Arkansas House of Representatives Fiscal Session - Day 16
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (32)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1145
· 7 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Representative Malik moves we place House Bill 1145 back on second reading for the purposes of amendment. All i…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1151
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1151 Joint Budget Committee #1”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1160
· 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…ker, We are a committee on joint budget to whom is referred House Bill 1160 by Representative Maxwell,”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1161
· 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “House Bill 1161 by Representative Maxwell, House Bill 1174 by Joint Budget…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1174
· 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “House Bill 1161 by Representative Maxwell, House Bill 1174 by Joint Budget Committee, and House Bill 1176 by Joint Bud…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1176
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1176 Amendment #1”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1019
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1019 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1024
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…sures from the fiscal session of the 87th General Assembly. House Bill 1024 is Act 200. House Bill 1043 is Act 201. House Bill 1068 is…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1032
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1032 Amendment #1”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1040
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “whom is referred House Bill 1040 by joint budget, House Bill 1066 by joint budget, House Bil…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1044
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1044 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1045
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1045 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1046
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1046 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1066
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “whom is referred House Bill 1040 by joint budget, House Bill 1066 by joint budget, House Bill 1115 by joint budget, House Bil…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1103
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1103 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1104
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1104 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1115
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 1040 by joint budget, House Bill 1066 by joint budget, House Bill 1115 by joint budget, House Bill 1135 by joint budget, House Bil…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1122
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1122 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1135
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 1066 by joint budget, House Bill 1115 by joint budget, House Bill 1135 by joint budget, House Bill 1171 by joint budget, House Bil…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1136
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1136 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1154
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1154 T. Rogers”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1156
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…House Bill 1126 is Act 209, House Bill 1129 is Act 210, and House Bill 1156 is Act 211.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1163
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “a committee on House Rules to whom is referred House Bill 1163, bar percent of wills. By the legal report, we've had the s…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1164
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1164 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1171
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 1115 by joint budget, House Bill 1135 by joint budget, House Bill 1171 by joint budget, House Bill 1173 by joint budget, and House…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1173
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 1135 by joint budget, House Bill 1171 by joint budget, House Bill 1173 by joint budget, and House Bill 1175 by joint budget. Bigly…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1175
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…1171 by joint budget, House Bill 1173 by joint budget, and House Bill 1175 by joint budget. Bigly report we've had the same under cons…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB105
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB105 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB26
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB26 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB30
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB30 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB31
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB31 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB93
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB93 Joint Budget Committee”
|
Pre-2017 bill |
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The House will come to order. I invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by the Reverend Cornel Maltbea, pastor of the True Holiness Saints Center in Conway, Arkansas, and to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to be led by Representative Bill Abernathy.
Speaker 6
2:32
Let us pray. Lord, our Heavenly Father, we thank you for such a beautiful day in the state of Arkansas. As we begin our general session today, we pray that you would help us to be fruitful during our time together today as we strive to make Arkansas a better place to live and a leading state in the Union. And also today we want to lift up Tim as he's still in the hospital. We ask you to strengthen his body. This is our prayer. Amen.
Speaker 9
3:21
Members, indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.
Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. With 100 members present, the Chair sees a quorum. Representative Nancy Duffy-Blount moves we dispense with
the reading of the previous day's journal. No objections, so ordered. Are there reports from select committees? Read the reports, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Speaker, we are
Speaker 14
4:10
a committee on House Rules to whom is referred House Bill 1163, bar percent of wills. By the legal report, we've had the same under consideration. Herewith return the same with the recommendation that it do pass. respectfully submitted. Robert Moore, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on joint budget
whom is referred House Bill 1040 by joint budget, House Bill 1066 by joint budget, House Bill 1115 by joint budget, House Bill 1135 by joint budget, House Bill 1171 by joint budget, House Bill 1173 by joint budget, and House Bill 1175 by joint budget. Bigly report we've had the same under consideration herewith. Return the same with the recommendation that they do pass. Mr. Speaker, We are a committee on joint budget to whom is referred House Bill 1160 by Representative Maxwell,
House Bill 1161 by Representative Maxwell, House Bill 1174 by Joint Budget Committee, and House Bill 1176 by Joint Budget Committee. They agree with the report we've had the same under consideration herewith. Return the same with the recommendations that they do pass as amended. Respectfully submitted, Bruce Malik, Chair. Are there
Speaker 15
5:17
reports from standing committees? Is there any unfinished business? Are
there any executive communications? Read the letter from the Governor, Mr. Clerk.
