February 21, 2011
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (24)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
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HB1279
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1279”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HR1013
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HR1013”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1235
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ends that we consider concurring an amendment number one to House Bill 1235. Read the amendment, Mr. Clerk. Senate Amendment number one”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1354
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1354”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1384
· 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…committee on insurance and commerce to whom was referred to House Bill 1384 by Representative Allen. We've had the same under considera…”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1007
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ures from the regular session of the 88th General Assembly. House Bill 1007 is Act 64. House Bill 1099, Act 65. House Bill 1111 is Act…”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1142
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “on public retirement to whom is referred House Bill 1142 by Representative Wilkins, House Bill 1143 by Representativ…”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1143
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…whom is referred House Bill 1142 by Representative Wilkins, House Bill 1143 by Representative Linderman, House Bill 1147 by Representat…”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1147
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ative Wilkins, House Bill 1143 by Representative Linderman, House Bill 1147 by Representative Carnine, and House Bill 1158 by Represent…”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1158
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…e Linderman, House Bill 1147 by Representative Carnine, and House Bill 1158 by Representative Branscombe. I believe report We've had th…”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1244
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1244”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1276
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1276”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1341
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “House Bill 1341 is Act 82, House Bill 1342 is Act 83, House Bill 1343 is Ac…”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1350
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…, House Bill 1346 is Act 86, House Bill 1349 is Act 87, and House Bill 1350 is Act 88. Sincerely, Mike”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1366
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1366”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1398
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1398”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1404
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1404”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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SB119
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB119”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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SB175
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB175”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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SB176
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB176”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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SB177
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB177”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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SB178
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB178”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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SB206
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB206”
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Pre-2017 bill | ||
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SB219
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB219”
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Pre-2017 bill |
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Chair
Unverified
0:00
As we're led in prayer by Reverend John Fleming, please remain standing for to be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Billy Gaskell. Let us pray. God, today we remember the
Speaker 2
0:15
words of the prophet Isaiah, how he told us that one day people would need
Speaker 4
0:21
their strength renewed, and you would help them to mount up with wings like eagles, to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint.
It's a passage, Lord, that encourages us because we know that sometimes we and those that we represent are weary. So we ask for strength today, along with wisdom and vision and guidance. Let us speak with our hearts and let us seek your will. As always, Lord, we remember those who are in harm's way today, serving in our military. Bless them and offer their families a day of comfort. We pray this in Your strong name. Amen.
Speaker 11
1:22
Mr. Clerk, has everyone indicated your presence?
Chair
Unverified
1:34
Yes, I stepped the ballot, Mr. Clerk. Chair recognizes 95 members' presence, recognize the quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Yes. Mr.
Clerk, please show that Representative Pierce is present in his seat. Anyone else?
Speaker 10
1:54
Representative Mayberry, what purpose? Leave. Leave. Representative Colin Smith and Representative Murdoch. Leave granted for Representatives Colin Smith and Representative Murdoch.
Chair
Unverified
2:03
Leave granted. Representative Carter, what purpose? Leave for
Speaker 16
2:09
Representative McLean. Leave granted for Representative
Chair
Unverified
2:13
McLean. Note that leave is granted. Anyone else? Representative Eddie Cheatham moves that
Speaker 10
2:22
we dispense with the reading of the
previous day's journal. No objections so ordered. Are there reports from select committees? Read the report Mr. Clerk. Mr. Speaker we are a committee
Speaker 17
2:35
on public retirement to whom is referred House Bill 1142 by Representative Wilkins, House Bill 1143 by Representative Linderman, House Bill 1147 by Representative Carnine, and House Bill 1158 by Representative Branscombe. I believe report We've had the same under consideration and herewith return the same with the recommendation that they do pass. Respectfully submitted, Wes Carnine, Chair.
Chair
Unverified
2:59
Other reports from standing committees? Ready to report. Mr. Speaker,
Speaker 17
3:03
we are a committee on insurance and commerce to whom was referred to House Bill 1384 by Representative Allen. We've had the same under consideration and herewith return the same with the recommendation that do pass. Respectfully submitted,
Chair
Unverified
3:17
Fred Allen, Chair. Any unfinished business? None. Executive Communication. Read the letter from the Governor, please. Mr. Clark. To the Speaker of the House.
Speaker 17
3:29
Dear Mr. Speaker, this is to inform you that on February 18, 2011,
I approve the following measures from the regular session of the 88th General Assembly. House Bill 1007 is Act 64. House Bill 1099, Act 65. House Bill 1111 is Act 66. House Bill 1161 is Act 67. Act 67. House Bill 1211 is Act 68. House Bill 1212 is Act 69. House Bill 1282 is Act 70. House Bill 1284 is Act 71. House Bill 1323 is Act 72. House Bill 1326 is Act 73. House Bill 1330 is Act 74. House Bill 1331 is Act 75. House Bill 1334 is Act 76. House Bill 1335 is Act 77. House Bill 1336 is Act 78. House Bill 1337 is Act 79. House Bill 1338 is Act 80. House Bill 1339 is Act 81.
House Bill 1341 is Act 82, House Bill 1342 is Act 83, House Bill 1343 is Act 84, House Bill 1344 is Act 85, House Bill 1346 is Act 86, House Bill 1349 is Act 87, and House Bill 1350 is Act 88. Sincerely, Mike
Chair
Unverified
4:37
Beebe. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Please enter the Governor's communication in the journal. And Mr. Clerk, read House Resolution 1013.
Speaker 17
4:47
House Resolution 1013 by Representative Steele and Fielding to commemorate Daisy Gattson-Bates Day on Monday,
Chair
Unverified
4:56
February 21, 2011. Representative Steele, you are recognized to
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
5:02
present the resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members of the House. It is my
Speaker 31
5:09
honor to present this resolution on this not only President's Day, but also Daisy Gattson-Bates holiday. In 2001, I can remember very vividly the opportunity we had, the struggles that we had, and ultimately
the success that we had when we presented this legislation on the floor of this House. It's only four members who are here in this chamber who was here in 2001. Representative Altus, Representative Wilkins, myself, and Representative Massinelli were the
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
5:50
only members who were here in 2001. He supported it, by the way. But it was an honor
to be able to sponsor legislation. It was very important
Speaker 31
6:09
to honor this person who had given this state and this nation so much. We didn't know it then, we were just doing what we knew was right, but it turns out that this is the only state holiday that is named in honor of an African American lady in the United States, and I think that's significant for Arkansas to take the lead in that area.
So I appreciate your support. I appreciate those members who initially voted for this legislation to honor this great lady who championed a movement that was heard around the world. It was heard around the world, but in many ways, it started right here in the capital city of Little Rock and in this state capital. History tells me how in 1957 that she marched up the south end of the stairs with nine brave students when it was now the old Supreme Court room for a legislative hearing.
Hearing lasted several hours and there were so many people in the capitol that they not only had to use all of the resources of the state capitol police but most of the state troopers around our state had to convene here at the capitol to make sure that nothing would go awry. They had to be escorted out back to their cars, and there was action. Some bills that were filed were negative, and some were positive. And Representative
Sanders, I mentioned him, I know he's a history lover like I am. It was this legislature that even enacted what's called a sovereignty commission, and it was housed in the basement of the State Capitol, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and some legislative members, and the purpose of the Sovereignty Commission was to uphold segregation in the state of Arkansas. We've come a
Speaker 32
8:13
long way since then, members, and we've come a long way in large part of
Speaker 31
8:20
our heroes and sheroes like this small lady who graced us with
Speaker 33
8:25
her presence and was determined to right some wrongs. Thank you very much.
Chair
Unverified
8:34
Members, Representative Steele has explained the resolution. Anyone wishing to speak against the resolution? For the resolution? Representative Edwards, what purpose? For the resolution. You're recognized. Come to the well and speak for the resolution thank you mr
Speaker 37
9:03
speaker I owe my parents a lot I guess you could
Representative John Charles Edwards
Unverified
9:09
say I owe them everything and my parents at a very young age encouraged me to read about history. But one day my dad told me something I'll never forget. He said, reading about history is fine, but when you can meet history, it's even better. And I had the privilege over my life to sit in the home of Daisy Bates and listen to her stories. And she was just an incredible person. And the issues that we deal with in this General Assembly, they're
serious. But my goodness, what she was dealing with in the face of the challenges that she had in her life, I think it's a testament to her and it's a vision for us. And I appreciate a good vote on this resolution. Representative
Chair
Unverified
10:03
Edwards has spoken for the resolution. Anyone wishing to speak against the resolution for the resolution? Representative
Fielding, you are recognized to come to the well and speak for the resolution.
