March 23, 2011
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (65)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1433
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1433”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1765
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “in Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1765. Read the amendment, Mr. Clerk. Senate Amendment No.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1772
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…commends that we concur and send an amendment number one to house bill 1772 read the amendment mr clerk Senate Amendment No. 1”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1860
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1860”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1925
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1925”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1991
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Representative Allen moves that we place House Bill 1991 back on second reading purpose of amendment without objecti…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB846
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB846”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB2007
· 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…nt. you've passed the bill. Mr. Clark Reed, House Bill 207. House Bill 2007 by Representative”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1490
· 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “over the motion to refer on House Bill 1490.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1819
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1819”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1953
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1953”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1172
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1172”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1480
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “moves that we pass over the motion on House Bill 1480. Without objection, so ordered and leave it on the calendar…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1506
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…aker, we are committee on joint budget to whom was referred House Bill 1506. Beg leave to report we've had the same under consideration…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1544
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…a committee on aging children and youth to whom is referred House Bill 1544, House Resolution 1006, House Resolution 1037, House Concur…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1545
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…are a committee on city, county, local to whom is referred House Bill 1545, House Bill 2045, House Bill 2068, House Bill 2070, Senate…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1738
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…eaker, we are a committee on insurance to whom was referred House Bill 1738 and Senate Bill 768. Big lead report we have the same under…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1806
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…to whom was referred House Bill 2033, House Bill 2085, and House Bill 1806.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1869
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1869”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1881
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1881”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1914
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1914”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1915
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1915”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1937
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1937”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB2033
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…eaker, we are a committee on insurance to whom was referred House Bill 2033, House Bill 2085, and House Bill 1806.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB2045
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…on city, county, local to whom is referred House Bill 1545, House Bill 2045, House Bill 2068, House Bill 2070, Senate Bill 253,”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB2068
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…local to whom is referred House Bill 1545, House Bill 2045, House Bill 2068, House Bill 2070, Senate Bill 253,”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB207
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…2 nays, 0 present. you've passed the bill. Mr. Clark Reed, House Bill 207. House Bill 2007 by Representative”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB2070
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…referred House Bill 1545, House Bill 2045, House Bill 2068, House Bill 2070, Senate Bill 253,”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB2085
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ommittee on insurance to whom was referred House Bill 2033, House Bill 2085, and House Bill 1806.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB2125
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB2125”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB300
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB300”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB304
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB304”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB636
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB636”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB637
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB637”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HJR1001
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…rred Senate Bill 403, Senate Bill 708, Senate Bill 890, and House Joint Resolution 1001. They would report we've had the same under consideration h…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HR1006
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ing children and youth to whom is referred House Bill 1544, House Resolution 1006, House Resolution 1037, House Concurrent Memorial Resolutio…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HR1037
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…to whom is referred House Bill 1544, House Resolution 1006, House Resolution 1037, House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001, Senate Bill 319…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB183
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB183”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB227
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…mmittee on joint budget to whom is referred Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 227, Senate Bill 455, and Senate Bill 574. Beg leave to report…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB243
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB243”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB253
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ll 1545, House Bill 2045, House Bill 2068, House Bill 2070, Senate Bill 253,”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB259
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB259”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB274
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB274”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB275
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB275”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB276
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB276”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB319
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Resolution 1037, House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001, Senate Bill 319, Senate Bill 326, Senate Bill 626, Senate Bill 751, and Sen…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB326
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001, Senate Bill 319, Senate Bill 326, Senate Bill 626, Senate Bill 751, and Senate Bill 858.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB37
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ker, we are a committee on joint budget to whom is referred Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 227, Senate Bill 455, and Senate Bill 574. Beg…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB403
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…er, we are Committee on State Agencies to whom was referred Senate Bill 403, Senate Bill 708, Senate Bill 890, and House Joint Resoluti…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB455
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…budget to whom is referred Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 227, Senate Bill 455, and Senate Bill 574. Beg leave to report we've had the sam…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB513
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB513”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB560
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB560”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB574
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…erred Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 227, Senate Bill 455, and Senate Bill 574. Beg leave to report we've had the same under”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB626
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Memorial Resolution 1001, Senate Bill 319, Senate Bill 326, Senate Bill 626, Senate Bill 751, and Senate Bill 858.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB708
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…tee on State Agencies to whom was referred Senate Bill 403, Senate Bill 708, Senate Bill 890, and House Joint Resolution 1001. They wou…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB725
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB725”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB751
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…on 1001, Senate Bill 319, Senate Bill 326, Senate Bill 626, Senate Bill 751, and Senate Bill 858.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB767
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB767”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB768
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ittee on insurance to whom was referred House Bill 1738 and Senate Bill 768. Big lead report we have the same under consideration and h…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB785
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB785”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB815
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 815, Senate Bill 852, and Senate Bill 889. They leave the repor…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB852
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 815, Senate Bill 852, and Senate Bill 889. They leave the report. We've had the…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB858
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…319, Senate Bill 326, Senate Bill 626, Senate Bill 751, and Senate Bill 858.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
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SB889
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 815, Senate Bill 852, and Senate Bill 889. They leave the report. We've had the same under considerat…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB890
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…cies to whom was referred Senate Bill 403, Senate Bill 708, Senate Bill 890, and House Joint Resolution 1001. They would report we've h…”
|
Pre-2017 bill |
Machine transcript
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Chair
Unverified
0:00
Members are all standing. We have a couple there. Members, y'all would stand, please, along with staff and press and
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
0:09
those of you here in the gallery. We're going to be led in prayer by Reverend Kendall Land, First President of the Church in Arkadelphia, who's here today as a guest of Representative Roebuck. And then we will remain standing for a Pledge of Allegiance, led by our esteemed colleague, Representative Gaskell.
Speaker 3
0:30
please join me in prayer gracious God we give you thanks for this glorious spring day which you have brought to us we ask Lord for your guidance for your servants who are gathered here we ask for your wisdom to be bestowed upon them and that
Speaker 11
1:02
day of your making one full of grace and peace in your holy name we pray Amen Amen Please
Chair
Unverified
1:15
indicate your presence by pressing the yellow present button.
Pair the machine, Mr. Clerk. That's the yellow present
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
1:38
button. Still. That's still. There we go. Okay. Cast that ballot by indication of 96 members present. The chair recognized
Chair
Unverified
1:46
quorum requests for leave. Representative Wagner.
Leave. You recognize. Jody Dickinson. Leave granted
for Representative Dickinson. Leave. Leave granted. Anyone else? Representative Cheatham moves that we dispense for the reading of the previous day's journal without objection so ordered. Are there reports from select committees? Read the reports, Mr.
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
2:17
Clerk. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on joint budget to whom is referred Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 227, Senate Bill 455, and Senate Bill 574. Beg leave to report we've had the same under
consideration and hearth to return the same with the recommendation that they do pass. Mr. Speaker, we are committee on joint budget to whom was referred House Bill 1506. Beg leave to report we've had the same under consideration and hearth to return the same with
Chair
Unverified
2:48
the recommendation that do pass as amended. Respectfully submitted,
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
2:52
Kathy Webb, Chair. Reports from standing committees, It's ready to report, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on city, county, local to whom is referred House Bill 1545, House Bill 2045, House Bill 2068, House Bill 2070, Senate Bill 253,
Senate Bill 815, Senate Bill 852, and Senate Bill 889. They leave the report. We've had the same under consideration here. They return the same with the recommendation that they do pass. Respectfully submitted, Charlotte Wagner, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on insurance to whom was referred House Bill 1738 and Senate Bill 768. Big lead report we have the same under consideration and here with the return the same with the recommendation that they do pass. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on insurance to whom was referred House Bill 2033, House Bill 2085, and House Bill 1806.
Big lead report we have the same under consideration and here with the return the same with the recommendation that they do pass as amended. Respectfully submitted, Fred Allen, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we are Committee on State Agencies to whom was referred Senate Bill 403, Senate Bill 708, Senate Bill 890, and House Joint Resolution 1001. They would report we've had the same under consideration here to return the same with the recommendation that they do pass. Respectfully submitted, Clark Hall, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on aging children and youth to whom is referred House Bill 1544, House Resolution 1006, House Resolution 1037, House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001, Senate Bill 319, Senate Bill 326, Senate Bill 626, Senate Bill 751, and Senate Bill 858.
We report we've had the same under consideration and herewith return the same with the recommendation that they
Chair
Unverified
4:52
do pass. Respectfully submitted. Stephanie Malone, Chair. Any unfinished business? Executive communication? None. All right, members, we'll go to the red calendar.
Representative Allen moves that we place House Bill 1991 back on second reading purpose of amendment without objection. This
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
5:10
is amendment number two. Your calendar is an error. Amendment number two without objection. Read the amendment, Mr. Clerk. House Amendment
Chair
Unverified
5:20
number two to House Bill 1991. Representative
Allen, you are recognized to come and explain the
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
5:33
amendment. Mr. Speaker and members, this is an agreed-upon amendment by Representative Kosar, and I
Chair
Unverified
5:38
appreciate a good vote. Members, heard an explanation of the amendment. Anyone wishing to speak against the amendment? For the
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
5:49
amendment? Not to question for the House. Adoption of Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1991. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Ayes have it. Amendment adopted. Representative Branscombe moves that we place House Bill 1860 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, so ordered, Mr. Clark, read the amendment.
Chair
Unverified
6:08
Amendment number one to House Bill 1860.