Speaker 14
5:29
To the Speaker of the House, dear Mr. Speaker, this is to inform you that on February 23, 2010, I approve the following measures from the fiscal session of the 87th General Assembly. House Bill 1024 is Act 200. House Bill 1043 is Act 201. House Bill 1068 is Act 202. House Bill 1072 is Act 203. House Bill 1087 is Act 204, House Bill 1091 is Act 205, House Bill 1100 is Act 206, House Bill 1121 is Act 207, House Bill 1123 is Act 208, House Bill 1126 is Act 209, House Bill 1129 is Act 210, and House Bill 1156 is Act 211.
Sincerely, Mike Beebe. Members, before we go to the yellow budget calendar, we've got a couple of things we
need to take care of. First of all, we have a visitor in the chamber today from the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver, Colorado. We have Ms. Jenny Drage Bowser, who's a senior fellow in the Legislative Management Program. Welcome to the House of Representatives. In the gallery today, we have the Freshman Civics in English class from Foreman, Arkansas,
and their guest is Representative Larry Cowling. Welcome to the House of Representatives. Members, we have several special announcements that we're going to do at this time. The first announcement, I'm going
to ask Representative Barry Hyde to come to the well to assist me in making this announcement. Representative Hyde, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Barry Hyde
Unverified
7:13
Members, it is my extreme pride and pleasure to draw your attention to the State of Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Ms. Vandy Nash, standing over on the rail
with Representative Nichols. Mandy is a graduate
of the North Little Rock School System and is currently a 4th grade teacher in the district at Indian Hills.
She is nationally board certified, a former finalist for the North Little Rock Teacher of the Year. and nearing her completion of a master's degree. The list of her volunteer work in the community is way too large to try and mention here today. Ms. Nash is being cited here as a special member of the state teaching community and will serve as a role model to all teachers across the state.
Members, please join me in congratulating Ms. Nash and her accomplishment as Teacher of the Year. Thank you.
recognize Representative Richard Carroll to come to the well to assist me with an announcement. And he
Speaker 26
9:08
will be joined by Representative Jane English. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my proud and honor and privilege to have you recognize the Milken National Education Award winner Miss Hadley of Rose City Middle School which is in my district but Miss Hadley lives in Jane English's
district and we are proud to have her here with us in the gallery today if you would please recognize her we would like that Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And at this
time, I will ask Representative John Burris to come to the well to assist me in a final announcement.
Representative John Burris
Unverified
10:11
Thank you, members. I'll make this brief. Normally we honor people, which is a very good thing. Today I have a group with me that wanted to come and say thank you to this body. Back in the summer, Representative Bruce Malick brought something to your attention. The group of Bergman FFA had their herd struck by lightning and a large portion of it killed. They were able to recoup, I think, all of their money by the time it was all said and done. A large portion of it came from contributions from you, members of the House. Again, I was sitting around complaining. Representative Malick called and said, hey, I've got an idea.
and kind of spearheaded the effort along with Representative Davenport and myself. And so we appreciate the effort that you put into that, and they wanted to come down today to say thank you. So up in the gallery is the Bergman FFA group.
Members, before we go to the yellow calendar, let's welcome our Doctors of the Day. They're in the
back of the chamber. From Fayetteville, we have Dr. Hamilton Hart. And from Jonesboro, we have Dr. Scott Dixon. Welcome to the House of Representatives. And also, I didn't see her back there, but now I do, our Nurse of the Day, Ms. Mary Lou Menofee. Welcome to the House of
Representatives. Moving to your yellow budget calendar, members.
Representative Malik moves we place House Bill 1145 back on second reading for the purposes of amendment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Read amendment number one, Mr. Clerk. Amendment number
one to House Bill 1145. Representative Malik, you're recognized to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker 35
12:04
Amendment number one has to do with allocation of the fire department funds from general improvement. This has actually been approved once by this body, but we had to send the bill back for another amendment, so we had to expunge the vote in just bringing this same amendment back to you.
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
12:19
Representative Greenberg, for what purpose? I might have a question or two if Mr. Malik will accept it. Mr. Malik, do you yield to a question? I will do my best. Greenberg, you're recognized. Well, I have to tell you I have some concerns about this. You know, Amendment 14 of the Constitution says the General Assembly won't pass any local or special action. When this singles out various cities in one county, do you regard that as a
Speaker 35
12:43
local or special action? I think that's a good question, Representative Greenberg, and actually it's one that I've discussed with some other members and staff.