Representative David Fielding
Unverified
10:19
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This resolution that was presented and proposed by Representative Tracy Steele was a resolution
that I thank him for giving me an opportunity to be a part of it. Some of them once said that, well, this resolution didn't include everything. If it did, then it would be like that big book, the book of laws that we're trying to pass, everything, but we try to highlight some of those things about Ms. Daisy Bates and the civil rights thing that she moved in. This is a good resolution. I appreciate a good
Chair
Unverified
10:51
vote on it. Representative Fielding has spoken for the resolution. Anyone wishing to speak against the resolution? Representative Wilkins, you are recognized to come to the will and speak for the
Speaker 43
11:12
resolution. thank you Mr. Speaker they are a part of every one of our communities they are a part of every
generation they are part of every great cause or endeavor those who have fought against poverty, against injustice, against disease and dehumanizing situations. Those who have devoted their lives to health and to hope and to faith.
Thank you, Representative Steele, for this resolution and for acknowledging the fact that I'm old enough to have been around back in 2001 when you first did this over 10 years ago. Ladies and gentlemen, it takes greatness to be able to stand up for a cause that one believes
in that lifts the heart and the spirit, the hope, and the future of generations. And we're proud and thankful for the legacy of Elsie and Daisy Bates and this holiday that we celebrate in their honor today. I was pleased and proud to get to know Daisy Bates and for her to be a friend of our family.
We're thankful that they work to make people's lives better. And I'm thankful for the good vote that you'll give to this resolution. The goodness of your heart and the unfathomable nature of your spirit that recognizes that when we honor and memorialize those who have done great things, we help our young people to appreciate for generations to come what it means to be a good American.
Speaker 44
13:38
Thank you very much, and I appreciate a good vote. Representative Wilkins has spoken for the resolution. Anyone wishing to speak against the resolution? For the resolution? Representative Walker, if you are recognized,
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
14:01
come and speak for the resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm somewhat apologetic for
speaking for something that all of you agree upon, and I thought that perhaps what Mr. Steele said would be appropriate and sufficient.
I don't like to be self-serving. I met Daisy Bates in 1958, the year I graduated from college, And she enlisted me to work with the NAACP at that time to help further what was not happening in the schools of Little Rock. You'll recall in 1958 the schools were closed. And at that time the students here had to go to some other place. And at that time Mrs. Bates was a pariah, not appreciated by people in either race because
the schools were closed, and shame was being brought on the state and within the nation. But she was committed to enlarging the gains in Brown v. Board of Education and Cooper v. Aaron, and at that time, the Supreme Court came forth with its landmark decision that said that because of Mrs. Bates and the Little Rock Nine, the time has not come in these United States when opposition to a court order will be sufficient to overcome the Constitution
of the United States. She was steadfast in that respect. In the years that followed, she sought to enhance not only the principles of desegregation, but the principles of goodwill between people across racial lines. She was a member of the Arkansas Council on Human Relations. of you may not remember that. That organization sought to promote goodwill between black and white people. Daisy was on the National Council of Christians and Jews. It's now called something else. And she sought to reach out to the larger community, but she was rebuffed, and for that
reason, she had to leave Arkansas. And when she came back, she was broken and never gained her status again. She started a little town called Mitchellville, Arkansas. But she was frail. Her newspaper failed. And while she was alive, we gave her a little honor. It's appropriate that we give her honor today. That honor is late in coming. But her task is unfulfilled. And you all should be reminded of that every time you see me and every time you see these other legislators as well. Because the task was to try to bring people together.
it wasn't simply to get some students in school the Constitution said that schools have to be open on an equal basis but the task was to bring people together and to address issues and she stood for that and many of the other heroes and as Mr. Steele says she rose stood for that concept and I think that all of us who come here and I've heard some of you speak and know that many of you persons of a different hue are committed to that concept and many of you are across the aisle from me in terms of the party. But this is a principle of America
that knows no party and should know no race. I ask you
Speaker 44
17:20
to give it a good vote. Representative Walker has spoken for the resolution. Anyone wishing
Chair
Unverified
17:27
to speak against the resolution? For the resolution? Representative Steele, you're close. Representative Steele
is closed for resolution members question for the house passage of house resolution 1013 all in favor say aye all opposed no let
Speaker 10
17:43
the record reflect the resolution pass unanimous
Chair
Unverified
18:02
Morning hour is expired. Representative Allen recommends that we consider concurring an amendment number one to House Bill 1235. Read the amendment, Mr. Clerk. Senate Amendment number one
Speaker 17
18:17
to House Bill 1235. Representative Allen, you are recognized
Chair
Unverified
18:22
to come and explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members.
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
18:33
This amendment adds Senator Teague name to the bill as the sponsor. Appreciate a
Chair
Unverified
18:39
favorable vote. Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. Question for the House is adoption
of Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1235, repair the machine, Mr. Clerk. One
voted. So, everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk, by a vote of 90, yea, zero, nay, to present, you have adopted the amendment.
Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1354. House Bill
Speaker 28
19:23
1354 by Representative Vines to clarify the requirements for amending covenants restricting the use or development of
Chair
Unverified
19:31
real property. Representative Vines, you are recognized to present
Representative John T. Vines
Unverified
19:36
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. uh colleagues this is a uh bill that's part of the harksall realtor associations package
in men's current code to define restrictive covenants and also to clarify when there's conflicting language regarding the term and duration and amendment process process. It's not an overly burdensome bill. We've amended it down. It was actually broader than this, but on consultation with some realtors and real estate attorneys, we amended it down to where basically it does those two provisions. It does nothing to current bills of assurance
restrictive covenants it only apply in the future and it comes in light of the case in 2009 that kind of gave some misguidance on what to do
in those situations with that said I appreciate a good vote members you've heard an explanation of the bill anyone wishing to speak
Chair
Unverified
20:41
against the bill representative Carter you want to speak for the bill representative Carter you are recognized come to the well and speak for the bill thank you mr speaker well i was a little
Representative Davy Carter
Unverified
20:59
undecided i was added and i apologize to john i just caught that i was actually the attorney that represented all of these landowners in this lawsuit and it did go to the court of appeals and i just happened to be over here reading it and saw it so i'm sorry for the late notice And I was really also hesitant about speaking for or against because I'm probably going to vote present because I feel like I'm a little intertwined there. You know, and the only reason I'm down here today is just to defend the judges on that case because of the way, you know,
and I know that first paragraph of this bill will not be codified, but the reality was in that case was the judge just upheld what the bill of assurance said. I mean, it just said you can't do this until then. And it was just a statutory interpretation, I mean, a plain language contract interpretation of the way the Bill of Assurance read. So I just, in his defense, because I think he was right, I felt compelled to come down here and say that.
So having said that, I think what the bill says is fine about the way things should be interpreted. It would not have changed the result, in my opinion, of that case. But that was Judge Whitaker back in
Speaker 63
22:20
Lone Oak, and I think that's the reason I'm down here speaking today.
Chair
Unverified
22:24
Representative Wilkins, what purpose? Representative Carter, you want to take a question?
Representative Carter, are you far against this bill?
Speaker 69
22:36
You know, I think it's okay. I mean, again, I lived with this deal for two years,
Representative Davy Carter
Unverified
22:42
so I'm probably personally going to vote president because I feel like I've got a little bit of conflict there, and I think it is appropriate when we have conflicts to do that. But it's not bad. Thank
Chair
Unverified
22:56
you for that question, Representative Wilkins. I can now say that I think Representative Carter has spoken for the bill. Anyone wish to speak against the bill?
For the bill, Representative Vines, you're recognized, closed for your
Representative John T. Vines
Unverified
23:18
bill. Let me just say, irrespective of the masterful job Representative Carter
did in that case, this law simply clarifies and tries to build on that case and make sure we have no confusion, ambiguity going forward. So again, I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
23:38
Members, Representative Vines, close for the bill.
