
8:09
present amendment that fails. Read House Bill 1013. House Bill 1013, Representative Edwards et al.,
and to change the location, use, and capacity of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Home. Representative Edwards, you're recognized to
explain the bill. This is to concur in the Senate Amendment adds Senator Sanders as a co-sponsor and adds the Veterans Task Force Commission as another set of eyes to look at the location issue. Thank you. Representative
Edwards has explained the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill? Not the question before the House.
The passage of House Bill 1013. Prepare the machine, Mr.
Clerk. Has everyone voted? As everyone voted, cast the ballots with 90 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 presents. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House
Chair
Unverified
9:10
Bill 1295. House Bill 1295 by Representative Gillum et al.
to amend provisions of the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program, and part two concerning scholarship awards from net proceeds of the lottery and to declare an emergency. Representative Gilliam, you recognize, to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
9:34
Speaker. Colleagues and friends, I bring before you House Bill 1295 today, and I know we've got a long calendar, so I'm going to kind of cut to the chase here.
What this bill does is reformat how we've been awarding the lottery scholarships. We all know that there is significant deficiencies in the monetary funds that are available for this, and that's where this originally came about. We knew that we were going to have to lower the amounts this year regardless. But Senator Key and Dr. Welch on behalf of the four-year institutions, Dr. Franklin on behalf of the two-year institutions, worked very, very hard to come up with a plan moving forward that would allow some consistency
and also put us on the path to sustainability. And so what you have before you is a tiered approach for the four-year institutions, a flat approach of $2,000 a year on the two-year institutions. And the biggest thing that we've been able to do with this piece of legislation is we've been able to increase the cap on non-traditional students from $12 million to $16 million. And I think that's the key to this legislation because the statistics behind the non-traditional students and their graduation rates, if we're going to meet the governor's goal, this is a key part of the bill here.
So with that, Mr. Speaker, I'll be happy to take any questions if there are any
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
11:03
at this time. Representative Walker, for purpose. Question. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative Gilliam, was there a racial impact study that preceded the passage of this bill
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
11:16
in committee? No, sir. Representative Walker, this bill was for the good of all Arkansans.
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
11:24
Well, I understand that it was, but it should have had, according to my understanding of what the requirements are, a racial impact statement, especially in view of the fact that the monies of the scholarships are being disproportionately allocated to those who are in their third and fourth years of college rather than in their first and second years. Is there any objection to having a racial impact study before a round vote?
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
11:51
Well, I would ask that you do this because we've made it through this process and no one has indicated any kind of technical reason for this at this point.
If there is one, I believe it can be handled
Speaker 57
12:13
on the Senate end. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Representative Gilliam has explained the bill. Does anyone wish
to speak against the bill? Representative Perry, you recognize to speak
Representative Mark Perry
Unverified
12:29
against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We, as co-chair of the Lottery Oversight Committee, it's the Lottery Oversight's task to establish the scholarship amounts every year by December 15th.
This last year, we have proposed the scholarship amounts for $3,300 and $1,650 for two-year schools. You know, the Academic Challenge Scholarship was designed to benefit the students, the kids of Arkansas, and not so much agreeing upon two-year and four-year institutions of what the amount should be. You change the amount that is awarded to a person wanting to attend a four-year school, and you reduce it to $2,000, it's going to limit their choices.
You've got the retention rate of a four-year school, about 64%, where the retention rate for, and this is the first year, where the retention rate for a two-year school is about 47%. Changing that scholarship amount would drastically impact probably the middle-income kids as far as their choices to attend a four-year university. We've got more data, plenty of information, kind of like Representative Gillum said.
We're going to be pressed for time today. If you would appreciate a no vote. Thank you. Representative
Perry has spoken against the bill. Does anyone wish to speak for the bill? Representative Collins, recognize to speak for
Representative Charlie Collins
Unverified
14:07
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. in a perfect world, we would have never had to reduce the amount of the scholarships from the initial rate of $5,000.