The fire department general improvement funds that we allocated went to all of the fire departments in the state, and then they can determine, you know, the distribution, which basically we say in accordance with the way that the Act 833 monies are distributed. I think in Pulaski County's case, after we passed our legislation last spring, they changed that to an equal distribution. There were some questions, and you may need some members of the Pulaski County delegation to speak to this,
but I think there were some members, I mean, at that meeting, some discrepancy as to who was in attendance. Maybe some people recorded it being president at the meeting who were not at the meeting and whether due notice was given of that meeting. This tries to go back to the original Act 833 distribution, even within Pulaski County. But because we've directed the money statewide, we do believe that this meets
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
13:55
constitutional standards. So when we mention rules that deal with the distribution in one county and we ignore the other 74 counties
and we direct it to just a few various cities in one county, you don't feel that that's local or special legislation? Well,
Speaker 35
14:11
the funds themselves were directed statewide, and I'm certain there are constitutional attorneys that could argue both sides of that. But we are not just funding one department. It does have to do with the way that it's distributed within one county. I understand that. Thank you.
Speaker 39
14:33
I'm probably going to speak against this at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker. Members, you
Speaker 9
14:40
have heard an explanation of the amendment. Mr. Greenberg, would you like to speak against the amendment? You're recognized to come to the well to speak against the amendment. I want
Speaker 42
14:55
to say respectfully to this body, I'll be quick about this. I'm not concerned solely because I can tell you some of my fire departments are pretty ticked off about this,
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
15:03
and I think other fire departments can be pretty ticked off about this statewide. I think there's a real constitutional concern here. Wilson v. Weiss interpreted Amendment 14. the court said when a law applies only to one geographic division of the state there has to be a rational reason for making the decision to pick that one area of the state over all other areas. What this amendment does is it picks out a couple of cities and sends money to them and it ignores the intergovernmental council. You all know that in each county, each county has an intergovernmental council.
What this law is going to do, it's going to let 74 intergovernmental councils work. It's going to supersede one intergovernmental council. I think there are real constitutional concerns about this. I think there are real policy concerns about this. I would vote against this. Thank you. I'd be happy
to take any questions. Representative Hyde, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Barry Hyde
Unverified
15:55
Representative Greenberg, do you know how this GIF money for fire departments was distributed to counties? What formula was used to distribute it to the counties? Was it by population?
Speaker 51
16:04
Was that involved? Are you talking about this year's
Representative Barry Hyde
Unverified
16:10
bill or last year's bill? I'm talking about the GIF money that this bill is reappropriating. It's the same money. This has to do with last year's GIF bill for fire departments across the state. And, in fact, that distribution to all the counties was largely due to the population of each county. Actually, it was due to the 1990 census is how the act reads. And in the case of Pulaski County, without boring all of our fellows here with the details of this,
I understand why you would be up here because your job is just like mine. You have constituents, about the same number of constituents I have. And if I had an opportunity to get more of that GIF money for my constituents than what you were able to get, well, I'd probably take advantage of that. But the situation is just the reverse. Some of those constituents in areas other than Little Rock, North Little Rock, Jacksonville, and Sherwood have in fact received a differing amount. It was not distributed by population, just like 833 money is distributed.
For this one-time money, there was some semblance, questionable. There was some semblance of the intergovernmental committee, a cooperation committee, and they decided to change just for this one distribution. That was not the intention of me. I don't think that was the intention of the other delegates of Plaski County or the representatives from Plaski County. It was always our intention that that money would be shared equally, and that is simply the logical reason, as you put it, the logical reason why this special language is attached, to do the best we can to put that back in order.
Even assuming that this 25 percent survives, it still will not make those four cities whole. The constituents in those four cities will still have received a smaller portion per capita of this GIF money than the people in the outlying areas of the state. Mr. Speaker, should Mr. Hyde be
up here? Representative Hyde, was there a question in there? Wouldn't you agree? Mr.
Speaker 54
18:10
Hyde, in all seriousness, I'd say one of
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
18:15
our most important constituents is the Constitution. The Constitution says we don't want to do local or special spending.
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
18:24
Representative Garner, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Representative Greenberg, are you aware that the current law allows the distribution of monies to be further amended by each county's intergovernmental council? Yes, and the intergovernmental
Speaker 62
18:43
council has customarily made this decision. In fact, I think what we're doing now
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
18:48
is we're going to say that 74 intergovernmental councils make the decision. and that's composed of the fire departments, and we're going to ignore the 75th Intergovernmental
Council, and we're going to supersede that with legislative judgment.
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
19:00
And would you say that in some areas of Pulaski County, where perhaps I know we're going by an old census, some areas of Pulaski County may have actually doubled in population and have needs, and so when that Intergovernmental Council met to negotiate how those funds would be distributed, wouldn't you think that this body should uphold that decision? Certainly, and I think you're
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
19:22
probably more aware than I am that some mayors in Pulaski County have objected to what this amendment is trying to do
in terms of disproportionately assigning resources to one fire department over another. By voting for
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
19:35
this amendment, would you say that this body is, in effect, overriding the Intergovernmental Council Agreement of Pulaski County? It is
Speaker 69
19:43
absolutely overriding the judgment of the
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
19:46
firefighters all across the state, in my view, and certainly here in the center of the state of the
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
19:53
intergovernmental councils. Yes, sir. Is it your argument that in doing so, we as a body are then directing money directly to specific municipalities?