Question for the House, passage of House Bill 1354. Prepare the machine,
Chair
Unverified
23:45
Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted, cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk, by a vote of 91 yea, 0 nay, 2 present.
You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
24:02
Bill 1279. House Bill 1279 by
Speaker 17
24:06
Representative Leading, an act to amend various provisions of the Arkansas Code regarding the authority of the Department of Human Services to protect maltreated adults.
Chair
Unverified
24:15
Representative Leading, you are recognized to present the bill. Thank
Representative Greg Leding
Unverified
24:20
you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, House Bill 1279 makes a few improvements to the Code governing our state's ability to come to the aid of maltreated adults. Two of these changes could potentially impact our state's budget, but in both cases, any potential impact would actually be in terms of savings. So these changings save us money. I want to thank my colleagues in public health for helping us get this out of committee unanimously last Thursday, and I'd appreciate a good vote. Thanks.
Chair
Unverified
24:45
Members, you've heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? For the bill? You
Speaker 10
24:53
close your bill. Representative Letting. Representative Letting is closed. Bill, the question for the House, passage of House Bill 1279. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Chair
Unverified
25:07
Is everyone voted? Is everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. Mr. Clerk, by a vote of 93, yea, 0,
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
25:13
nay, 0, present, you have passed the bill.
Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1398. House
Speaker 17
25:21
Bill 1398 by Representative Wilkins, an act to amend requirements for notice of certain incidents at long-term care facilities to remove fines for violations
Speaker 79
25:31
by individuals. Representative Butch Wilkins, you are recognized to explain
the bill. the bill thank you mr speaker members this is a bill that's brought by the long-term facilities board here actually sets down what they are responsible to
do in the event of injury in the event of a patient being moved in a bit of a patient being suffering of any kind of physical illness or mental change in condition it requires the it requires a nursing home facility to notify the resident within 24 hours of these of these incidents and and also requires that the who is in the Guardian or whoever is responsible for this patient have a current phone number and address so they can be contacted pretty good
Speaker 44
26:23
bill. Appreciate your support on it. An
Chair
Unverified
26:31
explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill?
For the bill, Representative Wilkins, you're closed for your bill. Members, question for the House. Passive House Bill 1398. Prepare the machine,
Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted, cast up the ballot.
By a vote of 94 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present, you have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House
Speaker 17
27:04
Bill 1276. House Bill 1276 by Representative Viviano and Williams to allow private universities to create and maintain a law enforcement agency designed
Chair
Unverified
27:14
to protect and enforce state law on campus. Representative
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
27:19
Viviano, you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House members, 1276 simply allows private universities and colleges the right to establish a law enforcement agency.
This current right exists with all public universities. Now, it's difficult to be down here because I hate the fact that I'm down here speaking about a situation where, On our college campuses today, we are having violent crimes, violent crimes such as murder, rape, assault, assault against property, the things that are really putting our students, our faculty, and the people that visit these campuses at risk.
This bill will allow us to hire, will allow private colleges and universities to hire certified police officers. Police officers that are trained at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy. Their jurisdiction will be the college campus. It will be a supplement to the local police department, and it will be a benefit to the community. There is no fiscal impact whatsoever. However, private universities will pay for their own training and man their own police
forces. Currently, over 14 states have implemented the same type of laws, so there's precedent for this. Opposition will say that we should not allow private universities the right to do this. However, we've given that right to public universities. I would ask you to think back a few years to Virginia Tech, where 32 people were killed.
There wasn't time for the local police to respond. This bill will allow for a greater response time. It will allow us to protect our students, our faculty, and those visiting the campuses. I appreciate a
Chair
Unverified
29:30
good vote. Representative Nichols, what purpose? Question.
Representative Bibiano has left the well. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill?
Representative Williams, what purpose? Speak for the bill. Representative Williams, you are recognized. Come to the well and speak for the
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
30:05
bill. Members, those of you who are
returning remember last year I passed the College Safety Act, and with that task force that we created, we looked at ways to enhance public safety
and security on our college campuses. We did that really through collaboration and discussion with campuses, and there was no necessary legislation coming from that task force. However, a number of the private colleges who were not required to be a part of that task force joined that task force to benefit from the knowledge from UCA and other schools that had gone through violent incidents. And the private colleges came to me and asked me if we would look at this bill, because one of the private colleges was located, represented in Viviano's district. He and I worked on this together.
And I want to say this is a good bill. It puts students in private college campuses on the same footing as students in public universities. incident that happened right here in Arkansas that's not West Virginia, I think it's important to think about. Right here on one of our private college campuses, the security guards, because that's what they are, they're really security guards on these hired security guards, caught a person stealing property. They caught him and basically that person said, you're not a real policeman, you can't hold me, and walked away. And they were right, because the private
security guard had no ability to detain or hold that person until law enforcement got there. And so this bill will allow private colleges who want to, not require to, it's enabling legislation. I'm pleased to represent Philanismith College. They support this bill. They have not had any significant instances of violence or problems on our campus. They think sometime in the future they may want to enact this. This will allow those private colleges the ability to enact this legislation and to provide safety and security for their
Chair
Unverified
31:57
students. And I would appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
32:10
Nichols, what purpose? Question. Representative Williams, you want to take questions? Go ahead and recognize. Reluctantly. Representative Williams, you mentioned that a number of these private universities, what call contract out their security guard services to other entities. Now, does this law require that the law enforcement that is being performed is being performed by employees of that private
university, or does this legislation allow them to contract that out to the Pinkertons or some other group that supplies this type of service? Honest to Representative
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
32:46
Nichols, I'm not sure, but I'm not sure that it makes a difference. Whoever serves as the law enforcement on that campus will have to receive training that your local police, my local police, has. So either one will have to receive the training.
And I will say that local law
enforcement, one of the first groups that Representative Vivian and I talked to was local
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
33:14
law enforcement, and they are 100% behind this bill. So does this allow the universities to contract out their law enforcement function to another
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
33:23
company? Again, I'm not positive, Representative Nichols, but what I would say is that the schools have looked at that, and they recognize that they are taking on certain liability.
by doing this. So while I'm not sure if it specifically spells out in the bill, I'd have to look at that. They recognize the liability they're taking on because clearly sometimes police forces are sued. They recognize that liability and they think that
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
33:52
liability is worth it given an effort to protect their students. You also mentioned that the security officers now, or guards, do not have the authority to detain somebody whom they see as stealing something from the facility.
But I think in grocery stores and Walmarts and places like that, I believe we have a law that says that they can detain them as long as it's reasonable. But private security guards on private campuses do not have that type of authority to detain somebody for a reasonable length of time for the police to arrive. At least in the situation that I just explained to you, which is
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
34:30
a real situation that happened on a college campus, they did not feel they had that ability to do so.
Speaker 19
34:38
Representative Walker, what purpose? Question, Mr. Speaker. Could
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
34:42
you explain to me the posse de comitatis provisions
in this act? No, I can't. Can you tell me whether you're aware that these provisions
come from the Old West and allowed for posses of citizens to be summoned at any time for any purpose to assist a law enforcement officer in anything that he undertook?
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
35:12
I'm not aware that this bill relates to any posses, Representative Walker. I'm not sure. You'd have to help me there. Well, there is
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
35:19
a provision of this bill which addresses posse de comitatis. Just a moment. Mr. Walker, what I would say is this bill gives private colleges the exact same power
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
35:29
that a state university has. So if a state university has that power right now, the private college will have that power. No different, no more power, no less power. The exact same power. Well, can a person be arrested?
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
35:43
I know the answer to this, but I want you to tell me. Yes, sir. person be arrested for failing to
Speaker 103
35:51
join a posse? What is the answer to that, Mr. Walker? Okay. I'd appreciate a
Speaker 8
36:01
good vote on the bill. Thank you very much. Representative Williams has spoken for the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? For
Chair
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36:15
the bill. So, Representative Viviano, you're going to close for your bill.
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
36:22
Do you reckon I ask to close for your bill? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I want to emphasize this bill is about making sure that we have the same rights at private colleges and universities as we do state universities. And it's about protection of the students, the faculty, and those visiting. We have the endorsement of the Sariffs Association, local police. There is an economic factor where there will be certified police officers. We're not turning over arrest powers or guns to anybody that has not been properly trained in the state by law enforcement.