Representative Branscombe, you're recognized to come and explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr.
Representative David L. Branscum
Unverified
6:18
Speaker. Colleagues, this is an agreed upon amendment by Representative Mayberry and I. Appreciate a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
6:24
Thank you. Members, here are an explanation of the amendment. Anyone wishing to speak against the
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
6:30
amendment, for the amendment? If not, the question for the House, adoption of Amendment No. 1, House Bill 1860. All in favor say aye. Opposed, no. Ayes have it. Amendment adopted. Representative Woods moves that we place Senate Bill 846 back on second reading for purpose of amendment.
Without objection, so order. Mr. Clerk, read the amendment.
Chair
Unverified
6:49
Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 846. Representative Woods, you are recognized to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Jon Woods
Unverified
6:54
Speaker. This bill just came down in the Senate, and
we have not reviewed it yet in public health, and so this is an amendment that makes a lot of clarifications, and then we'll discuss it tomorrow. So I appreciate a good
Chair
Unverified
7:06
vote. Thank you. Members, heard an explanation of the amendment. Anyone
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
7:09
wishing to speak against the amendment, for the amendment, not the question for the House, adoption of Amendment No. 1, Senate Bill 846. All in favor say aye.
Aye. Opposed, no. Ayes have it. Amendment adopted. Mr. Clark Reed, House Memorial Resolution 1006. House Memorial Resolution 1006, Representative Benedict, in respectful
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
7:27
memory of Mr. James Alfred Woods and in recognition of his contributions to his local community. Representative Benedict, you
Chair
Unverified
7:36
are recognized to explain the resolution. Thank you,
Representative Lori Benedict
Unverified
7:39
Mr. Speaker. This is a resolution, of course, in respectful memory of Mr. James Alfred Woods.
Mr. Woods was a member of the American Legion, the Masonic Lodge, a former member of Baxter County Quorum Court, Baxter County Republican Committee, Baxter County Republican Men. Mr. Woods' commitment to hard work, dedication, and years of service to his local community and commend him for his leadership. The family of Mr. Woods is up here in the gallery. And they are present here with Senator
Speaker 48
8:12
Key. I respectfully ask that the resolution be read in its entirety.
Chair
Unverified
8:17
Mr. Clark, I read the resolution in its
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
8:22
entirety. Whereas Mr. James Alfred Woods of Clark Ridge, Arkansas, died on Thursday, December 23, 2010, at the age of
80 years, and whereas Mr. Woods was born on February 28, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to Martin Truman and Vada Pauline Chidester Woods, and whereas Mr. Woods worked as a radar and computer tech for the Illinois and Arkansas National Guard and whereas Mr. Woods was a United States Marine veteran of the Korean War and whereas Mr. Woods was a member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge,
was a former member of the Baxter County Quorum Court, Baxter County Republican Committee, Baxter County Republican Men, and enjoyed yard work, working with wood and fishing. And whereas Mr. Woods is survived by four sisters, Pauline Figursky of Mountain Home, Arkansas, Eveline R. Ludin of Covina, California, Mildred R. Rory of Clark Ridge, Arkansas, Marion B. Wagner of Chicago, Illinois, sister-in-law Maria Woods of El Paso, Texas, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and whereas Mr. Woods was perceived in death
by his parents and two brothers, and whereas the House of Representatives wishes to publicly recognize Mr. Woods' contributions to his local community, now therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 88th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House of Representatives recognizes James Alfred Woods' commitment, hard work, dedication, and years of service to his local community and commends him for his leadership. Be it further resolved that the individual members of the House of Representatives hereby express sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Woods, and upon adoption of this resolution, an appropriate copy shall be provided to the family of Mr. Woods
by the Chief Clerk of the
Representative Lori Benedict
Unverified
10:01
House of Representatives. Thank you, Representatives. I respectfully ask for
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
10:06
a good vote. Thank you, Representative Benedict. Members, you've heard an explanation of the resolution. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect that the memorial resolution was adopted unanimously. Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
10:32
The morning hour has expired. Before we get into the rest of the calendar, members would like to have you welcome as a special guest of Representative Gilliam, his son, Alexander, who is with us up in the East Gallery today. There is, Alexander. okay members
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
11:04
let's see representative roebuck recommends that we concur in senate amendment
number one to house bill 1433 read the amendment mr clerk senate amendment number one
Chair
Unverified
11:15
to house bill 1433 representative roebuck you are recognized to explain the amendment thank you mr speaker
members this just makes a good bill great appreciate your vote thank you all right members
Chair
Unverified
11:29
heard an explanation of the amendment anyone wishing to
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
11:31
speak against the amendment for the amendment if not the question for the house is concurrence and uh senate amendment number one house bill 1433 prepare the machine mr clerk
everyone voted everyone voted cast up the ballot by a vote of 93 a 0 and a 1 present you have concurred in the amendment representative roebuck recommends that we concur and send an amendment number one to house bill 1772 read the amendment mr clerk Senate Amendment No. 1
Chair
Unverified
12:08
to House Bill 1772. Representative Roebuck, you are recognized to explain the amendment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, another good bill, now great. I appreciate a
Chair
Unverified
12:18
good vote. Members, heard an explanation of the amendment. Anyone wishing to speak
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
12:22
against the amendment, for the amendment, not the question. For the House, concurrence of Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1772.
Chair
Unverified
12:36
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. clerk. Everyone voted? Everyone voted. Cast
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
12:40
up the ballot by a vote of 88 yeas, 0 nye, 1 present. You have concurred in the amendment. Representative Wren recommends that we concur
in Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1765. Read the amendment, Mr. Clerk. Senate Amendment No.
Chair
Unverified
12:55
1 to House Bill 1765. Representative Wren, you are recognized
to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker 70
13:04
This amendment makes us feel better. I appreciate a good vote. Members, heard an
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
13:10
explanation of the amendment. Anyone wishing to speak against the amendment, for the amendment? If not, the question for the House is concurrence in Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1765.
Speaker 65
13:19
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted? Everyone
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
13:32
voted? Cast up the ballot by a vote of 91 yea, 0 nay, 1 present, do you have concurred in the amendment? Members, I'll take a moment to welcome our Doctors of the Day today. We have Dr. Bradley Bibb from Ash Flat and Dr. John Shrybner from Salem.
Doctors, thank you all for
Chair
Unverified
14:02
being with us today. Without objection, Representative Hall
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
14:06
moves that we pass over the motion on House Bill 1480. Without objection, so ordered and leave it on the calendar. And Representative Hall also moves that we pass
Chair
Unverified
14:20
over the motion to refer on House Bill 1490.
Without objection, so ordered, and we'll leave
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
14:28
it on the calendar. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1953. House Bill 1953, Barbs and Roebuck,
Chair
Unverified
14:35
to allow law enforcement to impound a motor vehicle
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
14:38
that does not have the minimum liability insurance required by law or certificate of self-insurance. Representative Roebuck, what purpose?
Chair
Unverified
14:51
the calendar. Without objection, so ordered, and leave it on the calendar. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1925.
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
14:57
House Bill 1925 by Representative Gardner to raise the age requirement for a person to obtain motorized bicycle
Chair
Unverified
15:05
certificate. Representative Gardner, you're recognized to
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
15:10
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members, this bill comes to me from my mayor and city council. and certainly in the more populated areas we have a serious problem that has arisen with children who are operating motorized bicycles they can receive current law says they can receive a
certificate to do this beginning at age 10 they are they are driving these bicycles which can exceed 30 miles an hour on city streets they're crossing city streets they lack the judgment to operate these vehicles, and it's posed a significant danger. There have been numerous instances of near wrecks, and soon after I agreed to run this, I had one of these children pull out in front of me on Maumelle Boulevard. What this bill does is it simply raises the age of
the ability to get a certificate to drive one of these motorized bicycles to the age of 14, the same age that you can to drive a motorcycle. The city attorney had told me that it's very interesting that you have to have a license to operate one of these motorized bicycles on your home city street, but because of the law, a 10-year-old can do that with a simple certificate. This is a safety issue, and I will say that there was some concern that in more rural areas, less populated areas, that this doesn't pose a threat, and that four-wheelers, go-carts, these kind of things.
on city streets are a way of life. I, too, grew up in a rural area, and law enforcement might not be as stringent in those areas. But to be able to be consistent statewide with this, we need to protect our kids from operating these vehicles in much higher traffic areas. I would be happy to answer a question. I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Members, heard an explanation of the bill.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
17:10
Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the question for the House passes to House Bill 1925. Pair the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by a vote of 82 yea, 2 nays, 0 present. you've passed the bill. Mr. Clark Reed, House Bill 207. House Bill 2007 by Representative
Chair
Unverified
17:42
Hubbard to require the written examination for driver's license to
be administered in English only. Representative Hubbard, you are
Representative Jon Hubbard
Unverified
17:53
recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, how many times have we heard someone come to this well to introduce their bill and begin by saying this is just a little old bill that doesn't do much. It just clarifies something. House Bill 2007 is exactly that. As you can see, there's not much to it. It's about two-thirds of a page, and it doesn't do a whole lot. What
it does do, it simply clarifies something, and that something is the language in which the exam for an Arkansas driver's license is administered. The primary issue here is one of safety, the safety of everyone who will be driving or riding in vehicles in our roads and highways. This not only includes those newly licensed drivers in our state, but also includes you, me, our families, and anyone who will be riding on those very same roads and highways as these newly licensed drivers.