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
20:02
Yes, I think that there's a serious prospect that we're violating Amendment 14, and I can just say I don't believe I've ever seen anything more specific than this in the years that I've been here and something that's more likely to violate Amendment 14 to the
Speaker 73
20:19
Constitution. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Burris,
Speaker 75
20:24
for what purpose? Question, Mr. Speaker. You recognize? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Greenberg, will this, if this is passed, do you feel like that this will have a negative impact on volunteer fire departments in Tulaski County?
Speaker 62
20:36
I think quite possibly. I think it might have a negative
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
20:40
impact on volunteer fire departments. I think it might also have a negative impact if somebody decides to sue the state, because we might end up spending taxpayer resources defending this provision. because, as I say, I think it's arguably the closest thing that sort of goes across the boundary of dangerous possible violations of Amendment 14. Yes, sir? Thank you. Thank you.
Representative Greenberg has spoken against the amendment.
Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Webb, you're recognized to speak for the
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
21:18
amendment. Well, I appreciate my colleagues' thoughts about the Constitution. I want to tell you that we worked very hard to make sure that we were going to pass muster before we proposed this amendment. It was the legislative intent last year to distribute this money based on population. There are, as Chairman Malik said, a lot of questions about the procedure that was followed at that committee meeting.
And I want to tell everybody here that the small fire departments in Pulaski County are important to every legislator, even those who represent Little Rock and don't have any of those county departments. And because of the way this initial money was distributed, those fire departments got way more money than they would have, and we're not taking that money away. We're just trying to make it a little bit more equitable. The Intergovernment Council also appropriated money to one community in Little Rock that doesn't even have a fire department.
So this small little entity within Little Rock with no fire department got the same amount of money as Little Rock with 20 stations, 400-plus firefighters, the only hazmat unit in the county. so we're just trying to help a little bit with those four cities but all of the rural fire departments in Pulaski County still have more than they would have gotten thank you representative
Webb has spoken for the amendment would
Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment,
Representative Creekmore, you're recognized? I'd like to speak against the amendment,
please. You're recognized to come to the well to speak against
Speaker 82
23:23
the amendment. recognized thank you mr speaker i didn't really want to come speak against him and i had a question
but from what i've been hearing in testimony representative hide mentioned even distribution of the funds and representative webb mentioned distributed by population i have a couple volunteer fire departments that are in pulaski county and even though they may have already received a little bit more than what they would have that is all the funds they get besides 833 funds they don't get a tax base funding or anything else
like Little Rock and Jacksonville and Sherwood and so my question is to think about those rural fire departments that are there when we need them and their funding sources. Thank you. Representative Creekmore has spoken
against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Against the amendment. Representative Malik, would you like to close for the amendment? Representative Malik is closed. The question
before the House is the adoption of House Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1145. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? No. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 52 yeas, 39 nays, and one present,
you have adopted House Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1145. Mr. Clerk, read Amendment No. 2. Mr. Hyde moves Clencher on the amendment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Clencher is adopted. Read Amendment No. 2, Mr. Clerk. Amendment No.
Speaker 34
25:26
2 to House Bill 1145. Mr. Malik, you're recognized.
Speaker 35
25:33
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This just deletes some appropriation language.
We had to do some cleanup in a couple of
Speaker 85
25:38
other bills, and this is just the final bill of deleting some appropriation language in this particular dispersing officer
bill. Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment, if not, the question before the House is the adoption of House Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 1145. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect the amendment received more than 51 votes. Representative Malik moves we place House Bill 1151 back on second reading for the purposes of amendment.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Read Amendment No. 1, Mr. Clerk. Amendment No. 1
Chair
Unverified
26:14
to House Bill 1151. Representative Malik, you're recognized
Speaker 88
26:16
to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker 35
26:20
Members, we really did do our best to try to make certain that general improvement funds were distributed across the state and not just selecting one or the other. I understand issues have been raised. This is the Boys and Girls Club. We tried to give an equal amount to all of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the state. There was one club that was legally incorporated with the Secretary of State at the beginning of last year.