It's also been endorsed by the state
police. It is a good bill that will protect our children. I appreciate
Chair
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37:09
a good vote. Representative Viviano, it's closed for the bill. Question for the House, passage of House Bill 1276. Prepare the machine, Mr.
Clerk. Everyone voted? Everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk, by a vote of 86, yea, 0, nay, 5, present.
You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House
Speaker 59
37:40
Bill 1366. House Bill 1366 by Representative Cheatham to clarify provisions related to teacher
Chair
Unverified
37:47
salary supplements. Representative Cheatham, you are recognized
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
37:50
to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes in all the fast and furious things we do in the House and in the areas that produce our bills for us, we make mistakes. Last session, David Cook from Williford had this bill or had some language in this part of this code changed.
And in that process, there was one word that was taken out that should not have been taken out. And all we're doing today is simply putting that word back in. And it is the word not. I would be willing
Chair
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38:28
to take questions, Mr. Preacher. members you heard an explanation of the bill
this is your opportunity yeah representative English if you recognize if you want a question got
Representative Jane English
Unverified
38:41
a question I have a question thank you can you give me an example
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
38:44
of what we're talking about here I think this has been going on even though I know what does it mean it's just where you were a teacher on staff and uh they want to hire you for extra
Representative Jane English
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39:00
duty it would pay you above your the salary schedule but this this says it does you
don't have to do anything extra at all or any additional duties or any additional time or
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
39:10
so what does this mean well according to
the school board association just what i just said it allows them school the schools to hire you for additional duties other
than or maybe pay you for a if you were in a um what's the
word i forgot if you're ahead of the department even though this this is what it's for though this way to explain to me miss english okay thank you thank you i won't take questions next time
Chair
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39:41
mr beard every version of the explanation of the bill anyone wishing to speak against the bill for the bill representative walker what purpose i'd like to speak against the bill you're
recognized come to well and speak against the bill
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
40:03
mr speaker i know you can be seen too often and heard much much in the same way so i apologize to you all but i and i don't know if i'm against the bill but i want you to know what i am against. I've handled a number of cases that you all are familiar with for a number of years. And what I find is that well-paid people in certain school
districts, including the one in which this city is located, often find a way, when they're making six-figure salaries, to have their salaries supplemented in different ways and they're called stipends so all the department head has to do is say that well Joe Bloor Annie Taylor worked a little extra this week and they don't get paid overtime and it was a hardship on them and we should give them a stipend and it's a discretionary kind of thing that is
unregulated and can lead to abuse of the public trust and also the public treasury. So when we get these bills, we have to look not only at the economic impact, but the unfairness of just allowing one or two people to just give people out of the public treasury money for no reason, on a whim if necessary. And you can always justify the reason for giving somebody money. But we want to be a little bit more careful in what we do and what we authorize. And I'll probably vote for it because he came out of committee
and went through structure, but as we deliberate about these kinds of
things, I think we should be mindful that we should not allow people to just do what they want to with the
Chair
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41:48
public money. Representative Walker has spoken against the bill. Anyone wishing to speak for the bill? Against Representative Deffenbaugh, if you want to speak for the bill. Representative Diffenbaugh is going to speak for the bill.
Representative Diffenbaugh, you are recognized.
Representative Gary Deffenbaugh
Unverified
42:11
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know a little bit about this stipend deal. It's been around a long time. It's really not to reply to Representative Walker. They don't just decide to give you a stipend one day and you get this and you get that, they're required by law to lay those stipends out to the school board. Yes, they are. To the school board and indexes to the school board.
They can't just, unless somebody's operating illegally, they can't just give what they want to to whomever. Thanks. Representative Diffenbaugh has
Chair
Unverified
42:51
spoken for the bill. Anyone wish to speak against the bill? for the bill. Representative Cheatham, you want to close for your bill? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
43:03
agree with what Mr. Walker said. We have to be careful, Mr. Walker, about what we do, especially in positions of trust that we're placing in.
And back to Ms. English, I really didn't, I wasn't thinking, which is not, according to my wife, is not, you know, unusual. But I think one of the real reasons for all this was Christmas bonuses when schools, Instead of putting money in the salary schedule, they were giving bonuses, and that's one reason. Another reason we have some schools in the state that actually do merit pay, and that's another reason for that. This bill was supported by the AEA and by the School Board Association and by the Department of Education.
I would appreciate it. I would entertain. Closing,
Speaker 133
43:48
ma'am. Ms. Rogers, I'm closed. I'm sorry. you want to
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
43:59
you want to take question question represent rogers question please okay you're ready to apply to um teachers that are contracted separately to do like the beta club or the cheerleaders or to be their sponsor and to work with them and those types of extracurricular activities i think it would i think
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
44:14
what miss english was getting at and she had a good point
is the fact that it says in there in the bill, which I might read a little better next time, that sometimes you may get this increase for no extra duty or no extra time, and she had a good point, but it's like, but you are correct also.
Chair
Unverified
44:42
We'll let you do that. Thank you. Thank you for taking... Representative Cheatham is closed for his bill. question for the house
passage of house bill 1366 prepare the machine Mr. Clerk everyone voted everyone voted cast out the ballot Mr. Clerk by a
vote of 93 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present you have passed the bill Mr. Clerk read house
Speaker 17
45:14
bill 1244 house bill 1244 by Representative Wilkins, to repeal Arkansas Code 1719304.
Chair
Unverified
45:21
Representative Wilkins, you are recognized to present House Bill 1244. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker 43
45:30
House Bill 1244 is simply striking some obsolete language. We appreciate a good vote. Members, you've heard an explanation of the bill.
Chair
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45:40
Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? For
Speaker 10
45:46
the bill, not the question for the House, passes the House Bill 1244.
Chair
Unverified
45:51
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted.
Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 79, yea, 10, nay, 0, present, you have passed the bill.
Mr. Clark, read House Bill 1404. House
Speaker 17
46:18
Bill 1404 by Representative Vines to amend or repeal provisions of the Arkansas Justice Building Act.
Chair
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46:24
Representative Vines, you are recognized to
Representative John T. Vines
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46:29
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1404 simply takes some laws off the books. Through time, the Arkansas Justice Building Act has been dated. I think it was passed sometime in the middle of the last century. There are some entities that are no longer in that building, Workers' Comp Commission, Public Service Commission, and all this does is eliminate and repeal the
language pertaining to them in that act.
I'd appreciate a favorable vote. Thanks. Members,
Speaker 8
47:00
you've heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wish to speak against the bill? For
Chair
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47:07
the bill, Representative Vines close for the bill. Question for the House. Passage of House Bill 1404.
Speaker 10
47:13
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. As
Chair
Unverified
47:23
everyone voted, cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk, by a vote of 93 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present.
You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1384. House Bill 1384
Speaker 59
47:38
by Representative Allen and Kerr, an act to improve the process for notice of sale of property
Chair
Unverified
47:44
and default of self-storage payments. Representative Allen, you
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
47:49
are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. Currently, under the
current law, you can send a certified letter with a return receipt requested, and that's good enough.
And let me just say one other thing. And under this, the current act, the military personnel is exempt from this. You cannot sell military personnel belongings without a court order. And this bill came out of committee last week. And the only thing that we're doing, we're making a first-class mail with a certificate of mailing. And what this will do, it will forward the mail loan to the forward address if there is one.
Speaker 19
48:35
And I appreciate a good vote. Representative Walker, what purpose? Question. Are
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
48:47
you recognized? Well, a lot of people who store furniture or other properties and the like are poor people and lower-income people, and they move around a lot. What's the justice in allowing simple mailing, which may not get to the person, to be the
only approach given to these people to put them on notice that their property is going to be taken? Usually right now, they have at least 30 days, and then if they get the notice, they have another 30 days. So why are you giving them less time to protect themselves when you may not even be able
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
49:30
to reach them? Well, Mr. Walker, I don't think we're giving them less time. What
we're simply saying is that under this bill that I'm proposing is that they will forward the mail on to them.