So I think we all would have agreed that that would be the ideal. The problem is the money is not there, and we as a body have to make the difficult decision of how do we create a sustainable long-term plan that's fair to all our Kansans and utilizes the tax money in the most effective way possible. By rewarding students for completing one year, then two years, then three years, what we're saying to our kids is go to school, stay in school, get your degree,
and you'll be the beneficiary. What we're experiencing in the current program are people that start, they go to the first year, and then many of those folks don't complete any more than that, and we've burned off a lot of money in an ineffective way. So I applaud the folks that made these difficult decisions, and even though I've got two kids that are going to be starting school this upcoming year, I'll be voting for this bill. Thank you. Representative Collins has
spoken for the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill? Representative Williams recognizes it. Speak against the bill.
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
15:33
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members and Representative Gilliam, I applaud your efforts here. And this is not an attack on your efforts. But when we established the lottery, we set out a process by which this recommendation would be made to this body. We established a lottery oversight committee, which I've had the pleasure of serving on since inception. That committee was supposed to make recommendations, not only in the amount of scholarships, but a number of things to amend the bill. You just heard from the co-chair of Lottery Oversight.
This proposal came to Lottery Oversight. Lottery Oversight has a list of amendments that you'll see sometimes this year that includes setting a scholarship amount. And I'm not saying which is better, but what I'm saying is we have a process in place. Because of term limits, sometimes we don't know the process. You haven't seen the vast number. There are at least five or six, maybe ten additional recommendations that came from Lottery Oversight that we're not looking at. This recommendation came to Lottery Oversight and was defeated. This is not what the Lottery Oversight Committee selected.
We're going around that process and bringing this up individually and not looking at the entire act. So that's my first problem. A more fundamental problem that I have with this legislation is when the people of the state of Arkansas voted on the lottery, which I was not one of them. I voted against the lottery. But when they voted on the lottery, we sold it to them because we said Arkansas ranked next to last in the number of bachelor degrees held by our adults in this state. And we still, I believe, rank there. The purpose of the lottery that we sold to the people who voted on it or that it was sold to people was to increase the number of four-year degree holders.
I don't believe this recommendation furthers the purpose and the intent which we told the people that we're going to do, we're going to abide by when they voted for the lottery. So my concern is we're not being consistent with what the people ask us to do. This was not a bill that we passed. This is a bill that was sent to the people. The people voted on it, and they wanted us to increase the number of four-year degree holders. This mechanism, while I applaud, we have some very, very good two-year colleges that many of my constituents benefit from,
and I'm not downgrading them, I'm not saying that four years are better or two years are better, but we set out a purpose in that initiated act. This is not consistent with the purpose. I would suggest that we send this back, we bring this back, along with all the other recommendations of lottery oversight and take that recommendation up at that time, not piecemeal, but as a whole. I appreciate a no vote on this bill. Thank you. Representative Williams has spoken against the bill.
Does anyone wish to speak for the bill? Against the bill?
Representative Gillum, would you like to close for your bill?
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
18:28
Do you recognize the close for your bill? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I want to feel back to something that Representative Perry mentioned earlier that I'm in total agreement
on. This is not about institutions. This flat out is about the students of Arkansas and what they deserve as Arkansans. Yes, the lottery was presented to the voters, and there was a whole lot of things that was mentioned that the lottery was going to do,
and it hasn't done most of those things. But the one thing that we have the chance to do here, and regardless of what committee it flowed through or not, we have the chance to make a decision to benefit the students of Arkansas. Now, the assertion that just because a student goes and starts at a two-year school does not mean that they will not go on to complete a bachelor's degree is factually and statistically inaccurate. We rank right now above the SREB average in the number of students who attend a two-year school and then move on to four-year schools and complete their degrees.
But once again, this is not about the institutions. It's about graduation rates. It's about giving students a chance at a better life, a chance at making more money. And this proposal right here, I do feel like, puts us on a path for those students to achieve the success that we all hope that they receive. And it puts us on a path to sustainability within the lottery program so that we don't have to keep coming back every two years and lowering these amounts.
because I don't think that's fair to the students and the parents that are out there right now. So with that, I ask you to please join with me in voting for this bill, and let's help these students out. Thank you very much. Representative Gillum is closed for
the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1295. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted?
Voting on the bill and the emergency clause, cast the ballots, Mr. Clerk, with 69 yeas, 21 nays, and zero present. You have passed the bill and the emergency clause. House Bill 12, Representative Gilliam, moves to the clincher. All in favor say
Speaker 44
20:39
aye. Aye. Any opposed, clincher is adopted. Mr. Clerk, read House
Chair
Unverified
20:46
Bill 1275. House Bill 1275, for representatives of Ward Law and all, to amend the law concerning notice of an application to sell alcoholic beverages at a retail business.
