Senate Convenes
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Transcript
Bills discussed (4)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
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HB1002
Act 1
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1002 THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR…”
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THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1002 is now Act 1 |
|
SR22
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “the desk? Yes, madam President, Senate resolution 22 by Senatorhammer to recognize and commend the legacy keeper…”
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TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE LEGACY KEEPERS NURSE HONOR GUARD OF ARKANSAS FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE … | K. Hammer | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR23
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…oughout the state of Arkansas Senate resolution 22 calendar Senate resolution 23 by Senator Hammer to honor John Pendleton Reid for his exem…”
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TO HONOR JOHN PENDLETON REED FOR HIS EXEMPLARY AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE SENATE AND … | K. Hammer | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR24
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ate and the state of Arkansas Senate resolution 23 calendar Senate resolution 24 by Senator Hammer to honor Miss Arkansas's teen2025 Amelial…”
|
TO HONOR MISS ARKANSAS' TEEN 2025 AMELIA LISOWE. | K. Hammer | Sine Die adjournment |
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Speaker 3
5:30
Senator Hickey: Senate will now be called to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:58
any requests for leave at this time? Senator
Chair
Unverified
6:03
Hickey? Senator Hickey, you're recognized. Senator Hickey: Thank you, Madam President, yes I'd like to ask for leave for Senator English. Senator Hickey: Thank you, Senator. Any others? Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
Simon Stone Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Thank you, Madam Secretary. If everyone in
Speaker 13
6:33
the chamber and in the galleries would please rise for our prayer, which will be
Speaker 3
6:39
led today by Elder Alan Golden, who is with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Elder Golden, you're recognized. Well, I don't think I have to introduce him anymore.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
6:59
But Elder Golden has, this is the third session that I've actually interacted with him. He's a member of the Northwest Arkansas Jesus Christ Church of Latter-day Saints. And members are, are they to my right? Okay. And he's going to be praying for us. His wife is also in the back. And Ms. Jane Somweber is here as well. So thank you for joining us today. And Reverend Allen, Elder Allen, I'm going to turn it over to you.
Speaker 19
7:30
Thank you. May we pray. Our dear Father in heaven, we thank thee for the opportunity we have to be here on this beautiful day in this setting. We thank thee for the wonderful state we live in, the state of Arkansas and the people of Arkansas. We thank thee for the many blessings that we enjoy. We thank thee for those who serve in this body, the senators, the elected officials, Lieutenant Governor Rutledge and all those who work here, those who are serving in the staff in various capacities to bring to pass the democratic process here in the state of Arkansas.
We pray that God bless us all to have thy spirit to guide us, to be prompted and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost as we strive to do those things that thou would have us do. Please bless all these senators and Lieutenant Governor Rutledge and all the staff here that they can be guided by thy inspiration and spirit as they work vigorously and civilly to pass laws and to make legislation that betters the lives of the people in this great state. We thank thee for the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ,
and ask thee to help us to be faithful and true to thee and to him and to our many blessings
Speaker 20
8:39
that we enjoy. And we say these things in the name of our Savior,
Speaker 5
8:47
Jesus Christ. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Speaker 22
9:03
Thank you so much, Elder Galden, for being with us today. Thank
Speaker 3
9:09
you, Senator Scott, for the introduction of our Elder. Ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your Arkansas Senate. It is our expectation that each of you will exercise proper decorum and govern yourselves accordingly during today's proceedings. Without objection, the rules will be suspended and the Senate will dispense with the reading of the journal. The morning hour has now begun.
Chair
Unverified
9:30
Are there any announcements or introductions at this time? Senator Boyd, you're recognized.
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
9:36
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to ask for leave for James Reed. He's an acquaintance
of Senator Petty and me, and an employer of a major logistics provider in western Arkansas.
Speaker 28
9:50
Thanks, Senator Boyd. Any others? Seeing no others, Madam Secretary, are there items at the
Speaker 30
9:59
desk? Yes, Madam President. Senate Resolution 22 by Senator Hammer, to recognize and commend the Legacy Keepers, Nurse Honor Guard of Arkansas for outstanding service to the profession of nursing throughout the state of Arkansas,
Senate Resolution 22. Calendar. Senate Resolution 23 by Senator Hammer. To honor John Pendleton Reed for his exemplary dedicated service to the Senate and the State of Arkansas. Senate Resolution 23. Calendar. Senate Resolution 24 by Senator Hammer. To honor Ms. Arkansas's Teen 2025, Amelia Lizzo. Senate Resolution 24. Calendar.
