March 2, 2010
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (54)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1317
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1317”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1433
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…nays, 0 present. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1433.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1312
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1312”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1493
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1493”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1527
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1527”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1559
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1559”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1603
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1603”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB138
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB138”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1060
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…m it's referred, House Bill 1185 by Representative English, House Bill 1060 by Representative Lindsay, and Senate Bill 207 by Senator H…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1185
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…e committee and city, county, local, to whom it's referred, House Bill 1185 by Representative English, House Bill 1060 by Representativ…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1286
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…are committee on city, county, local to whom is referred to House Bill 1286 by represent of Bradford, House Bill 1413 by represent of”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1368
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…e committee on aging children and youth to whom is referred House Bill 1368 by our representative Eubanks House Bill 1457 by our repres…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1413
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…om is referred to House Bill 1286 by represent of Bradford, House Bill 1413 by represent of”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1425
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…e a committee on insurance and commerce to whom is referred House Bill 1425 by Representative Hickerson,”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1428
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1428”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1437
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “agencies to whom was referred House bill 1437 represent Lamkin House bill 1443 represent Stewart House bi…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1441
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Rogers, and House Bill 1441 by represent of Malk. I believe we report we have the same…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1443
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ncies to whom was referred House bill 1437 represent Lamkin House bill 1443 represent Stewart House bill 1579 represent Summers Senate…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1451
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…whom is referred House Bill 1543 by Representative Rice and House Bill 1451 by Representative Summers”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1457
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…m is referred House Bill 1368 by our representative Eubanks House Bill 1457 by our representative Hobbs”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1477
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “House Bill 1477 by our representative Stewart House Resolution 1016 by our…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1482
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…aker, we are a committee on agriculture to whom is referred House Bill 1482 by Representative Tyler, House Bill 1558 by Representative…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1496
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “House Bill 1496 for a representative of Williams House Bill 1525 for a repr…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1525
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “House Bill 1496 for a representative of Williams House Bill 1525 for a representative of Pierce Senate Bill 302 by Senator H…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1543
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…committee on aging, children, and youth to whom is referred House Bill 1543 by Representative Rice and House Bill 1451 by Representativ…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1558
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…o whom is referred House Bill 1482 by Representative Tyler, House Bill 1558 by Representative Stewart, and”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1579
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ill 1437 represent Lamkin House bill 1443 represent Stewart House bill 1579 represent Summers Senate bill 263”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1593
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1593”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1594
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1594”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1693
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “House Bill 1693 by Representative Brown. They believe we report we have the…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HR1016
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “House Bill 1477 by our representative Stewart House Resolution 1016 by our representative”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HR1017
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Hopper House Resolution 1017 by Representative Love House Resolution 1018 by Representat…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HR1018
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Hopper House Resolution 1017 by Representative Love House Resolution 1018 by Representative Murdoch and House Resolution 1019 by Repr…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HR1019
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ve Love House Resolution 1018 by Representative Murdoch and House Resolution 1019 by Representative Murdoch Begley report we've had the same…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB114
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB114”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB170
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB170”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB207
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ive English, House Bill 1060 by Representative Lindsay, and Senate Bill 207 by Senator Hutchinson.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB221
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…, we are committee on state agencies to whom is referred to Senate Bill 221 by Senator Disomingue. We have the same under consideration…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB262
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB262”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB263
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ll 1443 represent Stewart House bill 1579 represent Summers Senate bill 263”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB29
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB29”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB291
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB291”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB302
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…of Williams House Bill 1525 for a representative of Pierce Senate Bill 302 by Senator Harrelson I believe the”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB304
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “by senator Teague Senate bill 304 by senator Pritchard Senate bill 334 by senator Irvin and S…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB309
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…mmittee on Insurance and Commerce to whom we've referred to Senate Bill 309 by Senator Hutchinson I believe the report we've had the sa…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB334
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “by senator Teague Senate bill 304 by senator Pritchard Senate bill 334 by senator Irvin and Senate vaguely report we've had the sa…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB359
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB359”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB384
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB384”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB61
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB61”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB63
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB63”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB68
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB68”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB70
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB70”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB72
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB72”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB83
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB83”
|
Pre-2017 bill |
Machine transcript
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Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
0:00
Today, as we're led in prayer today by Reverend John Smith from the Christian Fellowship Church in Wynn, who's here as a guest of Representative Brown, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Representative Billy Gaskell. Dr. Reverend Smith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A few days ago, I was at the Capitol, and
Speaker 2
0:18
a little girl, I was in mind, this beautiful scene. I had a little girl. She was walking. And they was trying to figure out how did they do that.
Talking to her mother. How did they do that? A little girl
Speaker 5
0:37
about five or six years old. Only God could do that. We're going to pray to that God. There's only God can do. And that's who we're going to acknowledge. Let's pray to him. Almighty God. You who created heaven and
Speaker 6
0:57
earth. your glory fills heaven and earth the earth is the Lord
and the fool is there you are an ever present help in a time of trouble and God now we bow our heads and our hearts we yield to your sovereignty to your divine providence we acknowledge that we can do nothing without you thank you for the work of Christ on the cross because of him we have eternal life Christ in us the hope of glory and we thank
you for that we give you praise the master told us how he said when you pray he said knock and it shall be open in this house in this room we are knocking at heaven's door we are knocking at that door with a sense of desperation we are knocking because we need you we knock at that heaven door because we seek your wisdom our wisdom is flawed oh God
our help in ages past that ancient of days give this body, this men and women their capacity the capacity father to govern according to your word according to President Madison we pray for the speaker of this chamber of this whole body we pray for our governor giving wisdom and knowledge and understanding we pray for this great state the state of Arkansas and even though the difficulties we have God we have God
we know that there's nothing too hard for God nothing we pray for this great country God bless America you have shed your grace on her Lord, lead her, direct her, guide her. We pray for the president, his administration, his
Speaker 2
2:56
cabinet, the Congress, the Senate. And we thank you for those brave men and women in uniform fighting for our freedom to protect us for those who want to harm us.
Speaker 6
3:08
But Lord, it is you who ultimately protects. And finally, Lord, may we continue, Lord, in all our decisions, in all our challenges. may you flood our mind may we acknowledge you in all that we do may
Speaker 5
3:21
we knock at heaven's door and seek your wisdom so Christ's sake we pray Amen
Speaker 15
3:45
Members, please indicate your presence by pushing the yellow present button.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
3:53
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark.
Speaker 16
4:06
Members, everyone indicated their presence. Representative
Kerr, would you indicate your presence?
Thank you very much. You are here today with us. Okay. Cast
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
4:23
out the ballot by indication of 97 members present. The chair recognizes a quorum. Request for
Speaker 22
4:33
leave. Representative Elliott, what purpose? Request
Speaker 23
4:38
for leave, Mr. Speaker. You're recognized. I'm requesting leave for Representative Hubbard. Leave granted for Representative Hubbard.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
4:50
Leave is granted. Let the records reflect. Representative Cheatham moves that we dispense with the reading of the previous day's journal. No objection, so ordered. Reports from select committees. are there reports from standing committees I'll read a report Mr. Clerk
Mr. Speaker we are committee on aging children and youth to whom is referred House Bill 1368 by our representative Eubanks House Bill 1457 by our representative Hobbs
House Bill 1477 by our representative Stewart House Resolution 1016 by our representative
Chair
Unverified
5:25
Hopper House Resolution 1017 by Representative Love House Resolution 1018 by Representative Murdoch and House Resolution 1019 by Representative Murdoch Begley report we've had the same under consideration here with return the same with the recommendation that they do pass Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on aging, children, and youth to whom is referred House Bill 1543 by Representative Rice and House Bill 1451 by Representative Summers
Begley report we've had the same under consideration here with return the same with the recommendation that they do pass as amended, respectfully submitted Stephanie
Malone, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on agriculture to whom is referred House Bill 1482 by Representative Tyler, House Bill 1558 by Representative Stewart, and
Chair
Unverified
6:07
House Bill 1693 by Representative Brown. They believe we report we have the same under consideration. Herewith return the same with the recommendation that they do pass. Respectfully submitted, Jerry Brown, Chair. Mr. Speaker,
we are a committee on insurance and commerce to whom is referred House Bill 1425 by Representative Hickerson,
House Bill 1496 for a representative of Williams House Bill 1525 for a representative of Pierce Senate Bill 302 by Senator Harrelson I believe the
Chair
Unverified
6:30
report we've had the same under consideration and herewith return the same with a recommendation that they do pass Mr. Speaker, we are Committee on Insurance and Commerce to whom we've referred to Senate Bill 309 by Senator Hutchinson I believe the report we've had the same under consideration and herewith return the same with a recommendation that it do pass as amended respectfully submitted Fred Allen chair mr. speaker we are committee on state
agencies to whom was referred House bill 1437 represent Lamkin House bill 1443 represent Stewart House bill 1579 represent Summers Senate bill 263
Chair
Unverified
7:03
by senator Teague Senate bill 304 by senator Pritchard Senate bill 334 by senator Irvin and Senate vaguely report we've had the same under consideration We have the same under consideration, here with the return the same, with the recommendation that they do pass. Mr. Speaker, we are committee on state agencies to whom is referred to Senate Bill 221 by Senator Disomingue. We have the same under consideration, here with the return the same, with the recommendation that do pass as amended.
Respectfully submitted, Clark Hall, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we are committee on city, county, local to whom is referred to House Bill 1286 by represent of Bradford, House Bill 1413 by represent of
Chair
Unverified
7:43
Rogers, and House Bill 1441 by represent of Malk. I believe we report we have the same under consideration and return the same with the recommendation that they do pass. Mr. Speaker, we are committee and city, county, local, to whom it's referred, House Bill 1185 by Representative English, House Bill 1060 by Representative Lindsay, and Senate Bill 207 by Senator Hutchinson.