As we're aware, it seems that Arkansas always has a lot of highway construction going on, The type of highway construction performed in different locations can vary from place to place. We might think our road signs are very easy to understand and recognize because we have seen them so many times, and so many of them are presented in pictures that kind of describe what that hazard might be that drivers will be facing. But this is not always the case. How many times have we driven up to a construction area and noticed a sign that said,
Warning, Blasting Area, Do Not Operate CB Radios Within the Next 500 Feet? or driving through areas in North Arkansas to see a road sign that says steep and crooked next five miles, or driving down a steep mountain highway and see a sign that warns truck emergency stop ramp, 1,000 feet, or some of us may have seen a sign that says bridge washed out, 500 feet. Now, to those of us who are accustomed to seeing these warning signs, this presents little or no danger.
But to someone who does not have even a basic working knowledge of the English language, their inability to recognize and understand these warning signs could truly be a matter of life or death. And when we and our families are driving on those very same highways as those drivers, their inability to recognize and understand those warning signs could become a matter of life or death for our families also. Yesterday after I presented this bill in committee, KARK-TV stopped me in the hall and interviewed
me about this bill. And later in the day they ran a poll that asked the question, driving exams in Arkansas can be taken in Spanish or English, but a bill in the legislature would make them in English only. Do you think this is a good idea or not? The results of this poll showed that of those taking part in the poll, 91.3% voted yes. This was a good idea. These are your and my constituents.
Chair
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20:58
Thank you very much, and I would appreciate a good vote. Members, I heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone
wishing to speak against the bill? Representative Fielding, for what purpose? Bill. And
Representative David Fielding
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21:24
you're recognized, come and speak against the bill. Members, we are a diverse country, a diverse state.
Every product you buy, a majority of them are not even made in the United States. But instructions for you to realize how to put that product together is in both English and Spanish. But now we have a bill that would exterminate that. We should not have just our driver's license in English because we are a diverse country.
Speaker 91
22:03
We are a diverse state. We are diverse people. This is a bad bill that's voted down. Representative
Chair
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22:14
Fielding, spoken against the bill. One wish to speak for the bill. Representative Hutchinson, you are recognized. Come to the
Representative Donna Hutchinson
Unverified
22:37
Thank you. Let me share with you a situation that has arisen in my home county. Just as background, the federal government requires county clerks to have the instructions and the information written in other languages on how to become a citizen under their desk. If a certain percentage of people in that county speak Spanish or any other language,
it has to reach that percentage, they're required to put that language out on front. But no county in Arkansas reaches that goal. We don't have any counties that have a non-English speaking people to reach that number. But some of the county clerks started putting Spanish out in front. I heard from people from Thailand a France layoffs Vietnam you name the country they came to me
we want to learn to become an American why do we have to stand in line and Spanish-speaking people don't they knew the law they were complaining because before they even pass their naturalization test they knew they were being treated as second-class citizens. The law said if you don't reach a certain number, it should be in English. We've heard we're a diverse country. Well, what about the Vietnamese?
Are we going to have the road signs in their language, in French? If you live in Benton County, we have many, many nationalities in our county. I think we should treat everybody equal. I didn't want to tell this Vietnamese man, well, you know all that you're studying for, that everyone's equal? Well, that isn't true if you have political power. Suddenly, not everyone is equal. We are an English-only state.
We do not reach the criteria needed to put our signs and our documents in other languages. When we do that, fine, but we do not reach that criteria. If business wants to do it, great. They're trying to sell hamburgers. I have no problem. But we cannot tell those who do not speak Spanish, you're a second-class citizen. We're just going to make those who have a Spanish dialect happy. The rest of you, you know, good luck here on your own.
This is a good bill. I think we need to obey the law, treat everyone equally.
Chair
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25:24
Thank you. Representative Hutchinson has spoken for the bill. No one wishing to speak against the bill. Representative Walker, you recognize, come and speak against
Representative John W. Walker
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25:44
the bill. Mr. Speaker, members of this august body, I rise to have my head hit again.
But I must rise because this is a bill which has not been demonstrated in all due respect to my friend, Mr. Hubbard, to be necessary. I mean, there's no showing by statistics or otherwise that Hispanic people don't pass the driver's test and therefore that they pose a problem to the health and safety of
the community. This is a bill basically that relates to Spanish people. But I recall having a person as an exchange student who spoke another language from Africa once. And if that person could understand and do things, and if that person had sought to take a test, I'm sure that she could have passed it. The question is whether or not there is a problem with the thing before we try to fix it. I think that when we go out
of our way to enact legislation when things are working, especially where it affects a racial minority disproportionately, we as a state are sending a message. And we can continue to send that message, but I thought that we had moved beyond that. I hope we have, not withstanding some indications that we have some still lingering concerns about that. But what we have here is a state trying to come out of the past, trying to be national
and international and trying to overcome a history of racial discrimination. The possibility exists that it can be perceived that way. Now here's the other thing. Today's majority may not be tomorrow's majority. And we are moving into a position where sooner or later The portions of America which were once Mexico will again be majority Mexican.
So we have to, I think, do as the golden rule says. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. What goes around comes around. But for now, there is no compelling necessity for this bill. It is not a good bill, and it sends a wrong message. I hope you take that into consideration as
you vote. And if you can't vote no, I ask you to just vote the
Speaker 65
28:27
president. Thank you. Representative Walker has spoken against the bill. Representative Eubanks, you're next.
Chair
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28:32
You're recognized to come and speak for the bill.
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
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28:45
You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe this is a necessary bill for a couple of reasons. Last year, I was reading an article, I believe it was in the Wall Street Journal, I believe it was by a sociologist or an anthropologist,
and they basically stated that the language is a common bond in a society and that you can be a multi-ethnic society, but you really don't want to be a multicultural society where there are different languages because it creates divisiveness within your society. I think we do our country and I believe people that speak Spanish a disservice.
I think anybody that has ever studied foreign language knows that probably one of the best ways to learn a foreign language language is by immersion into that society, that language. My son had the opportunity to spend two years in Japan. He learned the language. He's fluent in Japanese. There are a lot of South Americans that work in Japan, particularly from Brazil. When he first got there, he thought it was kind of cold-hearted of the Japanese culture that they didn't respect or didn't assist other people
in having other languages displayed for whatever reason. But what he found out in the short time that he was there, that people learned the Japanese language in a fairly short time, and it's a very difficult language to learn. I believe that most people that want to come to this country come to it for the right reason. We have a lot to offer to people. I think if we want to assimilate these folks into our country, they need to learn the language.
I believe our language is the common bond, and we need to do things that reinforce that. Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
30:52
Representative Eubanks has spoken for the bill.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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30:55
Representative Post, you are recognized to come and speak against the bill. you're recognized thank you Mr. Speaker
Representative Leslee Milam Post
Unverified
31:14
I think we need to stay focused here on what this bill is really about and to be focused on getting a driver's license and taking away or giving that right But to me, I look at economic development and what that could do. To me, that's probably the number one focus that we all said that we were going to bring to people.
And that's huge for me, going back home. And I think that that could be huge when you look at driver's license. I know I have personal experience with this driver's license issue. My husband and I had an experience. I guess I'm a little caught off guard by what Representative Eubanks just said, and it's hard for me to get focused back on.
Cultural experience is just huge to me, and I can't imagine not having a multicultural experience, experience, so I'll try to get back on track. But my husband and I had had someone come and stay with us for a year, and that allowed us the economic growth for both of us to be able to go to work. And if we weren't able to have her drive our children to go take that driver's test in another language and her to be able to immerse into our culture,
we would not have been able to pay the tax dollars in to our community that we do. And I'd like for all of you to be able to think about that and what you could be taking away, because that's huge to all of us. And I think that we're not taking into consideration all of the things that we could be impacting because there are tons and tons of opportunities like that within our own communities
that we're not thinking about, folks. And we need to think about that. It's huge, the economic impact that we could be causing for all of those workers that we could be taking driver's license away from. So think about
Chair
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33:44
the economic impact that you're causing here.
Speaker 65
33:47
Thank you. Representative Post has spoken against the bill. What purpose, Representative Elliott? Immediate consideration. That's proper motion, non-debatable.
Chair
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33:57
All in favor of immediate consideration of House Bill 207, say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. No. Ayes have it. Aye. Fair of the machine, Mr. Clerk. Is everyone voting?
Is everyone voting? cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk, by a vote of 49, yea, 37, nay, to present, if you
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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34:42
have failed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1914. Representative Williams moves the clincher. Mr. Clerk, prepare the machine.
Speaker 84
35:01
All in favor of the clincher, vote aye. Opposed, vote
Chair
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35:23
no. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. By vote of 45 yea, 46 nay, 0 present, you have failed to adopt a clincher.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
35:31
Mr. Clerk Reed, House Bill 1914. House Bill 1914
Representative Duncan Baird
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35:39
by Representative Tyler to provide incentives for converting the operation of motor vehicles to operate on compressed natural
Chair
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35:49
gas. Representative Tyler, you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
36:01
You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, House Bill 1914 provides incentives. We already have
incentives in place, state and federal, that would provide for the development and installation of compressed natural gas filling stations. This also, this balances the other side of that supply and demand that would provide incentives for individuals and businesses to convert motor vehicles to the power, to be powered by compressed natural gas.