And you know yourself, when you practice law and someone owe you money, you're going to find a
Chair
Unverified
49:57
way to collect that money. Appreciate a good vote. Members, you've heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone
Speaker 10
50:08
wishing to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative Allen, you close for your bill. Close. Question for the House, passage of House Bill 1384, prepare the machine.
Chair
Unverified
50:17
Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted? Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot by a vote of 89 yea, 4 nay, 0 present, you have passed the bill. Mr. Clark reads Senate Bill 119. Senate Bill
Speaker 17
50:43
119 by Senator Chesterfield, an act to create the Commission on the Status
Chair
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50:47
of Women and for Other Purposes. Representative Steele,
Speaker 156
50:55
you are recognized to present the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members
Speaker 31
51:00
of the House. Let me tell you first on that I am wokely inadequate to present this bill and certainly not pretty enough. But my senator asked me to do it, and so I do what my senator asked me to do. This bill, first of all, does not fall under what the speaker said about establishing new committees and task forces
because this is a Senate initiative. It passed unanimously in the Senate, went through a vigorous process, and the state agencies, no, the aging committee, they asked several questions of the legislation. It will not cost any money. There will be no staff provided for the committee. Any money that they need to operate and conduct their business, they will raise outside the purview of state government.
Speaker 19
51:51
We'll answer any questions, or try to.
Representative Penards, what purpose? Recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
51:59
it not true under this commission, if it were to be established, that this would allow the Arkansas Commission to apply for some national grants that currently to study issues affecting women that we're not eligible for? I knew you should have been the one to present this
Speaker 156
52:17
bill, Mr. McMillan. You're absolutely correct. Thank you. Representative Clemmer, White Purpose.
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
52:26
Question. You recognize? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is it true, though, that the commission will be able to use all the resources of the Bureau of Legislative Research and other entities of the House and Senate and the General Assembly?
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
52:46
I guess all due respect to the Senate and to you, please just take this question in the spirit it's meant. Sure. What is it that we're hoping to study about a group that makes up over half the population?
You know, we're not, women are not a minority group. We're not a special needs group. We are over half the population. What kind of conclusions is this commission hoping to find about us? We're not uniform in anything we do. I mean, my esteemed colleague, Representative Webb, and I probably disagree on a lot. What is it that they hope to draw? I mean, we also agree on a lot. But what is it that this commission hopes to conclude about women? I think men have been studying women for a long time.
Speaker 10
53:40
Representative Klemmer, could we allow Representative Steele the
Chair
Unverified
53:42
opportunity? There was a question there. We heard the question. I want to hear what Representative Steele's answer is. Thank you. We have been studying for a
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
53:58
long time, and I still think we haven't got it right yet. Then
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
54:07
is it true, I mean, this was serious.
Is it true that nine people will be able to study and make more conclusions
than all the men of all time have been able to determine? Well, I
Speaker 31
54:21
certainly feel that there are gender-type issues. And if you look at our legislative structure that we have now, there is none that speaks specifically to gender issues. And I know there are gender-related issues that come before this legislature. And I know there have been some very important groups and study groups that have come forth with very important legislation.
I don't think that we know now until this commission is appointed, if it's successful, what course of action they would like to take. But I would say there are some very important gender-related issues that I think people of the male persuasion
Speaker 156
54:54
couldn't begin to understand. Would you just, because I don't know the language in the
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
55:00
bill, is it women that will be appointed to this commission or is it men? Or is it, does it say? No,
Speaker 31
55:09
it's both. It's up to the governor in both houses to support, to appoint the commission.
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
55:14
Well, should it pass, I wish them
Chair
Unverified
55:18
the best. Thank you. Appreciate your vote. Representative Webb, what purpose?
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
55:23
Question. You're right, can I ask? My original question was about money, but now I think if I could, I'll ask a question about what Representative Klemmer did. Representative Steele, is it accurate that Arkansas is currently ranked 51st in economic opportunity for
Speaker 31
55:41
women? Absolutely. I did. That is on my notes. Also, Senator Chesapeake wanted to make sure that I mentioned
that it has nothing to do with the Equal Rights Amendment as well. That's not one of the conclusions that's under the
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
55:59
purview of this commission. Follow-up question? Yes, Your Honor. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Steele, you said that no state money would be asked for and that we would be able to apply for, the commission would be able to apply for grants. Is it also accurate that there will be no per diem, no stipends, nothing like that?
Speaker 179
56:18
Absolutely correct. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
56:21
Members, you've heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? Representative Lee, you are recognized to come to a will and speak against the bill. You're recognized.
Speaker 181
56:43
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. this is always an uncomfortable position to be in to speak against someone's bill.
Unlike you, I don't always do what my senator says, and that can come under the study of women, since my senator's a man, I suppose. I'm asking you to vote against this bill for three reasons. First, this bill puts a group, not those elected in this room, to be the liaison between the government and the public. It sets up a commission of advisers that advise the governor and us, the General Assembly.
It will also generate another government-sponsored special interest lobby who can provide no better information than we already have or can get elsewhere. As Representative Klemmer pointed out a few minutes ago, the population in our counties is made up approximately half of that population is females. Ask them about upcoming bills. I promise you they're going to share with you. Second, we currently have approximately 25 joint House and Senate committees and over 50 subcommittees.
I am confident several of those can study issues related to gender. Members of the public testify, are welcome to testify, in those committees. They're open committees. This bill will drain the staff of our standing subcommittees. As it states on one of its pages, it mandates, mandates, it uses the language, shall, state agencies shall provide the commission with support.
Granted, it's called a commission and not a task force. However, as Representative Moore's resolution and, pardon me, Senator Bookout's resolution, both of them asked us to not create any more task force. One of the reasons we were asked not to is because of the staff issue. This bill is definitely not a government efficiency bill. And third, and probably most important, two weeks ago today, we concurred on Speaker Moore's House Resolution 1003,
which was labeled to encourage the use of permanent subcommittees to study specific problems. One week ago today, Governor Beebe approved it. Let me read you the final paragraph of that resolution. Whereas the use of task force in lieu of the permanent subcommittees of the standing committees weakens the legislative branch and creates additional problems such as staffing needs for the problem-specific task force, therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives
and the Senate of the 88th General Assembly to discourage the creation and use of task force to study specific problems facing the state of Arkansas. We've been given another occasion today to affirm our vote on House Resolution 1003. Now, granted, a resolution just says we intend to follow a course, but you know what, folks?
Let's follow that course, and let's say we are going to follow that course, and I respectfully ask you to vote no on this resolution. Thank you. Representative
Speaker 51
1:00:20
Lee has spoken against the resolution. Anyone wishing to speak for the resolution?
Speaker 44
1:00:25
Representative Post, you are recognized to come
Chair
Unverified
1:00:30
and speak for the resolution. I mean, for the bill, excuse me. For the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Leslee Milam Post
Unverified
1:00:50
With all due respect to my colleague, Representative Klemmer, I can think of, if I would have had a little bit more time, I probably could have think of a hundred more reasons, a hundred more causes, of women's causes, girls' causes, family causes to bring to you at this well. But let me just name a few. Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis,
heart disease, number one reason why women die in America. Cervical cancer, breast cancer. There's two for you that are just women's illnesses. Lupus. Let's get away from illnesses. Domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault. You don't need me to keep going. I could go on and on and on.
You say we have 25, 25 groups. Already, I remember looking at those to see what I wanted to be on, and I was appalled that we didn't have a women's caucus or anything that I could ask the Speaker to serve on. I was so excited when I saw this bill coming up.
I would love to be appointed to this. This is wonderful. I ask you to give this a good vote. And I think it's perfect to come on a day when we commemorate Daisy Gates and
Speaker 44
1:02:49
good vote. Representative Clemmer, what purpose? Representative Post has spoken for the bill. Anyone wishing
Chair
Unverified
1:02:54
to speak against the bill? Representative Wagner, you are recognized to come and speak against the bill.
Representative Charolette Wagner
Unverified
1:03:02
you are recognized thank you mr speaker i'm uncomfortable also because i very seldom speak against something and you might think this would be something i would be for but i have three reasons i am opposed to the bill first of all i think the purpose is entirely too broad It could go in many directions, could use a lot of our resources that were mentioned
before that perhaps we should save for our legislators. I think this is not the right time to create another commission, even though the expenses would be paid from non-state funds if they were raised. And finally, I'm concerned about the fact that no one on the commission would be a legislator.