I believe we report we have the same under consideration and herewith return the same with the recommendation that they do pass as amended.
Respectfully submitted, Charlotte Wagner, Chair. The morning hour has expired. Before we go to our red calendar, I want
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
8:30
to ask members to recognize and join in welcoming some groups we have with us.
It's our special guest today. In the North Gallery behind me, we have members of the International Visitor Leadership Program, representing countries from Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, and the Palestinian territories. So let's give them a good round of applause. We have from Alma, the 8th grade class, who's here as a guest of Representative Post.
Where are our guests from Alma? Thank you. Welcome. Also
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
9:18
in the gallery, we have the staff from Grace Publishing. They're here as guests today of Representatives Nate Steele and Randy Stewart. Where are our guests from Grace? Thank you. Nice for you all to be here with us. And we have here with us today a special guest, Hannah Bell, the daughter of Nate Bell, and
she's enjoying her, celebrating her 16th birthday today. So let's give her a special welcome. Okay, members, we'll go to the red calendar. Representative Tyler recommends that we consider concurring in Senate Amendment No. 1. to House Bill 1317. Read the amendment, Mr. Clerk. Senate
Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1317.
Representative Tyler, you are recognized to explain the amendment.
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
10:17
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, if you
remember, this bill had to do with the registry for immunization and allows that adults can be, their information can be housed in that registry. This is a good change. Representative Garner, you asked me a question about whether or not the person would need to give permission, and this amendment does just that. It provides that the person should give permission in order for that information to be in the
registry. I think it's a good amendment, and I
would appreciate a good vote. Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. Anyone wishing to speak against the amendment? For
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
10:57
the amendment, not the question for the House, is the adoption of Senate Amendment number one to House Bill 1317. Prepare
the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted? Everyone voted? Cast up the ballot by a vote of 88, yay, 3, nay, and 0.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
11:21
Present, you have adopted the amendment. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1312. House Bill 1312 by Representative
Woods to continue reports to the Governor and General Assembly from the Arkansas Broadband Council. Representative Woods, you
are recognized to explain the bill. Thank
Representative Jon Woods
Unverified
11:43
you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. This is a very short bill, pretty simple, straightforward. It's got two minor changes in it. Right now, we have an Arkansas Broadband Advisory Council that addresses the broadband challenges that we have in the state.
And right now they're doing a report every year. The commission or the council has asked that they do it every two years instead of annually unless a member of the General Assembly or the governor requests an annual report. Also, we're striking out that the commission or that the council has to be considered for renewal to keep operating every two years. And I just think that you all would agree that technology continually is evolving continually
and that we don't need to put a sunset on it right now. There's no cost of the state. There's no per diem involved. I think
it's a good move. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Thank
you, colleagues. Appreciate a good vote. Members, you 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 1312, prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted?
Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by a vote of 93 yeas,
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
13:05
0 nays, 0 present. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1433.
House Bill 1433, by Representative Roebuck and all, to establish performance ratings for education service cooperatives. Representative
Roebuck, you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Johnnie J. Roebuck
Unverified
13:24
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, our educational cooperatives do a great job.
They were formed in 1981, and since then we have had 14 acts that have actually addressed the co-ops. And today I bring you another act. What this does is it says to the co-ops that you're doing a great job, but that we want you to tell the world about that good job in a report annually, and we already do that, but now we're going to let you put it on your website instead of mailing that out to all of the people in your stakeholder list.
It also says that each co-op will be evaluated on a five-year cycle and will be rated, and the ratings are in the bill. And if you are in level one or two consecutive years, then the Department of Education has some choices about what they may do with the disposition of that co-op. They could withhold base funding for the co-op, or they could take over administration of the co-op. This has nothing to do with any co-op that's not doing a good job.
It's their avenue to tell the world how good they're doing. All of the co-op directors have worked with me on this bill, and I have no opposition. I would appreciate a good vote. Members have
heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill?
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
14:54
If not, the question for the House, passage of House Bill 1433. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Speaker 55
15:04
Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. By a
vote of 94, yea, zero,
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
15:11
nay, zero, present, you have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1527. House Bill 1527
by Representative Cheatham to clarify certain definitions related to bonded debt assistance for school districts. Representative Cheatham, you
are recognized to explain the bill. Thank
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
15:32
you, Mr. Speaker. It's simply a bill that was brought to us by the Department of Ed trying to clarify definitions related to bonded debt assistance for school districts.
It just kind of cleans up some language that will make it a little more understandable, and I would appreciate a good
vote. Members have heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for
the bill, not to question for the House, passage of House Bill 1527. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted.
Cast up the ballot by a vote
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
16:19
of 93, yea, 0, nay, 0, present. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk,
Chair
Unverified
16:27
read House Bill 1559. House Bill 1559 by Representative Kerr to authorize the agent of an insurance company to move
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
16:35
a total lost vehicle from a storage
Representative Allen Kerr
Unverified
16:38
facility. Representative Kerr, you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is another good consumer protection bill. Basically what it does, if you, for instance, have an accident on a Thursday afternoon,
your car gets told to a storage facility of choice of the state police or the local police the car is going to be held there the insurance company wants to adjust the car but the storage facility won't let them have it until you go down and pay your bill for the storage fees. That person generally, almost always, has a job on Friday they have to go to. They've
hitched a ride with their neighbor or a relative to get to work, and they can't get over to the storage facility to pay the fees. This gives the insurance company permission to act on their behalf to pay those fees for them under the code of their policy and move that car to a facility where they can adjust it properly, put it on a lift, and do all the proper necessary adjustment to process their claim quickly. This does two things. It gets their claim settled faster,
and it saves them and the insurance company those additional storage fees for keeping that car over the weekend. I'll entertain questions. Seeing none,
I appreciate a good vote. Members, we heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
18:13
bill, for the bill, not the question for the House. Passage of House Bill 1559, prepare the machine, Mr. Clark.
Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by
a vote of 86, yea, 8, nay, one present. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
18:40
House Bill 1493. House Bill 1493, Representative Hall, regarding
which law enforcement officers are allowed to patrol controlled access facilities. Representative Hall, you are recognized to
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
18:56
Members, this is from the legal department of the Arkansas State Police. What's happened here is the current law allows the director of the state police to control the controlled access roads of the state of Arkansas, which is what we call four-lane highways. Unfortunately, it had come to the attention of the state police that some agencies have renamed their municipal police department from a municipal city police department to
a city marshal, and that has created a little problem in technicality on who controls those access roads. This bill just cleans that up and lets the director of the state police promulgate the rules necessary to control our interstates on the state for people coming through
Speaker 73
19:47
the state of Arkansas. I would appreciate a good vote. Members, you heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone
Speaker 50
19:56
wishing to speak against the bill, for the
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
20:01
bill, not to question the passage
of House Bill 1493, prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by a vote of 91 yeas, 0 nay, to present, you have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1603. House
Bill 1603, Representative Williams, to reinstate the penalties that were in effect from 1991 to 2009 for a person who drives an unregistered motor vehicle.
Representative Williams, you are recognized to explain
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
20:45
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is really a clean-up bill. Back in 2009, I carried a large bill for the Administrative Office of the Courts, and it did several things. It's kind of a clean-up. One of the things that it did was inadvertently remove from statute the ability for law enforcement to charge a fine for those who drive without a motor vehicle license. I'm sorry, without registration. And so this bill simply reimposes the fee that was the violation fee that was in effect
from 1991 to 2009, when that was inadvertently admitted. I'd be happy to take any questions. Seeing none, I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank
you. Members have heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? For
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
21:30
the bill? If not, the question for the House passes House Bill 1603. Prepare the machine. Everyone voted.
Have everyone voted cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk, by a vote of 92
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
21:50
yeas, 0 nays, 0 present, you have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1428. House
Bill 1428 by Representative Hutchinson to require child-only individual health insurance policies. Representative Hutchinson,
you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Donna Hutchinson
Unverified
22:09
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Most bills that I present, I'm very excited about it.
I'm thrilled and can't wait to tell you about them. Unfortunately, this is not one of them, but it's one that we need to pass. This is an outcome of the new federal health care plan. You've heard about the people who are going to be forced to buy insurance that don't want it. Well, we have people who want to buy insurance but can't, and that's what we have to step up and try to solve this problem it's a problem that all states are dealing with the federal health reform
created a gap in coverage for children nineteen and under who do not have access to their parents group policy we I'll give you two examples a child may have a very high-risk health problem and the parents group policy will not cover it they refuse to cover it because they know it will cost them a lot of money and so the parent goes out and buys a child only health care policy or the parents may not be able to afford health insurance but they want to buy an insurance policy for their child
so they buy a child only health and policy well the federal act provided that health insurance companies that sold health insurance policies to children under 19 that now they would have to do so without pre-existing condition exclusions or health underwriting. And, of course, most health insurance agencies don't want to sell it for that situation. So this bill is trying to recommend the black hole that some of these children will be in.
We know on March 15th about almost 300 of Arkansas children will lose their health insurance because of this situation. So we're scrambling so that by March 15th we'll have some recourse for these children. This bill will require, so from March 15th through October, these children will be under the CHIPS. That's the Arkansas Comprehensive Health Insurance. And then this bill requires insurance companies to sell them insurance.
For one month, every October, they must have an open season to sell insurance for these children. I have not heard of any insurance agents representatives. Matter of fact, they've been helping to write the bill. So I think they trust our insurance commissioner to set some reasonable premiums during this time. This is a temporary stopgap. When January 2014 comes, the federal government health insurance is supposed to take over.
So this goes from March 15th to January 2014, and it's temporary. We're trying to figure out how to make sure that these children do have health insurance. I will tell you, many, many, many of these children will end up in the CHIPS program, and the CHIPS program is instructed to rewrite to be able to accept these children in. So each state is crambling how to handle and take care of these children.