This would be, these grants would be available through the Department of Agriculture and should money become available. We have money, have had money in the Department of Agriculture through the Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Program. There's just a little bit of money left in that now. And there is an appropriation to put more money into that program. It depends on whether or not it is funded through revenue stabilization, as you know.
And this bill provides those incentives only if money is available. available. If money is not available, then this is enabling legislation that would allow us to be able to utilize grants or utilize federal dollars or private grants to be able to provide those incentives. I believe it's a good bill. It supports, I believe, in creating the demand for a valuable resource within our state in compressed natural gas, and I would appreciate a good vote. Members, heard an explanation of the bill.
Chair
Unverified
37:46
Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill, not the question for the House. Passive House Bill 1914, prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Members,
Speaker 65
38:00
you're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Everyone voted.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
38:06
Cast up the ballot by a vote of 93, yea, 1, nay, 0, present. You have passed the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1819.
Representative Duncan Baird
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38:17
House Bill 1819 by Representative Bradford to amend the authority of and specify the date
Speaker 38
38:23
for the Department of Education to pay the licensed speech-language pathologist bonus.
Chair
Unverified
38:29
Representative Bradford, you are recognized to
Representative Toni Bradford
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38:33
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1819 seeks to establish a certain date stipends are to be paid to speech-language pathologists. The bill amends an act that was first passed in 2005.
On page one of that act, it sets the date for payment of a stipend to eligible speech-language pathologists as December 1st. This is the same date that other stipends are paid to eligible teachers. At the behest of ADE, the bill incorporates their language on page two to ensure that any recipient of the stipend that leaves before their three years are up will repay their prorated share of the bonus. This bill has zero dollars in revenue impact at this time.
To date, this stipend has not been funded and will not be funded until such time as revenues are available within the educational budget. I would appreciate a good vote. Members heard
Chair
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39:35
an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the
Speaker 65
39:42
bill? Against the bill? Representative Lee, your question? Point of order, please. Okay. What's your point of
Speaker 118
39:49
order? We gave leave to Representative Bradford, and while I think this is an excellent...
No, we gave it to Dickinson. Thank you very much. I'm not talking any
Chair
Unverified
39:59
longer. Thank you very much for your
Speaker 65
40:05
point of order. okay mr clark read uh house bill 2125 oh oh we got a vote on the bill that's a good that's a good point of
Chair
Unverified
40:17
order your point of order is well taken members thank you okay a question for the house is uh
Passage of House Bill 1819. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot by a vote of 84 yea, 3 nay, 1 present.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
40:51
You have passed the bill. So, members, join with me in welcoming a special guest here today, Representative Walker.
I was visiting him, his uncle, Reverend Lawrence A. Walker from
Chair
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41:05
North Carolina, originally an Arkansas native. Where is Reverend Walker? and I understand
Reverend Walker is joining us 90 years young so we're glad to have you with us today.
Also a special guest here today
from the Arkansas State Fair we have Lindsay Watson who is representing the Arkansas State Fair junior ambassadors. We also have Ralph Choptaw, Allison McEwen, and Deb Crow with the Arkansas State Fair. Would you all
Speaker 65
41:49
stand up, please, to be recognized? Thank you for being with us today. Okay, Mr. Clerk, read House Bill
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
42:02
2125. House Bill 2125 by Representative Steele,
an act to provide for human services workers
Chair
Unverified
42:11
in schools. Representative Steele, you're recognized to explain
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
42:14
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The title does certainly not fully explain the bill.
Speaker 122
42:20
There have been human service workers in school for five years because of legislation that was passed, and I was proud to sponsor that. It has been an excellent program
Speaker 123
42:30
throughout the years. There have been social workers who have been placed in the school to deal with those type of issues that teachers are not educated and equipped and responsible to deal with.
If a child has been overly disruptive, if a child comes to school with unexplainable marks on them, shows maybe symptoms of depression, then there is a professional that is placed in the schools where that child can go and get professional help.
Speaker 122
42:59
And what it also does, this is very important, it allows that teacher in the classroom to spend more
Speaker 123
43:06
time doing what they were brought to that school and what they were educated to do. Right now, the program is designed for those
Speaker 122
43:16
schools that have at least 90% of their students on free or reduced lunch programs.
The reason for that is this program is 100% federally funded through TANF funds, transitional assistance for needy families. so they have to be low income all we're doing with this bill is moving that threshold from ninety percent down to
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
43:34
eighty percent thank you appreciate a good vote members heard an explanation of the
Chair
Unverified
43:40
bill anyone wishing to speak against the bill boy okay we're gonna
Speaker 65
43:46
make my one exception don't go back to this if you leave it well let's leave let's don't go back and forth we're
gonna leave well I was gonna make the exception but we won't make the exception then uh all right there are an explanation of the bill anyone wishing to speak against the bill for the bill not the question for the house passage of house bill 2125 pair of the machine mr
Chair
Unverified
44:15
clerk members are voting on the bill and the emergency clause everyone voted everyone voted
cast up the ballot by a vote of 84 yea, 3
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
44:27
nay, 1 present. You pass the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Clerk, read House
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
44:36
Bill 1937. House Bill 1937 by Representative Steele to require
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
Unverified
44:39
a joint study of the fairness of the distribution of Arkansas academic scholarships funded by
Chair
Unverified
44:46
the Arkansas Lottery. Representative Steele, you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker 122
44:52
Members, when we put together the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship criteria in enabling legislation,
we spent a lot of time and a lot of hours to try and expedite this process so we can get those scholarships out in the hands of needy students as soon as possible. One of the things that we fail to do is to not put an evaluation process in place. And if we're going to spend over $100 million with these scholarships, they should be evaluated. There are questions that we still have out there lingering. This does not develop or create another committee. They're going to be responsible to reporting to the oversight committee for the lottery, and the lottery will deal with that.
The Department of Education will work with the Department of Higher Ed and our Bureau to make sure they are all working in unison to come up with an evaluation process to see if these scholarships are doing what they're supposed to do and the process is effective and where we need it to be. Thank you very much, and I will take questions. Representative
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
45:56
Gilliam, what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Steele, I apologize for not asking this question earlier. Did this recommendation come from the joint lottery?
I mean, did this come from representatives that serve on the lottery committee? Yes, sir, me.
Speaker 123
46:14
I served on the oversight committee and also served on the work group that actually put the legislation together.
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
46:20
Okay. I didn't know if it was the current
Speaker 123
46:24
committee that had recommended this or not. the current committee, but I've talked to Chairman Perry and Chairman Key, Senator Key on the other side, about this legislation and presented it basically in theory to the committee as well.
Speaker 132
46:37
Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative
Speaker 112
46:41
Meeks, what purpose? Question. Recognized. Representative Steele,
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
46:43
just a brief question. If we authorize this study to take place, what would you like to see happen with the outcome of that study? What would be, in your mind, the purpose or the benefit or so forth of gaining this information? Well, I think to
Speaker 123
46:59
know if these scholarships are doing what we intended it to do, and I think that there are some issues that we, quite frankly, would not address.
And if you're asking me from a personal standpoint, I would like to see the
Speaker 122
47:14
issue of children and students with learning disabilities addressed. I think that's an issue that we did not
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
47:19
address initially, and I would like to see the committee address that. Representative Rogers,
Chair
Unverified
47:26
okay. Members have heard an explanation
of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
47:35
question is for the House. Passive House Bill 1937.
Chair
Unverified
47:39
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone vote it. Cast up the ballot by a vote of 69, yay, 20, nay, zero, present.
You have passed the bill. Representative Steele moves to clincher. All in favor say aye. Aye. Those no, aye's had it, clincher
Speaker 65
48:06
adopted. Mr. Clark, read House Bill 1172.
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
48:09
House Bill 1172 by Representative Hall, an act to authorize advanced practice nurses to enter into collaborative agreements with area
Chair
Unverified
48:19
health education centers. Representative Tyler, you're recognized to
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
48:28
come and explain the bill. Ladies and gentlemen, House Bill 1172 is an agreed-upon bill between the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences and the AHECs that would allow the AHECs to train advanced practice nurses through their AHECs.
It would also then allow the AHECs to employ advanced practice nurses within the AHEC, assuming there is a collaborative agreement between the medical director of the AHEC and the advanced practice nurse. This does not change the laws that we have in place that require a collaborative agreement between a physician and an advanced practice nurse. this allows us to find ways to get advanced practice nurses underneath the collaborative agreement in the rural areas.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
49:17
And we'd appreciate a good vote. Members, heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? For the bill? Not the question for the House. Passage of House Bill 1172.
Chair
Unverified
49:37
Prepare the machine. Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted? Everyone voted. I would cast up the ballot by a vote of 94 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1881.
Representative Leading, what purpose? Request. I'd like to place HB 1881
Representative Greg Leding
Unverified
49:52
back on second reading for purpose of amendment.
Chair
Unverified
49:59
Yeah. Is its proper motion debatable? Do you have the amendment? Has the amendment been distributed? you don't have an amendment no there are amendments
Representative Greg Leding
Unverified
50:18
we accidentally voted do pass instead of do pass as amended in committee
yesterday i just want to make sure we get those amendments in
Chair
Unverified
50:26
there before i run the bill on the floor do you have the
amendments distributed no they're not distributed all right well i'm not You want to pass over the bill, I'm not going to take your motion then if you need an amendment. So you want to pass over the bill and leave it on the calendar? Okay. Without objection, we'll pass over 1881 and leave it on the calendar. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1915.