Chair
Unverified
10:40
Senator Irvin, you're recognized.
Speaker 3
10:50
Thank you. There's no further business to come before the body in the morning hour. The morning hour has now expired. We will now begin the business agenda. We will begin today's business agenda with the budget calendar, which is the white sheet in front of you. That is HB 1002.
Chair
Unverified
11:27
Senator Bryant, are you presenting HB 1002? House Bill
Speaker 30
11:37
1002 by Joint Budget, the General Appropriation Act for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, House Bill 1002, sorry. Thank you,
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
11:46
thank you, Madam President. Members, this is the bill that will allow us to conduct business for the fiscal session 2026. Glad to answer any questions.
Chair
Unverified
11:57
Any questions for Senator Bryan? Anyone wish to speak against or
Speaker 13
12:13
for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Any objection to rolling
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
12:19
the vote? Then no objection. Madam
Chair
Unverified
12:24
Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees,
Dismang. Dotson. English. Flippo. Flowers. Gilmore. Hammer. Hester. Hickey. Hill. Irvin. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. Letting. Love. McKee. Murdoch. Payton. Penzo. Petty. Rice. Scott. Simon. Stone. Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote or seeing none,
Chair
Unverified
13:06
By a vote of 34 yea and 0 nay, HB
Speaker 3
13:12
1002 passes and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please return to the House. We will now go to the business calendar. For Senate Memorial
Chair
Unverified
13:28
Resolution 1. Senator Rice, you're recognized.
Senate Memorial Resolution 1 by Senator Rice and the 34 members of this body. in respectful memory of
Speaker 30
13:53
Senator Gary Don Stubblefield and in recognition of his many contributions to
Speaker 34
13:58
the state of Arkansas and his local community.
Chair
Unverified
14:10
Senator Rice, you're recognized. Thank you.
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
14:21
Senators, I ask leave for members of the Senator Gary Stubblefield family to join us today on the Senate floor for the presentation of Senate Memorial Resolution 1. We leave.
With us today, we have Gary's wife, Ms. Kathy Stubblefield, his daughter Amber Sullivan grandson Marshall Spear
granddaughter Miley Spear her husband Damon Scott great-grandson Sage Scott and great-granddaughter Ravel Scott just shortly let me say this to Kathy
and family thank you for sharing Gary with the Senate, with the legislature,
and with the state of Arkansas. When I first met Kathy and Gary 14 years or so ago, 15 now, and got to talk to him the first time I'd met him.
I knew God was going to make the determination
whether Gary ran. Gary was here because it was in God's plan. Gary did
a lot of good things for the state of Arkansas. And for our Christian values, he won a lot. But you know what? When he lost, it didn't change his mind because Gary was doing the right thing that Gary knew God wanted him to do.
So thank you again for sharing all the memories
Speaker 64
17:06
we will never forget him. And, Madam Secretary, please read the
Chair
Unverified
17:15
Memorial Resolution. Senate Memorial Resolution 1. Whereas Arkansas State Senator Gary Don Stubblefield, formerly of Branch, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the age of 74. Whereas Senator Stubblefield was
Chair
Unverified
17:35
in Charleston, Arkansas, to H.T. Toddy Stubblefield and Beulah May Stubblefield. And whereas Senator Stubblefield was raised on a small family farm on Mill Creek Mountain before his family moved to a farm and branch, where his family cleared the land by hand and raised Holstein milk cows. Whereas Senator Stubblefield would milk cows before and after school each day and would ride his bicycle for two miles each way to catch a school bus
to and from County Line School where he played basketball in junior and senior high. And whereas Senator Subblefield attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he successfully walked onto the Arkansas Razorbacks football team despite having never played football as County Line Schools did not have a football program at that time, and whereas Senator Stubblefield had a successful football career with the Arkansas Razorback football team as a cornerback and on special teams and with whom he played in the Liberty Bowl
and the Cotton Bowl and whereas while attending the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Senator Stubblefield met his wife Kathy whom he married in 1974 and whom he raised his daughter Amber and son Joshua while running his family dairy farm. And whereas Senator Stubblefield subsequently began a life of public service, serving as a justice of the peace on the Franklin County Quorum Court, as a member of the school board of the County Line School District, as a member of the Arkansas Milk Stabilization Board,
to which he was appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee, as a member of the SFA Farmers Co-op, as a member of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, and as a member of the Convention of the States. Whereas Senator Gary Stubblefield was elected to the House of Representatives as representative for House District 67 in 2011, where he served a single term before running for the Senate. And whereas Senator Stubblefield was elected to the Senate in 2013, where he
Speaker 30
19:49
served as senator for Senate District 23 until his passing in 2025.