Many of them are high risk, and we don't want them to go without any type of insurance. I wish I could tell you I could answer all your questions, but I can't, because if you read the bill, we still have to write a lot of the programs and a lot of the standards. We have a number of insurance agents here, and I encourage them during the question time that they come up and explain their side of the insurance and maybe how we ended up in this.
So I hope you give it a positive vote. I'm sure we're still working on it more as it goes to the Senate, but we're trying to scramble. We have to have this bill signed by the governor and in place by March
15th. Thank you. Representative Walker, what purpose? Representative Hutchinson has relinquished her position in the will. Members, you've heard an
explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the
bill? For the bill, you want to speak for Representative Walker. You are recognized to
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
26:39
speak against the bill. Well, I wish that Representative Hutchinson and it stayed in the well, because I think the question I have is pertinent, is to understand that there's an open enrollment season for this otherwise good bill for one month, and that's the month of October. What happens to the children who become 18 in November, December, January, February,
thereafter, and therefore are not eligible to enroll during that period. That's the question I had. I think that that is a reason for opposing it. It does not give coverage to but one-twelfth of the people who become 18 during the course of any year. Thank you. Representative Walker has spoken against
Speaker 50
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the bill. Anyone wishing to speak for the bill?
Speaker 76
27:35
Against the bill? Representative Kerr, what purpose? For the bill, I believe. All right. Representative Kerr, you are recognized to come down
and speak for the bill, you believe.
Representative Allen Kerr
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27:58
You're recognized to speak for the bill. My uncertainty is colored by
Representative Hutchinson's hasty exit from the podium.
But what I can tell you is, as of September of last year, because of the new national health care pending situation, the health insurance companies ceased to write individual children's health insurance policies. Now, that was whether they were completely healthy or had previous health care problems. the situation comes up is if you're a single parent and your your business offers or your
employer offers you a policy as an employee but the insurance for for dependent coverage which would be for your children is in most cases pretty exorbitant you know
you're looking at maybe four $500 a month, whereas the, for instance, a Blue Cross rate for a child by themselves was about tracking between $70 and $80 a month, which was reasonably affordable.
And from what I understand, one of the questions I
was going to ask Representative Hutchinson is that these are individuals who make too much money for the Our Kids First program. Not always. well then maybe in her closing remarks she can clear that up for us thank you members representative kerr
Speaker 50
29:32
has spoken for the bill when we speak against the bill for
the bill representative tyler for purpose i'd like to speak for the bill please
you're recognized to come and speak
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
29:59
for the bill Members, I'm not an insurance expert, so I want to qualify that a little bit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do know that while we have had insurance companies who have elected
now not to write individual children's insurance, another one of the triggers to the need for this is we
We had a health insurance company in our state who decided to move out of state, and we had a number, and several of those live in my district, and I'm sure many of them live in yours, a number of people who were expecting a baby. My couple is expecting a baby March 31st. Their insurance is ending as of March 15. are unable, unless we do this, they are unable to get insurance for that child as a child
only policy. And that's the situation they've been left in. This company has complied with the rules and regulations and maybe we need some additional legislation to correct some of these situations. But that is also one of the triggers, is not only the health insurance reform bill that has caused this action. It's because we have a company that has chosen to leave town and to leave a number of people kind of high and dry. Thank you.
Speaker 50
31:23
Representative Tyler has spoken for the bill. One
wishing to speak against the bill for the bill. Representative Hutchinson, you're recognized to close
Representative Donna Hutchinson
Unverified
31:43
for your bill. Thank you very much. If you read the bill, you will see that it gives the insurance commissioners and CHIPS and many of our departments the authority to write new rules and regs,
and that will answer one of your questions. I can't answer questions because they haven't had time to write the new rules and regs. So we do need this bill. I wish I could tell you what every rule and reg was going to be. I wish I could tell you how many children would end up on chips. I can't. If we are not pleased with it, I think we could probably come back in a year or two and change it.
But we're asking you to approve of this bill for these children who are going to be in really dire situations. Some of them are healthy, but some of them are at a high-risk
situation. and they need some way to get
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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32:44
medical coverage. Thank you. Members, you heard the explanation of the bill. Question for the House is passage of House Bill 1428. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Members, you're voting on the bill in the emergency clause. Has everyone
voted? Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by a
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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33:11
vote of 87 yea, 2 nay, and 1 present, you have passed the bill. Mr. Clark, read House Bill
Chair
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33:20
1593. House Bill 1593 by Representative Allen, an act to amend the reporting requirements of the Transitional Employment Assistance Programs.
Representative Allen, you are recognized to
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
33:31
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. This is Workforce Development Bill.
Currently, under the statute, they're required to report quarterly, and the only thing they want to do, instead of submitting quarterly reports, is to submit an annual comprehensive report. I appreciate a good vote on this one.
Members, heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill, not the question for the House, passing
the House Bill 1593. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Everyone voted, cast up the ballot by a vote of 93 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present, you have
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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34:17
passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1594. House Bill 1594 by Representative
Allen, an act to make various changes to the Workforce Investment Act. Representative
Allen, you're recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
34:36
Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. This is another clean-up bill from Workforce Development. Currently, the statute requires them to have bi-monthly meetings, and this statute, this bill requires them to have a at-will meeting at the call of the chairmanship. have to be 75 percent of the members that will agree to it and so it's just a cleanup bill to make that agency more efficient 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 passes house bill 1594 prepare the machine Mr. Clark.
Speaker 47
35:28
Everyone voted. Has everyone voted? Cast up the
ballot Mr. Clark by a vote of 88 yay, 1 nay, 1 present. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clark read Senate
Senate Bill 61. Senate Bill 61 by Senator Madison, an act concerning criminal penalties for the possession
of certain prohibited weapons. Representative Rogers, you are recognized
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
35:58
to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Members of the House. Senate Bill 61 is an act concerning criminal penalties for the possession of certain prohibited weapons. When Senator Madison presented this bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee, it was at
the request of one of her public defenders. It was the opinion of the public defender that the mere possession of brass knuckles should not constitute a felony. The result is for the offense, and the request is for the offense to be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor. At the time of her presentation, two sitting senators produced a pair of brass knuckles. One stated they had a collection at their home. While I'm asking this bill be approved, because it's the right thing to do, and mere possession of a prohibited weapon such as brass knuckles should not be considered a felony, I am also
asking for a good vote in order to provide protection to the three senators who are currently in possession. Thank you. Members, you've
heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone
wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill, not the question for the House passage of Senate Bill 61. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
37:23
Everyone voted? Everyone voted? Cast up the ballot by a vote of 94 yea, 0 nays, 0 present. You have passed the bill. Mr.
Clerk, read Senate Bill 68. Bill 68 by Senator Jeffress, an act to specify conditions for calculating service
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
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37:46
credits under a contract buyout agreement. Representative Carnine, you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a bill that was sponsored by the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.
It suggests that when an individual's contract has been bought out, we've had a situation where people come into our state, their contracts are bought out after one or two years, they They still have three years on their contract, and what this simply does is indicate they cannot continue to receive Teacher Retirement Service credit for the period of time they still are owed potentially monies under the contract. So it's a fairly simple bill. It restricts those people from receiving the credit unless they are on site and working.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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38:32
I appreciate a good vote. Members have heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill for the bill? If not, the question for the House passes with Senate Bill 68. Prepare the machine,
Mr. Clerk. Members are voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Everyone voted? Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by
a vote of 95 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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39:02
You pass the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Clerk reads Senate Bill 364. 84, excuse me. Senate Bill
384 by Senator Fletcher, an act to rename Washtenaw Technical College to College of the Washtenaw's. Representative Mock,
you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Reginald Murdock
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39:24
Speaker. This bill is short and to the point. It really changes the name of Wachita Technical College to the College of the Wachitals.
This is done at the request of the college. Give it a brief history. It used to be a Votec Technical College, and they now take college credit, and that's why they want the name changed to reflect this session. I'd appreciate a good vote if there's any questions.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
39:47
Thank you. Members, heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill? Not the question for the House. Passive Senate Bill 384. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. everyone voted
Speaker 55
40:04
everyone voted, cast up the ballot by a vote of
96 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present you have passed the bill, Mr. Clark read Senate Bill
138 Senate Bill 138 by Senator Key and all to establish the Positive Youth Development
Speaker 79
40:23
Grant Program Act Representative Pierce Is anyone here to present the Senate bill? Move it
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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40:31
to the bottom of the calendar here, Mr. Clerk.
Read Senate Bill 291. Senate Bill 291 by
Senator Bledsoe, an act to allow the donation of certain items, including bicycles, seized and forfeited by law enforcement
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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40:54
agencies. representative rice you are recognized to explain the bill thank you mr.
Representative Terry Rice
Unverified
41:02
speaker and members uh... center bledsoe asset i carry this it's uh... just what it says it will allow
uh... law enforcement on seized uh... property like that to donate that were now has to be uh... taken to auction sometimes might not bring that much this past in the senate thirty-five to nothing and no opposition from an extremely competent house judiciary bicycles and the items of course we know now sold for not much can do good as donated to the
these non-profits and hopefully i won't be accused of peddling somebody else's bill But I would appreciate a good vote. Members, you heard an explanation
of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill,
not the question for the House. Passage of Senate Bill 291. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
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42:09
Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by a vote of 96 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present. You have passed the bill. mr clark read senate
Chair
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42:21
bill 262 senate bill 262 by senator thompson to provide subpoena power to
Speaker 76
42:27
the attorney general in criminal matters representative steele are recognized to present
Representative Tracy Steele
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42:39
the bill thank you mr speaker
this is part of the attorney general's package It's a bill, this is already in practice. It basically just gives the Attorney General the right to subpoena certain records in criminal matters. It's part of his cyber crimes unit. As I mentioned, it's already in practice. We're doing this now to provide some statutory cover
Representative Nate Steel
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42:59
in case there's any question down the road. I'll be happy to take
Speaker 131
43:07
any questions. Representative Stewart, would you have a purpose? Question, please. Recognized.