They were up and operating. They were serving kids, but they did not have a certification from the Boys and Girls Club of America, and that was in process. But that's the list that we used when we distributed funds. This would just go back and include them in the distribution as long as they get that certification by September 30th of this year. Appreciate a good vote. Members, you've heard an explanation of
the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment, for the amendment? If not, the question before the House is the adoption of House Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1151.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect the amendment received more than 51 votes. Representative Malik moves that we expunge the vote by which House Bill 1122 passed. It's a proper motion. It is debatable. Mr. Malik, you're recognized, to come to the well to
Speaker 35
27:36
explain the motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, the issue here is throughout the bill, the title, and in the text of the bill, we refer to the College of Public Health. The legal name for the College of Public Health is the Fay W. Bozeman College of Public Health.
We simply want to expunge this vote, and then I will move to re-refer back to committee to add that amendment, and we'll
bring it back. Members, you've heard an explanation of the motion. Would anyone like to speak against the motion, for the motion? If not, the question before the House is the motion to expunge the vote by which House Bill 1122 passed. Prepare the machine. Mr. Clerk. has everyone voted has everyone voted cast up the ballot mr clerk by a vote of 99 yay zero nays and zero present
you have passed the motion to expunge mr malik you're recognized for a motion thank
Speaker 35
28:34
you mr speaker members i move that we re-refer house bill 1122 back to committee for purposes of amendment members
you've heard an explanation of the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion, for the motion. If not, the question before the House is a motion to re-refer House Bill 1122 back to the Joint Budget Committee for purposes of amendment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion carries. Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect the motion received more than 51 votes. Mr. Malik, you're recognized to explain our procedure moving
Speaker 35
29:03
forward. Members, if you'll look at the balance of your calendar, the bill's there for us to consider. Now let me begin by removing a bill. House Bill 1159 is a revenue stabilization law. We are not going to vote on that today. We're going to make certain that we deal with all of our appropriation bills before we vote on the funding bill. So remove House Bill 1159. The balance of those bills will be considered as a batch. I will be happy to entertain any
questions that you might have, or we will remove any of those and vote separately if you so desire. Does anyone have any questions on the balance
of these bills? Thank you. Mr. Clerk,
Speaker 34
29:56
please read the bills for the third time. House Bill 1019, House Bill 1044,
Speaker 14
30:02
House Bill 1045, House Bill 1046, House Bill 1103, House Bill 1104, House Bill 1136,
House Bill 1154, House Bill 1164, Senate Bill 26, Senate Bill 30, Senate Bill 31, Senate Bill 93, Senate Bill 1005.
The question before the House is the consent passage of the preceding bills and emergency clauses. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 99 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present, you pass the bills and the emergency clauses.
Mr. Malik, you're recognized to explain our procedure moving forward.
Speaker 35
31:37
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, we are in the process of putting together a supplemental calendar for us to consider before we go down to joint budget. We are making every effort to keep from having to come back in session after Joint Budget Committee this afternoon. We put some amendments on bills this morning that we need to go ahead and vote out where we can get them engrossed and then have the bill back before this committee tomorrow. So, and I understand we're real close to having that ready.
So we're going to do a supplemental calendar before we go down to joint budget. It is our intention to not come back. Now, I'm going to ask Representative Everett, if he would, to maybe hold on to his adjournment motion, and we are going to leave open that possibility. But if we come back, we would announce that in joint budget, And if we come back, I think it would be on a non-controversial matter. But we'll bring a few folks back after joint budget and entertain the adjournment motion at that time.
So it does leave open the possibility. It's just trying to deal with the time frame of what we hope to be the last week of the session. But we think we're going to get all of this done in just a few minutes. Mr. Speaker, we might take about a five-minute recess. and in just a moment we'll have a supplemental calendar to put on
your desk. Members, before we take our recess, I want to recognize Representative Steve Cole for a point of personal privilege.
Speaker 103
33:23
You're recognized. First of all, never take marriage advice from Representative Gaskell. i say that
Speaker 106
33:40
i i married leslie and he said you need my advice representative gaskell's been married seven times i listened to everything he told me and i do the opposite so
Speaker 103
33:51
i've been married i'm still happily married doc appreciate it
Speaker 106
33:54
before i uh and and by the way representative malik i guess i'm time killer here's what i am But it couldn't come at a more perfect time. And before I start, and this will be brief, I know we're in a hurry and we have to get to joint budget. But the first thing I wanted to say, because when I look up there and I look around the room and there's television cameras and newspapers, and every time you pick it up, something we did. Look what they did. We do good work. Really good work.
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34:26
And I just want to tell you all that. It's all going to be a happy day. Life is about choices, but life is more about education. And I wanted to
Speaker 106
34:53
tell you all that. And as of today, I started getting text messages from my roommate, Larry Cowling.
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34:58
Robert Moore, Kathy Webb, many others and said congratulations I don't know what you're all talking about until I read the news release that well it's kind of sad because I'm leaving but for a really good reason as of tomorrow at 11 o'clock the board is to
Speaker 106
35:31
affirm my appointment as chancellor of Costa Community College Thank you all very much.