Speaker 44
1:04:06
Thank you. Representative Wagner has spoken against the bill. Anyone
Chair
Unverified
1:04:13
wishing to speak for the bill? Against the bill, for the bill, Representative Walker, you're recognized to come to the well and speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Powers has told me
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
1:04:29
if I get up one more time, he's going to restrict me by lock and change in my seat for the rest of the week.
Speaker 191
1:04:39
So I guess he'll hold me to that. I want you
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
1:04:47
all to look around the audience here, the chambers, and you will see not one black female. In the black community, women carry much of the burden in large part because many of the men are incarcerated for reasons, varying reasons.
And those women have burdens that you cannot imagine, not only the burdens of raising children but of working, looking after homes, being single parents. And then they also have health problems where they may not be able to have health insurance. They may be unemployable, unemployed. They have so many things that the people in the general population don't have. I wondered years ago how it was that when I looked at health considerations, black men
and black women did not have the same kind of health indices that white men and white women had. And the thing that was significant to me was this, that all of the doctors making all of the determinations about what to study and to prioritize were men at that time. And this goes along with what Ms. Polt says to an extent. The people who study things, study them from the perspective that they have. And if all the people who study things are men or women, you're likely to have perspectives
which represent the representation of the people who do the studying. It is very clear that women do not earn what men earn. Women are terminated more often than men and that there is a glass ceiling. I can't speak in behalf of, I cannot appear before you and seek to have you all address minority issues or black issues without recognizing that even though women are 53% of the population and they have the power to change,
we are in a system which in effect says that men still rule. And I don't know that that has to be or ought to be the case. My experience has been that in schools as we grew up, the students who were the best were often women, more often than not. The people who were most attentive were more often than not women. And I don't see how it is that when you get to life, the reverse seems to be the case. I think that we need to study things even though we don't sometimes pass legislation.
And in this situation, women are still second-class citizens in America. There are only, I think, 16 women in this room, or 17. And while you have the power to have 90%, I guess, of the vote, 50%, there's something that's inherently wrong with the legislature, in all due respect to the men here, where most of the people representing either party happen to be men, and that has to be the case year in and year out. I'm not saying that we ought not to give consideration to what people want.
What people want is influenced by what people have and by what has gone on before us. It is now time for us to put women on an equal footing with men, and the only way that we can get to that point is by
studying why the difference and how it is we can identify the difference and move on to
Speaker 23
1:08:31
addressing it with some specific remedies. Representative Klemmer, what purpose? Question.
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
1:08:36
You recognize? Mr. Walker, I appreciate your perspective here,
and I do acknowledge that there is some consistency in your perspective. But my question is, we listed, Representative Post listed about ten diseases, and we've mentioned the inequity, perhaps, in positions of power that go to women. But my question remains, how will nine people, three appointed by the governor, three appointed by the speaker, three appointed by the president pro tem, how will nine people successfully address such a broad range?
We listed 10 diseases for which we have found national foundations. We have gender studies programs in the universities. They have not solved these problems. How is it that we hope nine people will solve the
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
1:09:30
problems of 53% of the population? Well, I share your view there. I believe that the committee is not broadly, sufficiently broadly inclusive, and legislative
representation should be there. And we can obtain that by supplemental legislation, if not by amending this, but I would think that it's appropriate for supplemental legislation. The body that's charged with trying to address this problem should have some point of view. Now, I guess the determination was made simply because the number of people here, quite frankly speaking, don't want to put any more burdens on the budget of the state, and that's understandable.
They want to try to assure you that whatever is going here is innocent, and it's not going to cost any money. Well, you know everything that you do is going to cost some money, and the question really is just how much and when, and if we do anything effective, it's ultimately going to cost some money, but I think you amend that. Now, I don't think that those nine people will necessarily make a dent in anything, but it's a symbolic step. And often, it's just like the Bates Amendment, those are steps that are important in order to cause us to have more appreciation for where we are. I think that in order for us to really look at the problems of women in Arkansas, we need a commission to address the problems of women in Arkansas.
I assure you that if we are 51st in women's issues in Arkansas, among all the states, I guess it's 50th, I do not understand how we got there, and we ought to at least study that to see if we can't get close to being 25th or 24th, if not first or second. Thank you. Representative Walker
Speaker 65
1:11:15
has spoken for the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill?
Chair
Unverified
1:11:21
Representative Hobbs, you're recognized to come and speak against the bill. You're
Representative Debra M. Hobbs
Unverified
1:11:46
recognized, Representative Hobbs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, too often, citizens look to the government for answers, and I think that's one of the many reasons that so many state budgets are upside down.
I understand currently this says no money, but how many commissions do you know that operate without money? So often I have heard, well, this is just to get it started. There's no money. Guess what happens the next year? Oh, by the way, we need some money, and so it will continue to grow. In the state of Arkansas, there are over 30,000 registered nonprofit groups. I called this morning to see how many of those nonprofits deal with women's issues.
They're still researching, looking through the data. And Representative Klammer mentioned several, and the issues that have already been brought up before you, These are issues that we know concern women. Why do we need a commission to study it farther? How many reports have you received from different task forces that are about YAPIC, they're bound in beautiful booklets, but what has happened with those reports once they've been done?
I know this puts especially the gentleman in here in a very awkward position, But believe me, voting against this bill is not a vote against women. I think it is a vote recognizing that women are not second-class citizens, but we are first-class citizens and should be treated as such. Thank you. Representative Hobbs
Speaker 10
1:13:28
has spoken against the bill. One wishing
Chair
Unverified
1:13:32
to speak for the bill. Representative, word for what purpose? Motion.
What's your motion? Move for immediate consideration. Proper motion, non-debatable. Question before the House,
Speaker 10
1:13:44
a motion for immediate consideration. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Aye. Ayes have it. Question before the House is passage Senate Bill 119. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Chair
Unverified
1:14:08
Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk, by a vote of 27 yea, 58 nay, one present. The bill has failed. Mr. Clerk, read Senate Bill 206. Senate Bill 206 by Senator Files,
Speaker 17
1:14:28
an act to require state agencies to review administrative rules to ensure the use of respectful language regarding disabilities. Representative
Chair
Unverified
1:14:37
Penartz, you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
1:14:44
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House. Senate Bill 206 is really a follow-up bill to two acts that were passed, one in 2007 another in 2009 that deals with respectful language for those who have disabilities. You know, the sun shines both on those who have gifts and those who have challenges.
And this bill simply says, as a follow-up, that we should use respectful language in our administrative rules, just as we did with the other two bills that address cleaning up and the use of respectful language in our code. So this bill simply does that by asking state agencies and others to review our rules and replace with respectful language all those terms that have the inappropriate term.
So I ask for a good vote
Chair
Unverified
1:15:59
on this bill. Members, you've heard an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? For
the bill? Close for your bill. Question for the House passage of Senate Bill 206. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted, cast up the ballot by a vote of 90 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present.
You have passed the bill. Mr. Clerk, read Senate Bill 219. Senate Bill 219
Speaker 17
1:16:37
by Senator Lamoureux, an act to continue the Freedom of Information Act provisions affecting the records and meetings of public water systems. Representative Slinkard,
Chair
Unverified
1:16:46
you are recognized to come and explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Mary L. Slinkard
Unverified
1:17:01
I don't enjoy following Representative Pernartz because she does a great job. But let me tell you a little bit about Senate Bill 219. It is a simple bill, I'll have to say. It simply continues the expiration date that's grandfathered in regarding the security systems for our public water systems. After the events of 2011, the security of key infrastructure facilities was brought into question, as many of you know.
In 2003, the Arkansas legislature enacted legislation that addressed the accessibility of critical information that would put our drinking water utilities at risk by making certain documents, reports, studies, engineering plans, drawings, and other information exempt from the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. In an effort to protect the general public, water utilities are required by the Environmental Protection Agency to implement security measures to protect these facilities from
vandalism and terroristic attacks. So what this bill simply does is to continue the expiration date, making these codes, security codes, exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. It does have the emergency clause on it. Many of you are familiar with this, I would appreciate a good vote on this bill. Thank you. Members, you've heard an explanation of the bill.