Speaker 134
43:11
Representative Steele, is this your first bill to run? alone yes yes that's
what i thought thank you and i appreciate your vote uh... members very nice nice little anyone wishing to speak against
the bill for the bill not question for the houses passage senate bill two sixty two per machine mr clark everyone voted
everyone voted cast up the ballot by a vote of ninety-one yea, zero nay, zero present you have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk read senate bill 359 senate bill 359
Chair
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43:58
by senator johnson and all an act to provide for certain water systems to maintain a level of fluoride to prevent tooth decay
Representative Tyler, you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
44:15
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is my second term, and it is not often that we get an opportunity to affect positively 148,738 children in our state. And that is what we're thinking about today. About a year ago, there was a study published that evaluated the states on the quality of dental hygiene of children.
Arkansas fell in the bottom tier of states, and we received an F grade on the quality of children's dental hygiene. One of the central focuses of the report was the size of populations to which the state provided fluoride. Sixty percent of Arkansas's population receives fluoridated water today, but that falls far short of the national average.
We are near the bottom, actually we are number 35.
Fluoride does occur naturally in water. My mama grew up in Amarillo, Texas. Amarillo, Texas has a lot of fluoride in their water naturally. We've heard
a lot of things about fluoride over the last few days. I happen to think my mama had one of the highest IQs of anybody I knew, and she wasn't sterile because she had five children. Some water sources today are adequately fluoridated naturally, but we have many systems in our
state that are not. That's why it is so important that we fluoridate our water. It strengthens
the enamel on the teeth. And with stronger enamel, we have an easier time fighting off tooth
decay, including cavities. have shown that with adequate levels of fluoride in your water, tooth decay in children is improved by 60%. 60%. That's not a small number. And if you have ever had a toothache, think
about those 148,000 children. Senate Bill 359 addresses this problem. It provides that Each water system that serves 5,000 or more people fluoridate its water to the standards set by the Board of Health. Under this bill, no water system will have to pay for the equipment that must be purchased. That's where the big dollars come in. That's one of the reasons I think we as a state haven't done this in the past.
But we have been fortunate that Delta Dental Foundation has stepped up and pledged whatever it takes to fund those capital costs. In addition, I want you to think about the health savings to Arkansans. Those savings to children alone are estimated to be over $3 million. That's savings for Arkansans who pay for dental care out of their pocket, savings to dental
care insurance companies, and savings to Medicaid, and that is our state and federal budget for Medicaid. We have talked a lot in this session about saving money. This gives us an opportunity to do just that. the Arkansas State Dental Association strongly supports the bill the Arkansas Surgeon General strongly supports the bill and you know what, the public right here in Arkansas strongly supports the bill
there was a poll done recently, I believe in January by a reputable polling firm that says that 67% of the respondents said that they supported or strongly supported a measure that the legislature might undertake to have fluoride in our water systems.
Senate Bill 359 presents a tremendous opportunity to us.
It presents an opportunity for us to do the right thing by the people that we represent. We are charged with several responsibilities as legislators, but two of the most important ones that I think of is the public health of our state and the people who live in our state and the money that we spend in our state government. This bill offers us a chance to step up to both of those calls. I recognize and I understand the local control concern many of you and your constituents have expressed.
I support local control, especially where there are unique local control issues. Tooth decay and its subsequent costs are not a local control issue. issue. I implore you to think about 148,738 children who we may prevent from having a toothache. And with that, I'd ask you
for a good vote, and I'd be willing to take questions.
Speaker 74
50:04
Representative Kerr, what purpose? You're recognized. Guys, Representative
Speaker 138
50:10
Tyler, I grew up in a vicinity, in a town that had fluoridated water. Didn't know until I
Representative Allen Kerr
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50:21
was older that there was any place that didn't. But that being said, could the municipalities that this is targeted, could they not fluoridate their water if they wished without the intervention of the state?
I hear that Delta Dental is going to give them, going to put money on the table to help these areas do this. Could they not go to Delta Dental directly and help them, the ones that
Representative Linda S. Tyler
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50:53
wanted it, help them fluoridate their water? Representative Kerr, I'll do my best to answer that question. We have a number of municipalities today, mine included, and probably yours included, that made a decision to fluoridate their water. And I do believe that Delta Dental would assist other municipalities in doing just that.
But it's not a local control issue. It's a tooth decay issue that impacts our entire state, and it is a cost to our state that I believe surpasses the local control issue. Okay, but to answer
Representative Allen Kerr
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51:32
my question, though, they could go to them if they wanted to. So, in other words, obviously these cities are choosing not to do the fluoridated water. And is the state going to finance any of this?
Representative Linda S. Tyler
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51:44
Is there any cost to the state? Let me answer the first question first. Yes, the municipalities could choose to do that. to do that. They haven't had this opportunity in the past. Often times the barrier to entry if you will to fluoridating your city water system has been the equipment costs that are required to do that. We now through Delta Dental's generosity in this bill have the opportunity to alleviate that. The second question, remind me what that was.
Representative Linda S. Tyler
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52:20
any way shape or form? It is not a cost
Representative Linda S. Tyler
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52:27
or form. No. At any given time, now or in the future? Not
Representative Allen Kerr
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52:31
for the equipment cost at any given time, now or in the future. No. Is there going to be a cost to the municipalities after Delta Dental gets them started? Are they charged with continuing the cost
Representative Linda S. Tyler
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52:43
of, obviously, the chemical costs something? Yes, sir. The municipalities or the water systems would be incurring the cost to the chemical.
And in today's paper, it was reported that it's $0.50 per person per month, but that is incorrect. It is a maximum of $0.50 per person per year, and that amount depends on how much naturally occurring fluoride each of those systems has in their own water. So it may be that if they, and there are places in this state where we have naturally occurring fluoride, And it may be that they will not have to put as much chemical to reach the maximum level of 0.07 parts per million.
Speaker 155
53:24
Okay, so that brings up another question. Do your
Representative Allen Kerr
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53:27
figures of the number of people this would be that are missing fluoride, are you counting into that calculation the areas that have the naturally occurring fluoride? No,
Representative Linda S. Tyler
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53:37
sir, I don't believe we are because I don't think we've gone through a process of assessing each one of those systems. We may have, and I'm just not aware of it, but I'm not aware that we have an area in our state today that has a water system that is at the optimal level,
which the Department of Health and nationally and our Department of Health adheres to those regulations, says it's .07 parts per million. Okay. Thank you, Representative. Representative
Meigs, what purpose? Question, please. Recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ms.
Representative Stephen Meeks
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54:11
Tyler, we've all been inundated with fluoride emails over the last couple weeks, and I'm just wondering if you'll address one of the concerns or two that have been raised. The first one is that fluoride is not good for infants, and if we mandate fluoride being put in the water,
what's that going to do to the parents of these infants? And secondly, we've heard several cases of children that are actually allergic to fluoride, And by forcing this on municipalities, we're going to be creating a potential health risk for these children. And I'm just wondering if you would address those two for me, please. Representative Meeks,
Representative Linda S. Tyler
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54:47
I'll do the best job possible. I'm not a scientist either. I'm not an insurance agent, and I'm not a scientist. But we've all gotten a lot of email.
Some of them have been from our state. A couple of them have been from my own district and probably yours, and I do know that there's some concerns about fluoride. The study I have read from the Center for Disease Control and the information we've been provided by the Department of Health has said their science tells them it is not unhealthy for infants. We all have varying health conditions for which we must take our own action for, and
I think from time to time we have to weigh the import, improving the dental health of 148,000 children, and I would believe that that is important for us to do. Representative Hobbs, what purpose?
Representative Donna Hutchinson
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55:59
Question please. You recognize? Representative Tyler,
Representative Debra M. Hobbs
Unverified
56:02
in the testimony you heard in your committee, how many municipalities will this affect?
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
56:07
This will affect 32 water systems. And I
Representative Debra M. Hobbs
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56:12
know Representative Kurt asked a question about cost, and you gave the information in per person. But did they happen to mention, and I know I understand about the differences in the amount of fluoride naturally occurring in the water, but did they give an average cost cost per year just to add fluoride into the water? Let's see. It is $0.50
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
56:40
per person per year is the maximum amount that's in that water system. But you didn't
Representative Debra M. Hobbs
Unverified
56:48
get a total cost? I did not. Okay, our area does have water or fluoride in our water and The person that's involved with that mentioned the cost of transporting the fluoride and so forth. I don't know if you have that information or not. Also, again, our area has fluoride, yet my child had cavities.
Did they give any information as to why that would happen even though the water is fluoridated? I think
Representative Linda S. Tyler
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57:17
there are a lot of reasons a person has a cavity. I'm not a dentist either. My gosh, there's a lot of things I'm not. But they did, in the studies that I did look at, it didn't reduce all the cavities, but it reduced three out of four of the cavities that the children
would have. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Viviano, what purpose? Question. Recognized.
Representative Mark Biviano
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57:41
Representative Tyler, did I understand you earlier that you said that there will be an equipment cost to implement these in some of the municipalities? Yes,
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
57:52
sir. And that equipment cost, the cost for that would be borne by Delta Dental.
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
57:58
Has Delta Dental made any direct contacts, back to Mr. Representative Keurge, of offering that individually to the ones that are currently not covered? Sir, I'm not aware of that.
Thank you. I appreciate a good vote. Thank you very much. Members have heard an explanation
of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? Representative David Meeks, you are recognized to come and
Speaker 172
58:41
speak against the bill. You're recognized, Representative Meeks.
Speaker 174
58:43
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. i believe that this is a bill that we need to look for local control i disagree with a representative tyler on that i think we
Speaker 50
58:55
need to roger excuse me what what purpose order
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
59:00
what's your point i think our house rules state that no electronic devices are allowed in committee or on the house floor that is
that is correct okay i will thank you for the point of order if If you'll remove that from the roster, Representative Meeks.