Representative Ward Law, you're recognized to explain
Representative Ward
Unverified
21:03
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Folks, we've all got alcohol in our districts, whether we're in dry counties or wet counties, and it comes in the form of private clubs. These people advertise to get their license four weeks in advance in a paper. The way the law reads today, they have to advertise in a paper with current circulation in that area. What this does is makes them advertise in a paper in the same county in which the establishment will be located.
I'd sure appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Wardlaw has explained
the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill? Not the question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1275. Prepare the machine, Mr.
Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast with the ballots with 91 yeas, 0 nays, and
Chair
Unverified
22:06
0 presents. You have passed the bill. Read House Bill 1109. House Bill 11-09, Representative Broadway, to amend the law concerning specific alcoholic beverage control division permits related to restaurants to declare an emergency and make technical corrections.
Representative Broadway, you're recognized to explain the
Representative Mary Broadaway
Unverified
22:27
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, what this bill is about is it tightens the definition of what a restaurant is, a meal is, and a guest is, as far as concerns the provisions of the alcohol beverage control. What it means is that it's easier for an established currently that serves food as its primary purpose to obtain a permit to sell liquor.
What has happened, and I want to give my district as an example. For many years, I was on the Main Street Paragould Improvement Board. And it was presented to our board that a restaurant was coming in that served food. We were very excited about this development. And what happened is they came in, they served food for about a two-week period, and then they turned into a bar. And that was not what we had desired for our Main Street Improvement District.
So what has happened is what we want to do here is make it very explicit that if someone comes in for a permit to sell alcohol, that the restaurant is the primary purpose to serve food and that the alcohol sales are incidental. We want to make it more difficult for a bar or a public house to be able to sell alcohol. This makes it easier, again, for the alcoholic beverage control to make sure that underage drinking is reduced.
Some of these places that have come in basically, again, serve food like frozen pizza, mic it, let underage come in. This will make sure that those things don't happen. happen. So this is a measure to, again, reduce underage drinking by eliminating the way certain applicants are trying to play the system. I would appreciate a good vote on this bill. Thank you. Representative Broadway has explained the bill. Does anyone wish
to speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the question before
the House is the passage of House Bill 1109.
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Voting on the bill and the emergency clause, cast the ballots with 84 yeas, 3 nays, and 0 presents. You have passed the bill. Read House
Chair
Unverified
25:02
Bill 1281. House Bill 1281 by Representatives Shepard and Vane to amend
the sales and use exemption for certain machinery and equipment.
Representative Shepard, you're recognized to
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
25:16
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House
Bill 1281 is a bill that is really of particular interest to the refineries in South Arkansas. This bill clarifies that expenses with regard to manufacturing equipment that are mandated by environmental rules or regulations are exempt from sales and use tax.
The practical application of this bill is that it basically maintains the status quo. We have a refinery in El Dorado. There are only two refineries in the state of Arkansas, both in Union County. One refinery in El Dorado refines petroleum products, refines it down to gasoline and diesel that's used on our highways. The expenditures that that refinery makes with regard to environmentally mandated equipment inside the refinery is exempt.
For the better part of 19 years, that exemption applied to equipment that is mandated to remove contaminants from gasoline and diesel, for example, sulfur. While that does not minimize the environmental impact inside the fence line of the refinery, it does minimize the environmental impact once those products are put into our vehicles. A couple years ago, DF&A, during an audit, took a different position from what had been taken over that 19-year period
and began asserting that those items of equipment that are purchased to remove sulfur and contaminants and that are mandated by the Clean Air Act and other regulations should be subject to sales and use tax. And so we brought this bill to essentially maintain the status quo, put the state of the law back to the way it had been for the better part of 20 years. This language was actually given to me by DF&A.
DF&A did not speak against it in committee. In fact, there was no opposition to it in committee. And I would appreciate your support. Representative Shepard
has explained the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill? Before the bill, not the
question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1281. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted?