House Bill 1915 by Representative Tyler, an act to require health insurance plans to provide coverage for gastric pacemakers. Representative
Tyler, you're recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
51:07
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, as I mentioned yesterday in testimony, every once in a while you get a constituent who comes to you with an idea that touches your heart. This is one that has happened to me. There's a procedure called, or a device called,
a gastric pacemaker. It's a device that's implanted in the abdomen. It has nothing to do with obesity. It has nothing to do with gastric bypass. It has all to do with a disease called gastric paresis, which means that the intestine, the bowel has been damaged through disease or damaged through disease. And this device enables the contraction of the intestine
in the bowel to take place so that a person, an individual, can have normal waste products leave her body or his body. I'm trying to say that delicately, and I don't know how to say it delicately. So it is a pacemaker like for your heart that helps your heart to beat. This is a pacemaker for your intestine and your bowel that allows your intestines and bowels to function.
It is a very rare situation. There are estimated 10 to 15 individuals per year in Arkansas who have this need, and before they get to the pacemaker, they have to go through a certain number of protocols to try many, many, many other things, including drugs, before they resort to this device. So it is a device of last resort. There are a couple of insurance companies in Arkansas who cover this procedure.
We didn't hear in committee from the employee benefits of the state of Arkansas that they are not against this bill at all. They believe it would have negligible, if any, impact on employee state benefits. I'll just give you an indication of the insurance plans who have a positive medical policy. Blue Cross of Alabama, Blue Cross of Alaska, Blue Cross of California, Blue Cross of Colorado,
Blue Cross of Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, and on. There's several more. Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Health Net, Humana, Medica, Tricare, and United Healthcare, WellPoint and WellCare all have a positive medical policy on gastric pacemaker.
As I said, it impacts about 10 to 15 Arkansans per year. It is a treatment of last resort. The device costs about $25,000 to have implanted. The young woman that came and testified in our committee yesterday contracted DE fever in Honduras on a mission trip. She did not go down there for a gastric bypass. She went down there on a mission trip and contracted dinghy fever. As a result of that, she contracted this disease.
This device has been in use for over 20 years, and it was approved by the FDA in the year 2000. I would ask you to support me in making sure that we have health insurance coverage for the 10 to 15 individuals who need it per year in Arkansas. I'd appreciate
Chair
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55:03
a good vote. Members, our next motion to bill. Anyone wishing to speak
against the bill, for the bill? Representative Clemmer, you are recognized to come to the well and speak for the bill.
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
55:23
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This
Speaker 76
55:26
is a horrible, horrible disease. It strikes people regardless of age. I have a constituent that's about
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
55:33
32 years old. He's lost about 75 pounds. He has had to travel out of state for treatment. It is a horrible thing to have to try to get well from. There is no reason. This isn't some optional treatment they're getting.
It's not lap band surgery, and it's not some of the other things that you might say you could fix some other way. Their bodies cannot digest food. They either wither away and die, or I'm not sure what else, but there is literally no way for them to digest food. This is a very good thing for us to do. Thank you. I appreciate a good vote. Representative
Speaker 37
56:19
Clemmer has spoken for the bill. Anyone
Chair
Unverified
56:21
wish to speak against the bill, for the bill?
Not the question for the House. This is Passive House Bill 1915, Prepared Machine. Mr. Clerk. Has everyone
voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot by a vote of 80A, 8 and A, 3 present. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1869.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
56:57
Oh, I'm sorry. I was just reading my pill number there. Representative Hall moves that we reconsider House Bill 1869. Representative Hall, that's
Chair
Unverified
57:16
the proper motion debatable. Do you have another request? I'm going to recognize you.
Come down and explain your motion.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
57:27
Ladies and gentlemen, members of the body here, I voted with the prevailing side
yesterday. I voted against this bill after studying and understanding from the sponsor of what was the intent of this bill and the amount of money that we have already invested in this program over the last few years. I would appreciate a reconsideration on this vote.
Chair
Unverified
57:58
Thank you. Members, for an explanation of the motion, anyone wishing to speak against the motion?
Representative Rice, you are recognized to come and
Representative Terry Rice
Unverified
58:18
speak against the motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I'll be brief. We went over this yesterday. it was stated that we're out of time this started years ago we've been in session since January considering the disparity in the process I view it is
within authority of this body the legislative body to stop the process until we have more time I appreciate your consideration
Chair
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58:51
Representative Rice has spoken against the motion. Anyone wish to speak for the motion? Against the motion? Representative Patterson, you are recognized to come and speak against the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Representative Mike Patterson
Unverified
59:07
Ladies and gentlemen of the Chamber, I'd just like to say that I'm against this motion today.
And I know there's some towns that's been taken out of this, some counties been taken out of this, and some of the problems that they had at the start has been taken care of. But I also know that there's some of us that's still out here that the problem has not been taken care of. And I appreciate against
Chair
Unverified
59:38
this motion today. Thank you. Representative Patterson has spoken against the motion. Anyone wish to speak for the motion?
Representative Powers, you are recognized to speak for the
Representative David "Bubba" Powers
Unverified
59:54
motion. Members, this is a complex bill, and I think it deserves reconsideration simply because of my contacts and conversations with many of you yesterday. Unless you're familiar with this world or you live in this world, sometimes we can't get our point across. So I would ask that. Representative Powers, you're right now
Representative David "Bubba" Powers
Unverified
1:00:16
I would appreciate a good vote on reconsideration of this bill. Representative Powers
Chair
Unverified
1:00:23
has spoken for the motion. Anyone wishing to speak against the motion? Representative Collin Smith, you're recognized. Come and speak against the motion.
Representative Linda Collins-Smith
Unverified
1:00:49
Recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was absent yesterday, but I would have voted against the bill because I've studied the bill, and it really concerns me. Some folks have been treated differently than others
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1:01:06
in the bill. Representative Collins-Smith, just like Representative Powers, you're recognized to speak on the motion or against the
Representative Linda Collins-Smith
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1:01:14
motion. Down vote on the bill.
Chair
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1:01:18
On the motion. Representative Collins-Smith has spoken against the motion.
Representative Penartz, you're recognized to come and speak for the motion. Mr. Speaker.
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
1:01:39
You're recognized. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, I asked you, in all due consideration, to give this bill another chance. Take another look at it. Amen. Representative Burris, what purpose?
Representative John Burris
Unverified
1:01:55
I have a question of the parliamentarian. You're recognized. I want to make sure the membership is clear as we move forward here on a motion for reconsideration. Once that motion passes, it's non-debatable on the bill. We'll move immediately to a vote. Is that
Speaker 170
1:02:10
correct? Yes, sir. The Speaker will advise the Clerk to read the caption of
Speaker 171
1:02:13
the bill, which is a part of the rules, and then the vote will come immediately following that. There's no
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1:02:23
more debate on the bill. Representative Pernard spoke in favor of the motion.
Anyone wishing to speak against the motion, for the motion? All right. If not, the question before the House is a passage of motion to reconsider House Bill 1869. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone
voted? Cast up the ballot. by a vote of 60A, 27A, and one present, you have passed the motion.
Mr. Clerk, read the caption of the
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:03:07
bill. House Bill 1869 by Representative Powers to create state district courts. Question
Chair
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1:03:13
for the House. Passive House Bill 1869. Prayer of the Machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted? Everyone voted, cast up the ballot by a vote of 60, aye, 29, nay, one present.
You have passed the bill. Representative Powers moves to... Oh, that's right. Two votes is the clincher. All right, members, move on to the Senate bill. Mr. Clark, read Senate Bill 275. Senate Bill 275 by Senator Sample to decrease the
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:03:56
sales and use tax on natural gas and electricity used by manufacturers and to declare an emergency. Representative Gene,
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1:04:05
you're recognized to explain the bill.
Speaker 172
1:04:08
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I present Senate Bill 275 to this body today. I'll give you a little history on this. back I guess to the third week of the session we passed House Bill 1052 which gave a half cent reduction to energy tax on the sales tax to manufacturers it passed with 88 votes in this body and went down to the Senate and of course
as you all know there have been compromises made and deals have been made and at that time Senator Sample which had an independent power producer bill I include mine and with Senate bill 275 so what this bill does today it reduces the same half cent off the utilities for our manufacturers right now we're effectively at a 3.25% all of the states around us are at zero with except for Mississippi which has one and
a half cents so we're at a competitive disadvantage after this bill is passed and adopted. Our rate will be 2.75 beginning July 1 of this year. There have been some changes on the independent power producers. The current rate they have right now is 6%. All other states around us on sales tax for gas to manufacture electricity is zero with with the exception of Tennessee, which has 1.5 percent.
So again, we're at a disadvantage. This bill has been amended. The governor supports this bill, and the amendment as follows from the original draft, instead of July 1 of this year, our sales tax on energy for gas or independent power producers is going from 6 percent, and it will be transferred on to January 1 of 2012 to 5.25 percent. And then the following January 1st of 2013, it'll drop to 4.25%, and then of January 1st of 2014, we'll be at the same rate that we are on manufacturing at 2.75%.