Speaker 173
59:17
Sorry, I just had my nose. I'll make sure
Speaker 174
59:22
next time I write down a piece of paper. You're recognized to proceed. Okay. I do believe that this is a point of local control. While Representative Tyler did submit a poll, apparently, that was taken by a reputable dealer, we do know that Eureka Springs has twice voted against fluoridating their water. We also know that CDC just recently has recommended lowering the dosage of fluoride because it has been found to have some negative effects on our children.
One thing is dental fluorosis, which can cause spotting or can cause other marks on the tooth. We also know that the EPA has recommended that infants, up to six months, that they not mix fluoridated water in with their baby's milk because of the negative effects on the baby as well. So I'm asking all of you to think about those types of things that, yes, it is for the children.
And I believe that the studies have shown that the more we know about fluoride, the more we realize that it will have negative effects on our children. And I believe that the local communities should have control over whether or not that they want fluoride in their water. Thank you. Representative Meeks has spoken against
the bill. Anyone wishing to speak for the bill? Representative Gaskell, you are recognized to come and speak for the bill.
Representative Billy W. Gaskill
Unverified
1:00:53
Thank you, Mr. Chair. This stuff has been here 50 years. This is all a lot of baloney. You know, whenever you're thinking about fluoride in water, I wonder how many of you check the iodine in
Speaker 182
1:01:12
your salt. Don't forget that's added, too. So take these
things into consideration. Representative Gaskell has spoken for the bill. One wishing to speak against the bill. Representative Altus, you are recognized to come to the well and speak against the bill.
Representative Denny Altes
Unverified
1:01:34
You're recognized, Representative Altus. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I represent Fort Smith, Arkansas, and we have a lot of cities that surround Fort Smith in the Oklahoma area that we supply water to. Thank you. And I was going to ask Representative Tyler a question about that. I've heard that there are exemptions for Texarkana and Hot Springs, and I would think we would need an exemption also because it seemed like to me that would open us up to
a lawsuit if we were putting something that they thought might be poison in their water that we were selling them. Anyway, it's a question that you might answer as you close for your bill. Representative Alta has
spoken against the bill. I want to wish him to speak for the bill. Representative Ingram, you are recognized to come to Well and speak for the bill. Thank you,
Representative Keith M. Ingram
Unverified
1:02:33
Mr. Speaker. I appreciate it, colleagues, members of the House.
Like you say, we've received a lot of email. I got one in French, and I'm pretty sure he's not from Crittenden County. You know, when we've got these tough decisions that face us, I go to people that I trust. I go to the folks that I feel like have the background, the information, and this one I went to dentists, dentists, local dentists, and you know, there has to be a level of trust you have with dentists because, you know, you don't let a lot of people fool around
with your mouth that you don't have a great deal of trust in like Doc Gaskell. And to a person, the dentists that I talked to in my district all said, this is the best thing that we could do. They had two dentists that I did not, I wasn't going to refer to them as old, but in 1962, the city of West Memphis fluoridated their water system. And those dentists have been there over this great period of time,
and they described to me what a dramatic difference it made in what they were treating in the early 60s and the early 70s as to what they are dealing with today. And to a person, they said, you know, if we had a self-interest in this, we'd tell you not to do it because it costs us business, because there are fewer cavities. It is good for the children. In fact, you've heard a little bit, too, shared with me that the dropping to 0.75 on the fluoride
is a direct result of better tooth care in things such as brushing your teeth. So these things have impacted children and families across this state. I would ask you
to vote for this bill. Representative Ingram has
spoken for the bill. Representative Jean, you are recognized to come and speak against the bill.
Representative Lane Jean
Unverified
1:04:55
You are recognized, Representative Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I
Speaker 191
1:05:02
want to say that me and Mr. Ingram have been mayors, and we have a little different view on this. And I do applaud the people that are trying to do this. They think they're doing what's right for the public health, but there are other sides to this issue. Being a mayor and running a water system, and I have a water treatment man that's worked for 30 years
that sent me to please vote against this bill. It is an unfunded mandate. There is ongoing cost. We're putting a mandate on cities of about 32, Hot Springs, Texarkana, Magnolia, and I represent two of those areas, Texarkana and Magnolia. There's arguments on both sides whether it helps or not. Your eating habits, whether you brush your teeth or your floss, are going to have a lot more effect on your teeth than putting fluoride in the water.
Let's just be honest. We're a poor state. A lot of people don't take good dental care here. Our treatment plant several years ago did a survey in my town. We have about 10,000 customers. And they asked the people, did they want fluoride in their water? And the result was no, they sent back. So my people in my city don't want this. But us, as legislators, when we say we're for home rule, that we're for cities and for
county governments, make no mistake. When you vote for this, you're voting against home rule. And this is an unfunded mandate. I appreciate you all voting against this
bill. Representative Gene has spoken against the bill. Representative Hall, you are recognized.
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
1:07:00
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of this body, in my third term here, I have only come to the well to speak against
one bill. And I'm here today to speak for this bill because as a mayor of a town in East Arkansas who did not have fluoride in their water, 12 years ago we had the Arkansas National Guard dental unit in my community to try to help the dental needs of those who have not had the opportunity to go to a dentist. The colonels and the commanders of that unit spent 10 days in my community trying to help
my children. And the summary was, they were shocked that in Arkansas we had children in this state who had such a dental problem and his question was, why do you not have fluoride in your water? It shocked me when I had to go and listen to what they were telling me, the summary of their 10 days. But I will say this, we put fluoride in our water that year. The city
Council listen and did the right thing today our dentists are telling us our children are better off their teeth are healthier our school people are telling us that they're in the school they're not missing school is often because of dental problems members of this body this is good this does not cost much I was a mayor for the rest of my term down there the cost of putting fluoride in the water is insignificant. With the grant of putting equipment in, the cost is just
insignificant. It's pennies. It's pennies. And what we're getting out of this, ladies and gentlemen, we're getting children who can go to school. We have children who have bright teeth. We have children who really are making a difference now. They're helping us. They're doing better in school. And Representative Walker knows where I live, so he knows what I'm referring to. We have a chance here today to help every child in the state of Arkansas. Every child. My gracious people. It's very seldom that I've sat down here in my three terms that we
had an opportunity to really help the state of Arkansas. And I implore you to please vote for this bill. Thank you. Representative
Hall has spoken for the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill.
Representative Mock, you are recognized to come and speak against the bill. Thank
Representative Reginald Murdock
Unverified
1:09:48
you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not up here to discuss or debate the pros and cons pertaining
to fluoride. Both sides have legitimate arguments, and I respect their positions on this highly contested topic and because everybody's been up here to the well today what I'm here to discuss and defend is very one reason for this country's existence which is narrowed down to one word liberty liberty is defined as a condition of being not subject to restriction or control the right to act in a manner of one's own choosing the state of not being in confinement or servitude please
allow me to quote to you on our duties as legislators concerning the precious word liberty and i'll start with one of three cornerstones of american liberty the declaration of independence i won't read you the whole uh declaration i will narrow it down to that they're endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life liberty and pursuit of happiness in those words we get our liberties from god not the government that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed.
These people do not want fluoride for not giving their consent on these people. I'll also defer to our Constitution in the preamble. We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty. Blessings is a gift. Our liberty is a gift from God, not government.
And to our posterity, to ordain and establish this Constitution in the United States of America and our Arkansas Constitution, a preamble to that. We, the people of the state of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government, for our civil and religious liberty. Again, this word liberty shows up in our state's constitution. And desiring to perpetuate its blessings. Again, blessings is a gift. Our liberty is a gift from God. And secure the name to ourselves in posterity to ordain and establish this constitution.
When government mandates a certain action on a people who have previously manifested their intentions, they are deprived of their liberty. such as Parliament imposing a tax on tea or a state government mandating what kind of water to drink. It is very inconsistent to me when we give motorcyclists the freedom to choose on wearing a helmet but not allowing the people to decide on what type of water to drink. This is a local matter and should remain a local matter. The more government you get, the less liberty you have. This is precisely why I'm voting no on SB 359.
Thank you. Representative Malkin has spoken against the bill. Representative Woods, speak for the bill. For the bill.
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You're recognized to come and speak for the bill.
Representative Jon Woods
Unverified
1:13:03
You're recognized, Representative Woods. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you,
colleagues. I wanted to mention a few things. In 2007, when I first got elected, the one thing I wanted the most when I got elected
was to be on the Public Health Committee, and that was impossible due to my seniority being number 80. But I was able to peep my head in, and the fluoride, that was the last time the fluoride issue had came up, and I just remember the committee room being packed, and I couldn't even get inside to hear it. 2009 was not addressed. I was able to get on the committee. I wanted to hear both sides, didn't get to do that. So this session, finally my third term, I was able to hear both sides. and it's something when a 10 year old
when you hear the stories about a 10 year old and you actually meet some of these kids who've never even seen a toothbrush that kind of hits home it's unfortunate and I know that we as lawmakers we have a lot of responsibility put on us if you're against this bill I understand that and I respect that but I'm going to tell you a story And I want those that are undecided and haven't made up their mind yet to listen. Please, I'm asking you to just hear me out.
What sold me the most on this bill is a story that Senator Rapert, if you know who Jason Rapert is, he's a newly elected state senator, probably one of the most conservative state senators we have. And he told me a story a while back, and he told it in committee the other day, that he lived within close to the city limits of Conway. And he has two children, beautiful teeth and beautiful health, great health. And he moves out into the county.