Chair
Unverified
1:18:43
Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? For the bill, you close for your bill. Representative Slinkard, she is closed. Question for the House. Passage of Senate Bill 219. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Members, you're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 92 yeas, 0 nay, 1 present, you have
passed the bill and the emergency clause.
Mr. Clerk, read Senate Bill 175. Senate
Speaker 17
1:19:21
Bill 175 by Senator Disman, an act regarding the carrying of
Chair
Unverified
1:19:27
a bail bond license. Representative Bynes, you are
Representative John T. Vines
Unverified
1:19:33
recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 175 is basically a cleanup bill. This is for the bail bondsman contracting licensing board. There are no tax increases, no fees, none whatsoever.
This bill simply cleans up the language of
the different documents they have to carry and combines them into one. So I'd appreciate a good vote. You've
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:20:00
heard an explanation of the bill. Are there anyone who wants to speak for or against the bill, against the bill, for
the bill? Mr. Vines, would you like to close? He's closed for
the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 175.
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Cast
up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 92 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 presents, you have passed the
bill. Mr. Clark, read Senate Bill 176
Speaker 59
1:20:52
Senate Bill 176 by Senator Dismang, an act regarding the notice given upon issuance of
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:21:02
a bail bond license Mr. Vangio, recognized
Representative John T. Vines
Unverified
1:21:05
to explain the bill Thank you, Madam Speaker Yet another cleanup bill All this does is it's intended to save the board money In recent years, apparently in 2005, this body changed law as far as notification of circuit clerks and sheriffs.
Now we've deleted the notification to the circuit clerk in that act, and all this does is terminates the responsibility to keep sending them a document that doesn't even do anything for them. They have no authority over. So the numbers I have received, this could save the board between $50,000 and $70,000 with this, so they don't have to notify. I'd appreciate a favorable vote. Thank you. You've heard an explanation of the
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:21:51
bill. Is there anyone that would like to speak against the bill?
For the bill? Mr. Vines, would you like to close? He's closed for the bill. The question before the House is Senate Bill 176. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone
Speaker 208
1:22:15
voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:22:24
a vote of 91 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 presents, you have passed the bill.
Senate Bill 177, Mr. Clerk. Senate
Speaker 59
1:22:36
Bill 177 by Senator Dismang, an act regarding unpaid bond forfeiture judgment limits. Mr. Vines,
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:22:43
you're recognized to read the bill.
Representative John T. Vines
Unverified
1:22:48
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yet another cleanup bill. These have been, let me remind you that these have been vetted and approved by the Board and the Senate at this point. This bill goes to the security that the companies have to post.
This cleans up some language and discusses what happens in the event of forfeitures. It's simply clean-up language. It's been requested by
their board, and I would appreciate a favorable vote. You've heard an explanation of
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:23:15
the bill. Is there anyone that would like to speak against the bill, for the
bill? Mr. Vines, would you like to close? He is closed
for the bill. Question before the House is Senate Bill 177. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Speaker 208
1:23:41
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 93 yeas,
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:23:50
0 nays, and 0 present, you have passed the bill. Read Senate Bill 178, please. Senate Bill
Speaker 17
1:23:57
178 by Senator Dismang, an act regarding the administrative penalty issued by the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsmen Licensing Board. Mr. Vindra, recognized to
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:24:06
present the bill. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Representative John T. Vines
Unverified
1:24:12
Last but not least, Senate Bill 178 gives the board the authority to revoke or suspend a license and or fine companies. And it also increases the maximum fine that they're allowed to assess from $5,000 to $10,000 per bondsman or bond company. With that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Mr. Cowling, for
Speaker 213
1:24:34
what purpose, please? Question. Your question? I was just
Speaker 214
1:24:40
wondering if Representative Vines has got a bail bonds license.
Speaker 216
1:24:43
well if it if this legislative thing doesn't work out i'm looking for some fallback is
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:24:55
there anyone that would like to speak against the bill for the bill mr vines are you closed question before the house of senate bill 178 prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Cast up the
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
1:25:23
One yay, zero nays, and one present. You have passed the bill.
Chair
Unverified
1:25:47
Members, we'll go to the yellow budget calendar. representative webb what purpose
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
1:25:57
question thank you mr speaker may we pass over the
Chair
Unverified
1:26:01
budget calendar today please representative webb moves we pass over the budget calendar without objection um we'll pass the
budget calendar today and representative webb do you have further questions yes mr speaker you're recognized thank you may i come to the
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
1:26:18
well to make a brief announcement about GIF money. You're recognized. Come to the whale.
You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What I want to do is just make a brief announcement about general improvement money. and then let you know about two meetings that we're going to have tomorrow and the next day. And I will be happy to answer as many questions as you all might have at these two meetings. I don't want to take a tremendous amount of time, though, on the floor today to answer your questions. And also, this will give you a little bit more opportunity to visit with each other and perhaps
think of additional questions. You're all receiving a piece of paper right now that is very similar to the sheet that we used last year when we voted on what to do with general improvement bonds. Just like to tell you that if you want a bill drafted, a bill drafter will do that for you. He or she will not necessarily tell you whether or not they think that bill is unconstitutional, but they will draft the bill for you.
The House has had a continuing effort over the years since my first term to comply with Wilson versus Weiss, and we began moving towards what we thought was a constitutional distribution of GIF money in my first term. And GIF money in the legislative branch is something that's been going on since, I think, the late 1990s, maybe 1997. We improved the distribution of these funds in 2009 by coming up with a list of statewide
projects, by talking to all the members about those projects, by voting, and then disbursing of the funds in that way. What we hope to do this year is to do this in an equitable manner with a great degree of openness and transparency for all the members of the House. So we have asked Legislative Bureau to begin drafting bills based on all of the projects
that we funded last time so we would have the bills drafted and ready to go. Because a number of you in conversations with me have indicated that that would be what you would like to do. A number of folks have indicated that what you might like is to do one or two statewide projects. handful of you have told me that what you might want to do is take money and put it in a rainy day fund so there are multiple ideas out there in order to facilitate everybody's being able to ask
questions and to increase your knowledge about the general improvement money we have scheduled two meetings tomorrow we are inviting members of the first and second district caucuses to meet in the room that the Judiciary Committee meets in upon adjournment. On Wednesday, we would like members of the 3rd and 4th District Caucuses to meet in that same room upon adjournment. So tomorrow, Districts 1 and 2, Wednesday, Districts 3 and 4.
If you have any questions that you want to ask any of the Vice Chair of Joint Budget, or the committee chairs in joint budget, Representative Hyde, Representative Benartz, Representative Lovell, and Representative Lindsey, they are quite knowledgeable about GIF, and we would be happy to answer questions prior to the meeting if you want to have those questions answered in preparation for the meeting. Tomorrow, we'll be talking about, tomorrow and Wednesday, we'll be going into more detail about what dollar amount of money we might expect or not expect,
And we'll be giving those of you who are new more detailed information about the projects that we funded last
Speaker 11
1:30:43
year. And I thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative Webb. That's the Judiciary meets in Room 149, just FYI.
Chair
Unverified
1:30:51
Representative Williams, I'm going to go ahead and recognize you before we hear the adjournment motion. and come to the well and make an announcement also that has a need to be heard by all membership.
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
1:31:08
You're recognized, Representative Williams. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, many of you know that each year we have a district court judge's salary bill. With this bill, we set the salary ranges for district judges, sometimes their clerks, their deputy clerks, and sometimes their bailiffs. This bill is, we set those salary ranges, but their salaries are paid by your county and your city governments. We don't. It's not state money.
Except for about 25 district judges or state judges, this bill does not relate to those 25 judges whose salary is paid by the state. However, it may relate to their clerk or their deputy clerk or their bailiff who may be paid by the county or the city. So each year, what we do is we post the bill in the clerk's office, Sherry Stacks' office. It's there now. Please go and look at that bill.
Make sure the salary range for your district judges, your clerks, your deputy clerks, and or your bailiffs is sufficient. So you may need to talk with your mayor, your county judge, whoever you need to talk to to make sure the salary ranges are sufficient. If they are sufficient, please initial the bill. If they're not sufficient, please write on the bill what those salary ranges should be and then initial the bill. Of course, this bill must be filed before March 7th, our bill filing deadline.