Total revenue impact for this fiscal year coming up 2012 is $5.2 million. In the second year, 2013, it'll be a little over $10 million, and in 2014, the impact will be a little over $16 million, and this is DF&A's projections. It's a jobs bill. It's something that we're going to do for our manufacturing and independent power producers like no other bill that will pass in this session, and I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
Unverified
1:06:54
Thank you. You've heard an explanation of the bill. anybody want to speak against the bill or the bill if not the question
for the house SB 275 prepare the machine Mr. Clerk you're voting on the bill and
the emergency clause has everybody voted cast up the ballot Mr. Clerk
with a vote of 94 yeay 0, nays, 1 present, you have passed your bill and a mercy clause. Read Senate Bill 304,
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:07:35
Mr. Clerk. Senate Bill 304 by Senator Pritchard to amend provisions of Arkansas law concerning the award of capital improvement contracts by the Arkansas Building
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:07:49
Authority. Representative Rodgers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House members, I am here today to re-present Senate Bill 304.
And today I come with my hat in my hand and somewhat reluctantly remind you that Senate Bill 304 was heard on the House floor on March the 7th and succumbed to a bitter defeat. Yes, I received the spanking of my adult life that day. However, the vote was expunged on March the 18th, and I am here today to re-present with amendments. Section 1 of this bill has actually been taken out. The amendment was taken out in its entirety.
The bill now only addresses the emergency contracts clause and the subcontractors listing clause. The Arkansas Building Authority has asked me to run this bill. It is a good bill. It's a clean-up bill. it passed in Senate State Agencies, it passed on the Senate floor, it's now passed twice out of the House State Agencies Committee. And I would appreciate a good vote.
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
Unverified
1:09:03
You heard an explanation of the bill? Thank you. Anybody
want to speak against the bill? For the bill? If not, a question for the House is the passage of
Speaker 183
1:09:22
Senate Bill 3-0. What purpose? For the bill. You want to speak?
Speaker 184
1:09:26
For. You're recognized. Thank you. Yes, this was the bill that we had problems with a few days ago, and I want to commend Representative Rogers and everybody that worked with us in getting this together.
It's a good bill, and I appreciate it. Good vote.
Speaker 186
1:09:42
Thank you. He's spoken for the bill. Anybody want to
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
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1:09:45
speak against the bill? For the bill? If not, the question for the House is passage of Senate Bill 304. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Is everybody voted? Cast up the ballots, Mr. Clerk. With a vote of 88 yeas, 1 nay, 1 present, you'll pass your bill.
Representative Duncan Baird
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1:10:11
Senate Bill 300, Mr. Clerk. Senate Bill 300 by Senator Thompson to allow non-profit and public interest corporations and associations to represent individual
Speaker 188
1:10:26
persons. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr.
Representative John Charles Edwards
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1:10:28
Speaker. There was a Supreme Court ruling on March the 3rd that cast a cloud of whether nonprofit legal aid organizations can continue to provide the assistance they've had for years in Arkansas to indigent clients.
And what this bill does, it clarifies the statute to make it clear that a corporation that's a nonprofit that provides legal aid services to indigents can continue to do so. So the attorneys have to be qualified under Arkansas law, and I would appreciate a good vote. Further explanation of the
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
Unverified
1:11:04
bill? Want to think against the bill? For the bill? If not,
the question for the House of Passes of SB 300.
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everybody voted? Cast up
the machine, Mr. Clerk. With 94 yeas, 0 nays, 0 presents, you have passed your bill. Read Senate Bill 637, Mr. Clerk.
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:11:38
Senate Bill 637 by Senator Files regarding the forfeiture of conveyances and the restitution to victims of certain crimes.
Representative Terry Rice
Unverified
1:11:46
Rice, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is a simple bill. It came from Senator Fowles and Senate passed 35 and nothing through House Judiciary. It is a bill for clarification in what it does. It just places the victim's restitution at the top of the priority when dealing with who gets the distribution from compensation at the time of arrest. Many prosecutors are currently doing this,
and this just places it as a priority in the law. and it affects only certain crimes, which
are theft and burglary. Appreciate a good vote. Error
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
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1:12:30
an explanation of the bill? I'd like to speak against the bill? For the bill?
If not, question before you, a passage of SB 637. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everybody voted?
Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. A vote of 91 yeas, 0 nays, 0
presents. You have passed your bill. Senate Bill 636, Mr. Clerk. Read it. Senate
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:13:09
Bill 636 by Senator Files to clarify the civil jurisdiction, penalties, and scope of the real estate license law
Representative Linda S. Tyler
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1:13:24
and to make technical corrections. You're recognized. Ms. Tyler. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 365 basically clarifies civil jurisdiction and penalties within the scope of the real estate license law, and it does some technical corrections.
It would require that anyone brokering the sale of a business that includes real estate to hold a real estate license. I actually thought that was already the case, but apparently it's not, and this bill would fix that. It would allow the Real Estate Commission to take civil action against an unlicensed person who brokers the sale of real estate, and it orders the violator to return monies received to the person violated. It's a good bill. I would appreciate a good vote.
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
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1:14:06
heard an explanation of the bill would anybody like to speak
against the bill for the bill if not prepare the machine Mr. Clerk has everybody voted
pass up the machine Mr. Clerk with a vote of 91 yeas, 0 nays, 0 presents you have passed your bill Senate Bill 274
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:14:36
Mr. Clerk Senate Bill 274 by Senator
Baker and all to increase the amount below which sales and use tax is not due on the purchase of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer
Representative Garry L. Smith
Unverified
1:14:51
You're recognized Thank you, Mr. Speaker Senate Bill 274 is a compromise piece of legislation that is a good bill for business that changed the sales tax on motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers from $2,500, raised it up. It was attempted to raise $5,000,
but we worked out an agreement that it's now standing at $4,000. This would encourage people when they make a trade for a vehicle not to be encumbered with a tax if it's under $4,000. This is a good business bill. I appreciate a good vote.
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
Unverified
1:15:21
Thank you. Heard an explanation of the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Not? Prepare the machine,
Mr. Wilton. Question before the House of Passes, Senate Bill 274. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Has everybody voted? Pass up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. Vow vote of 93, yea, 0, nay, 0, present. You have passed the bill. Senate Bill 560. Mr. Clerk, read. Senate Bill 560 by
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:16:02
Senator Sample to require an out-of-state motorboat or personal watercraft to have liability insurance in Arkansas. Do you recognize? Thank you,
Representative Bruce Westerman
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1:16:12
Mr. Speaker. This is an easy bill to present because it does exactly what the title says.
It requires an out-of-state motorboat or personal watercraft to have liability insurance in Arkansas. And I will say all the time I've spent on Lake Washtenaw and Lake Hamilton, I never knew that people that I was passing people out of state did not have to have liability insurance, so I
Speaker 199
1:16:33
would feel safer on the lakes if this bill
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
Unverified
1:16:38
passes. Thank you. You've heard an explanation of the bill? Ms. Hutchinson, what purpose? He's yielded the floor.
Anybody speak against the bill? For the bill?
If not, the question before the House of Passage is SB 560. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everybody voted? Pass up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. I vote of 84 yeas, 0 nays, 0 to presence. You have passed your bill. Senate Bill 243, Mr. Clerk.
Representative Duncan Baird
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1:17:22
Senate Bill 243 by Senator Madison Johnson, an act to make various corrections to Title IV of the Arkansas Code of 1987 concerning business and commerce. Mr. Williams, you're... Thank
Representative Darrin Williams
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1:17:35
you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is a code revision bill that amends Title IV of the Code of the Business and Commercial Law Section. It simply makes some clarifications and rearranges some paragraphs in the code. no substantive changes at all i'd appreciate a good vote
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
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1:17:50
you've heard an explanation of the bill anybody like speak against the
bill part of the bill if not the question for the house
of passage sb 243 prepare the machine mr clerk everybody voted cast out the ballot mr clerk for the vote of 88 yay zero
nays zero present you have pass your bill senate bill 785 note 259 mr clerk senate bill
Representative Duncan Baird
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1:18:24
259 by senator madison to make various corrections to title 23 of the arkansas code of 1987 concerning public utilities and regulated
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
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1:18:32
industries you're recognized mr williams thank you mr
Representative Darrin Williams
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1:18:35
speaker members this is again is a code revision bill um it actually repeals uh the check cashers act several years ago that was passed the attorney general and others have worked and that's been declared unconstitutional state of arkansas so this is simply taking it out of the code completely we'd appreciate a good vote thank
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
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1:18:53
you you've heard an explanation of the bill you know i'd like to speak against
the bill for the bill but not the question for the house that passes senate bill 259 prepare the machine
mr clerk Is everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. I vote of 87 yeas, 0
Representative Duncan Baird
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1:19:22
nays, 0 presents. You have passed your bill. Senate Bill 785, Mr. Clerk. Senate
Speaker 177
1:19:27
Bill 785 by Senator Key to amend the Money Services Act.
Representative Bruce Westerman
Unverified
1:19:32
Mr. Westman, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. senate bill 785 amends various sections of the uniform money services act many of the provisions
make technical or clarifying changes in an effort to provide clear guidance to the money transmitters and currency exchangers regulated under the act some of the other changes are more than technical but are non-controversial as the arkansas securities department has received no negative comments regarding the bill. Ms.
Speaker 185
1:20:02
Menards, what purpose? Question. You're recognized for a question.
Representative Tracy Pennartz
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1:20:06
Forgive me if I'm a little bit sensitive about the use of money services or transmission.
I was here for the check cashing thing. Could you just clarify for me? I think I know what this bill does, but money transmission means what?