And within months, his kids' teeth start to deteriorate, start to have problems, major oral issues with their teeth. And he couldn't figure it out. And he took them in to several dentists, and every one of them said, buy some water with fluoride and have them gargle it every night. And within three months, Senator Rayford's children's teeth rapidly improved. I've gotten, my phone was dead by three o'clock yesterday with all the emails and, or with all the phone calls and my phone vibrating all day from everybody across the state asking me to vote against it.
But I think that this is the right thing to do. Voting against this doesn't make you a conservative. There's so many bills that we have every session that come up here that you can argue make you conservative or don't make you conservative. This is the right thing to do for Arkansans. 60% of the water systems already, the water systems that have four dried already cover 60% of the population. This will only bump it up to about 80%. So I'd appreciate you to really consider those that aren't as fortunate. This is helping those that need help.
We're talking about cost savings for the state, unproportionate amounts of money down the road in oral health. Thank you for your time.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Wood has spoken for the bill. Anyone wish to speak against the bill? For the bill. Representative Stewart, what purpose? What's your motion? Immediate consideration. Proper motion, non-debatable. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Ayes have it.
Prepare the machine. Mr. Clerk, question for the House is passage of Senate Bill 359. Everybody, everyone voted? Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk, by a vote of 56 yea, 35 nay, 2 present. you have passed the bill representative tyler moves to the clincher all in favor say aye
opposed no clincher adopted mr clerk read
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senate bill 63. senate bill 63 by senator hutchinson to expand options
for distribution of members teachers deferred retirement option plan in the arkansas teacher retirement system to include reciprocal service when calculating plan
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
1:17:26
deposits Representative Carnine, you are recognized to present the bill.
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
Unverified
1:17:31
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The next two bills that I'm going to sponsor here in the House are both extremely positive and one that all of us can feel good about. Senator Hutchison's bill does, in fact, allow the options. However, it does create a positive from the standpoint that the actuarial analysis means that we will have savings. And all of our retirement systems, obviously because of the pension issues,
need those kinds of fine-tuning. I appreciate a good vote. Members,
heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the
Speaker 55
1:18:13
bill, not the question for the House, pass you House Bill 63, prepare the machine. Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by a vote of
92 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read Senate Bill 170.
Senate Bill 170 by Senator Key to provide cadets the ability to purchase service credit under the Arkansas Local Police
and Fire Retirement System. Representative Carnine, you are recognized to
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
Unverified
1:18:52
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This, again, is a very small change that allows us cadets who are in the program to purchase service at cost. It's probably not going to affect more than four or five individuals, but it is a positive bill for
Speaker 115
1:19:08
the communities hiring these individuals. Appreciate a good vote.
Members have heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill? If not, the question before the House passes Senate Bill 170. Prepare the
Speaker 47
1:19:31
machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone
voted. Cast up the ballot by a vote of 91 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present. You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read Senate Bill 138.
Chair
Unverified
1:19:45
Senate Bill 138 by Senator Key to establish the Positive Youth Development Grant Program Act. Representative Pierce, you
are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
Unverified
1:19:59
This bill is a simple bill in a way because it does what we're all asking for. We're asking for our kids to be protected after school. We're asking for our kids to be learning their lessons and staying out of trouble. Because if you look at the reports, most kids, after they get out of school,
the time they get in trouble is not after midnight or 11 o'clock like your mama used to tell you. It's between 3.30 and 5.30, and that's what this little old bill does. It helps us. It's a grant. There's no, as you can see, the financial statement on it is no impact to the state. We're going to get our money from the grants and from big business. You know, after school kids is where we make up the difference in it. If we can do this and keep five dropouts from happening in the state of Arkansas,
we can save a lot of kids and save a lot of money. It's a positive program. We copied this out of a very great thing from the Boys and Girls Club. They do a great job, but a lot of us in the small communities, we don't have Boys and Girls Club, So we have to depend on the schools and some others for our after-school program. So that's what this bill is, and I'd appreciate a good vote on it. Members, have heard
an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill? Not the question for the House.
Passage of Senate Bill 138. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Speaker 47
1:21:30
Everyone voted. Has everyone voted? Cast
up the ballot by a vote of 89, yay, 2, nay, 0, present. You have passed the bill.
Members, we'll go to the budget calendar.
Representative Webb, we're not going to batch any of the bills
Representative Kathy Webb
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1:22:00
today. Is that correct? That is correct, Mr. Speaker. It's just such a short calendar. I thought it would be
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
1:22:06
good to take them separately. Mr. Clark-Reed, Senate Bill 29. Senate
Chair
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1:22:10
Bill 29 by Joint Budget Committee and Act for the State Board of Optometry Appropriation for the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year. Representative Webb,
you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you,
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
1:22:20
Mr. Speaker. This is for the Board of Optometry. It's a cash agency. It's an increase of $4,000.
I'd be happy to answer any questions. Members, we've heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill or the bill? If not, the question for the House passes with Senate Bill 29. Prepare the
Speaker 55
1:22:50
machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted? Everyone voted. You're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Cast
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
1:22:56
up the ballot by a vote of 84 yea.
6 nay, 0 present. You've passed the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Clerk read Senate Bill 70. Senate Bill
70 by Joint Budget Committee, an act
Chair
Unverified
1:23:12
to make an appropriation of personnel services and operating expenses for the Arkansas Ethics Commission for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2012. Representative Webb, you're
Representative Kathy Webb
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1:23:21
recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a bill for the Arkansas Ethics Commission, which oversees county, state, school board
elections, municipal elections. They oversee candidate committees, PACs, lobbyists. It does have an increase in general revenue of $22,000 for the appropriation. Members, you heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone
wish to speak against the bill? Well, Representative Burris, you are recognized to come and speak against the bill.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to give a little context. Everybody knows this is one of the bills we voted on yesterday, had a lot of conversations overnight and then today as far as what the budgeting process is going to look like as as we continue to move down this appropriation process. I just wanted to say a few things, and this is a debate that isn't old and it's going to continue. I think there's a broad concern among members of the House of increases in general revenue appropriations, and I think the votes yesterday were reflective of that, and maybe some of
the votes today will be too. I realize some of them are small.
I realize some of them are – Representative Burris,
I'm going to ask that you speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill, for instance, is small and probably may seem like a small increase. The question becomes as the legislature, once we refer out or approve and give the authority to spend, at that point our ability to have a say in that is somewhat minimized.
We send the authority away and we get the budget sent back to us that we want to get sent back based on the authority we gave. appropriations and this appropriation included is small I realize that the increase is small it is general revenue but as we continue to go down this path of approving appropriations for budgets the thing we're going to have to continually ask ourselves if we continue to pass appropriations that have all be them small and incremental increases when we vote on revenue stabilization at the end we are going to have to make a vote that on its current path will be a
2.5 increase in state spending which is about 110 million dollars approving all these appropriations including this one will have that affected at that point we'll either have a choice to vote yes or no and so if you want to have an effect on the budget the appropriation process is the time to do it just wanted to add a little context to that and and say that this is an increase uh in general revenue appropriation for this commission and so i'm voting no thank you representative burris has
spoken against the Anyone wishing to speak for the bill? Against the bill? Representative Webb,
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
1:26:18
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Representative Burris mentioned, as I mentioned, it is a slight increase in appropriation. The Senate debated this bill, passed it out to us to deal with.
I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Webb has closed the bill.
Question for the House, passing Senate Bill 70. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause.
Everyone voted? Everyone voted? Cast up the ballot by a vote of 67, yay, 21, nay, 0, present. you have failed to pass the bill. Mr. Clark reads Senate Bill 72. Senate Bill 72 by Joint
Budget Committee and Act for the Department of Parks and Tourism, Arkansas History Commission Appropriation for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Representative Webb, you are
recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Kathy Webb
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1:27:19
This is also a bill that we had on the calendar yesterday
for the Arkansas History Commission. And I
want to make one clarification in terms of the rent. when i went back and and talked with aba uh they did not move into big mac they've been in big mac for a number of years but this was the first time they've had an opportunity to expand their space and the reason they asked for the space expansion was to have a better public area for citizens to come in and utilize the historical records that we
have for our state so i wanted to just make
sure that folks have that piece of information thank
you members heard an explanation of the bill anyone wishing to speak against the bill for the bill representative link you are recognized to come and speak for the bill
Representative Kelley Linck
Unverified
1:28:15
thank you mr speaker um in no way speaking against what representative burris came down here and talked about as far as increases appropriations the reason I came down here in this particular bill is I voted no on this yesterday and I took the
time this morning to go over and talk to the folks in the in the in the commission history commission to learn about why they would be increasing the rent by $36,000 and I think Representative Webb has already described it pretty good but I did want to let you know that I voted no on this yesterday I went and looked at the facilities the reasons for their expanding and moving into a larger facility and the protection and the work that they're doing in archiving everything to do with our state of arkansas again i'm not speaking against the general idea because i certainly am against inappropriate increases inappropriate spending
but for my behalf i wanted to go over and look and i wanted to give that word to you that i don't think this is inappropriate increase as far as their as far as the expanding of their rent
goes thank you lindsay blenck has spoken for the bill anyone wishes speak against the bill for the bill representing web you close the bill question for the house passage of senate bill 72 prepare the machine mr clerk voting on the bill and the emergency clause
everyone voted has everyone voted cast up the ballot by a vote of 69 yay 19 nays President, you have failed the bill. Mr. Clark, read Senate Bill 83. Senate Bill 83 by Joint Budget Committee and Act for
the Arkansas Geographic Information Office appropriation for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Representative Webb, you are recognized to explain the
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and this is
Representative Kathy Webb
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1:30:08
a bill we did not have yesterday, and this is a bill for the Arkansas Geographic Information Office.
There is an increase of $25,000 in general revenue. This agency is funded from a variety of sources, from general revenue, from federal and from trust funds. They work with your counties. They work with your county judges. They work with your county assessors. They
work with your mayors. And there is, I believe I already said that there is one new position. Thank you. Members, heard an
explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill, for the bill?