Now if I can get it together, I'm usually not emotional, but I am loud. And you all know that. And that reason being that I can't hear very well. I said life is about choices, but it's more about education. And the reason I say that is because I wouldn't be here today. And I wouldn't be chancellor of a university or pending board approval if
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36:25
I didn't quit my job at a poultry processing plant when I was young and went to college.
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And got my first degree, a door opened. I said, man, it's pretty good. Got my next degree, a bigger
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door opened. I just kept walking through them. and I worked all my life
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and finally got there now based on board approval tomorrow from the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees this particular appointment comes with conditions
and I can see why this is a very important job it's important to me and it's important to the 127 full-time employees that I will lead and it's important to the 1500 students that I will lead and so one of those conditions is that I resigned from the House of Representatives and
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37:28
sadly no not sadly gladly I'm gonna do it my
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37:37
My last day in the House will be June 30th, and on July 1st, pending board approval, I will assume the position
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of Chancellor. And it's a little harder for me because I have 99 friends.
Speaker 109
38:03
And I want to let everybody know that those that are
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38:10
up there, the press, all of you all, every single person in this room thinks and means well.
I can assure you, we can't walk in the hallway, we can't walk in the bathroom, we can't go to a restaurant in the state of Arkansas without talking politics. and we're not talking bad about politics we're actually
Speaker 103
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making things happen we don't necessarily agree i mean i've never agreed with dan greenberg in my life and and consequently he's never agreed with
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me but you know what i consider dan a friend and i consider everyone in here a friend and again doc thanks for your advice let's do the opposite
Speaker 103
38:51
Thanks, Doc. I don't know if I was going to answer questions,
Speaker 73
39:01
but Representative Woods, go ahead. You're recognized, Representative Woods. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So if you take
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your job on June 30th? July 1st, pending board approval. The Board of
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39:13
Trustees of the University of Arkansas will meet tomorrow at 11 o'clock to confirm my position as chancellor-elect. So July 2nd, you'll go back to being a Republican.
Speaker 118
39:25
Is that correct? Thank you. Oh, I like that one. I
Speaker 103
39:31
know. Well, my seatmates, Representative Jim Nichols, Representative Deborah Hobbs, one's way on the right, one's way on the left. And it's funny because the one that's way
Speaker 106
39:42
on the left is on my right, and the one that's way on the right is on my left. But Representative Woods, I haven't given a lot of thought to that. But I'm always open to be members of the Republican caucus.
And I'll tell this story because most of you all don't know this, but the Republicans, they have an email list in this room. They have a list serve. And guess what? During our session last spring, I inadvertently was on it. For a whole hour, I was just watching and learning and reading until I sent an e-mail to all of them, and very quickly I was removed from the thread. I can tell you that. And, y'all, that's why we do good work, but I'm going to make a plea.
Speaker 103
40:28
I've made my statement, but I'm very excited about the opportunity, pending board approval, that I'll have as a leader of one of our 31 institutions in
Speaker 106
40:41
Arkansas. Very excited. And, again, I owe it to my college and I owe it to the University of Arkansas to follow through and also to follow through with the conditions of that because I want to give my 100% focus to pending board approval of my new job.
And that's why I will resign, effective June 30th, from the House. After meeting with the governor this morning for a period of time, All of the politics of such will be sorted out between now and then about who will be or what's going to happen in my district. I just want everyone back home to know I'm going to keep serving you well until
Speaker 103
41:28
June 30th. And if I may, I'm going to make a plea or a request if I can.
And I'm not going to say anything other than, y'all, last year we did a lot of good things together. And we're still doing a lot of good things. And what we did is we were the legislators known for promulgating the rules and helping install
Speaker 106
41:54
a state lottery. And I think, do I have to answer
her question too? Question. Yeah, Representative Creekmore, you're recognized.
Speaker 82
42:07
Motion. So let's hear your motion. Consideration. Representative
Creekmore, although I think there's a lot of support for that motion, unfortunately is not a proper motion during a point of order.
Speaker 103
42:33
If we weren't, if Representative Creekmore and I weren't such good friends, I would,
And we would just go ahead, and I would sit down. But anyhow, that's good. I will sit down because I've spoken way longer than I thought I would, and we're busy people. But I just wanted to say that I love you guys, even
Speaker 106
42:52
the Republicans. Love you all, too. And I do want, if you all would, and this is a little biased, But in the last legislative session, we all worked together to put the lottery in force, and we're known for that.