This bill usually is cumbersome and takes a while to get done, so we've got about two weeks to get this done. So please go to the clerk's office, look at the bill, and make necessary amendments or place your initials on them if you are okay with the salary ranges. Again, this is not state money. This is your city or county money, but we as a state legislature set those salary ranges for those judges, those clerks, and or those bailiffs. I'd be happy to take any questions, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker 10
1:33:13
Representative Gene, what purpose? Recognize? Representative Williams, how will we
Speaker 230
1:33:18
know what they compared to last year? I believe the bill currently
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
1:33:23
has last year's figures, so if you do nothing, well, actually, I'd like you to
initial it if you want to keep it at last year, but if you do nothing, last year's figures are
actually in the bill. There's a bill drafted with the dollar amounts from last year in the clerk's office. Thank
Chair
Unverified
1:33:45
you. thank you members uh representative allen you're recognized for motion thank you after the
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
1:33:50
announcement reading of the bills transferring bills placing the calendars on the desk amending members on bills with their own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalizing resolution reading communication and any remaining committee reports i move that we adjourn until
Speaker 10
1:34:06
1 30 tomorrow motion not debatable all in favor say aye opposed no motion carried announcements
Speaker 11
1:34:12
representative woods what purpose announcement recognized public health will meet tomorrow
Representative Jon Woods
Unverified
1:34:17
morning 10 a.m room 130 thank you thank you
Chair
Unverified
1:34:21
representative barnett what purpose announcement recognized house transportation tomorrow morning 10 o'clock, Big Mac, committee room B. Thank you. Thank you. Representative
Speaker 51
1:34:31
Williams, what purpose? Announcement. Recognized. Members, on your desk, there's a letter from Senator Chesterfield
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
1:34:36
and myself inviting you to tour the Clinton Library. The times that the library is open says Monday through Friday, 9 to 5. That's actually Monday through Saturday. The Clinton Library is open seven days a week. This library is in our district. We'd love
for you to have an opportunity to visit
if you have not or if you'd like to revisit. Thank
Speaker 164
1:35:02
you. Representative Clemmer, what purpose? Announcement. Recognized. And thank you. To the
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
1:35:04
members that came to the UALR game, I just wanted everybody to know that Kelly Link walked home with the iPad. Representative Webb, what purpose? Announcement. You recognize. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
1:35:25
The sheets we passed out today are for you just to look at because we don't
know that that will be the final sheet. It will be based on additional input, and I apologize, so hang on to those sheets. Look at it. We'll talk about them in the meeting. Thank
Chair
Unverified
1:35:39
you. Thank you. Representative Cheatham, what purpose? Announcement, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
1:35:44
Recognized. Education will meet tomorrow, room 138 at 10 o'clock. Representative Stewart, what purpose?
Representative Randy Stewart
Unverified
1:35:53
Announcement, please. Recognized. Thank you. The Education Caucus will meet at 8 a.m. in Room 138.
Tomorrow is Members' Day. Any member with an education bill that you filed or is pending filing is welcome to come discuss your bill with the Education Caucus. 8 o'clock, Room 138. Thank you.
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
1:36:13
Representative Allen, what purpose? Announcement. Recognized. Crowd Caucus in the morning at 7 a.m., Room 019.
Speaker 10
1:36:19
Representative Cowling, what purpose? Announcement. Recognized. uh... tax revenue of me
Speaker 230
1:36:24
at ten o'clock one fifty one in the morning thank you
Speaker 87
1:36:28
very much further announcements level I
Speaker 55
1:36:36
read the bills, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 1440
Speaker 240
1:36:54
by Representative Brown to read U.S. Objection reads second time.
Speaker 241
1:36:59
1440. Agriculture. House Bill 1441. Without objection reads second time. House Bill 1441. City, county, local. House Bill 1442. Without objection reads second time. House Bill 1442. Education. House bill 1443, House bill 1443, House bill 1443, House bill 1444, House bill 1444, House bill 1444, House bill 1445, House bill 1444 by Representative Williams, House bill 1446 state agency, House bill 1445, House bill
Speaker 242
1:37:21
1446 by Representative Williams, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1443, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House
Speaker 245
1:37:37
bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446, House bill 1446,
Speaker 240
1:37:43
1447. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without
Speaker 17
1:37:56
objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Without objection, read the second time. Child 7 Child 7 Land
Child 7 Child 8
Speaker 24
1:38:32
Bill 12 by Joint Budget Committee. Calendar. Senate Bill
Speaker 240
1:38:47
Senate Bill 13 by Joint Budget Committee. Out of objection rate the second time. Senate Bill 13. Calendar. Senate Bill 14 by Judge... Out of objection rate the second time. Senate Bill 14. Joint Budget. Senate Bill 18 by Joint Budget Committee. Out of objection rate the second time. Senate Bill 18. Calendar. Senate Bill 19 by Joint Budget Committee. Objection reads second time. Senate Bill 19. Calendar. Senate Bill 23 by Joint Budget Committee. That objection reads second time. Senate Bill 23. Calendar. Senate Bill 30 by Joint Budget Committee.
Speaker 24
1:39:17
That objection reads second time. Senate Bill 30. Calendar. Senate Bill 34 by Joint Budget Committee. That objection reads second time. Senate Bill 34. Calendar. Senate Bill
Speaker 240
1:39:29
35 by Joint Budget Committee. That objection reads second time. Senate Bill 35. Joint Budget. Senate Bill 38 by Joint Budget Committee. That objection reads second time. Senate Bill 38. Calendar. Senate Bill 40 by Joint Budget Committee. Out of Jackson Ridge, second time. Senate Bill 40. Calendar.
Senate Bill 48 by Joint Budget Committee. Out of Jackson Ridge, second time. Senate Bill 48. Calendar. Senate Bill 304 by Senator Pritchard, an act to amend various provisions. Out of Jackson Ridge, second time. Senate Bill 304. Eight agencies. Members,
Speaker 10
1:40:04
the desk will remain open for the reading of the bills until 4.30. Upon completion of the items, name the adjourned resolution. The House will be adjourned until 1.30 tomorrow.
Agenda
Invocation
Roll Call
HR1013
HB1354
HB1279
HB1398
HB1276
HB1366
HB1244
HB1404
HB1384
SB119
SB206
SB219
SB175
SB176
SB177
SB178
Announcements
Reading of Bills
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 2
Speaker 4
Speaker 11
Speaker 10
Speaker 16
Speaker 17
Representative Tracy Steele
Unverified
Speaker 31
Speaker 32
Speaker 33
Speaker 37
Representative John Charles Edwards
Unverified
Representative David Fielding
Unverified
Speaker 43
Speaker 44
Representative John W. Walker
Unverified
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
Speaker 28
Representative John T. Vines
Unverified
Representative Davy Carter
Unverified
Speaker 63
Representative Butch Wilkins Chair
Unverified
Speaker 69
Representative Robert S. Moore, Jr.
Unverified
Representative Greg Leding
Unverified
Speaker 79
Representative Mark Biviano
Unverified
Representative Darrin Williams
Unverified
Representative Jim Nickels
Unverified
Speaker 19
Speaker 103
Speaker 8
Speaker 59
Representative Eddie L. Cheatham
Unverified
Representative Jane English
Unverified
Representative Gary Deffenbaugh
Unverified
Speaker 133
Representative Tiffany Rogers
Unverified
Speaker 156
Representative Tracy Pennartz
Unverified
Representative Ann V. Clemmer
Unverified
Speaker 161
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
Speaker 179
Speaker 181
Speaker 51
Representative Leslee Milam Post
Unverified
Representative Charolette Wagner
Unverified
Speaker 191
Speaker 23
Speaker 65
Representative Debra M. Hobbs
Unverified
Representative Mary L. Slinkard
Unverified
Speaker 208
Speaker 213
Speaker 214
Speaker 216
Speaker 230
Representative Jon Woods
Unverified
Speaker 164
Representative Randy Stewart
Unverified
Speaker 87
Speaker 55
Speaker 240
Speaker 241
Speaker 242
Speaker 245
Speaker 24
Speaker 34