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
1:30:44
the question for the house passes senate bill 83 prepare the machine mr clerk
voting on the bill and the emergency clause everyone voted everyone
voted cast up the ballot by a vote of 64 yay 22 nay one present you have failed to pass the bill mr clerk reads senate bill 114
Senate Bill 114 by Joint Budget Committee and Act for the State Crime Laboratory Appropriation for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
Representative Webb, you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
1:31:26
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is
a bill that you're probably familiar with. It's a bill we had yesterday. As I mentioned, there is an increase in general revenue. There are no new positions. This state crime lab also works with law enforcement agencies all over the state. Last year, they had over 30,000 case submissions, 30,000 case submissions. That's actually in the year 2009. They spent 2,000 hours going to courts in your local districts, and they go through a rigorous certification process.
This is a national certification process. We first were accredited in 2004. four, every year we go through an internal audit, and every five years we go through an external audit. This certification is critically important to the law enforcement folks in our states, to everybody who's associated with criminal justice. I would appreciate a good vote.
Members, heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill?
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purpose, Representative Garner? I had
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1:32:38
a question. Representative Webb, you want to take a
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
1:32:44
question? You're recognized, Representative Garner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Webb, we recently considered a bill in state agencies that would, and passed out, would increase the amount of money that the state crime lab would charge for its professional testimony
so that it would be competitive with private firms that would do the same thing for autopsies, et cetera. Do you know, does this appropriation include amounts that would accommodate that increase? How much of an increase in general revenue appropriations are here, and to what extent is this increase accommodating the increased fees, level playing field, if you will, for
Representative Kathy Webb
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1:33:42
the state crime lab to perform its court duties? Representative Garner, there's a total increase in $143,000 in general revenue. As to the specific points to which you refer, I would need to refer to somebody
Representative Ed Garner
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1:33:59
in the agency. Do we know if any of that was – this bill was drafted during budget markup, and the amount that you're quoting, that was arrived at during budget markup? That's correct.
So there would be no way that the legislation that we worked on just recently potentially increases in their testimony would be included in this general revenue markup increase. That would
Representative Kathy Webb
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1:34:27
seem likely. Yes, sir. Thank
you. Representative Kerr, what purpose? Question, Mr. Speaker. You
Representative Allen Kerr
Unverified
1:34:35
recognize. Representative Webb, is this the agency that processes information which we find on death certificates? That's
Speaker 143
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a good question, Representative Kerr.
Representative Allen Kerr
Unverified
1:34:53
Okay. I believe it is, and if that being the case, I'd like to speak for the bill, Mr. Speaker. Let's
see, I don't know whether we've got anyone wishing to speak against the bill. You've heard the explanation, anyone
wishing to speak against the bill? Representative Kerr, you're recognized to come and speak for the bill.
Representative Allen Kerr
Unverified
1:35:23
This is one of those agency's
members that, for all practical purposes, is constantly underfunded. They're doing a lot of work without the adequate equipment they need in most cases. but they're constantly backlogged, and it's extremely hard for our law enforcement officers to process and solve crimes without proper information to do so.
And the longer it takes to process this information, the more stale that information becomes, and as a result, not very useful. again i am not for growing government but in my opinion this particular agency is not a government growth but something that we should properly fund to make sure that they do their jobs and that our law
Speaker 227
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enforcement officers are able to do theirs i'd really appreciate a good vote
speaker representative kerr has spoken for the bill anyone wish to speak against the bill. For the bill, Representative Wilkins, you are recognized to come and speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Butch Wilkins
Unverified
1:36:52
Speaker. Members, I'm very proud of what Alan Kerr just said because
he hit many of the truisms about the Arkansas State Crime Lab. I've been associated with it and and for over 40 years and and it has always been underfunded they do excellent work the work they do is vital to everyone in this room which finals in every city ever citizen ever child they are they are backlogged tremendously constantly and they do the best they can with what they got it
It would be a shame for us to deny them this little bit of increase in funding while we depend on them so much. And if you asked any law enforcement officer that has any experience, he will tell you the same thing I'm telling you. The crime lab is vital to Arkansas, period. Representative Wilkins has spoken for the bill.
Anyone wish to speak against the bill? So, Representative Garner, you are recognized to come and speak against the bill.
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
1:38:07
You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have pending legislation to increase fees for testimony and autopsy fees. It's in criminal cases. This is not included in this appropriation. testimony in state agencies the head of the crime lab said that they were well fun they were adequately funded they were paid at a comparative level with other states for what they did and they were doing their job at a pace and I
just I know that this is something that we all care about I care about but there was not there was not the everyone wants more money I mean we're gonna see that and this this agency is no exception but there was no testimony in state agencies that I heard to a deficit that would require an increase
in this appropriation thank you representative Garner has spoken against the bill representative Steele you're recognized come and speak for the bill
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
1:39:17
thank you mr. speaker I just want to touch on what represented web said as a former prosecutor, I can tell you that Crime Lab is invaluable to law enforcement. And I wanted to put this in a little bit of context, that we've seen our incarceration costs go almost double over the past 10 years, and that's the purpose of the new prison reform package that we're about to see. It doesn't surprise me the least bit that as our incarceration costs soared, as our crime rates soared, we also see growth in the crime laboratory. It It doesn't surprise me a bit.
I don't think we ought to fund it properly. Appreciate a good vote. Representative Steele has spoken for
the bill. Anyone wish to speak against the bill? For the bill, Representative Powers, you're recognized
Representative David "Bubba" Powers
Unverified
1:40:05
for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And
let me give you a real story. Last Friday when I went home, my wife asked me, have you heard about Ms. Jordan? I'm not making this up. But this is not some anecdote that I pulled from the back of my mind.
Have you heard about Ms. Jordan? Ms. Jordan is an 87-year-old lady. Ms. Jordan almost had the life beat out of her a few days before as she walked in her back door. Now, her daughter, who is a friend of mine, obviously is upset, and she doesn't have much to hang on to other than the fact that her mother is alive. They talked with the detectives. Six weeks, the detectives say, we have some good fingerprints, maybe we can get a hit at the crime lab.
Six weeks. That's the backup that's been referred to many times today. Now, thankfully, I made a call to the crime lab yesterday, and we're probably going to be able to expedite that. Because the crime lab has such a backlog of cases, and I might mention, Representative Garner, I meant to ask this question. If we're going to pay for this expert testimony, who's going to pay for it? Our counties and our cities.
So we're just passing it off to them. The crime lab is overworked. They are underfed. They need the money to run this program. As Representative Webb has said earlier, it's a model program. There's only one of them, and that's why we have the delay. The crime lab needs to be funded, and I ask that you vote for this bill. Representative
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Powers, spoken for the bill. Anyone wishing
to speak against the bill? For the bill, Representative Linderman, you are recognized to come and speak for the bill.
Representative Homer Lenderman
Unverified
1:42:05
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I ran, one thing that I told my people I would do is I would support our police and fire. We cannot expect these people to go put their life on the line for us if we do not fund them and give them the tools that they need to prosecute the criminals that are preying upon our citizens. I think this bill addresses that issue. I think it's something that behooves us to fund, and I would appreciate your support of this bill.
Representative Linderman, spoken for the bill. Representative Cowling, what purpose? Motion. What's your motion? Minute consideration, please. Proper motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Ayes have it. The question for the House is passage of Senate Bill 114. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause.
Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by a vote of 79 yea, 10 nay, to President, you have passed the bill
Speaker 76
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and the emergency clause. Representative Allen, you are recognized for a motion. After
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
1:43:31
the announcement, reading other bills, transferring bills, placing the countenance on the desk, amending members' own bills with their own amendments, members withdrawing their own bills, finalizing resolutions, reading communication, and any remaining committee reports, I move that we adjourn until 1.30 tomorrow.
A proper motion, non-debatable. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Ayes have it. Announcements. Representative
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Williams, what purpose? Announcement. You recognize. Members, the
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district court judge's salary bill, or members in Chief Clerk Stack's office,
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
1:44:04
that bill has to be filed by Monday. If you've not visited and adjusted your district clerk's salary, which may include bailiffs and clerks, please do so by Friday. We're going to close that down on Friday and file that bill on Monday.
Speaker 237
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So please see Chief Clerk Sherry Stacks for the district court judge's
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salary bill. Representative Woods, what purpose? I've got a House bill that
Representative Jon Woods
Unverified
1:44:32
will be on my desk, anyone that wants to sign up as a co-sponsor. It's regarding the Health Information Technology Initiative, electronic health records, which is part of the governor's package. And I'll just set it on my desk, anyone that wants to come by and be a
co-sponsor to sign up. And also, public health will meet tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Thank you.
Representative Viviano, what purpose? Announcement. I want
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
1:44:59
to ensure that all the freshmen attend the reception, the speaker's reception at the Oyster Bar
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this afternoon, so please come. Representative Carter, what purpose?
Representative Davy Carter
Unverified
1:45:14
Announcement. Revenue tax will meet tomorrow, 10 o'clock, 151. Representative
Cowling, what purpose? Recognize. Country Caucus tonight is a steak night.
He's going to start serving about 5 o'clock, 5.30 this evening to continue on into the night. So everyone who wants to come out to Country Caucus,
cattlemen would appreciate that. Representative Ingram,
Representative Keith M. Ingram
Unverified
1:45:43
what purpose? Announcement. Recognized. Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame reception tomorrow night. It's been canceled. It will be rescheduled
for March 14th. Representative Webb, what purpose?
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
1:45:55
Announcement. Recognized. Joint budget will meet immediately upon adjournment, and we will be considering the members' bills.
Representative Nichols, what purpose? Announcement.
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
1:46:07
Recognized. The subcommittee on constitutional amendments will meet upon adjournment in room
Speaker 76
1:46:13
151. Representative Cheatham, what purpose? Recognized.
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
1:46:17
Education tomorrow, 10 o'clock, room 138. Representative
Benedict, what purpose? You're recognized. Announcement. Recognized.