Cast up the ballots with 93 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 presents. You have passed the bill. Read
Chair
Unverified
28:01
House Bill 1232. House Bill 1232, by Representatives Copenhaver and Catlett, to require all passenger vehicles not operated for hire to comply with child safety restraint laws. Representative Copenhaver, you're recognized to
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Harold Copenhaver
Unverified
28:19
Good morning, comrades. Afternoon, excuse me. This House Bill 1232 is a piece of legislation that simply fixes an unintended law in the language already on the books today regarding child safety restraints in motor vehicles. This legislation corrects that flaw by removing the word registered from its language, allowing the law to make sure operators of registered and unregistered vehicles keep children safely restrained.
This legislation was brought to me by the Arkansas State Police and it made it through the Transportation Committee with full bipartisan support. I would appreciate your vote. Thank you. Representative Copenhaver has explained the bill. Does anyone wish to
speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the question before the House is the passage of House
Bill 1232. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. has everyone voted has everyone voted
cast the ballots with 84 yeas 6 nays and 0 presents
you have passed the bill read House Bill 1262 House Bill 1262
Chair
Unverified
29:43
by representatives eubanks and all to amend requirements for public school educator professional development and to declare an emergency representative eubanks you're recognized to explain the bill
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
29:56
thank you mr speaker uh colleagues this is a bill that uh the aaea has been working on since last August, and they've solicited input from the various groups that are knowledgeable in this area. We only had one group to speak against the billing committee. That was the AEA. They had a
question about some wording. They got clarification from Mr. Scott Richardson from the AG office immediately after the committee meeting. They came to me Friday, and I apologize for for the position that they had taken on the bill. This bill is an attempt to make professional development for teachers more relevant, gives them flexibility. It changes the required courses in professional development put on a rotating basis over four years.
Those required courses are scholarship awareness, mandate of reporter, parental involvement, teen suicide awareness, and Arkansas history. The fiscal impact is zero on the state, but BLR noted that it could have potential savings to school districts. I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Eubanks has
explained the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill? If
not, the question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1262.
Speaker 32
31:35
Prepare the machine, Mr. Furt. Voting on the bill and
the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast with the ballots for 91 yeas, 1 nay, and 0 presents. You have passed the bill and the emergency
Chair
Unverified
32:00
clause. Read House Bill 1270. House Bill 1270 by Representative Catlett to repeal the requirement for tuberculosis
screening for public school employees and volunteers.
Representative Catlett, you're recognized to explain the
Representative John Catlett
Unverified
32:15
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What this bill does, it does exactly what was described. It does away with TB testing for teachers. In the Education Committee, it's received a unanimous vote, and we had a world-renowned expert in TB at the committee, and basically saying this is an old law, 1931. Back then, you know, as you know, we had a lot of tuberculosis in our state,
and it was required for teachers to take it, but no longer needed. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Catlin has explained the
bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill? Irvson McGee, you're
recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker 67
33:12
Colleagues, this is a good bill. Dr. Joe Bates came and testified before the Education
Speaker 93
33:16
Committee. He is a world-renowned expert. TB skin testing is really, that's when they give you a test under your skin to see if you've been exposed. And in today's world, it's no longer necessary, and I appreciate a good vote on this bill. Thank you. Representative McGee has spoken in
favor of the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the question before the House is a passage of House Bill 1270. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Has everyone voted? As everyone voted, I cast the ballots for 91 yeas, 1 nay, and 0 present. You have passed the bill.
Chair
Unverified
34:07
Read House Bill 1017. House Bill 1017 by Representative Altus to allow school districts to adopt curriculum standards for an academic study of the Bible course as directed by this act.
Speaker 29
34:19
Representative Altus, you're recognized to explain the
Representative Denny Altes
Unverified
34:23
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill does almost nothing. It basically codifies present practice. We're teaching the Bible now in seven or eight schools. It's down from 15 or 18 in the last few years. Thirty-eight states now teach the Bible. Oklahoma passed the same bill three or four years ago, and I've had a lot of constituents call me and ask me to carry it.
Appreciate a good vote. Representative Altus has explained the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill,
for the bill? If not, the question before the House, the passage of House Bill 1017. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast the ballot for 79 yeas, 3 nays, and 1 present. You have passed the bill.
For what purpose, Representative Hammer? I'd like to ask that my bill be referred back to committee, if I could, please, sir. If that's a proper motion, it's debatable. If you come down and explain your motion.