Please, next session I won't be here, but please, as a body, let's make Arkansas and our institutions of higher education world class. because we have that ability, and I urge you to at least look at the possibilities of making sure that our students in this state, if they want to go to a world-class institution, if they want to go to a community college, because I'm proud of community colleges, if you can't tell,
I want them to be able to go to the best ones, and I want them, I just don't want them to leave. And yes, Barry Hyde, Representative Hyde, he, so I didn't friend you on Facebook. But anyhow, y'all, it's been a pleasure working with y'all. I look forward to working with you until June 30th. And I just officially wanted to let all of my colleagues know before all of the talk got started. So thank y'all very much. Thank you for your time. Thank you.
Speaker 88
44:24
Members, we now no longer have need for a recess to wait for our supplemental
calendar. You can thank Representative Cole for that fine service. He's just rendered the House of Representatives in that regard. But we do have your supplemental calendar that you have in front of you. We're going to handle the amendments today. and the bills to be considered from the Joint Budget Committee will hold until tomorrow.
So if you'll bear with us, we'll rapidly move through these. Representative Malik moves. We place House Bill 1032 back on second reading for the purposes of amendment. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Read Amendment No. 1, Mr.
Speaker 35
45:13
Bill 1032. Mr. Malik, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Where was Representative Cole yesterday when we were delaying for a budget supplemental calendar? Members, the amendment to House Bill 1032 gives effect to Governor's Letter No. 8.
It has to do with the trauma system. It adds $10 million in appropriation for the trauma system. It deletes the $5 million appropriation for emergency medical services development, but that's to be wrapped into the entire, that will still be done. It's just into the global appropriation line. and it adds $1 million in appropriation for the health building and local health grants. These are all part of Governor's Letter No. 8. This is just adopting the
Speaker 123
45:46
amendment so it can be engrossed into the bill. Members, you've heard an
explanation of the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment, for the amendment?
If not, the question before the House is the adoption of House Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1032. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect the amendment received more than 51 votes. Representative Malik moves we place House Bill 1160 back on second reading for the purposes of amendment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Read Amendment No. 1, Mr. Clerk. Amendment No. 1 to House Bill
Speaker 85
46:17
1160. Malik, you're recognized. This simply adds co-sponsors. Members, you've
heard an explanation of the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment, for the amendment?
If not, the question before the House is the adoption of House Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1160. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect the amendment received more than 51 votes. Representative Malik moves we place House Bill 1161 back on second reading for the purposes of amendment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Read Amendment No. 1, Mr. Clerk.
Speaker 85
46:49
Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1161. Malik, you're recognized. The amendment adds co-sponsors. Members, you've heard an explanation
of the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment, for the amendment?
If not, the question before the House is the adoption of House Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1161. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect. The amendment received more than 51 votes. Representative Malik moves we place House Bill 1174 back on second reading for the purposes of amendment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Read amendment number
Chair
Unverified
47:21
one. Mr. Clerk. Amendment number one to House
Speaker 35
47:26
Bill 1174. Malik, you're recognized. Members, this is with respect to the governor's letter and the request for $200,000 for defibrillators.
We deleted language in the budget yesterday on the funding, so we didn't have a funding mechanism. This morning, there was an amendment added to the bill, and that amendment was adopted in joint budget to provide for a transfer of $200,000 from the unclaimed property fund into the public health fund in order to pay for these. This is the amendment to transfer the $200,000 from the unclaimed property fund. If this is adopted, it will be engrossed into the bill, and then we will vote on the bill tomorrow.
Speaker 9
48:07
Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment.
Would anyone like to speak against the amendment, for the amendment? If not, the question before the House is the adoption of House Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1174. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect the amendment received more than 51 votes. Representative Malik moves we place House Bill 1176 back on second reading for the purposes of amendment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Read Amendment No. 1, Mr.
Chair
Unverified
48:36
Clerk. Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1176.
Speaker 35
48:38
Mr. Malik, you're recognized. This was another Governor's letter requesting $600,000 over to the health department, well, actually to the miscellaneous agencies fund. This is for grants and aid and matching funds to implement a state health information exchange cooperative program. Now, this $600,000 was initially requested out of general improvement funds. This amendment would provide for the transfer of $600,000 from the unclaimed property fund over to the miscellaneous agency's fund to pay for this expense.
Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Representative Adcock,
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for what purpose? Question. Representative Malik, do you yield to a question? Yes. You're recognized, Representative
Speaker 5
49:29
Adcock. Can you, again, tell me what this
Speaker 35
49:31
money is for? Let me get the specific details on that. I think this information exchange program is to facilitate when tests, it could be related to that, or really to help, I think, prevent duplicate charges for tests that's been done at one hospital.