Representative Bruce Westerman
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1:20:24
This is like exchanging foreign currency. Well, I tried to find a
Representative Tracy Pennartz
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1:20:28
definition in there, and I was, it didn't have a chapter or a section that dealt with definitions. So it's just basically for people who deal in foreign exchange, exchanges, and then also for, it had surety bonds in there.
Representative Bruce Westerman
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1:20:46
That's correct. My understanding is it's for the exchange of foreign currency is what the bill is for. Thank
Speaker 199
1:20:52
you, sir. Heard an explanation of the
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
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1:20:58
bill? Anybody want to speak against the bill? For the bill? If not, the question for the House of Passage is Senate Bill 785. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everybody voted?
Cash up the ballots, Mr. Clerk. By vote of 94 yeas,
0 nays, 0 present, you have passed your bill.
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:21:26
Senate Bill 513, Mr. Clerk. Senate Bill 513 by Senator Sample to provide for the issuance of a special
Representative Karen S. Hopper
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1:21:41
veterans. Ms. Hopper, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Senate Bill 513 would honor those fine men and women who have served in our armed forces
but did not serve during a conflict or long enough to retire. However, they are very proud of their service, and of course, we are very proud of them. And we can honor them today by granting their request and providing a special license plate. I will tell you that this license plate that would be created under this section with your vote is the full fee amount. And on behalf of these fine men and women that stepped forward to serve us, I request a good vote. Thank you.
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
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1:22:24
I heard an explanation of the bill. Anybody speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the question for the House of Passes is Senate Bill 513. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everybody voted? I accept the ballot, Mr. Clerk. The vote of 92 yeas, 0 nays, 1 present, you have passed your bill.
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:22:56
Senate Bill 725, Mr. Clerk. Senate Bill 725 by Senator Sample to authorize a living will designation to
Chair
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1:23:11
be placed on a driver's license or identification card.
Representative Mary P. "Prissy" Hickerson
Unverified
1:23:18
Representative Hickerson, you're recognized. Explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Member of Senate Bill 725 is by Senator Sample. It simply authorizes a living will designation to be placed on a driver's license or identification card.
This is entirely voluntary, and the Office of Driver Services will determine the placement and put it on the driver's license. And as far as we know, there is no opposition. We appreciate a good vote. There
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1:23:44
is our next one up to the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, floor of the bill. Now I have a question for the House. Passing to Senate Bill 725. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted.
Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
1:24:06
a vote of 94. Yay, 0, nay, 0. Present. You have passed the bill. Ms. Clark reads, Senate Bill 767. Senate
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:24:14
Bill 767 by Senator Sample to amend the penalty for failure to pay fines or make installment payments to the Arkansas Towing and
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1:24:23
Recovery Board. Representative Hickerson, you're recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Mary P. "Prissy" Hickerson
Unverified
1:24:27
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Office of Motor Vehicles currently issues a special license plate for tow vehicles
upon proof the vehicle has been certified by the Towing and Recovery Board. This bill adds a new provision to the law to require that, upon notice from the Towing and Recovery Board, the Office of Motor Vehicle must suspend the tow vehicle license plate and registration. This suspension will occur if the owner fails to pay a fine ordered by the Board within 15 days after the conclusion of the appeals process under the Administrative Procedures
Act. And this, I appreciate a good vote. Thank you very much.
Chair
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1:25:07
Members heard in the explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill, not the question for the House, passes Senate Bill 767, pair of the machine,
Speaker 65
1:25:25
Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast
Chair
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1:25:28
up the ballot by a vote of 89, yay, 2, nays, 0. President, you have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk reads Senate Bill 276.
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:25:37
Senate Bill 276 with Senator Teague and Aul to amend the state sales and use tax rate on
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1:25:46
food and food ingredients and to declare an emergency.
Speaker 122
1:25:50
Representative Steele, you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is the grocery tax. Before I give you an extremely brief explanation of the bill, I want to take a moment to thank Governor Beebe for his leadership and his unwavering
commitment to a promise. I'd like to thank Senator Teague and the Senate for all the work that they've done on this legislation. I'd like to thank the Revenue and Tax Committee, Chairman Carter and his committee for allowing this bill to nurture in his committee for a few weeks. I want to members also thank, and I've been around a little while and through a few sessions,
I want to thank the unwavering leadership and outstanding leadership of the Speaker of the House for allowing
Representative Tracy Steele
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1:26:48
this bill to come to us and the leadership role that
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1:27:00
he played. Let's thank our Speaker. Senate Bill 276 reduces the tax on groceries and food ingredients by one-half a percent. Well, there's a lot of states around the country right now who are in legislative sessions just like we are,
and I'm sure they're debating a lot of important issues. But I can assure you that most of those states are not debating about various tax cuts. But not only is it important that we cut taxes at every opportunity and provide relief to the citizens of the state of Arkansas, it's even more important that we do it in a responsible way. And that's what we've come together to do in this legislature.
We've not had to significantly cut services. We've not had to have major layoffs of state employees. And we've not had to go through the type of fights and struggles that some
Speaker 123
1:27:58
of our other states have gone through. We didn't have to take one of our parties and leave the state of Arkansas. We
Speaker 122
1:28:08
stayed right here and we worked out our differences to do what's best for the people of the state of Arkansas. So a vote for Senate Bill 276 is a vote that will positively impact every person that resides
in the state of arkansas and with that mister speaker and members i would appreciate
Chair
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1:28:30
a good vote members heard an explanation of the bill anyone wishing to speak against
the bill for the bill not the question for the house is passing senate bill 276 prepare the machine mr clerk members are voting on the bill and the emergency clause everyone voted As everyone voted, cast up the ballot, Mr. Clark, by a vote of 96 yeas, 0 nay, 0 present,
you have passed the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Clark, read Senate Bill 183. Senate Bill 183
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
1:29:11
by Senator Lamoureux to increase title and replacement title fees to fund the
Arkansas State Police Retirement System of the Department of Arkansas State Police and to
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1:29:22
declare an emergency. Representative Carnine, you are recognized to
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
Unverified
1:29:26
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This particular piece of legislation, I think you'll agree after you hear a very brief explanation,
will actually save the state of Arkansas several hundred thousand dollars. This is an issue that's gone on since 1991, in which they enacted a very positive pro-employment program retirement for the state police. The problem is they really didn't fund it. They left it to us to finally take care of that issue. Tier 1, which is closed, there are approximately 300 patrolmen that are part of that.
There's about 200 that are left in the Tier 1 program active. There is no question it is a state obligation. The cost of this program is approximately $5 million a year. The fact is that this has an obligation that may stretch well over 50 years. That's because the remaining spouses will still receive benefits from the Tier 1 fund. The program as it is, in fact, set up will raise title fees.
There's no question about that. That is a fact. Now, to the average Arkansan, however, who owns one vehicle, the cost over the life of that vehicle will probably be about $1 a year or less. Actually, it's 65 cents. So the only time you pay this is not every year. You pay it when you title a car. Now, my good friend Jonathan Barnett will probably cost him $10 a year because he has lots of vehicles.
The title fees will still remain less than all of our surrounding states. Actually, we tie with one other state if we pass this bill. So it's not like we're at a competitive disadvantage. Now, again, I'll remind you why I said this will save us money. Had we enacted that in 1991 to pay for this, the money would be continuously invested, and those investment earnings would have cut this obligation considerably.
Now, since I haven't done all the actuarially analysis on that, I'm going to just say several hundred thousand dollars. If we do not, and we go back to the way that we've tried to fund this every couple, three years, it costs us $10 million, it's going to cost the state money. Voting for this will reduce the cost to the state of Arkansas and meet our obligations. That really is what it is in a nutshell. Do you want to save the money, pay me now, or do you want to pay a whole lot more later?
In my opinion, this is a good bill that costs taxpayers very little money to fund over the period of lifetime of which we are obligated to pay this benefit. And for that, I will answer
your questions as you desire.
Speaker 112
1:32:35
Representative Meeks, what purpose? Question? Recognized. Representative Carnide, I
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:32:38
guess for me the main sticking point with this bill is 50% of it is geared to go towards the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.
Can you speak to that concern for
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
Unverified
1:32:52
me, please? Okay. The amount originally designated in title fees that would go to the Highway Department will remain going to the Highway Department. There's also $1 that goes to the building fee fund for the state. That's correct. No change in that
Speaker 15
1:33:11
whatsoever. Representative Viviano, what purpose? Question. Isn't it true, though, that
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
1:33:16
other amount is for bonds on the buildings?
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
Unverified
1:33:21
I cannot speak to the $1 how that is. That was originally the purpose of
it. I'm not sure at this point in time what the amount
Speaker 65
1:33:37
of that fund happens to be. Representative Ingram, what purpose?
Representative Keith M. Ingram
Unverified
1:33:41
Question. Recognized? Now, the dollar that goes to the highway department, that is for the
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
Unverified
1:33:47
highway police. The $4 that goes to the transportation department is spent with the transportation highways.
There's $4 of the original title fee is dedicated to the highway department, period. One dollar goes to the fund regarding bonds and other expenses with the state facilities. That's already there. That does
Chair
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1:34:13
not change. Representative Viviano, purpose, do you recognize? Are
Speaker 65
1:34:18
you still in the well, Representative Carnine? I mean, are you in and out?