Representative Kim Hammer
Unverified
35:49
You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This bill actually passed out of committee unanimously the other day. However, after I got it out of committee, I realized that there was an error in the bill, and I want to take it back to the committee and just have them to have the opportunity to hear the explanation, and I'll make an amendment to it, but I wanted to do it in the committee, in front of the committee. I'll be glad to answer any questions. Representative Burris, for
what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Representative Hammer, this is your own bill, and you want
to refer it back to the committee to amend?
Speaker 98
36:22
I want to refer it back to the committee to amend. That seems pretty basic. I'd be happy to
vote for that. Thank you. Thank you. Representative Hammer has explained his motion. Does anyone wish to speak against the motion, for the motion? now at the question before the house the passage of motion
to re-refer house bill 1192 back to committee all in favor say aye any opposed the ayes habits send the bill back to committee
Chair
Unverified
36:53
Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1257. House Bill 1257 by Representative Dale to clarify the payment of child support arrearages after
the duty to support ceases. Representative Dale, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you.
Speaker 99
37:33
is really a housekeeping bill for the Department of Child Support Enforcement with DFNA. There's been some confusion with the current state law on how we handle arrears that are owed by the non-custodial parent and that when the child becomes a major, normally I'd say 18 years old,
then payments might be discontinued. But this bill would make it that all arrears would have to be paid even though the child may have reached the majority. And I think it's a very good bill, and I appreciate a good vote. Representative Dale has explained the
bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill?
If not, the question before the House, the passage of House Bill 1257. Prepare the machine for splurge. Has everyone voted? Has everyone
voted? Cast the balance with 92 yays, zero nays, and zero present. You have passed the bill. Read House
Chair
Unverified
39:10
Bill 1185. House Bill 1185, Representative Wright, to modify the definition of prescription under the Pharmacy Act.
Representative Marshall Wright
Unverified
39:17
Representative Wright, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, what this bill is going to do is it's going to save your constituents, your doctors, and your pharmacists time and money. What this bill does is it allows your doctor, only if your own doctor wants to, allow for the therapeutic substitution of a prescription that he or she has written you. We're really doing it right now in practice. What happens is if the doctor writes a prescription and you go to your pharmacy,
and for some reason they don't have the drug, the drug's too expensive, Right now, your pharmacist would have to call your doctor. Your doctor may or may not be there. Your doctor has to write another prescription. They've got to get it back to the pharmacist. You have to go and do all your other things that cost you time. All this does is say that if your doctor wants to and puts it on the prescription, your pharmacist can substitute that drug at the direction of your doctor. I'd be happy to take any questions.
Speaker 103
40:21
Representative Deffinball, for what purpose? A question. You're recognized. Did you
Representative Marshall Wright
Unverified
40:31
say that we're already doing this, aren't we? It's just taking this cuts out the time in the middle. So instead of your pharmacist having to call your doctor, your doctor maybe with other patients, you've got to wait. You want to get your prescription filled, and it takes all this,
Speaker 105
40:45
cuts out that middle step is what it does. So even save money, sometimes
Representative Marshall Wright
Unverified
40:48
they'll even substitute a generic. It's not the same as a generic substitution. Generic substitutions are the exact same chemical formula.
They can be substituted now. This is for drugs in the same class. It allows basically
the same thing. Thanks. Representative Wright has explained the bill. Does anyone wish to speak
against the bill, for the bill? Mr. Wright, you close for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1185. Prepare
the machine, Mr. Clerk. Is everyone voted? Is everyone voted? Cast up the ballots with 91 yeas, zero nays, and zero present.
You have passed the bill. Read House Bill
Chair
Unverified
41:37
1252. House Bill 1252, we represent Biviano and all to allow private universities to create and maintain a law enforcement agency designed to protect and enforce state law on the campus. Representative Viviano,
you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
41:54
you, Mr. Speaker. Members, today's Arkansas law, do you think for a minute,
if your son or daughter are attending one of our fine public-private universities, they don't have the same rights as our public universities. If they are a victim of a crime, today their public safety officers cannot arrest or investigate that crime. This bill will allow those public safety officers at our private universities, those that are certified, those that have attended the police academy and have the proper training,
will give them the ability to arrest and investigate on our private universities. With that, I appreciate a good vote. Representative Bibiano has explained the bill.
Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill? Representative Nichols, for a purpose. A question that he is willing. Representative Bibiano has left the well. Does anybody wish to speak against the bill?
If you wish to speak against the bill,
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
43:12
Representative Nichols, you're recognized to speak against the bill. As a quick look at this bill, it seems like it's expanding what would be governmental police powers to a private entity. On page 5, line 31, they're empowered to organize a posse comitatus to enforce what they think the rules and regulations are of that campus.
And I haven't really studied it, but I just have enough concerns about it that are we giving governmental powers to this private police force, and what does that really mean? And do we have our constitutional rights protected by giving this power to a private entity? A private entity is normally not covered by the Constitution, but we are giving them public powers, the powers of arrest.
And so I just have those concerns, and so I was not in the committee that heard the bill, or if it was my committee I was at that day, but I do have some issues with it. And so it may be a
good bill, but I have some concerns, and so I'm going to vote against it. Thank you. Representative
Speaker 13
44:28
Nichols has spoken against the bill. Does anyone wish to speak for the bill? Representative Williams, for what purpose?
Speak for the bill. Recognize to speak for the bill.
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
44:47
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And with all due respect to my fine colleague, Representative Nichols, I
want to speak for this bill. Two private colleges in my district, Philander Smith College and Arkansas Baptist College, actually in Representative Walkers District, along with Harding University, approached me about this bill two years ago. And I thought I was doing Representative Viviano a favor when I suggested he carry this bill. This is a good bill, and I'll tell you why. There was an incident on Harding's campus where someone was caught stealing.
The private security guards knew the person, caught the person, but unfortunately they didn't have the power to hold the person. So the person could just leave the campus. This bill is confined to that college or that university. It's not expanded beyond that. They're there to enforce the powers of that college or university's rules and regulations, parking and anything
else. So I think it's a good bill. I think it has sufficient limits, and I would appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Williams has spoken
Speaker 44
45:47
in favor of the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill?
Representative Viviano, would you like to close for your bill? You recognize the
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
46:01
close for your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll try to alleviate Representative Nichols' concern about the constitutionality of this bill. It has been challenged in states and has been upheld. So I believe we're okay with that. Thank you. I appreciate a good vote. The question before the House
is the passage of House Bill 1252. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast the balance with 84 yeas,
4 nays, and 0 present. you have passed the bill. Read House Bill 1187. House Bill
Chair
Unverified
46:47
1187, Representative Bell and all to amend Arkansas law concerning the use of public funds to support or oppose ballot measures. Representative Bell, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Nate Bell
Unverified
46:59
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the interest of time today, I'll be very brief. This bill bans the use of public funds to influence the outcome of an election. It's just a good fairness bill. It's a clean-up bill. I've amended it to accommodate some concerns from the Highway Department and higher ed, and I would appreciate a good vote. If anybody has any questions, I'll be glad to take a couple right quick. Representative Williams, for what purpose do you recognize?
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
47:29
Representative Bell, is this basically codifying current law? Is this currently the practice, or is
Representative Nate Bell
Unverified
47:34
this something different? Current practice requires that if such an expenditure is made, that it be reported to ethics. In the past, what BLR was able to obtain for me, there have been two reports, something that apparently occurs
Representative Jonathan Barnett
Unverified
47:48
only rarely. Representative Linderman, for what purpose? Question. You
Representative Homer Lenderman
Unverified
47:52
recognize. Representative Bell, does this also include such as school districts when they are looking at millage proposals and those kind of issues?
Representative Nate Bell
Unverified
48:00
If a school district were to expend public funds to influence the outcome of the election, it would be prohibited under this statute. Is that current
Speaker 17
48:07
practice at this time? According to research obtained by BLR, no school district has
Representative Nate Bell
Unverified
48:10
ever reported that they do so. Thank you, Representative Bell. Thank you. Thank you very much. I'd appreciate
a good vote. Representative Bell has explained the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill?
If not, the question before the House, the passage of House Bill 1187. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast out the ballots for 78, 79 yeas, 2 nays, and
0 presidencies. You have passed the bill. Representative
Speaker 32
48:52
Bell moves to the clincher. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, the ayes have it.
Chair
Unverified
49:02
Read House Bill 1311. House Bill 1311 by Representative Lee concerning treasurers and certain election materials.