Chair
Unverified
19:55
And whereas during his term in the Senate, Senator Stubblefield served as chair of the City-County Local Affairs Committee, chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, and vice chair of Game and Fish State Police Subcommittee of
Speaker 30
20:10
the Legislative Council. And whereas during his time in the Senate, Senator Stubblefield served as a member of the Legislative Council, the Claims
Chair
Unverified
20:20
Review Subcommittee of the Legislative Council, Charitable, Penal, and Correctional Institution Subcommittee of the Legislative Council, the Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee of the Legislative Council, Joint Budget Committee, State Insurance Programs Oversight Committee, the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Senate
Speaker 30
20:35
Efficiency, Joint Committee on Energy, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee,
and the Committee on Counties and Municipalities of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee. And whereas Senator Gary Stubblefield was known for his strong faith and diligence and was a
Chair
Unverified
20:53
lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Branch, which he became a member of in 1976, and where he served as a deacon, as Sunday school superintendent, and as a Sunday school youth boys teacher for 34 years. Whereas Senator Gary Stubblefield is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathy Stubblefield,
by his two children, Amber Sullivan and Joshua Stubblefield, and by his 10 grandchildren, now therefore be it resolved by the Senate of the 95th General Assembly of the state of Arkansas that the Senate remember Senator Gary Don Stubblefield and recognize his enormous contributions to the state of Arkansas
Speaker 30
21:35
and to his local community. Be it further resolved that, upon adoption of this resolution, an appropriate copy be provided to Kathy Stubblefield and family by the Secretary of the Senate.
Speaker 13
21:48
Members, I would appreciate a good vote. Thank you, Senator
Speaker 3
21:57
Rice, and thank you, Madam Secretary. All those in favor of Senate Memorial Resolution 1, in respectful memory of Senator Gary Don Stubblefield, and in recognition of his many contributions to the state of Arkansas and his local community, Please signify
Speaker 71
22:11
by saying aye. Any opposed, aye's habit. Senate Memorial Resolution 1 is adopted.
Chair
Unverified
22:32
Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Senators,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
22:37
I ask leave for my brother and his wife, my brother Barry Thomas, and his wife Jananne Thomas to join us on the Senate floor. Members, it's my great honor to be the little sister to a very, very talented artist that was also a walk-on Arkansas Razorback football player under Coach Lou Holtz.
I grew up on the sidelines watching him play football under Coach Holtz and cheering for the Razorbacks and cheering for my big brother, who was a defensive end. And that big brother grew up on a recommendation by Coach Lou Holtz to attend the Art Center of College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he graduated with a Master's of Fine Art. He's also a cowboy, like Gary, and a horse guy. He was a roper and barrel racer and everything else.
So, so, so unbelievably fitting that my brother Barry, walk-on Arkansas Razorback football player and cowboy, got to paint this portrait of your beloved Gary. We all loved him. He was more to us than just a senator. He was our spiritual advisor because he knew the Bible and he could quote it to us when we needed it. and so it's my great honor to be able to do this on behalf of these senators these
colleagues of mine are the ones responsible for this painting everybody contributed and this is a gift to not only your family but to really the state to remember such an amazing man and so I I applaud all of my colleagues for letting me do this, but it's their gift as well. This painting will hang in the Senate chamber for what was have to have been the remainder of his Senate term.
So it will stay with us throughout his current Senate term that he no longer can serve, and then it will go home to you and your family as a gift from us. So at this time, I'm going to invite my brother, Barry Thomas, who's the artist, and we are going to unveil the painting for your family.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
25:56
Madam Lieutenant Governor, I would like for us to recess for 10 minutes. That's
Chair
Unverified
26:10
okay. Senator Irvin, thank you for introducing your brother, the incredible artist, and
Speaker 3
26:15
for unveiling this portrait of late Senator Stubblefield, who we all thought so much of. And I want Ms. Kathy and Amber and all of you all to know how much the state of Arkansas appreciates you loaning him to us.
And I hope that all the senators and any of those watching heard the many contributions that Gary made throughout his time at this Capitol. Because we know that all those hours that senators and legislators are away from you all. We want you to know that that time matters, that he made such an incredible difference to the state of Arkansas and to the future of children and families across the state
for generations to come. At this time, I would invite any member of the family, if you wish to say any remarks, I would invite you
Speaker 29
27:11
to do so. Would anyone, Ms. Kathy? Yes? No? Maybe? You would like to? Yes, ma'am? If you'd like, any of your
Speaker 3
27:18
family would like to come to the microphone, we would love to welcome you and to have you say a few
Speaker 83
27:27
remarks. Thank you. As I look out into all of your faces,
memories are just flooding me because I stayed with him at the Mallet Park. And he would come in at night and he would tell me some of the funniest stories. And then
Speaker 84
27:52
we'd laugh and then sometimes they weren't so funny. And then we'd get kind of angry and then we'd get kind of sad and then we'd get all happy again.
And he'd come in the very next day with the very same person and he'd be just laughing and talking about how much fun they had. So you guys, you're all a band of brothers and sisters. When you come in
Speaker 83
28:24
here, you're whole. And to work together, as you guys did, with him was such a blessing to me. You didn't always get along, but you loved each other.
That's one thing I knew and that I got. And all of his staff, I can't say, you know, what he's, all the things and all the cookies and cakes and all this stuff, but, oh Jimmy, some stories with him. And the
Speaker 84
29:09
funny thing is, we were with him and Missy.
We were at a restaurant in Ron Caldwell. Another family, your son was there and your wife. And we were just all laughing and talking. And this one lady, one of the senators' wives, she had to go to the restroom. She went downstairs. And he had to go down three flights of stairs. And when she came back up, we heard this big thud. she fell up the third stair. Remember, remember? And, of course, Missy, everything's funny to Missy. And she just started dying laughing.
Well, it wasn't very long that Jimmy went down. And then he came back up the stairs, and he fell up the stairs. So Missy, I mean, I thought we were just gonna have to remove her from her knees at the table. She was laughing so hard. But then, you know, they do put your picture on posters with you hanging on light poles, too. But there's so many precious memories that we have of all of you going to Alaska
with Senator Caldwell and Senator Johnson. And I could just go through here. i've watched all of you in your um element in your committee you know your committee meetings and and and they were so good and and the way that you try to take care of arkansas i know it's your heart that's what you want to do you want to take care of arkansas and that's what gary brought home
he said we want to take care of arkansas we want to take care of arkansas you know we got it we've got to do that we got to do that but number one thing with gary was he loved the lord with all his heart and so as far as hard as he fought at the very end without even some of his body missing as hard as he fought he told us about jesus and and senator simon you have come in i'm going to take
a spot, you're going to find out you've got a lot of people that are going to love on you. They're all going to love on you. And you're going to have a lot of good times. You're going to have a lot of hard times. Your wife's going to have a lot of hard times. But like I said, you're a band of brothers and sisters that come together. Senator Sullivan, your wife and I had dinner, Mark Johnson and lunch, we had lunch, dinners.
I ran into a lot of you guys on trips. We had Jan, Jana, Brother Colin. There's just so many memories, so many memories, and you're going to make them too. You're going to make them too. Thank you for the honor. Thank you so much for the honor. If he was here today, he would say, I'm worth
Speaker 83
32:17
it. He would. He said, this is not, but you know what? He is to me and to this precious family
Speaker 84
32:26
because those right there were home taking care of the farm when Gary and I were down here. That's how we got to be here. And you know, somebody's got to take care of the home front. And
Speaker 83
32:41
that's who took care of it right there. So I'm so thankful. Thank you for being my friend. And thank you for loving Gary so much all this time. Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 3
33:17
thank you miss kathy and if you all want to hang tight for just a few minutes cinder hester i don't know if cinder hester if you
Speaker 40
33:31
have any quick announcements so we have no announcements and we will so
Speaker 3
33:44
if there are no further announcements the senate will stand an adjournment subject to the clearing of the desk
until Tuesday rather Wednesday April 15th at 1 p.m. Thank you.
Agenda
Call to Order
Roll Call
Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Items to be Read Across the Desk
Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Joint Budget Committee
HB1002 THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.
SENATE MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND ADOPTION
SMR1 Rice IN RESPECTFUL MEMORY OF SENATOR GARY DON STUBBLEFIELD AND IN RECOGNITION OF HIS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND HIS LOCAL COMMUNITY.
Adjourn
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Speaker 3
Chair
Unverified
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
Speaker 13
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
Speaker 19
Speaker 20
Speaker 5
Speaker 22
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
Speaker 28
Speaker 30
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
Speaker 34
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
Speaker 64
Speaker 71
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 29
Speaker 83
Speaker 84
Speaker 40