Representative Lori Benedict
Unverified
1:46:29
Breakfast in the morning at Capitol Cafe will be invited by the Regional Economic Development Institute,
Speaker 162
1:46:36
and I'd like you all to come meet my daughter. Any other announcements?
Representative Charolette Wagner
Unverified
1:46:48
Representative Wagner, what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. City, county, and local affairs will meet after session Thursday. fifteen minutes after session and uh... big mac commit committee randy any other analysis
Unknown speaker
1:47:33
Thank you.
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Speaker 255
1:53:33
Thank you.
Thank you.
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Thank you.
Speaker 258
1:59:33
Read the bells, Mr. Clerk, please. House Bill 1781 by represent Branscombe to provide notice of land surveys to adjoining landowners and to provide penalties. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please.
House Bill 1781. Agri and Economic. House Bill 1782, by Representative Overby, to amend the law regarding temporary reprinted paper, buyer's tax. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1782. Transportation. House Bill 1783, by Representative King, to amend Arkansas law concerning certain... Without objection, read the bill a second time. House Bill 1783. Vida and counsel, please. House Bill 1784, by Representative King, an act to prohibit county election commissioners. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please.
House Bill 1784, city, county, local. House Bill 1785, by Representative Wilkins and Elliott, to add the definition of... Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1785, judiciary. House Bill 1786, by Representative Hutchinson, to address remediation. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1786, education. 1. 1. House Bill 1787. 1. Representative Smith, an act to authorize Syria. 1. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. 1. House Bill 1787.
1. Judiciary, please. 1. House Bill 1788. 1. 1. Hearst of Harrison Woods to allow incidental sythilis. 1. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. 1. House Bill 1788. 1. Public Health. 1. House Bill 1789. 1. Represent of Tyler, an act to clarify the procedures. 1. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. 1. House Bill 1790, by Representative Edwards, to authorize the preference. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1790, aging children and youth.
House Bill 1791, by Representative Edwards and Carter, and act on end. Without objection, read the bill a second time. House Bill 1791, with rules. House Bill 1792, by Representative Lenderman and all, to provide a sales and youth tax. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1792, revenue and tax. House Bill 1793, Barbson McLean, an act to clarify procedures. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1793, Insurance and Commerce. House Bill 1794, Barbson McLean, to provide for the adjustment of our...
Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1794, Revenue and Taxation. House Bill 1795, Barbson Patterson, to regulate exemptions of real estate. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1795, Insurance and Commerce. House Bill 1796, for Representative Patterson, concerning the membership of the Regional Solid Waste Management Board. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1796. City, county, local. House Bill 1797, for Representative King, an act that require that voter... Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1797.
Eight agencies. House Bill 1798, for Representative King, to provide for the... Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1798. Judiciary. House Bill 1799, for Representative King, to increase... without objection, read the bill second time House Bill 1799 Judiciary, please House Bill 1800, Barbs and King, an act to enable the affordable health... Without objection, read the bill second time, please House Bill 1800 Public Health House Bill 1801, Barbs and King without objection, read the bill second time, please
House Bill 1801 Public Health House Bill 1802, Barbs and Rogers and Cowling, an act concerning... read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1802. Revenue and tax. House Bill 1803, by Representative Benedict, an act to define certain herds. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1803. Agri and Economic Development. House Bill 1804, by Representative Benedict, to create an exemption. Without objection, read the bill a second time,
please. House Bill 1804. Revenue and tax. House Bill 1805, by Representative Hyde, to expand clean air on objection read the bill second time please house bill 1805 rules house bill 1806 represent of hide and act to enact without objection read the bill second time please house bill 1806 insurance and commerce house bill 1807 represent hide to amend arkansas law concerning the number of objection read the bill second time please house bill 1807 state agencies
House Bill 1808, by represent of Hyde, to exempt the state capitol ground. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1808, Public Health. House Bill 1809, by represent of Hyde, to create an exemption. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1809, Revenue and Tax. House Bill 1810, by represent of Hutchinson and Moore, Jonathan's Law to establish... Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1810, Public Health. House Bill 1811, by representant of Rogers, to require additional...
Without objection. Read the bill. Second time, please. House Bill 1811. Judiciary. House Bill 1812, by representant of Rogers and all concerning the juvenile code. Without objection. Read the bill. Second time, please. House Bill 1812. Judiciary. House Bill 1813, by representant of Hyde, to amend requirements for annual filings of insurance...
Speaker 237
2:05:01
Without objection. Read the bill. Second time, please.
Speaker 258
2:05:03
House Bill 1813. Insurance and Commerce. House bill 1814 we're her to have him hi to enforce the rulemaking of Iowa Property if not. Tod Children's Consume House bill 1814
to amend the insurance hiring and duties peacefully without objection read the bill second time, please House bill 1815, insurance and commerce House bill 1816 we're her to have him hi to amend the surplus without objection read the bill. Second time, please. House bill 1816 House bill 1817 we're her to have words regarding the damaging or defacing... Without objection, read the bill a second time. House Bill 1817. Judiciary. House Bill 1818, by our percent of Webb, an act to amend the Arkansas Revenue Stimples...
Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1818. Joint Budget Committee, please. House Bill 1819, by our percent of Bradford, to specify the date for the... Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Bill 1819. Education. House Bill 1820, by our percent of Overby, to amend the Arkansas Uniform Commercial Drive. Without objection, read the bill a second time. House Bill 1820. Transportation. House Bill 1821, by Representative Mayberry, to give a priority for Arkansas. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please.
House Bill 1821. Education. House Concurrent Resolution 1007, by Representative Smith, a study for the... Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. House Concurrent Resolution 1007. Energy. Senate Bill 242 by Senator Madison and act to make various words. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. Senate Bill 242. Agri and Economic Development. Senate Bill 247 by Senator Madison and act to make various words. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. Senate Bill 247. Judiciary. Senate Bill 252 by Senator Madison and act. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. Senate Bill 252. Judiciary.
Senate Bill 296 by Senator Teague without rejection read the bill a second time please Senate Bill 296, Public Health Senate Bill 341 by Senator Laverty an act established without objection read the bill second time please Senate Bill 341, Public Health Senate Bill 345 by Senator Malone an act without objection read the bill second time please Senate Bill 345 Public Health
Senate Bill 354 by Senator Thompson, an act to clarify that Without objection, read the bill a second time, please Senate Bill 354 State Agencies Senate Bill 386 by Senator Johnson, an act concerning Without objection, read the bill a second time, please Senate Bill 386. Public Health.
Senate Bill 400 by Senator Stample, an act to restrict the use of an account. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. Senate Bill 400. City, county, local. Senate Bill 423 by Senator Malone, an act regarding substance use. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. Senate Bill 423. Judiciary. Senate Bill 437 by Senator Malone, an act to clarify the role of substance use. Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. Senate Bill 437. Public Health. Senate Bill 496 by Senator Dismang and Act to Eliminate Duplication.
Without objection, read the bill a second time, please. Senate Bill 496. Public Health. Mr. Clerk, would you
read the reports, please? Committee reports. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on rules to whom is referred House Bill 1503 by Representative McCrary, House Bill 1526 by Representative Hyde House Bill 1596 by Representative Hyde and Senate Bill 69 by Senator Jeffress may waive the report we've had the same
under consideration and herewith return the same with the recommendation that they do pass respectfully submitted. Keith Ingram, Chair. Thank
Representative Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:09:11
you. The desk will remain open for the reading of the bills until 4.30 and upon completion of the items named in the adjourned resolution the House will remain adjourned until 1.30 tomorrow. Thank you.
Agenda
Invocation
Roll Call
HB1317
HB1312
HB1433
HB1527
HB1559
HB1493
HB1603
HB1428
HB1593
HB1594
SB61
SB68
SB384
SB138
SB291
SB262
SB359
SB63
SB170
SB138
Budget Calendar
SB29
SB70
SB72
SB83
SB114
Announcements
Reading of Bills
Adjournment
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
Speaker 2
Speaker 5
Speaker 6
Speaker 15
Speaker 16
Representative Garry L. Smith Chair
Unverified
Representative John Burris Chair
Unverified
Speaker 22
Speaker 23
Representative Duncan Baird Chair
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Representative Linda S. Tyler
Unverified
Representative Jon Woods
Unverified
Representative Johnnie J. Roebuck
Unverified
Speaker 55
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
Representative Allen Kerr
Unverified
Representative Clark Hall
Unverified
Speaker 73
Speaker 50
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
Representative Donna Hutchinson
Unverified
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
Speaker 76
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
Speaker 47
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
Representative Les "Skip" Carnine
Unverified
Representative Reginald Murdock
Unverified
Speaker 79
Representative Terry Rice
Unverified
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
Representative Nate Steel
Unverified
Speaker 131
Speaker 134
Speaker 74
Speaker 138
Speaker 149
Speaker 150
Speaker 155
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
Representative Debra M. Hobbs
Unverified
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
Speaker 172
Speaker 174
Speaker 173
Representative Billy W. Gaskill
Unverified
Speaker 182
Representative Denny Altes
Unverified
Representative Keith M. Ingram
Unverified
Representative Lane Jean
Unverified
Speaker 191
Speaker 175
Speaker 113
Speaker 115
Representative Bobby J. Pierce
Unverified
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
Representative Kelley Linck
Unverified
Speaker 217
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
Speaker 143
Speaker 227
Speaker 225
Representative Butch Wilkins
Unverified
Representative David "Bubba" Powers
Unverified
Speaker 80
Representative Homer Lenderman
Unverified
Speaker 237
Speaker 162
Representative Davy Carter
Unverified
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
Representative Lori Benedict
Unverified
Representative Charolette Wagner
Unverified
Speaker 255
Speaker 258
Representative Kim Hammer
Unverified