Speaker 120
49:08
Representative Lee, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The primary code dealing with the preservation of ballots and ballot stubs has been amended several times over the years. In 2009, a large cleanup bill of election laws actually messed this little section up. Since I was on the committee in 2009 that did this, I thought it would be appropriate I be the one that come down and clean it back up. House Bill 1311, all it simply does is reinstates and makes clear that stub boxes should be delivered to the county treasurer after the polls close
and clearly defines how long the stubs are to be retained and stored by the county treasurer, and it also addresses the process for destroying them. I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Lee
has explained the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill, not the question before the House? the passage of House Bill 1311. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has
everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballots for 91
yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present. You have passed the bill. Read House Bill
Chair
Unverified
50:29
1313. House Bill 1313 will represent a co-zart to amend the law regarding polling places for city of Representative
Speaker 32
50:37
Cozart, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
50:45
you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1313 is a simple little bill. We're just doing
some cleanup on some election stuff. This is to allow cities of the first class who are currently required to have one polling per ward. Some areas are needed to consolidate polling places because of difficulty of finding accessing polling sites in each ward and to concentrate, train, and experience in capable polling workers in fewer sites. So this bill will allow County Board of Election Commissioners to figure out and decide the number of polling places for cities of the first class.
This is already allowed in second class and towns and rural areas. Appreciate a good vote. Mr. Murdoch, for what purpose? I want to take a question. You recognize? I'll take it. All right, clarification. This is just cities of the first class, correct? Yes, this is for cities of the first class. Second class cities and towns and rural areas already do this.
So this is just first class cities only. This is already happening in the others, so this will just move it up to where first class cities are
available and do the same thing. Thank you. I appreciate your vote. Representative Cozart has explained the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill?
If not, the question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1313. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clair. Has everyone voted?
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballots with 89 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present. You have passed the bill.
Chair
Unverified
52:41
Read House Bill 1300. House Bill 1300 by Representatives Collins and et al. to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 concerning public water system security and to remove the sunset clause for public water system security.
Representative Charlie Collins
Unverified
52:56
Representative Collins, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This bill does not change anything that we're doing today, but what it does do is it alleviates us from having to come down and change the law every two years. Following 9-11, one of the things that we did with public water systems was really help advance their security systems. Federal law protects the details of those security systems from freedom of information
request but but that's not true for Arkansas law so over the past many years we've had a two-year sunset on that freedom of information exemption so this year rather than doing another two-year exemption I just went ahead and eliminated the two-year time frame so we don't have to change it every year as there's no reason to expect that the details of our security systems for public water, whatever need to be released to anyone. And I'm happy to take any questions.
Thank you. Appreciate a good vote. Representative Collins has explained the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the question before the
House is the passage of House Bill 1300. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? As everyone voted, cast out the balance for the 84 yeas, 0 nays, and 2 present, you have passed the bill. Read House Bill 1314.
Chair
Unverified
54:39
House Bill 1314 by Representative Cozart to require municipalities to maintain records regarding certain elected offices. Representative Cozart, you're recognized
to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
54:54
Speaker. Another election bill, just a little cleanup on this one also. This bill addresses the problems in a few cities and towns where there's confusion about the aldermen, which posts they hold. They're mostly at-large areas, and in a place that you've got five positions, you have six or seven people running.
They don't know which position they're running for. So this is a deal to pass a resolution stating that the names of the aldermen and positions they are holding and they are filing for to file that resolution with the county clerk. So this will number their positions is all it does. And this is usually in smaller towns, and under 500 is where this issue comes up. I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Cozart has explained
the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the question before the House.
the passage of House Bill 1314. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted?
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballots for the 88 yeas, zero nays, and one present. You have
passed the bill. We're going to pass over House Bill 1315, and with one exception, we We are going to pass over the remaining Senate bills. Mr. Clerk, read Senate Bill 92.
Chair
Unverified
56:34
Senate Bill 92 with Senators Hickey et al. To amend the limitation period for certain sex crimes involving minors. Representative
Hickerson, you're recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Mary P. "Prissy" Hickerson
Unverified
56:54
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 92 will amend the statute of limitations for prosecutions of certain sex crimes against minors. Currently, reporting of a crime and prosecution against a perpetrator must occur before the victim reaches the age of 28.