They can share this information and hopefully save money within our health care system. We're voting on the funding amendment today, and I'll be glad to get you details on that
Speaker 132
49:58
before we vote on the bill tomorrow. It was just my understanding that the funding was supposed to come from the tax on the cigarettes, the increase that we passed on cigarettes this last time. It was supposed to go for items like
Speaker 35
50:13
that. I can get details on that before we vote tomorrow, and this bill will be back before this body.
Okay, thanks. Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment, if not, the question before the House is the adoption of House Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1176. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect the amendment received more than 51 votes. Members, after consulting with Representative Malik, we do not believe that it's necessary to come back in session this afternoon after joint budget. We're going to hold the balance of the budget bills on the calendar until tomorrow.
We don't think this is going to slow us down in the least. So unless there are any questions for myself or Representative Malik,
Speaker 9
51:02
I will recognize Representative Everett for that purpose.
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51:05
You're recognized. Let's hear your motion. After the announcement of reading the bill, placing the calendar on the desk, the amendment
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of the member's own bill, the amendment finalizes the resolution, reading communication, remaining report, I move we
adjourn to 1.30 Wednesday. Proper motion, not debatable. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Are there any announcements?
Representative Harrelson, for what purpose? You're recognized. Members, the Democratic
Representative Steve Harrelson
Unverified
51:25
caucus will meet tomorrow. We understand there's going to be a hectic schedule tomorrow, so we're tentatively scheduling this for 3.30 on the third floor of the AEA building. I'll let the lieutenants know tomorrow more specifics so that we can get word to you in the event that we do have to meet that. Right now, tentatively, House Democratic caucus, 3.30, third floor of the AEA building. Representative King, for what purpose? Announcement.
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51:50
Announcement. You're recognized. The Republican caucus needs to take a picture immediately after this is over, so out on
the steps. Representative Penards, for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All House members, in the office to our immediate left as we go into the quiet room, there is a package from the Dental Association for each member, so please go in the office in there and pick it up they would be most appreciative thank you representative cash for what purpose you're recognized I just wanted to remind everyone of the
Representative Joan Cash
Unverified
52:27
reception at 5 30 this afternoon at Trapnel Hall being presented by Old State House Museum Association and also if you have not gotten your cup filled with candy from the back of back room then you have one there and gift that's a gift
from the association. Representative Creekmore, for what purpose?
Speaker 82
52:48
You're recognized. Aging children, youth, military affairs will meet tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.
in room 130. Representative Overby, for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized.
Speaker 150
53:00
Wow. You got me lost here now, Rick. Public retirement Social Security will meet tomorrow upon adjournment of the House and Senate. We have a couple of things we need to discuss, and I hope everyone of the members will show up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Malik, for what purpose? Announcement.
Speaker 35
53:22
You're recognized. Budget will meet immediately upon adjournment.
Are there any other announcements at this time? Seeing none. The desk will remain open until 4 o'clock this afternoon for the reading of any business we have. The House stands adjourned until 1.30 tomorrow.
Agenda
Call to Order
HB1145 Joint Budget Committee #1 & #2
HB1151 Joint Budget Committee #1
HB1122 Joint Budget Committee
HB1019 Joint Budget Committee
HB1044 Joint Budget Committee
HB1045 Joint Budget Committee
HB1046 Joint Budget Committee
HB1103 Joint Budget Committee
HB1104 Joint Budget Committee
HB1136 Joint Budget Committee
HB1154 T. Rogers
HB1164 Joint Budget Committee
SB26 Joint Budget Committee
SB30 Joint Budget Committee
SB31 Joint Budget Committee
SB93 Joint Budget Committee
SB105 Joint Budget Committee
Rep. Steve Cole Announcement
HB1032 Amendment #1
HB1160 Amendment #1
HB1161 Amendment #1
HB1174 Amendment #1
HB1176 Amendment #1
Adjournment
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Representative Dawn Creekmore Chair
Unverified
Speaker 6
Speaker 9
Speaker 14
Speaker 15
Representative Barry Hyde
Unverified
Speaker 26
Representative John Burris
Unverified
Speaker 35
Dan Greenberg
Unverified
Speaker 39
Speaker 42
Speaker 51
Speaker 54
Representative Ed Garner
Unverified
Speaker 62
Speaker 69
Speaker 73
Speaker 75
Representative Kathy Webb
Unverified
Speaker 82
Speaker 34
Speaker 85
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 88
Speaker 98
Speaker 103
Speaker 105
Speaker 106
Speaker 109
Speaker 116
Speaker 118
Speaker 123
Speaker 132
Speaker 5
Speaker 138
Speaker 139
Representative Steve Harrelson
Unverified
Speaker 144
Representative Tracy Pennartz Chair
Unverified
Representative Joan Cash
Unverified
Speaker 150