Speaker 85
1:34:25
Which way would you like me to be, Mr. Speaker? I can be in the
Chair
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1:34:30
oil or out of the oil? Whichever way
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
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1:34:33
is most advantageous to you. I'll answer the question. I think this is important, and I'll
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
1:34:37
answer the questions. Once the dollar for the bonds is, where does it go? Once those buildings are paid for, where does that dollar go
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
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1:34:45
then? I couldn't understand a word you said.
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
1:34:48
I'm sorry. You said a dollar that's allocated to the bonds on the buildings. Once those buildings are paid for, where does the fees then go?
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
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1:34:55
Again, I have not read the original legislation on that $1 that came from the
title fees, and I wish I could answer your question. I cannot because I've not read the original legislation. That does not change
Chair
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1:35:10
our records. Representative Gilliam, what purpose? Question. Recognize. Thank
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
1:35:13
you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Carnot, just at a clarification stake, just because there was some numbers tossed around and everything, the new money, that's what's going to fund this obligation? Tier 1, that's correct.
The questions on the buildings and things, that's already in there. That's still going to be going on whether or not we do this or not. Is that
Speaker 220
1:35:34
correct? That's correct. Okay, thank you. There is no change in
Chair
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1:35:41
that. Okay, thank you. Representative Hutchinson, members have heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the
bill or the bill? Representative Carter, you're recognized to come and speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Davy Carter
Unverified
1:36:00
Members, I remember when I was, I don't know, 18 or 19, and I went down to the parts store and charged some stuff to my dad. I was irresponsible. I shouldn't have done it. But he paid for it, and he dealt with me afterwards. That's what I feel like today. I don't like that we've been put in this situation. I don't like it at all. The facts are that just as I was irresponsible back then,
I think some of the previous folks that have been up here were irresponsible some time ago to set this thing up that was never actuarially sound. So I say that to say I feel like that we don't really have a whole lot of choice but to deal with the problem and fix it. I don't like being in the position, and none of you all do either.
This isn't to say that I think this is the end of the story. I mean, at some point, and I know there are people here that are listening that have interest in it, And I'm not also certain that at some point, maybe even the next few sessions or so, that the people who are receiving benefits from this aren't going to have to pony up a little bit and do some self-contributions to help this thing continually to be funded properly. To give you some numbers, in 1997, I guess this was the first year some of these changes were made,
the fund took in $6.7 million and paid out $6.3 million. So far, so good. Well, that was the only year since that time that it's performed. The next year, took in $6.6 million, paid out $7.2 million. Next year, $6.7 million, paid out $7.7 million. 2009, took in $12 million, paid out $17 million. And then last year, even with the $9 million from GIF, it took in $23 million, and it paid out $20 million. Benefits paid have gone from $6 million to $20 million.
So I say all of that to say that, again, just as my dad kind of dealt with me when I made some bad decisions, I felt that that's kind of similarly where we are today. And I don't like it, but it is what it is. and I think that we've got to fix the mess. We can't always count on funding this thing annually with GIF. We know how fluid GIF is around this place. So with that, I'd appreciate a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
1:38:39
Representative Carter, spoken for the bill. Anyone who wishes to speak
against the bill? For the bill, Representative Wilkins, you're recognized to come
and speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad to speak for this bill.
Representative Carter, I can very much appreciate how your father felt when you went and charged some stuff. I have two sons, and they're charging stuff right now, and I'm going to
deal with them when I get to the crib. But in the meantime, I'm going to pay MasterCard, I'm going to pay American Express, and I'm going to pay Sears because it is the right thing to do.
Now, the reality is that some questions have been asked today about where this other money is going. Those are hold harmless clauses that are in the law to make sure that everybody understands that the funds from these fees that were previously going to those funds will continue to go there. The additional fee that we will be paying will keep us from having to do what we had to do last session,
which was to add $9 million to try to temporarily keep this fund solvent. For the first time in a while, we are doing something that really has the opportunity to make this particular retirement fund solvent for years to come. And I encourage you to really think about what we're doing here. Now, some people have said, well, this is raising taxes, and I made a commitment to my constituents that I'm not going to raise any taxes.
Well, I told my constituents I wasn't going to raise any taxes either, if I could help it. And I can't help it. And the reason I can't help it is because we have got, one way or the other, this retirement fund is going to have to be made solvent. Now, somebody might say, well, five additional dollars? Well, I tell you what. Go buy a gallon of gas, and that's almost $5 now.
Go to McDonald's. I asked my younger sister, who's 42 years old and has two small children, a three-year-old and a four-year-old. Don't ask me why she waited until she was 40 to start having kids. But I was telling her about this some weeks ago, and I said, you know what? It's about the price of a meal at McDonald's. And she said, let me correct you.
You cannot buy a meal at McDonald's anymore for less than $5. I was astounded. I was shocked. because the only thing I buy from McDonald's are fries. I buy my fast food from Burger King. The point, my friends, is that we get the opportunity in this session to do a number of great things that make a difference for the state of Arkansas,
and we also get the opportunity to do some things that does not push the responsibility off to the next legislative session and to sessions after that. We can do something today that has the potential of solving, of putting this issue to rest. that's what I want to do
and I know in my heart of hearts most of you do as well I'd appreciate
Chair
Unverified
1:43:12
a good vote for this bill, thank you Representative Wilkins, spoken for the bill anyone wish to speak against the bill for the bill Representative Carnine, you're recognized close for the
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
Unverified
1:43:22
bill I think you know the story and I think now is the time to act. I appreciate a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
1:43:30
There's a question for the House. Passage Senate Bill 183. Prepare the machine, Mr.
Clerk. Everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast out the ballot. I voted 63 yea, 20 nay, and 3
present. you have passed the bill members there there is an emergency clause on this on this bill
we're going to vote on the emergency clause mr clerk prepare the machine for a vote on the emergency clause
everyone voted everyone voted cast up the ballot mr clerk by a vote of 67
yay 19 nay and one present you have
passed the emergency clause great thing about seeing this machine up here folks Okay, members, we are going to recess for one hour. We're going to come back at 4 o'clock. And I know that we have four of our agencies that are going to meet during the recess. And that's Ag, City, County, Insurance, and State agencies. So if those announcements will be made, I'll take an announcement.
If you want to give your announcements on your
committees that are meeting. Representative Brown, you're recognized for announcement. Yes,
Representative Jerry R. Brown
Unverified
1:45:23
Mr. Speaker. Ag is going to meet, room 138, immediately upon adjournment.
Chair
Unverified
1:45:29
We're in recess. You want to meet now? Immediately upon recess, I'm sorry. We're going to meet right now. Representative Allen, what purpose? Yes. insurance
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
1:45:39
and commerce will be meeting also in room 149
Chair
Unverified
1:45:42
okay representative wagner you're recognized city county and
Speaker 232
1:45:49
local affairs will meet room uh committee room b big mac
Chair
Unverified
1:45:57
building thank you representative hall representative hall representative hall you're recognized to announce your committee
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
1:46:13
mr. speaker we are having committee meeting ten minutes on adjournment ten minutes down your meeting okay we're
Speaker 233
1:46:19
in recess stay back here at four o'clock The house stands in recess until 4 o'clock.
Agenda
Call to Order
Invocation
Roll Call
HB1991
HB1860
SB846
HMR1006
HB1433
HB1772
HB1765
HB1490
HB1953
HB1925
HB2007
HB1914
HB1819
HB1819
HB2125
HB1937
HB1172
HB1881
HB1915
HB1869
SB275
HB304
HB300
HB637
HB636
SB274
SB560
SB243
SB259
SB785
SB513
SB725
SB767
SB276
SB183
Adjournment
Announcements
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Chair
Unverified
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
Speaker 3
Speaker 6
Speaker 11
Representative Duncan Baird
Unverified
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
Representative David L. Branscum
Unverified
Representative Jon Woods
Unverified
Representative Lori Benedict
Unverified
Speaker 48
Representative Johnnie J. Roebuck Chair
Unverified
Speaker 70
Speaker 65
Speaker 76
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
Representative Jon Hubbard
Unverified
Representative David Fielding
Unverified
Speaker 91
Representative Donna Hutchinson
Unverified
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
Representative Leslee Milam Post
Unverified
Speaker 84
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
Speaker 38
Representative Toni Bradford
Unverified
Speaker 118
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
Speaker 122
Speaker 123
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
Unverified
Representative Jeremy Gillam
Unverified
Speaker 132
Speaker 112
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
Representative Greg Leding
Unverified
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
Speaker 37
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
Representative Terry Rice
Unverified
Representative Mike Patterson
Unverified
Representative David "Bubba" Powers
Unverified
Representative Linda Collins-Smith
Unverified
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
Representative John Burris
Unverified
Speaker 170
Speaker 171
Speaker 172
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
Speaker 183
Speaker 184
Speaker 186
Speaker 188
Representative John Charles Edwards
Unverified
Representative Garry L. Smith
Unverified
Representative Bruce Westerman
Unverified
Speaker 199
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
Speaker 177
Speaker 185
Representative Karen S. Hopper
Unverified
Representative Mary P. "Prissy" Hickerson
Unverified
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
Unverified
Speaker 15
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
Representative Keith M. Ingram
Unverified
Speaker 85
Speaker 220
Representative Davy Carter
Unverified
Representative Butch Wilkins Chair
Unverified
Representative Jerry R. Brown
Unverified
Speaker 232
Speaker 233