This bill removes that limitation. The bill passed Senate Judiciary and the full Senate floor with a unanimous vote, and there were no opposing votes in House Judiciary. And, colleagues, I would appreciate a good vote on this bill. Thank you. Representative Hickerson has explained the
bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 92. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted?
Has everyone voted? Cast the ballots with 83 yeas, 0 nays, and 0
Speaker 32
57:49
present. You have passed the bill. Representative Baird, you're recognized. after the
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
57:58
announcements reading of the bills placing the calendars on the desk amending members on bills with their own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalizing resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports i move we adjourn until 1 30 tomorrow it's proper motion not debatable all
in favor say aye all opposed nay
i just have it motion carries representative gillum you recognize for an announcement
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
58:21
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I just want to point your attention to the social calendar this evening. Our good friends
from Clark County are going to be hosting a reception for us, and I believe that Representative Steele and Womack would greatly appreciate your attendance. It should be a good time and a good evening, so after today I think we could all use it. Representative Saban,
Speaker 134
58:43
you're recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Freshman Caucus will meet now in room 171 downstairs, Tom Kimbrell, Shane Broadway, our speakers.
Thank you. Representative Baird, you recognize. Joint Budget
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
58:53
Committee will meet tomorrow morning, 9 o'clock, Big Mac A. Representative Collins, you recognize for announcement. Thank you,
Representative Charlie Collins
Unverified
59:00
Mr. Speaker. The Tax Committee has a meeting this evening at 645, and our committee will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in room 151 for a special order. Representative Clemmer, you recognize. Thank you,
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
59:14
Mr. Chair. Education Committee meets tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., room 138. Representative Williams, you recognize.
Speaker 134
59:22
Prayer caucus in the morning at 7 a.m. Representative Barnett, you recognize. There will be no transportation meeting tomorrow
Representative Jonathan Barnett
Unverified
59:34
morning. No transportation meeting. Are there any other announcements?
Representative Barris, you recognize. Public health, same time,
same place, tomorrow. Any other announcements? Read the
bill, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 1388. Without objection, read the bill again. House Bill 1388.
Transportation. House Bill 1389. Without objection, read it again. House Bill 1389. State agencies. House Bill 1390. Without objection, read the bill again. House Bill 1390. Energy.
Chair
Unverified
1:00:13
House Bill 1391 Without objection, read the bill again House Bill 1391 Judiciary House
Bill 1392 Without objection, read the bill again House Bill 1392
City, County, and Local H.R. 1014 Without objection, read the bill again H.R. 1014 Aging, children, and youth Senate Bill 293 Without objection, read the bill again. Senate Bill 293. Insurance and Commerce. The desk will remain open for reading of
the bills until 4 p.m. today. And upon completion of the items in the adjourned resolution, the House will be adjourned until 1.30 p.m. tomorrow.
Agenda
Prayer & Pledge
Committee Reports
SB217
HB1041
HB1013
HB1295
HB1275
HB1109
HB1281
HB1232
HB1262
HB1270
HB1017
HB1257
HB1185
HB1252
HB1187
HB1311
HB1313
HB1300
HB1314
SB92
Announcements
Reading of the Bills
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Speaker 1
Speaker 3
Speaker 6
Representative John Charles Edwards Chair
Unverified
Speaker 13
Representative Andy Davis
Unverified
Speaker 17
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 18
Representative Lane Jean
Unverified
Representative Homer Lenderman
Unverified
Speaker 32
Representative Bruce Westerman
Unverified
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
Speaker 57
Representative Mark Perry
Unverified
Representative Charlie Collins
Unverified
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
Speaker 44
Representative Ward
Unverified
Representative Mary Broadaway
Unverified
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
Representative Harold Copenhaver
Unverified
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
Representative John Catlett
Unverified
Speaker 67
Speaker 93
Speaker 29
Representative Denny Altes
Unverified
Representative Kim Hammer
Unverified
Representative John Burris Chair
Unverified
Speaker 98
Speaker 99
Representative Marshall Wright
Unverified
Speaker 103
Speaker 105
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
Representative Nate Bell
Unverified
Representative Jonathan Barnett
Unverified
Speaker 120
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
Representative Mary P. "Prissy" Hickerson
Unverified
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
Speaker 134
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified