Senate Convenes

Will be called to order. Any request for leave at this time. C. nine madam secretary please call the roll Boyd Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis DES dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Thank you madam secretary and before we commence with the traditional. Prayer and pledge I would like to take point personal privilege and over the last seventy two hours our state has been dramatically impacted we watched it we've seen it we've been with our friends and family. I have personally I was with center Caldwell and win on Saturday I was all around little rock and central Arkansas yesterday and our our families are hurting that our Kansans are resilience and I just want to personally express my gratitude to all of our first responders are Emergency Management or local media for everything that they. I have to save lives sadly we lost five wives fiber Kansans in these tornadoes and we've got more weather come in this week. And it's something that as I went out and again whether it was a win for little rock north little rock sure would Jacksonville you saw NATO helping neighbor they didn't care. About politics writing here about race this tornado certainly didn't care if it was in a fluent neighborhood or poverty. One in poverty it hit every. Everyone in its path and so for that members of this body and friends in the gallery I just ask that that we take a moment of silence and reflect on the lives lost and be grateful that god reaches hand down and save some money. Thank you all. And now. That we are all already standing I would invite Center Kroll to introduce our pastor of the day. The well Terry and after following prayer we will have the pledge allegiance Senator crawling recognized thank you and governor the well any Terry senior from Arkadelphia Arkansas has pastored for thirty one years in mount olive Baptist church in Arkadelphia he was born in pine bluff of the late Reverend a William Terry his eighty six year old mother Mr Roman fee now Terry who was a fifty five year old fifty five years school teacher he was. He was raised in Arkadelphia he has been former chaplain of UAMS to graduate from Ouachita Baptist he went to southern Baffin Baptist theological seminary in Kentucky graduated Henderson state and he has been the proud pastor like I said for thirty one years he was a page. In nineteen sixty nine for house of representatives Mr Darnell Sam Haskell E.. Hi. Mr Liu L. he Terry. As for a. Oh lord our lord how excellent design name the name that is above every name eternal father we say thank you. We've heard the names of individuals and situations that have taken place here in Little Rock with the tornado we remember those families families who lost loved ones god we thank you for this day we need you here in the city of little rock we need to the state of Arkansas we need you in these United States of America on this day god we remember fifty five years ago when the late Dr Martin Luther king went to Memphis Tennessee on behalf of some garbage collectors god we remember what he stood for we remember right now what we all stand for that is for unity we pray oh god that you would bless these lawmakers every individual who sits on these committees every individual who makes decisions god we pray that those decisions will be for the benefit of all people that quite yellow green god we ask that you would move in a mighty way thank you for this day thank you for governor we thank you for these leaders these lessons we ask in the name of Jesus we pray we say together a minute. All. Thank you pastor ladies and gentleman the gallery's welcome your Arkansas state 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 for this plan for the reading of the Journal the morning hour has now begun any announcements or introductions at this time Senator Mark Johnson you're recognized. Thank you madam president body I would like to invite our Central Arkansas delegation are Pulaski County centers I'd like Senator Hill to join us you know when that tornado came through and it came the Lonoke county line it just kept going so we had it kept going up and you all know where it went I just want to say that. It's sad and hurt and just. Cornette going around looking at the damage and several of us met with that y'all what we're I think Senator Chesterfield was in North Little Rock with the governor senator Tucker now we're with the governor over in west little rock and we all saw it but into your up close and personalization a totally different thing and the the with of the sloth and the damage we all should say a prayer thanksgiving to the good lord for the fact that we had a very very few fatalities and if you've seen the damage up close and personal you realize how miraculous that lost someone yield to my colleagues for any comments and thank you all all of you and all your constituents that reached out to help us and thank you. We're not going to beat it to death thank you all so very much I think the most remarkable thing that I saw in spite of the trees being pulled up like they would to fix and thrown to the side. When we went to Jacksonville to the church of god in Christ the whole building collapsed but there was a wall standing. And on that wall with three crosses and it survived that whole thing god is good god is good. I want to be repetitive but I did want to just echo mark senator Johnson the we have the way everybody came together I want to personally thank the governor she has been outstanding on this working hand in hand with mayor Scott and all the first responders inter G. everyone has done a tremendous job and I want to echo the other point that I've only seen the damage in Little Rock but it is sobering expert specially when you see it in person twenty one hundred homes were destroyed or damaged and we want to places that were entirely level and the fact that at least in areas where we saw they were zero for tallies anywhere in Little Rock it's the kind of thing that really gives you faith in god and I just wanted to to say that in the last thing I wanted to say is over the course of Friday and Saturday and we've had a long session in here and I you know I know we're get approaching the end and there probably have been sometimes where I may have annoyed you all but over the course of Friday and Saturday if I did not hear from every single member of this chamber. Close close. It was close and checking on me and my family and it just means Amendment a lot to me really means a lot and I just want to publicly say thank you. Read as I was at the R. he was one of the first calls. Thank you thank you for this a colleague only say is the most very homely affect to see all the outrage in our area around the cabin area that was hit just south a cabin could have been a lot worse we didn't have near the impact there that in other areas but regardless if you're one of those that was hit it doesn't matter if you were hit in a major metropolitan area or if you were in a rule area if it affected you and your family is drastic. Overreaching the outpour from community I would get to change already change all day Saturday night a Sunday had equipment there and several guys work for us on the farm now I've realized I am not in shape and so if you see me moving so they that's why but it's very humbling to have a little lady out then turn around have a military out got out next door to clean your entire place up and put a couple secure the roof so with that being said thank you all for the support in the great state of Arkansas our Kansans are resilient and we will overcome. Mr Natalie's you only when you get home call your loved ones. The tornado was coming down in in which over my son's school. And so when he got home he he is beginning the first thing city at the door and dead dead dead. And he came and he hugged me so tight I've never been that loved by my son ever but I'm. But he it but the the thing about you all is we sometimes take it for granted that we're going to see our loved ones the following day. So if you can do anything else for me hug your loved ones when you get home and then continue to pray for the families because throughout the days there's going to be there's going to be some hard times but if we continue to pray that will be a blessing everyone thank you all. One final word. Please keep Cross County when and Senator Caldwell in your prayers he needs them as you know they were probably the hardest hit of any single area so please keep him in your prayers thank you. Thank you all. Other announcements or introductions at this time. Senator Tucker. I just want to welcome our doctor and nurse of the day Dr Thomas Graf who serves the Little Rock Air Force base over in Jacksonville so we especially want to thank him for his service and we also have a special guest for our nurse of the day today Joe Smith of UAMS my guess is that a number of members have been helped and served by Joe Smith before and so we want to and then of course our our nurse of the day miss you as well so we just want to thank thank them and welcome them to the states and. Other introductions or announcements he. Collins I'm gonna. A couple of good looking young ladies here with me today is my pages. I will start out with miss lily Fankhauser you stand right there Lilly is eleven years old she's in the sixth grade and she's from Bismarck her grandparents Bob and Vicki coal or up in the gallery. We'll use a into dance arts and crafts music studying going to church reading her Bible and hanging out with her friends let's give a big welcome. Thank you. This other young lady is my eldest daughter Reagan. She's sixteen years old in the eleventh grade reckons home schooled she plays volleyball she does tap dancing and she's interested in attending a cosmetology school after she graduates. It's great to have both of these young ladies here would you give another round of applause for. Any other productions. C. nine other items at the desk. Yes madam president will your committee on retirement social security to whom was referred fired of Senate bill one sixty three by Senator Peyton recommend to pass as amended number one calendar committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred senate bill four forty one by Senator Wallace recommend due pass counted Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred senate bill four seventy eight by Senator Dismang recommend due pass counted Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred Senate bill five forty nine by Senator Dismang recommend to pass as amended number. Okay where your committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred house bill fifteen all. Fourteen fifty four by representative right recommend due pass counted Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred house bill sixteen twenty seven matter representative or recommend due pass counted Committee on state agencies to whom was referred senate bill four twenty six by Senator Irving recommend due pass counted. Senate resolution fifty two by Senator Irvin to celebrate Stone County and recognize its hundred and fiftieth anniversary Senate resolution fifty two. Ballinger Senate bill five seventy four by Senator Mark Johnson to amend the law regarding plumbing and require the installation of tracer wire with installation of new water lines Senate bill five seventy four public health. Any other business to come before the body in the morning hour. If not morning hour has expired we will now begin the business agenda. Senate memorial road resolution four by Senator Murdock at al to remember Senate senator Royce a bill Allen junior and to recognize his dedicated service an invaluable contribution to the state of Arkansas and local community. Senator Murdock you're recognized. Thank you a general of it would first connects leave for the well and family as they come to the floor. Thank you Today. It's a wonderful day. That we get a chance to honor one of our own and remember one of our own that has served. The very chamber we did what we now sit. Of the many of us his shoulders are sold for which we stand on and trails for which we follow. I would also like. For any senator they would like to come to the podium and be a part of this presentation you're welcome to come as well that's your choice I would love to have you if you so choose. It is. Not often that. We have such times to remember those that have served so graciously and this chamber. And those that have served his community as senator well indeed. He was up here for a season or two but he was in the the the the local community of Lee County and Marianna for all of his life and the impact that he had on that community is clear today with the amount of of conversations and I know his daughter age renews at the end down there who's really been a soldier in taking care of him in his final days does she has received numerous. lots of outpouring of gratitude and for the service ET Hey and and also remembering the work that he did in offering her the support she needs she and the family her brother and all of the well in family and associated family. Need to also help in remembering him of course we have one of our own staff members here that we know very little love no in Little dearly assistant director Sabrina the well and who is it causing she is here and she is part of that family so she to share we we we offer her condolences as she continues to be the superstar that she is every day for us see I'm not a Nissan sir she have not missed a beat for us continue to serve us and we thank you publicly for that. Very quickly of colleagues if you will allow me I'm going to acts of former secretary transportation Rodney Slater who is also a good friend of of was a good friend of mine Senator to have to have a includes an thank you soon. It will have a word or two in remembrance of Central well and after that if you will allow for a mid Sabrina to read the resolution in its entirety send me secretary Slater. Well first of all we'd like to just thank us senator Murdock for proposing this resolution would like to thank all of you. For signing it and being supportive of it. in in unanimous fashion it is very much appreciated by the family. Lieutenant governor good to see you as well you should know that one of the first Notices that the family received was from former governor Huckabee. And that soon after that the family heard from a former governor and former president and Secretary of us state president Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton. and the messages and just continue to come in. Roy loved the Senate. He loved representing his home Town. His home county. and he loved living in Marianna he loved living in Eastern Arkansas. And I believe that he could I think is we're to Washington once said drop his bucket where he was. And make his difference there. A difference that would not only have an impact in Merion and Lee County in the. senatorial district that he represented but also would have ripples across the United States and around the world I often talk to him about business that he was doing and South Africa. But the point is he loved to Marianna. And he loved going home to Marianna. quickly he was the second of five he was the Big Brother to everyone except Ernestine but he was also with her Big Brother in many respects as well he was a protector of the family. it was an unusual on a Sunday afternoon for everyone. To gather at his home. To enjoy a meal that he prepared to be served by him. And clearly after meeting Doris is wonderful wife and them having the opportunity to bring forth the injury in and were at the third he just thought he had hit a home run and he had. So he was clearly a man of faith and a family man. he was an attorney an advocate and he was an elected official and community leader. But he loved the Senate. He loved a good argument. He loved giving as much as he got. He recognized that you could argue about things and still. Be agreeable you could be disagreeable but still be agreeable and what was good for the state and what was good for America. And so in that spirit we thank you again for recognizing this good man. Who came to be faithful over a few things. And who now of. The United with other family members receives his award his reward and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention on Wilhelmina who's here. because she and her husband served in the House. And so when I close and speaking of the Llewellyn family we're talking about an experience that only a few families of Pat. Where one member and then another. As the opportunity to serve in this August body. And so we thank you for the respect and the resolution and we just promise you that we will continue to be loyal to what bill live for I believe that faith family and friends really represent the fortune of life thank you. Senate memorial resolution four by Senator Murdock at out to remember senator Royce C. billowing junior and to recognize his dedicated service an invaluable contributions to the state of Arkansas and local community. Whereas former Arkansas state senator Royce C. bill engineer of Marianna passed away on Tuesday March twenty first two thousand twenty three at the age of seventy one and whereas born on November eighteenth nineteen fifty one bill alone was a sign of Royce C. little and senior and Ethel brewer the nephew of Arkansas state representative John Llewellyn and state representative Wilhelmine Whalen and the cousin of former United States transportation secretary Rodney Slater. And whereas bill Elling received his bachelor's degree from the university of Arkansas pine bluff and his juris doctor from the university of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. And whereas Bills well it was first elected to the Arkansas Senate in nineteen ninety and was the second black person to serve in the Arkansas Senate in the twentieth century. And whereas prior to his election to the Arkansas Senate bill Llewellyn served on the Marianna city council and we're as senator Llewellyn representative Eastern Arkansas from nineteen ninety one through two thousand served in the Senate insurance and commerce committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee the Senate co chair of the joint legislative facilities committee vice chair of the Senate rules committee and a member of the Senate joint budget committee and the joint performance review committee and whereas during his tenure with the Arkansas Senate senator Llewellyn sponsored historic legislation that included legislation that created the Arkansas minority health commission and the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of nineteen ninety three. And whereas in nineteen ninety two Senator well and serve as an attorney for the lake the school district and its fight for an equitable and efficient public school system and after years of litigation the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Lakeview school district citing the state's constitutional duty to provide all Arkansas children with an adequate and equitable education regardless of the prosperity or poverty of the region in which they lived and whereas after leaving the Arkansas Senate bill well and continue to advocate for small rule school districts facing consolidation and inequitable treatment as one of only two black lawyers and we County. And we're as billowing fought to represent his clients and to help remedy injustices wherever he could and his dedication led him to receive numerous local state and national recognitions throughout his lifetime. And we're as Senator Llewellyn was preceded in death by his wife of forty three years Doris and Brantley Llewellyn. And we're as well senator Llewellyn was committed to improving the lives of all our cans and he was well known as being a devoted father and mentor to his children Adrian the well in. Royal on the third Michael well in markets Llewellyn Marco island and Marshall well and as well as a loving grandfather to his six grandchildren now therefore be it resolved by the Senate of the ninety fourth General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the Senate remember senator bill Whelan and recognize his commitment to hard work enormous contributions and service to the state of Arkansas and his local community be it further resolved that upon adoption a copy of this resolution be provided to the family of racy bill well engineer by the Secretary of the Senate. Murdock. Thank you and I acts that you Concurrent passing this in needed great vote. Thank you Senator Murdock all those in favor of sending the moral resolution for to remember senator Royce C. build the well one junior and to recognize his dedicated service an invaluable contributions to the state of Arkansas and his local community please signify by saying aye All opposed highs have it's in a more resolution is adopted. Senate will stand in recess for a couple of moments. The. Senate will come back to order will now take that Senate concurrent resolution eight. Senator parole. Senate concurrent resolution eight by Senator Kroll to recognize the magnolia high school boys and girls swim and dive teams for their many successes throughout the years and to recognize the magnolia community for its support of the swim and dive teams. Senate pro you're recognized just want to take a quick moment to recognize the the making only a swim and dive team we had an unfortunate situation where two weeks before the state championship this year our pool was broken beyond repair at this current moment this group will never be able to swim in high school sports again. It will be about four hundred and fifty students have hadn't been in this program and at the the younger level for summer swimming it's been five thousand students so I will be working with the southern Arkansas university in magnolia high school the boys and girls club of magnolia and the city of magnolia hoping that we can rebuild and get a new pool but quick. Quickly this this group. Has one the gentleman have won three. The three guys three championships in a row they one in February the lady Panthers have won four championships in a row they wanted February the eleven championships in this program. Just wanna take a moment to recognize them all they will go down the center aisle please high five them as they go out but let's pass this resolution for these young ladies and gentleman. Senate resolution eighty two recognizing my magnolia high school boys and girls swim and dive teams for their many successes Graham recognize the magnolia community for support of the swim and dive teams all those in favor please signify by saying aye hi many oppose ayes have it Senate concurrent resolution is adopted. All right let's give high fives as they go out the door. And on the Senate concurrent resolution I will be transmitted to the. I have got this Hey do you. The and I just put pressure on. Well as for a personal privilege. Yes. Thank you senator Chesterfield you're recognized madam chair I would ask that but need a. Who has worked for us for a long time be brought into the Senate chamber. You senator Clark. There is someone who has provided us food. And even more importantly a lot of. In everything that she does. And we don't often say thank you enough. So that people can hear it. Or as they say in an old Negro spiritual give me my flowers while I immediately it. So that I may see the beauty they bring speak kind words to me so I may hear them. And we want to say thank you. We want to present this to you were not going to announce the amount but everybody in here has been so generous thank you for all you do and I know you don't do it for us to reward you but we want to say thank you and god bless. Thank you senator Fifield madam secretary. Yes. Thank you for your committee on education to whom was referred senate bill three sixty one by Senator McKee recommend to pass term current Amendment number one. Committee on Education was referred senate bill three sixty seven by Senator flowers recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was referred senate bill four hundred by Senator Clark recommend to pass calendar Committee on Education was first Senate bill five hundred by Senator bride recommend due pass counted Committee on Education whom was first Senate bill five ten by Senator Irvin recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was first Senate bill twelve by Senator Irvin recommend due pass counted Committee on Education whom was referrred Senate bill five fourteen by Senator Irving recommend to pass as amended number one calendar committee on education was first senate five thirty two by Senator penso recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was first Senate bill five forty three by Senator Hammer recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was first Senate bill five fifty one by Senator Dawson recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was first Senate bill five fifty four by Senator English recommend due pass counted Committee on Education first senate five fifty six by Senator Penn recommend to pass calendar year education was first Senate bill five sixty eight by Senator Dismang recommend due pass counted preimage because she was first senate five seventy by Senator English recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was first Senate bill five seventy one by Senator English recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was first senate five seventy two by Senator English recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was first Senate bill five seventy three by Senator English recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was referred house bill fifteen sixteen merit representative lines from a committee pass calendar Committee on Education was referred house bill fifteen seventy six by representative Scott recommend due pass counted Committee on Education was referred house bill sixteen that the representative of Hodges recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred Senate bill ninety six by Senator Wallace recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred senate to thirty eight by Senator Clark recommend due pass counted. Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred senate to seventy by Senator paint recommend to pass to concur in house amendment number one calendar manage on Judiciary to whom was referred Senate bill five four fifty five by Senator Stubblefield recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred Senate bill five nineteen by Senator Irvin recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred Senate bill five twenty four by Senator Patty recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred Senate bill five twenty six by Senator Patty recommend due pass counted. Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred for all Senate bill five sixty two by Senator Clark recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill twelve ninety six by representative Gazaway recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill fourteen oh eight by representative. Brown recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill fourteen oh nine members and former commander pass calendar Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill fifteen O. three by representative Gazaway recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill sixteen thirty seven by representative Collins recommend due pass counted Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill sixteen ninety five per cent to fight recommend due pass counted Committee on Education Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill seventeen twenty nine by representative Bramlett recommend due pass counted. Thank you. Madam secretary now we will take up. We will take that Senate resolution forty eight Senate resolution forty eight by Senator love to recognize the University of Arkansas at little rock Trojans women's basketball team for being the twenty twenty three Ohio valley conference regular season conference champions. Senate. Good afternoon colleagues thank you I bring two U. S. R. forty eight and I'm I'm I have the you are. Curls coming in or the ways how would say come in. If you are. Fewell come on in. Thank you. Colleagues my pleasure. As an adult as a as a loan to recognize the University of Arkansas at little rock. Trojans women's basketball team for being the twenty twenty three Ohio valley conference regular season champs can you give them a hand. You all I'm not going to try to take a much time we've already taken the pictures but I want to reach its a bit of this with this resolution because it highlights some very magnificent moments for this season where's the universe of Arkansas little rock Trojans women's best fourteen of the twenty twenty to twenty twenty three Ohio valley conference regular season champs champions and we're as the universe of Arkansas little rock when the Trojans Nassau team became the first team in the Ohio valley conference to win the league title in its first year as a member of the lease. And whereas the the University of Arkansas. Little rock women's best team player Angelique Frances was named the twenty twenty three recipient of the Pat Summitt most courageous Arkansas Board seizing and she will receive this award at the women's final the final that's what turned me and we're as head coach Joe Foley was named the Ohio valley conference of the year of the coach of the year sees me and this was his six. Coach of the year what year honor it where is the University Park so Little Rock women's basketball team player Sally Karaman was named the House Ohio valley conference player of the year and this is her fourth player of the year honors as a Trojan War as a the University of Arkansas at little rock's Trojans women's team finished the season undefeated at home undefeated at home and the house and the how that a conference the conference league play now therefore be it resolved that the states in the Senate of the ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas. The Senate committee in the University of Arkansas at little rock Trojans women's best fourteen for being the twenty twenty three Ohio valley conference regular season champion be it further resolved that upon adoption of this resolution a copy shall be transmitted to the head coach Joe Foley by the Secretary of the Senate. The show women stand before you. Played a courageous season and I think they deserve the hand but also if we would do pass do pass recommendation on this resolution. Thanks in the law of all those in favor of Senate resolution forty eight to recognize the University of Arkansas at little rock. Women's basketball team will be in the two thousand twenty three Ohio valley conference regular season conference champions they signify by saying aye hi any oppose ayes have it Senate resolution forty eight. Is about. Thank you mention. You Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred Senate bill two thirty seven by Senator Clark recommend due pass counted. Well now Senate resolution thirty eight. Senate resolution thirty eight by Senator Tucker to recognize the farmhouse museum hostile Arkansas. Senate Tucker you're recognized thank you Mr president has for leave for Mister miss for ice the co founders of the firehouse museum and house to meet of Arkansas to be on the floor. Thank you guys want to take a brief moment to recognize some good work being done in Little Rock it's especially appropriate as we we give thanks for our first responders in the state after the events of of Friday I know we're all grateful for our firefighters in particular I mean I'm not going to read the resolution word for word but Arkansas has one of the highest death rates per hundred thousand persons in America over seventeen thousand paid and volunteer firefighters in over a thousand fire departments so that's one aspect of this museum in Little Rock and then the other part is hostelling which was created to provide safe and economical lodging for millions of world travelers seeking to visit countries all over the world including here in Arkansas so in two thousand three they form this museum hostelling Arkansas and they obtain a former fire station and macarthur park historic district in order to create this museum and now they teach fire prevention and safety all visitors tourists and hospitals in the state so they're they're doing fire prevention and safety honoring our firefighters and hostler solved the same time and they're in the course of expanding because they have way more activity than they can handle I also want to recognize Johnny repose up here in the gallery who who works the museum right now and this is just a really wonderful thing that helps firefighters firefighters and world travelers and with that madam president I would appreciate a good vote on the resolution. Thank you senator all those in favor of Senate resolution thirty eight to recognize the farmhouses impossible of Arkansas please signify by saying aye. Any of those guys had a Senate resolution thirty eight is adopted thank you so much. I wanted to say that Johnny reep up there deserves all the credit he's captain retired little rock fire department he's worked on this with all his heart and he and I want you know that is his. Accomplishment and we're right behind the thank you thank. Senate resolution forty two. Senate resolution forty two by Senator Tucker. Recognized me to Joe Smith for over fifty years of service to the university of Arkansas for medical sciences into patients into the state of Arkansas. Tucker you are recognized thank you madam president I managed to do something that I didn't think was possible I tricked Joe Smith in the coming here today as our guest nurse of the day or actually surprising her with the resolution on her for over fifty years of service at UAMS absolutely so I'm yeah. Joe Smith has helped you. Which I'm guessing is maybe everybody in the room feel free to stand or join me at the well. Again I'm not gonna read the resolution word for word but Joe began volunteering as a candy striper at the Washita county hospital when she was fifteen years old I see for study to become a nurse practitioner at Henderson state university and then transfer to you and that's where as I said she's been for over fifty years she currently is director of special services okay and this is code for running the joint all right at least and and from my perspective it is. I'll just tell you I mean the number of people that Joe has helped in fifty years you cannot count and I'll just tell you my personal story I was diagnosed with cancer on Tuesday at about eight thirty AM at a nine U. M. S. facility and when I was walking out clinic my first phone call was not to my parents my wife was with me not to my parents or my sister or anyone else it was to this lady right here because I knew that she would take care of me the same way that she would if I want a legislator she'd never met me before that was on a Tuesday and I had surgery the following Monday to remove my tumor and the only reason it took six days is because my treating physician was moving his daughter in college because if he was in town and Joe had her way my surgery within the next day. And that's the type of service that she has provided to people from all over the state country and world for more than fifty years this is one of the the legends that just has made an impact that is incalculable beyond words and if you've ever worked with you know exactly what I'm talking about she was recognized this year for that with an award for distinguished service impossible is not a ward in just by capillary that the campaigners and said so. Anyway I I appreciate this members I just want to recognize a true legend of our state Joe Smith and with that madam president I would appreciate a good vote on the resolution. Thank you Senator Tucker and Act forty two as an older mom to be helped me navigate that and I gave Barker garnered so special thank you to Joe for taking good care of me all those in favor of Senate resolution forty two to recognize Nancy Jo Smith for over fifty years of service to the university of Arkansas for medical sciences your patients into the state of Arkansas please signify by saying aye. Oppose ayes have it Senate resolution forty two is adopted. Senator English you're recognized. Well I'm here to introduce my pages for the day Keely David Walker. And she is she all three of them are for Maumelle high school and they're all juniors she's an artist she's looking at college maybe at Harvard or Howard she's interested in dancing and she's an art major thank you very much and Charles Andrews. Is here and he is involved middle high school he's interested in baseball and golf is a. Active in the Methodist church is a student council member and looking at the University of Arkansas for college a volunteer the Quapaw quarter. And let me see and chase Tucker. It is also a Maumelle high school and he's interested in baseball golf these to have a college looking at playing golf in college mmhm the University of Arkansas and healthcare is a healthcare major so thank you very much thank you ladies. We will now begin the business agenda with Senate amendments to Senate bills beginning with. Rather. Members just to be able to kind of accept that things are going to have to pass are amendments first so they can go on another calendar and so if you look at your packet we've got a number of bills that have to be amended. And that's what we're doing there so. Amendment one Senate bill nine. I'm sorry okay. All right members have take any questions. Singman. yep. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it. Senator Ingram. Amendment one Senate bill fifteen. All right members this is the game and fish commission salary commission structure change. I've been taking questions. Say none all in favor of amendment one to as the fifteen six nine. Any oppose ayes have it members adopted. Amendment one Senate bill sixteen. Hi this increases the unclaimed properties from twenty five million twenty nine million. Thank. All those in favor please signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it members adopted please enter your member won the Senate bill seventeen this increases the personal services matching for the prosecutors about three and a twenty two thousand and in ads line for licensure expenses for forty thousand. These are rounded up members around the numbers by the way. Say no questions all those in favor please signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it amendment is adopted please. Amendment three Senate bill thirty one. As a hundred fifty thousand the preparation to the Arkansas College Board for scholarships preparation only. Questions all those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed. I have. Amendment Senator. Amendment to the Senate bill thirty three. Increases the line item for adult literacy from six hundred seventy five thousand to a million. No questions all those in favor signify by saying aye hi any oppose. As habit and is about seven Grossman Amendment one Senate bill thirty. All right this adds one new position an eighty program administrator is a grade GS ten increase of seventy five thousand so should salaries matching cost the operations appropriation. Senate questions of all those in favor please signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it. Amendment is adopted police said Amendment one Senate bill forty five. This as a hundred thousand operating expenses line item for the Arkansas Senate syncing general preparations Commission this is related to the pending Corrections reform package. Senate. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it members adopted please enter the road Amendment one Senate bill fifty it's twenty four positions an associate twenty three point million a preparation for the expansion of the C. step program. Senate questions all those in favor please signify by saying aye. Any impose. As having. Barclays center in Brooklyn member three Senate bill seventy five this is governor's letter related department education adds one program specialist adds two million in the preparation for state teacher's students case program that's new preparation section for twelve million creation ministration of the the teacher academy scholarship program as established by learns. No questions all those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed. Hi seven amendment is adopted the center Amendment one Senate bill seventy six hi this is amended by Senator Davis related apartment ducation does multiple things two positions are added eighty shared service salary section state operations fifteen paid vacant positions were surrendered eight new positions or added ten million appropriations at for the grace ministration of the open enrollment public charter schools revolving loan program at one position is surrounded by the from the regular Sally section with reduction sixty two thousand succeed scholarship program three million a preparation for the C. succeed scholarship program is deleted and then number six the preparations added for fifty two point one million for educational freedom accounts payable from the Arkansas children's educational freedom account funds. No question. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed. I have it members adopted please enter interest. Amendment one Senate bill one eighty one. Amendment one Senate bill one twenty three all right Amendment by said a representative Jean to the University of Arkansas medical side is sciences amendment creates catch preparation section twelve million for self Arkansas hospital expansion. Any questions eighty nine all those in favor please signify by saying aye by any oppose ayes have it amendment is adopted please gross. Amendment one Senate bill two thirty nine. Amendment by representative Wardlaw removes the five million preparation for the Arkansas wine tourism facility. Senate questions all those in favor signify by saying aye. Any of those. As the doctor please enter your. Let. One to Senate bill one eighty one percent. Okay. This is as senator hammers Amendment for his bill. Sorry. Amendment one Senate bill one eighty one. Senator hammers bill has amendments. A good vote. Thank you senator although signify by saying aye hi. Any opposed. Is haven't amendment is adopted. And. Johnny to make my motion now and remain a member one Senate bill three eighty eight. Senator Hill. And members I licenses make a motion to suspend the rules to place Senate bill one eighty one at the end of the calendar after it comes back from engrossing Senate calendar Senate bill one eighty one. After comes back from engrossing. All those in favor of sending Senate bill one eighty to suspend the rules. The Senate Senate bill one eighty one at the bottom of the calendar for today. Please signify by saying aye aye. Any oppose ayes have it okay and then I need to make a motion to place Senate bill five fourteen M.. On today's calendar for purpose of amendment I came out of committee this morning. Senate bill five fourteen motion to suspend the rules in place Senate bill five fourteen on today's calendar for purpose of amendment Amendment. All those in favor please signify by saying aye aye any oppose ayes have it and and then alas motion is motion is to place the suspend the rules to place at the bottom of Senate calendar senate bill four twenty six It came out of committee last Thursday. Suspend the rules to place Senate bill four twenty six on today's. Calendar. We signify by saying aye aye any opposed. Is haven't and I am withdrawing Senate bill five fifteen from consideration. Senate members I would like to make a motion to suspend the rules for the purposes of withdrawing Senate bill four fourteen from the city county local committee for purposes of amendment. Motion to suspend the rules. All senate bill four four. Jean. No. Yes Senate bill four fourteen Senator fourteen from committee. City council for purposes of amendment. The thing I have to say that any blows as having. Three to Senate bill four fourteen. Senator Petty you're recognized. Okay sorry my bill my amendment. Thanks anybody all those in favor please signify by saying aye hi eighty oppose ayes have it members adopted president engrossed. Amendment one to Senate bill three eighty eight. Member won the Senate bill three eighty eight Senator Hill you're recognized. My bill my amendment. All those in favor please signify by saying aye. Any opposed. Is have it members adopted please integration ma'am governor I'd like to suspend the rules move this to the in the counterfeit I. Motion to suspend the rules. To add Senate bill three eighty eight is amended to the bottom of the today's calendar Senate calendar ended today Senate calendar please signify by saying aye. Any opposed. As having. Amendment one to Senate bill four five four member one Senate bill four fifty four. Undergo more you're recognized thank you madam president my bill my amendment. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed. I have a man as adopted please enter your. Senate bill Maher you're recognized I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules to place this bill once it comes back from gross and at the end of the calendar. Motion to suspend the rules. To place Senate bill four fifty four as amended at the bottom of today's Senate calendar. Please signify by saying aye hi many opposed. Is haven't. Senate. Eleven eighty nine and for have one house bill eleven eighty nine. Thank you members I need to this is for senator Hammer he's not here and where to get actually need to send house bill eleven eighty nine back to committee for purpose of another amendments that will fix the bill as so house bill eleven ninety nine motion to send it back to committee the purpose of amendment we're gonna be upon adjournment to get this bill fixed I read by workers representative council on it and Senator Hammer. Motion to set house bill eleven eighty nine back to committee the purpose of amendment to all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye any opposed I had a. Amendment one the. House bill twelve fifty two. Senator Irvin you're recognized my bill my amendment. All those in favor please signify by saying aye. Any opposed. I have a. Amendment is adopted please centers. They the manager. Members like to make a motion to recall for Senate bill sixty six from the governor's office please okay I'm sorry Senator these if I could ask the body to take any unnecessary conversations outside the. Senator these would you mind to restate. Motion to recall Senate bill sixty six from the governor's office. And members the reason is that there is an issue with it engrossing and one of our amendments incorrectly and so we're gonna bring it back here we're going to expunge the vote fix the issue at the house it's a house amendment they have to ask them to to fix it Senate back for us to concur again. Sixty six it's the the age verification for **** bill. The motion is to recall and recall Senate bill sixty six from the governor's office for purposes. thanks any questions for. Yeah if you. Are there any questions. Hello you're recognized for a question please it is a verification which one of your bills is the this is the provider fee one thank you yes any other questions for Senator days. Thirty nine all those in favor please signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it motion carries. Senator Wallace to recognize. Members I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules and move Senate bill ninety six. To the floor for a vote today. I'm sorry. I apologize I am would like to make a motion to suspend the rules to speak place house bill thirteen eighty one on second reading for amendment and adopt the amendment will be referred back to committee. Motion to suspend the rules. Thank. Thirteen eighty one. On second reading for the purpose of amendment. All in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed. I have a second amendment one to House Bill thirteen eighty one. Forget that. Is this for a good vote on your amendments senator Wallace you're recognized. It members I ask for a good vote. Thank you senator Wallace all those in favor signify by saying aye aye any opposed. Asset amendment is adopted please enter. Senate. Thank you madam governor members there's house bill fifteen sixteen actually Senator Jane Jane English is the assent as sponsor on this she knows I'm doing this I've talked to other education members this bill has been referred to Senate education it had it does have a fiscal impact of two million dollars so what we're gonna do or with your blessing what we're going to do is re referred that to Senate revenue tax. So my motion is to require that Senate bill fifteen six or skews me house bill fifteen sixteen to Senate revenue tax. The motion to re referred house bill fifteen sixty two Revenue and Tax yes please signify by saying aye. Oppose ayes have it. Senator Mark Johnson. You're recognized thank you madam president I move that we extract Senate bill three seventy from withdrawal Senate bill three seventy from education place on second reading for purpose of amendment. Motion to suspend the rules or to withdraw Senate bill three seventy. It is the case. At the bottom of today's we're college as from. The motion is to suspend the rules in order to place Senate bill three seventy. On second reading for the purpose of amendment. All. Hi. Those. Amendment one Senate bill seventy three seventy. madam president I move adoption Amendment my bill my amendment. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any of those. Thank you. Amendment is adopted please sending grossing. Will not begin a second page of today's business agenda beginning with Senate bill two seventy five Senate bill two seventy five by Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning election airing to amend the law concerning polling sites in that centers Intermin the law concerning the designation of polling sites the County Board of election commissioners. Thank you my bill my amendment appreciate a good vote. Sorry. Also during bill. The Bill. I thought I'd try. I'm waiting for a copy of it. Senator you made a moment at this let me let me do that Matt will close to the bottom of this page after senate bill four ninety eighty two Hammer Bills will put these at the bottom. Okay. We will now take up the Senator Clark. Senate bill four forty five Senator Mark Johnson. Senate bill four forty five by Senator Johnson Mark Johnson. To amend the provisions of Arkansas constitution amendments ninety one and one oh one to provide the proceeds may be applied to multiplying highway improvements and declare an emergency. Senator Mark Johnson you're recognized. Thank you madam president US Senate bill four forty five is a different creature It on its face it does one simple thing it goes in a man's Amendment ninety one and one oh one and changes the word. Four lane highways to multi lane highways meeting he realized there was a lawsuit about that fact because some people said you can't spend that money on. Six lane highways because it said four lane highways I think most of us would agree that the intent of the original. legislation constitutional amendment was to use that have sent sales tax for what we would call free weights or multi lane highways because of that. I have opted through the provision in amendment seven to utilize the power of of the General Assembly with a two thirds vote of each house to amend sections of the constitution only amendments of our been passed by the people now I encourage any of you all that have not looked at this the first two pages are really two pages and about five lines of the bill it discusses the the procedure and I'm gonna quote liberally from and I promise I will not read it verbatim. The General Assembly finds that the constitution provides that no measure approved by a vote of the people shall be amended or repealed by the General Assembly except upon a yea or nay vote on a roll call of two thirds of all the members elected to each house of the General Assembly. Al. Also measure which is clearly defined in article five section one measure. As used here includes any bill law resolution or ordinance charter constitutional amendment or legislative proposal or Nachman of any character. and that is that says the plain language of the definition of measure means that the General Assembly may amend amendments to the constitution with a two thirds vote of each house not the corpus is the original constitution but in the amendments despite observing that the definition of measure includes constitutional amendments in nineteen fifty one in a case called Arkansas game and fish commission V. Edgemont. the court declined to construe the language literally and held that the General Assembly lack the power to amend or repeal amendments to the constitution by two thirds vote. In twenty eighteen the board of trustees the University of Arkansas the Andrews the court ruled and overturned years of precedent by holding that the General Assembly cannot waive by law the state sovereign immunity granted by the constitution in article four and article five. In reaching its decision and Andrew. The Supreme Court held that the language of the constitution should be interpreted quote precisely as it reads and what I have stated to you all. Precisely as it reads says that with a two thirds vote of all members elected to each house of the General Assembly we may amend an amendment. In the one off to V. Gibson the court noted that the phrase four lane highway had been given specific meaning in Amendment ninety one and that it was plain and unambiguous and thus the funds in our raised under Amendment ninety one could not be used to improve six lane portions of interstate highways. Recently the court file they didn't change that ruling they did allow our dot to use that money that had already been collected but not going full so. Here's where we are we're sitting here with us amendment that was passed about a hundred years ago the court ruling one direction about seventy something years ago seventy two years ago and another two court rulings that went back and said Hey the constitution and its words mean exactly what they say. Now. That's why I brought this bill by passage of this act the General Assembly expresses belief that the consideration of this act using the standard review established in the and in the center's case the Supreme Court will interpret the constitution precisely as it reads in consideration of his plan an ambiguous language will overturn its decision in Edgemont is consistent with its holding in Andrews and Bonita and will uphold the constitutional authority of the General Assembly under article five section one to amend or repeal amendments to the Arkansas constitution by a two thirds vote of each house and again the rest of the bill simply comes in and changes as I said it changes four lane highway to multi lane highway. which I sincerely do believe was probably what was intended when it was done the first place but as a Supreme Court said so eloquently words mean things so I'll be happy to this time madam president to answer any questions. Question mark Johnson. A proposed. Madam president I don't know what more I can say except say the same thing I do it all over again but this is an important bill it It reestablishes and clarifies the authority that the constitution over a hundred years ago gave to the General Assembly and allows us to correct errors such as this with extraordinary majority of both chambers so I appreciate a good vote. Thank you senator and mindbody is that state twenty four votes any objections rowing the boat. And secretary please well both. Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis these Dismang Johnson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator. To change his or her. I think Senator flowers. President. Any others. At. Any other. C. nine. By a vote of. I'm sorry please cast a ballot. By a vote. Thirty three a one name and one present Senate bill four forty five passes an emergency clause please transmit to the House. Senator Teague you're recognized thank you madam chair we now have Senate bill sixty six return from the governor's office and so I'm like to make a motion to expunge Senate bill sixty six vote by which if passed. Any questions. Motion to expunge. Passage of Senate bill sixty six. Sponge the concurrence. I can look it up I'm not sure. I think it's three. I think it's I think it's three but I can look it up I come back I'll come back. Thank you will take that matter of. Shortly. What is it. Yeah I've got to get. We'll take up Senate bill four sixty four. Senator Hester amend the law to amend the. Arkansas tourism development at. Thank you governors members this is part of the of the park enters a package in its to amend the tourism development act to include projects that are for construction operator intend to operate in a tourism attraction project members this does not have a fiscal impact it deals with tax incentives not tax credits but just an example if you want to start a business that this is supporting canoeing on the buffalo maybe it's it's restaurant members are not housing and you will you you start that business in the state within operating zone that you be potentially eligible for a tax incentives on that. Happy to answer any questions any questions for Senator Hester. Anyone with respect to cancer for. Senator is closed any objection rowing the boat. Section secretary please. Boyd Brian Caldwell Chesterfield Clark role Davis these Dismang Johnson Bangladesh Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McGill Murdock Payton Penzo Petty Rostom Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator which changes have. Same manner please cast a ballot. By a vote of thirty five Yeas zero named Senate bill four sixty four passes please transmit to the House. Senate bill for sixty five. Senate bill four sixty five by Senator Johnson. To create a continuing of care program within the Department of Human Services Intermin the life choices lifeline program to clarify language and ensure proper administration of the program. Senate off you're recognized thank you madam president members symbol for sixty five takes a couple of the acts we passed over the last couple of years the life choices lifeline passed in twenty nineteen and every mom matters act passed in twenty twenty one and that moves their responsibilities out of the Department of of Health where they're currently housed over to DHS where they're more properly aligned for administration of the programs I work for the H. us on this they even came to the table with mean committee to to make sure that everything was good with the bill and everybody knows all all good so more happy try answering questions. Any questions for Senator not appreciate a good vote. Anyone want to speak against her for. Senator has closed. Any objection rolling the vote. Secretary please rowboat. Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis D. dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice done Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace any senator which the changes are vote. Saying that the ballot. Five votes at thirty five eight zero today Senate bill for sixty five passes please transmitted to the house. Senate bill four sixty nine. Senate bill four sixty nine by Senator Tucker. To reduce violent crime in Arkansas to establish the ballot crime clearance grant fund to provide law enforcement agencies with resources to combat violent crime and declare an emergency. The type. Thank you madam president we had a lot of conversation the last several weeks about public safety and criminal justice in Arkansas and we're gonna have some more conversation about that this afternoon one piece that's not in that bigger piece of legislation is arresting people who commit violent crime and I want to I want to commend senator Gilmore for co sponsoring this particular bill and representative Gazaway for being the house sponsor to his credit Senator Gilmore says that you can't put everything into one bill and I agree I I and I I commend numbers admire him for for saying that and this is a piece that's not in the big bill you might be surprised to learn that in Arkansas for all of the violent crimes that are reported to police only thirty nine percent are cleared mostly that means an arrest there's a few other things to buy large that means we're only arresting thirty nine percent of people when there's a violent crime reported to police in Arkansas this is what the data that's reported by our local law enforcement agencies to the FBI so it's reliable data the best way to deter crime is a certainty of punishment and right now criminals in Arkansas the violent criminals there you don't have that certainty of punishment because we're only committing an arrest and thirty nine percent of cases so what this bill does I personally believe that this program should be well funded but that's not in this bill is not as not a single dollar on this bill what it does is create a program in the department of public safety that will put them in a position to enhance that clearance rate on or violent crimes in Arkansas I've worked with colonel Hager and the the folks at the department of public safety on the language of this bill to make sure there could they were comfortable with it and there's no unfunded mandate which there is not but this models after some programs that have been used in other states like Oklahoma for example with a it gave grants to local law enforcement agencies where clearance rates on violent crimes were a particular problem and when those grants were given out it made a significant impact on reducing the amount of violent crime in the. Area so you know I'm I'm happy to take any questions about this but but that's basically what the bill does. Any questions for Senator Tucker. Senator Solomon you're recognized for the bill supporter of the bill I wanna make sure I understand so we're going to have more people and with the center Gilmore crime bill they're going to stay in jail longer and you're supporting a bill that puts more people in jail for a longer time. Well you're combining your combining two issues I think providing tuition. I'll make my position on Senate bill four ninety five ninety just a few minutes I am for arresting people who commit violent crime in Arkansas absolutely that's why I'm sponsor this bill and they're going to go to jail for a longer time I believe that will be the case thank you. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator you're pretty close thank you madam president I appreciate a good vote. Centers close any objection rowing the boat. Many sectors. Boyd Brian Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Davis Dismang Dawson English Flippo flowers Gilmore hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice done Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Henny Senator was to change his or her. Sandline please cast a ballot. But thirty five Yeas zero nine four six nine four funny emergency clause passed please brings me to the house. Senate bill four eighty. Senate bill four eighty by Senator king. To clarify the purpose of this section to authorizing a license to carry a concealed handgun and to clarify that a license to carry a concealed handgun is not required to carry a concealed handgun in this state. Senator Teague you're recognized thank you madam president members sisters follows progression of bills that have been passed to make designate well what Arkansas already is a constitutional carry state this just says on the concealed weapon permit that that it is for just allowance to go to other states and that it is permit list to legally carry by legal people here in Arkansas this does not it is written under the Code section with the concealed carry it does not impact enhanced carry or any others. Any questions. One was to speak against or for. Senator has closed. Any objection to rowing the boat. Objection noted madam secretary please call the roll. Caldwell. Chesterfield. Chesterfield. Clark. Clark. Roll. Davis. These. DISMANG. Dotson. Dodson. English. Flippo. Flowers. Gilmore. Hammer. Hester. Hester. Hickey. Health. Irvine. Blake Johnson. R. Johnson King. Leding. Leding. Love. The key. Murdock. Murdock. Page. Penzo. Petty. Rice. Statham. Stubblefield. Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace. I've been on this side any senators wish to change your vote or voter did not vote. I see syndrome Chesterfield no. Senate Murdoch NO any others on the side. This side Senator Leding no Senator Clark yes. Any others. Please cast a ballot. By a vote of twenty eight. Yes a six nine eight one nonvoting Senate bill. Four eighty passes please transmit to the House. Senator Dismang you're recognized. Members of like make a motion to suspend the rules to add Senate bill five sixty eight to the into the south Senate calendar. Motion to suspend the rules to add Senate bill five sixty eight to the end of the Senate calendar today please signify by saying aye. Any opposed. As having a my next one is on Senate bill five forty nine that's income tax bill we've got a motion in we had an amendment in committee for co sponsors of like to go and get that engrossed today so that we can have the full bill on the floor tomorrow so I can make a motion to suspend the rules to adopt amendment one on Senate bill five forty nine. Motion to suspend the rules. Adopting Amendment one Senate bill five forty nine please signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it hence. Come back up. Senator Clark. One bill four thirty five motion the motion is you want to put on second reading thank you all wish to place S. before thirty five on second reading for the purpose of amendment. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed. Asset Amendment one Senate bill four thirty five. The Amendment of. Normally I don't explain amendments but of this amendment. We pass a bill out of committee it's a good bill I think but I went to the clerk's office I'm a compromise they didn't accept it but I think it makes a better bill anyway it only requires a to have paper ballots at one voting place nearest to the courthouse if you have a voting center that excludes twelve counties if you have a voting center and the printer is already there it's a touch for whatever ballot you need all you got to have this paper you only have to training at one place and it lessens the penalty spot to it's a very good amendment of to allow some peace of mind for some folks appreciate a good vote on the amendment. Questions Senator Hammer thank you senator Clark bring amendment do you know what the cost is going to be counties to do that both in the machine and what would be any additional costs to provide all the ballot should be necessary for somebody to get a paper ballot the of. Enter is already there that's what we went with vote centers of the printers already there it's in more than one location but it's certainly one location so there's no that would they had an estimated cost of six mental for printer they already have the printer the paper. If it's I don't think it's any kind of special paper but the only cost would be paper and training people at one at one location. Okay and I we've had another bill go through I thank that has about water marks and other things that will be talked about the other night that they you know appreciate what the water marks you know about printers capabilities to produce about tech integrity the ballot so that they're not duplicated of war how would that work Senator hammer I don't but I know that they already have these printers in place to print ballots for people this is not something that we're doing new it's there because at the touch of a button if there's eighty different ballots they can print the one for you right there and they're already doing that. Thank you for corporate yes Sir. Any other questions Senator Hill. Senator Clark with what you want to do here with this be able to be counted by the computer read for the second hand counted these little bit hand counted but we're not voting on the bill we're disposing on amending the. Thank. Any other questions. Say no other questions. Senate you want close yes vote again you were not voted on the bill just amendment that I could just set my bill my amendment thank you to pass to but I wanted you to know what we were doing I would appreciate a good vote on the amendment because it is not a vote on the bill thank you. I appreciate a good vote thank you senator Clark all those in favor signify by saying aye. Many opposed. Is have it and then as adopted please. This may Amendment one Senate bill five forty nine. Senator Dismang members this just added co sponsors. All those in favor of amendment one do Senate bill five forty nine and a co sponsor please signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it members adopted gross. Senate bill four eighty four semaphore eighty four by Senator Tucker to modify the law concerning charitable organizations clarified motions charitable organizations and to exclude certain requests and test testament this testament distribution list distributions from press from press from contributions. Senator Tucker you're recognized thank you madam president this is another bill that reduces government so hopefully like it Senator Solomon but so right now in Arkansas if you're General charitable organization you have to get an audit if your revenues exceed five hundred thousand dollars now we actually or do pass the law this session to increase that from five hundred thousand to a million based on an adjuster from when the law was originally passed a bill sponsored by representative Grant Hodges who is a co sponsor sponsor on this bill to indicate he's good with what we're doing but the fact pattern that I'm gonna give you I was in effect without five hundred thousand dollars threshold Senate representative Collins and I have a constituent who is on the board of a nonprofit they got a one time the quest and all the quests are going to be one time by nature but they got a one time a court requests for nonprofit that's a regularly underneath that audit threshold and that bequest put them over the on a threshold so they had to get in on it which costs about twenty five thousand dollars which for this nonprofit was a very significant thing and then the next year without the request they were well below the on a threshold so what this says is. If you get a request from a state or from a testamentary trust which is also for a case when someone passes away that that bequest or distribution from the testamentary trust doesn't count toward the this the threshold to have to get an audit and and so that's it because those are one time distributions by nature they shouldn't count toward that audit threshold internal help our non profits out there from having to get hot it's unnecessarily so that that's it. Any questions for Senator Tucker. St nine anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator you're pretty close center has closed any objection to rowing the boat. Maddox secretary please Robert. Right Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Davis these Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King leading role on the key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty Bronston Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senators wish to change your vote. Please cast a ballot by those at thirty five Yeas zero nine Senate bill forty four passes please transmitted to the house. Senator Wallace you're recognized. The. Member's level what's again like to suspend the rules and make a motion to move Senate bill ninety six to the calendar today. I'm sorry. To the bottom of the city council. Motion by Senator Wallace to suspend the rules. Add. Senate bill ninety six to the bottom of Senate counted today please signify by saying aye. Any opposed. I have a motion carries. Members also have another one. May I just ask a question. Yes ma'am Senate recognized for a question and we're moving all of these things to the end of the calendar. Could you please tell us what the bill does that when assessing data assuming you instead of going through the regular order of business is legal for appreciate it thank you yes ma'am I will ask the sponsors of the bill stated that the state that moving forward. Members I wish to make a motion to suspend the rules to move Senate bill four four one to the counter on the counter Day and the reason we are is the House committee is meeting tomorrow Revenue and Tax. Follow you there March not going to make it. So that's a motion. Motion to suspend the rules in order to add senate bill four forty one. That right. To the bottom of the Senate calendar today please signify by saying aye. He opposed. Is haven't. Kerry's. Senator days you're recognized thank you manager members we have now Senate bill six six return from the governor at making a motion to expunge the vote by which passed. Motion to expunge the vote by which Senate bills sixty six was passively signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it hence the Kerry. In a second motion is to expunge the concurrence of all three house amendments so that we can make our fixes and sent back to the house please. Motion to suspend the rules in order to expunged concurrence. Explains finds the concurrence of all three House house amendment. Please signify by saying aye. Any opposed. Is have it members. Returned to the house. Senate bill four ninety five. Senate bill four ninety five by Senator Gilmore to create the protection Arkansas. To amend Arkansas law concerning sentencing and parole to amend Arkansas law concerning certain criminal offenses and to create the legislative recidivism read a reduction task force. Senator Gilmore you're recognized. Thank you madam president members this bill is no surprise any of you have had a chance to visit with most of you about this bill I hope you had a chance to look through it read through it I know it was it was a thoroughly vetted and I I see Senator Chesterfield slip into our favorite parts of it right now and she's holding it up but it was thoroughly vetted in committee and I appreciate my colleagues for doing that members this bill will make Arkansas safer it will protect our communities it will give tools to our law enforcement officers to do that it will hold violent repeat criminals accountable while also doing all of that wall so. Providing for avenues for these inmates to. Better themselves and be ready to get out and and be productive citizens in our society. It has language in here for mental health it has language in here for increasing impropriety or ties in workforce training it has family considerations for those who might be pregnant while incarcerated he allows additional bonding time with the new born it also has language in here for inmates to have access to visit with their minor children. We spent six months there about working on this bill I had quite a few people giving counsel and advice bringing ideas we've looked at what other states have done we've tried to craft some policy that I think will be a game changer for the state as I said in the press conference right now our state is experiencing chaos and I brought I believe this bill will bring order to that chaos. But I've had quite a few members asked me questions. bring suggestions I've had like I said I looked at other states in policy that they looked at and over the course of about six months we crafted this policy so with that I'm not going to belabor the point I'm not gonna talk it to death but I'm happy to take any questions. Questions for Senator Gilmore. Thank against. If. Senator Tucker you're recognized. Thank you for your recognized thank you again thank you Mr president. Almost caught me not paying attention Senator Gilmore I feel. If you will indulge me for a few minutes of this is a very important policy for the state of Arkansas and I think it's worthy of a little bit of discussion and debate on the Senate floor I really want to start by complimenting Senator Gilmore he has worked very diligently for many months on this bill not just in his own right but as he mentioned he's had conversations with a number of us I know he has with me we've had several meetings several phone conversations about this there do you senator Chesterfield language from learns their pieces of me in this bill and I I want to compliment and and thank senator Gilmore for having those conversations and for the extensive work. That he put in there's several things that Senator Gilmore and I imagine pretty much all of us agree on number one is we do have a crime problem in Arkansas I don't believe there's any disputing that we depends on what metric to use but we're essentially forth in violent crime rate in Arkansas another point that senator Gilmore and I agree on and I would imagine everybody is that if you commit a violent crime in Arkansas then you should be incarcerated for substantial period of time we're not talking about taking it easy on people who commit violent crime in Arkansas nobody wants that and then the third point that I think Senator go more and I would agree on is that once someone is in state custody we have to do a better job of preparing them to reenter society we have failed as a state at that and there is quite a bit on recidivism in the bill and I want to thank senator Gilmore for that as well but I think it's fair to wonder. Whether this bill will actually make us safer or not and that's what I want to spend just a minute discussing first of all can we heard for example in the committee from the Attorney General that if someone the way to solve crime is when someone commits a crime is to incapacitate them and I would say that we're already doing a pretty good job in Arkansas office of incapacitating people for one thing and again it depends on what metric you use but essentially we have about the third or fourth or fifth highest incarceration rate in the country hi this is higher than any other democracies incarceration rate in the world and it's really not even close our incarceration rate in Arkansas is higher than China Cuba and Iran combined so this is not the company that we want to be in a secondly not only or incarcerating a high percentage of people for also actually incarcerating them for longer periods of time than virtually anywhere else in the country and I'm gonna give you a few examples there was a a nonpartisan nonprofit entity that that's an expert in criminal justice that compared us to six of our neighboring states Texas Louisiana Oklahoma Missouri Alabama and Florida these are not liberal states okay those six states that I just mentioned compared us to them not on sentence length but on time of incarceration for three crimes one is aggravated assault one is robbery and one is a drug crime we were number one for time of incarceration for all three so we're already Leding four time of incarceration come on robbery are adverse time of incarceration was eighty two months in Florida again not a liberal state it was fifty months thirty two months less than what we are doing right now almost three years more than two and a half years on drug offenses and this is where drugs are your primary offense for which you're incarcerated. Again we were number one average this time of incarceration of thirty one months in Alabama and Missouri average incarceration time is twelve months again not liberal states that we are two and a half times the incarceration length of Alabama's or when it comes to to drugs and so we already or incarcerating a high number of people and for a long period of time and we still have a high rate of violent crime so it hasn't worked this is the second point is you know the notion that. This is going to deter crime and I want to speak on that for just a moment this is really related to the bill of Senator Solomon was mentioning that I was running before on on the rest of the number one to turn to crime is not the length of incarceration but rather the certainty of punishment and the example that we've heard in committee that I think is a good example is if I'm speeding down the highway what's more likely to determine from speeding the knowledge that a state troopers on the road or the knowledge that the fees for my ticket will go up obviously it's that the state troopers on the road there's really no question about that so we have to boost our clearance rate of reported violent crime higher than thirty nine percent if we really want to the server violent crime in Arkansas and and this bill does not address that there's one other crime that I want to mention in particular where the criminal penalty is elevated this legislation from a misdemeanor to a felony and that's negligent homicide now that's a tragic those are tragic cases where someone has died as a result but we're going to be incarcerating people for something that they did negligently prison beds are a finite resource so not only is it important that someone be incarcerated for having done something bad it also we also need to take into account. That we need that presented for them more than we need it for someone else who's committed a violent crime intentionally whether it's rape murder whatever the case might be and we've also heard the distinction between cars ready people that were afraid of rather than we're just mad and to me someone who's committed negligent homicide is quintessential example of someone that were mad at not that we're afraid of so I don't I don't see how that makes a safer or deters crime another point that I'll mention is about that we heard in committee about is that the prison system is a revolving door. There is absolutely some truth to this sixty two percent of our president admissions are actually for people who are on supervision and this is what's driving our capacity issue in Arkansas but I think it's important mention that only sixteen percent of violent crime committed in Arkansas is committed by someone who's on supervision Senator Gilmore encouraged me to use a bunch of statistics while I was up here because he knows how effective that's going to be and I'm going to grant his wish so you're going to bear with me for mass just a little bit. these are nationwide statistics but only forty six percent of crimes actually get reported so if this is crime forty six percent gets reported in Arkansas the forty six percent against report we have a rest and thirty nine percent of those cases and then of the cases where there's a rest only sixteen percent of the violent crimes for people on supervision so if you combine all those statistics together we can incarcerate every single person who's on parole or probation right now and we were to reduce violent crime in the state by less than three percent. And that's a long way of saying we have more to do than just incapacitate people for a long period of time and I'm gonna give an example of two of our neighboring states and then I'll take it easy on you all and and and return to my seat. But again. Not liberal states Missouri and Texas okay in Missouri what they did and they they had issues that we have you know they're they were confronting capacity capacity crisis just like we are they had high crime rates just like we do and these are the approaches that Missouri and Texas tech in Missouri they increased a substance abuse treatment for people on parole may improve their supervision practices for people on parole and probation and they invested more for local law enforcement to target violent crime and so what they found was they reduce recidivism by twenty percent beyond that every state including Arkansas has a projected prison population beyond that they reduced their projected prison population by over thirty seven hundred prisoners that's the equivalent of building thirty seven hundred bed prison but without spending half a billion dollars on prison construction and forty million dollars a year on operations and without incarcerating thirty seven hundred more of your fellow citizens in Texas they did similar work they increase transitional housing for people who are on parole being crew they increase capacity for community corrections rather than corrections and they enhance the capability of substance abuse treatment for people on parole and incarceration and now here's what happened in Texas again not a bastion of liberalism okay I'll stop making that point but I think it's relevant here's what happened in Texas they had nine thousand fewer people incarcerated in their prison a projection nine thousand fewer people that's like three three thousand bed presence in the course of doing that they instead of building new prisons they closed ten prisons in Texas ten prisons they closed save the taxpayers of Texas two billion dollars and what happened to their crime rate while they were doing this they went down by twenty nine percent okay so our neighboring states in my opinion we should be doing is. Following the model that they've set we have a problem both with crime and capacity they focused on recidivism and supervision and providing treatment to people who need treatment and in the course of doing that. They reduce their taxpayer burden. They did not have to build new prisons and they lowered their crime rates in the process what Arkansas is doing in the face of our legitimate problem is we're already incarcerating more people than just about anyone in the country for already incarcerating them for longer than anyone in the country and it hasn't worked and what this legislation is essentially saying is let's double down on that approach let's not take a smarter approach that our neighbors have taken so that's the thought process behind opposing this legislation we obviously have an issue that we need to address we may have a difference of opinion about how to get there and I don't want to over simplify the issue but when you boil it down in essence what this is saying is lock him up and throw away the key and that's cheap politics but it's very expensive policy and I think we ought to be doing more and better with this opportunity that we have in for that those reasons I'll be voting against legislation. Anyone with respect for the board you're recognized. Thank you madam president so I want to start by addressing something that was just said we have a issue now we have people backed up in our county jails and we have to address that that's not fair to any of your counties who are like mine and have an overcrowded jail but at the same token we do have to listen to some of the things Senator Clark said and we have to do that and so we get to what I was in a safe life liberty and the pursuit of happiness that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men how do we secure these rights without a just system of retribution incapacitation deterrence and rehabilitation all four components Arkansas's crime statistics both violent and property crimes reflected failing justice system in the US risk growth our state in our economy this bill makes targeted comprehensive reforms which will be tough on criminals and smart about justice the truth in sentencing components in the tough on crime message that will help keep our cans and safe by strengthening the retribution incapacitation and deterrence elements of our criminal justice system in it probably focuses more on one than the other two but it still will help with all three implementing specialty court's performing in make discharge procedures and providing inmates with skills that can be used for meaningful work upon reentry all enhance the rehabilitation element of our criminal justice system additionally. There's an equal justice under the law component this bill calls for instituting a bill were reporting system that's a very important component as well and finally there's lots of things this bill reflects our continued commitment to on going review and improvement by implementing or recidivism reduction task force last and certainly not least or lease from from my standpoint the bill addresses breakdown of the family by allowing less restrictive mother newborn bonding and placement and placement of incarcerated parents near the children to hopefully make visitation easier for the children so please join me in voting yes for this comprehensive package of commonsense reforms which lead us to a safer more competitive Arkansas thank you. Speaking at center Chesterfield you're recognized. Thank you madam chair ladies of the Senate we're not gonna be able to build ourselves out of this problem. And I could go on and on but I'm just going to simply say. I agree with what Clark said I appreciated vote. Thank you for Senator Clark you're recognized. Thank you governor. I agree with much of what Senator Tucker said myself. The also agree with this bill. The we can do better than SP four ninety five we can't do better right now. And it's important that we act. Well I had set out on a course to build a lot of study including the state of Texas on what we can do to keep people out of prison on the front end alternative sentencing for the B. ankle monitors etcetera if that works what we can do on the tail and we've got to do all of that but will we haven't done that and what we need right now we need this covers more prison beds it also doesn't it's not going to increase sentences the way people think it is as we listen to the prosecutors in committee. If they think that somebody ought to serve five years they think people bill to serve five years and for now they have to to try to explain to a jury what they need to sentence them to thirty years. And a lot of these more serious cases they will have to explain that they'll be able to ask for the proper sentence on the front end there they're not going to serve thirty years they're gonna ask for a shorter sentence of we heard that from them they were very common sense it made a lot of sense so it's not gonna be nearly as many more beds as people might think at the same time it sends a message that we're serious about crime of it also it doesn't corporate some of these things is Senator Tucker talked about that I'd like to see done it because of if you're you don't just get extra the time the counted on your senate for free you have to do things and that's for it that's both important teaching responsibility it's also important people take the right classes and they they get the right council and they do the things that will cause them not to come back once they get out and so Paul it's not perfect by any means we've got a lot further to go and we need to get on it It is as good as we can do right now in center Gilmore done a good job on and I appreciate a good vote. Anyone else wish to speak against. Or for. Senator Irvin for. I just wanna say thank you to senator Gilmore he works really really hard on this at all session long and so for that I just I'm for the but I'm for this bill but I really just wanted to thank senator Gilmore and representative Gazaway for all their work that they did on this bill this is a huge issue I've been in this chamber before when we've done prison reform criminal justice reform bills and I I just appreciate their due diligence on the bill and I'll be voting for it because my constituents definitely want me to vote for this bill the county back up is real I don't want to spend local taxpayer dollars building new county jails I'd rather the state step up and take care of their problem thank you. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator Gilmore. Thank you madam president members. For a lot of talk. Her little red or can hear I appreciate my colleagues at the up have opposition to this bill and some of the points that they raised. We heard a lot of what ifs could smite this may happen let me tell you what will happen. We don't pass this bill will continue down the path that we're on currently that's unsustainable. Crime is rampant it is out of control. And I'm asking you to support a bill that will change that. I'm asking you to support a bill that supports our victims. Through the course of this bill I've heard from victims from all over the state. Some which in my own district I spent hours on the phone before committee even into the late hours of the evening talking to victims at told stories about their one one in particular told story about their three siblings that were brutally murdered. Person that perpetrated that crime is soon to be released they beg me on the phone we can you do anything about this sadly no I can they're being released for two early. I think about a family of Mrs Esther Hudson in Monticello which is my district. Someone was release far too early after serving a mere fraction of their sentence. Only to drive through Walmart parking lot she was loading groceries into her car and struck and killed her. I can give go on and on with the anecdotes in the stories of how crime is affecting our communities and help crime is affecting our citizens. But let me tell you. This bill. Supports victims it stands shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement that's why the sheriff's wholeheartedly supported. They deserve our support you know why because right now under Arkansas law we are asking them to go catch the same people over and over and over again we want to talk about reducing crime how about incentivizing better behavior we talked about my colleague senator Tucker so eloquently spoke earlier about the sureties of making sure people who are arrested for there are people who are committing crimes face being arrested that's assurity of being. Kat. Well there's surely being caught right now because our law enforcement are going to catch in the same people over and over again. Thirties to stop in fact I heard stories you probably have to that when there's a crime committed in a certain County. They know exactly whose house to go to to see if he's home. They walk in. There's the living room is full of things that the person just broke into a store and stole. Finally members we need to support this bill for communities because our citizens deserve to feel safe in their homes in their communities. They sent us here to be the representatives they sent us here to represent them and vote for them as leaders for them. They deserve better. So with that I'm close to ask for a good vote. And maybe we can help end of the rampant crime the sweeping our state thank you madam president I'm closed. Thank you senator center is closed matter secretary please call the roll. Boyd. Brian. Caldwell. Chesterfield. Clark. Kroll. Davis. These. DISMANG. Dotson. English. Flippo. Flowers. Gilmore hammer. Hester. Hickey. Hickey. Health. Irvine. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. Mark Johnson. Katie. Leding. Love. Mickey. Murdock. Payton. Penzo. Ten. That a. Rice stone. Stubblefield Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace. Seeing none please cast the ballot. But twenty nine eighty eighty five ninety and one president senate bill four ninety five passes please transmit to the House. Senator Irvin you're recognized. Thank you and like to make a motion to go ahead and suspend the rules to place Senate bill five fourteen on the calendar for purposes of engrossing the amendment. on second reading for second reading for purpose of an I need to get them and engrossing to suspend the rules in place Senate bill five on second reading for the purpose of amendment yes ma'am thank you ma'am all those in favor signify by saying aye aye any oppose ayes amendment isn't. No matter. Amendment one Senate bill five fourteen. Thank you members of my bill my amendment with the help of senator Chesterfield thank you. All those in favor please signify by saying aye hi. And then. I have an amendment is adopted. Thank you. But Rights Center hammer Senate bill one ninety six semaphore ninety six percent Hammer to amend the duties and membership of the Arkansas fire protection services board to abolish the state fire prevention Commission and the Federal Emergency. Senator Hammer you're recognized thank you madam chair back in two thousand three there's an audit that was done by legislative audit of the preparedness of the fire departments and state of Arkansas that report showed that there need to be some improvements and then last year I asked for that audit to be revisited to be re done and one of the things that was determined was that the progress was minimal effect Bastin fact the audit report was little bit blistering and there were some differences of opinion I recognize that but one of the things that that exercise did was it brought together the the parties respective parties to help produce this piece of legislation that's before you long and short of what it would do is absorb the state fire protect prevention commission into what you would find over on the state of Arkansas fire protection service board it would absorb those duties one of things also we determines there's a lot of overlap between the boards and have members serving on different boards and so it's consolidating the boards it doesn't do away with the things that are intended to have been achieved by state fire prevention commission it just puts motor one board so there be better communication the other thing it does is it gives some super specific duties assigned to the board if you look on page eight and nine you see that there are twelve bullet points are identified to give them some very specific responsibilities and goals and measures to me I do not fault the board because one of the things that board is made up of volunteers and one of the things that this do is give them a little bit more authority in order to be able to move our fire protection services along also gives additional support or the pathway to provide extra additional support to all volunteer fire departments and other fire departments as well the one thing also I'd like you to note is on the back page there was a question that was brought up in committee about the Arkansas fire marshals association we are expanding. The board by two but it minimizes the total number of board members altogether when a consolidated into this one board as as a part of upon appointment to two members Arkansas fire protection services board appointed after consultation with Arkansas farm Marshall so say shall determine like the terms so there is some representation there I'll be glad to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Hammer. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator you're pretty close. Again the association's turning green with this say help make it happen so I appreciate a good vote. Close to any of the sections about. Maddox secretary please well the vote Boyd Bryant's Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis dis dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson came Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stones Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace any senator wish to change his or her vote. Sandline please cast a ballot. But five Yeas zero named Senate bill four ninety six. And the corresponding emergency clause task please arrangement to the House center has. Senate bill four ninety eight by Senator Hester to amend the Building Authority Division acting to amend the definition of unpaved trail project. Thank you governor members this is another part of the apartment tourism package and on the unpaved trail projects this is adding it already says to part to create a project this also says to be able to maintain a project on on paper trail then it Furthermore says this property that is under the property immediate control and management of the state parks recreation travel commission that's current it adds in or the Department of Parks heritage and tourism happy to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Hester. Anyone with to speak against her for. Senate you're pretty close. Any objection rowing the boat. Madam secretary please well Boyd Brian Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis the Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stones Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senators with the change of voters. Please cast a ballot. By a vote at thirty five Yeas zero nine Senate bill four ninety eight. Passes to the house. In the podium please you may thank you miss podium. We have a what three four page docket today and I'm sure it's going to go on and on could you give me some direction please as to what we're going to be doing for the rest of this week and if the people coming back next week if you're if you have thought about that anything that we should know of that's great ever I brought my notes up here just in case that that question happened so members today insurance and commerce is really far behind so I'm gonna ask history says somewhere around three thirty depending if there's at a natural finish of a calendar or not somewhere around three thirty were recess we all know that we've got a very important five o'clock reception that I don't think any of us want to miss or be late for so we're we're going to that the goal is somewhere around three thirty day one hopefully we have a natural stop if things move along really well we will consider batching at least the front page of the house bill so if you guys will look through the front page of the House bills and see if we're able to match any of those if we get to that point the goal is to get through all the Senate bills the Senate bills first and the members of the you know the next couple days and we we Sweden really to get into things to like an hour and twenty minutes today we got a lot of resolutions today we have a lot tomorrow we got a lot when Z. Thursday like five or six each day so here's what I'm gonna proposed to us if you have a resolution and I have one that is not individual certain or time certain like date account it can County down whenever we come back for sine die we can hear resolutions all day long. So if you've got one that you just need ran we can move them to sign a died allows us some really productive time here not recognized if you got teams coming up for somebody already scheduled in that's that's very important we do it then as well but if you've got one you just need to recognize something I would consider you know look at your calendar and maybe moving that to to the Saudi today and that's what I would be doing with mine as far as how the session looks when I walk away from here I'm going down to the House side to meet with the Speaker hopefully to get a better idea of timeline I suspect as of right now because of budget concerns I suspect will be here Friday morning for Lee session I do not know that but we can we can plan on that if we need more than that time that I would say we won't meet Friday we'll just come back some days next week if that makes sense if we can finish Friday will come finish fraud if we cannot finish Friday will skip Friday because it's Good Friday and come back a few days the following week but I'm gonna go visit with with the Speaker on that and see what type of resolution we can come to because if we do anything further than Friday it takes a vote of three quarters of this body and the other body I'd say I'm already down one so anyway. All right Hey please please take some time to look over the House bills because if we get through all the Senate bills by three thirty one may consider just batching out the House bills that are agreeable okay thank you. It members if if. Yes no that's it that's it. Senate back to the Senate bills that we passed earlier. That is at the top of the second page is Senate bill two seventy five cents to seventy five by Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning the lectionary to amend the law concerning polling sites in both centers I come in the law concerning the summation polling sites for County Board of election commissioners. You're recognized thank you madam chair and members it's a short bill I'm just going to read through it now taking questions you may have on page one this is after was amended Page one line thirty five polling site or vote Senator stab list under this section shall permit any person who is outside the building which a voting is taking place and who is one hundred feet or more from the primary exterior entrance used by voters that's exterior interests not into your insurance used by voters to be ability in which the voter is taking place two three things audibly but without amplification disseminate information advocates for against the candidate issue measure about no words can usable horn or do anything like the blues brothers with the Speaker on top of the card should over there blasted out number two you can't visually display are you visually display signs able to be held in a person's hand in which are held in a person's hand or attended by person so if you got to go the bathroom the person next to you can change your sign what you do it that advocate for against any candidate issue or measure on the ballot and three have visually display a tire which advocates for against the candidature measure about so you can wear that shirt all that's outside a hundred foot zone. Second County Board of election commissioners shall ensure that each polling site permits activities in subdivision F. one that we just went over this section before designated locations of polling site or pull center and due to the end and negotiate with the polling site to establish Kerry and distance from one hundred feet from the primary exterior entrance I reference while go used by voters to a building in which the voter is taking place at the activities in subdivision F. one of this section may take place so if you're polling site you want to say I want to give that designated area over there for all A. B. and C. to take place you as a polling site have that authority to do that so if your church and you want to give them a designated area you can you know the the issue of the back forty that's part of what this was intended to address and then three subdivision F. one up above of this section and I want you to notice does not require a polling site for a vote Senator to permit assigned tent or other structure to be affixed to the proper so if when the County Board of election commissioners is in negotiating with the polling site and if they say we don't want any signs at all they don't have to have a signs at all but if they do allow signs they got a lot of signs for both sides of whatever the issue or the candidate as but that gives at polling site that that control power if a poli sci to vote Senator allow signed to ensure other structures to be affixed to property polling site vote Senator and this is what I just said shall permit all interests person interested persons equal access to the property for the purpose of the fiction side ten or other structure property and somebody raised a question and so this was in the amendment what about adjacent property what about the business across the street from the polling site that was or a covered but just for clarification we put it in this bill as well the agreement entered into between the County Board of election commissioners in the polling site. Shall not apply to adjacent land order or property not specifically designated as a polling site I'll be glad to take any questions. In the right you're recognized thank you senator Hammer appreciate your work on this and we we discuss clarify for me and our little. We say. We're voting place. With all the questions committee that has condition. Call it. You're welcome to come in and do our constitutional duty to the. We don't bill anybody signed up for against any issue. All the property. Is this bill say that they can outside a hundred foot from the bill or is is saying they can go ahead and protest from. Subdivision of this section does not require a polling site or vote Senator been assigned ten or other structure to be affixed to the property we people from. All church property. Just because we have our line people to vote I think what I would do is go back up to the section where it says. May negotiate with the polling site to establish here in distance from one hundred feet from the primary exterior entrance used by voters to a building in which the voting is taking place at the activities in subdivision if one of this section may take place what you have as I would interpreted and whether she gets the voter not a multi allied interpret this what that would do is allow you or your churches your reference while ago or facility to be able to designated areas far away from that as possible I'm going to take the position it may cost me your vote I will take the position that they would still need to allow people to be able to do what's listed up there in a B. and C. but they could designate him as far away from that point as possible. And so does not remember some states had for some input the bill which would give him totally off. Our answers but I'll I'll just say this and I again appreciate your work this act better but I'm fine I just know our churches it said if the condemnation we will not be able. Right and and to thank center if your church as a hundred acres they want put him on the one acre furthers point away this bill would allow you to do that I thank we go okay who have property that is not a lot well over a hundred foot yes Sir Yes Sir thank you. Any other questions Senator Hickey. Thank you senator Hammer just on the. The second page. Probably line six seven and eight I want to make sure I understand that so of course you can only have a small sign have you would have to be able to bill held by a person. The kind of thing to say two things to me do you have to be can we decide or have to be with that at all times. If you're on the six seven eight and let me just resigned have in my mind okay visually display signs this is. This leads visibly visually sorry display signs able to be held in a person's hand and which are held in a person's hand or are tended by a person that advocate you have to be physically present or have somebody that is attending that sign. Okay so once you're there if you want to run down the store a. Get a coke or whatever you're going to have for the signs correct the way I would enter petitions we this is kind of the way we handle it one side back there we've got one person that attends twenty signs somebody's got to be responsible for those signs. So just just so that we can go ahead and put it out so are so let's say that somebody usually gets up early in the morning before before the election four o'clock or whatever and I go to put out signs at all the polling places. There are available they're not going to be allowed to do that in the longer is that correct unless somebody if they're attending at all time well I'm a go to I'm a go down to number four if a polling site or vote Senator allows allows there's your your key thank allows tense signs tents or other structures be affixed to the property the poll insider vote centers shall permit all interested persons equally excess we've we've tried to put as much authority in the hands of the County Board of election commissioners and the polling sites to negotiate what the polling sites one. Are what that figure polling site is that going to be posted on the door is that gonna be posted on the door what they're going to allow or not not cool not cool at all it's it's not in this language I would hope that the County Board of election commissioners would do that just for good communication and part of what brings us about is because the state board election commissioners has received complaints every time they receive complaints about what can you do what can you not do and this may this is a bill that's attempted to strike the balance whether it does or not otherwise is gonna remain what it is and calls are going to keep coming and so what I would hope is that the the county and it's not in the bill that the County Board of election commissioners would ask for that to be displayed and because that's gonna be worked out the terms of the agreement. Thank you thank you any other questions for Senator Hammer. Senate right all on. Senator Rice is make sure. About that for you have a to the wall. And they're gonna call a hundred foot start have leisure a hundred foot from there to the property. Your house no se. Yes they nobody. Number three subdivision F. one of this section does not require a polling site or vote Senator permit assigned tent or other structure to be affixed to the property I think you're and I'm just try to make sure I understand your question tied in Senator Rice. The question is could people stand there though and be able to wave at people as they go by. Thank you for something easement of the property the public right of way but will this allow pro. And under the. The public right of way all the five. I try to go back up to what I said awhile ago I'm trying to find where I read it a while ago. Negotiate with Paul side to establish Kerry distance from one hundred feet from the primary share interest used by voters to building which voting take place at activities of this subdivision back up there at top they would be able to. I guess the best way for me to say bluntly is a good question as far away as they could as they wanted to I would still interpreted so that if the polling site says we don't want anybody that have that ability to do that that's that's the way I would interpret this but you can't let one side or the other side you got to treat him fairly okay thank you. Any other questions Senator hammer Senate Murdock. The court. Your. What. Year. Very. This. For. Five. What what what is the. So that. Some of the. All of. One. All I haven't heard any what ifs but I would say this been working on this pretty much all session is a bill is trying to strike the balance between those that offer their selves to be polling sites and what's the expectation we've already got confusion fact we got contention out there because there's a lack of clarity that occurs in certain in in certain sites that's I think represented it in fact that the state board election commissioner has to feel so many calls I think this is a step in the direction that the County Board of election when they sit down with Polish I could say okay here's what you do and here's what you can't do am I going to in my going to hit everything now but I think this takes us closer toward clarity further and further away. Okay. I don't. Quite Senator Hammer Senator Clark. Senator Hammer the one thing a lot about this bill was back. Clarifies. What the secretary of state attorneys are gonna tell me election day of targets Holcomb order from a once in a I have have election. Property. Are they can't one meal a lot for. But if you tell me that with this bill they'll be able to tell me that I can do it from the back of the building it doesn't look to me like we've improved. I'm all. I think what we've done is try to strike the balance between polling sites and people that want to election here and. And and again this is a strike to try to strike the balance And what what I would term it is if you're offering yourself as a polling site it gives a polling site a ability to say this is where we want you to stand thank you these kind of rare to be rare that anybody would put him to the back forty but they already are brought that up was because I was a comment that was made in in previous discussion about this. Any other questions for Senator Hammer. One was against. For. Senate. Thank you madam president members this bill was has been debated re repeatedly and Senate state agencies but this amended version never came back through the committee it was amended Thursday night and signed out of committee and I understand we're all in a rush to get things done here but there's there's a some concerns and and really the concerns are more with the unintended consequences I think of this I commend senator Hammer on his his his work on this he's he's tried to do as much as he possibly can but there there are two things two separate issues in or as realism of the debate. You have signs and campaigning literature and things like that that is a fix to the property where you stick the sign on the ground and then you have someone holding a sign. Wearing a tee shirt yelling at folks waving that sort of thing and so the Bill deals with those two separate things separately the one thing that they that a a polling site could prohibit is sticking something in the ground so if they if they allow someone to stick something ground they have to allow everybody but if they. Prohibited they. But it for everybody so that that's separate from someone standing there a hundred feet from the entrance and they have to allow that and that's where the unintended consequence comes in I've got printed off a few different letters just some that I got in the last I mean today but I've also talked to several several folks and just for instance in Benton County there's a strong likelihood that we will probably lose about a third of our polling sites which are churches and that DO not want every type of issue to be campaign for on their property now they're willing to be polling sites they're they're great polling sites they're great partners they don't get paid to actually allow for that civic duty to come but they they allow people to come into a large facility this not in use during the week large parking lot plenty of parking people coming out of the weather stand in lines around inside the building covered but those those facilities will probably go away from being able to be used in fact I have letters you're saying that if this is passed and it becomes law we will no longer be a polling site these are pastors that want to participate in civic duty and allow it but they don't want certain things they find objectionable to be campaigned for on their premises and so if it's out in the. The public right away month this people come in the entrance I mean that is what it is but when it's on their their property that's where they begin to have a problem with it I don't know the the easy answer I know senator hammers work very diligently and hard to try to come up with an something over many sessions but I do know that this still doesn't quite fit the bill and so that's why I'm speaking against it thank you. Senator Clark speak on the bill. This continued discussion it certainly needs to be had but it amazes me. The idea keep in mind I'm a preacher's kid pastor. Regular church attenders. But what you believe. Should in no way affect a polling site let's forget that it's a church let's forget it to far apart let's forget what it is the fact that you own a piece of property and that's what. Senator Dotson just testified about the fact that you're recognized property the only reason that they don't want allow people there. Is because they're on the opposite side of an issue. That's on the ballot. And that you're able. Because you own the property to affect the election. And that we think somehow that could be okay isn't saying. Our elections have to be free. They have to you have to be able to election or that's what the you call the attorneys and secretary of state's office and others on election day they will tell you that these the there's been rulings of how these things violate the constitution and other state and that we even thank local pastors Love churches but you can't use it because you have the property affect the election that's not a free and fair election it's it doesn't matter if it's a bar it doesn't matter for church. It can't matter on election day. And so if people say then we won't then they shouldn't. But we should not. Let Alexion's be affected. And how we run elections by the fact that people who have the polling place don't walk in your shoes. There's thank you do you go out and campaign against an eccentric all such well it's my property is my ball I'm going to go home and that's exactly what's being said and so I said well at least center hammers bill at least it says you can be there which we don't have to have his bill to say you can be there but now they say and they can literally put me on the backside of the church. Where nobody can see me. No no no. We need to stand for free elections we need a bill. But we need something he's trying to strike a balance the balance has to be for freedom. It has to be for for free elections in this country and that we understand in Arkansas that election commissioners can't decide the churches can't decide we got a bit there's nothing to argue with the polling place is going to be a polling place is going to be a polling place it's not a church today or for the two weeks it's and it's all about being a part about being schools not better beer malt and if that's going to cause of what we can't find the places will then vote on the street. But make it free elections. Anyone else. For or against. Senator you're pretty close. What went through the bill you can. I guess I'd say this in the in the bottom line there is there is confusion out there now there is some contention out there now. regardless what you vote for this bill or not I want you to know it's been with a lot of effort consulting with a lot of people listening to a lot of voices that I've brought this to you if you don't like this you can voted down we can remain where it is it's still like this we got enough time that you could work on it and try to bring something better than what I'm offering here if nothing else leave it the way it is and we'll just come back round the next time to give it another shot. There is one thing though I do want to say and I'm going to say this wearing a two sided hat one is as a state senator the other is as a passer who's been in ministry for forty four years forty one of that of either pastored or been on staff at the church we welcome everybody when it comes down to election day you know why because we don't feel threatened by anybody's opinion or where they stand on it you know the church is not the building. The church is not the building the building is just a platform to allow people to come in and express your opinion and express their vote I understand what Center carcass shall not sure if that was for against the bill there but I understand what senator Clark is saying as far as the opportunity to put you on the backside of the church well both of you all got to go to the backside church if that happens okay this is just trying to strike that balance and and the last thing I would say is that if you are churches thinking it because of this bill you're going to need to pull down your place as a site to not allow people to vote dismember we have the privilege to worship freely because people have the privilege to vote I would appeal to you that if you're thinking about doing that that you remember that we live in a free country and that we have the opportunity to worship openly and freely because people have the opportunity to vote I hope that you would remain open and or let people vote thanks very much previous Preciado good vote. Senator hammer Senate has closed. Madam secretary please call the roll. Boyd. Right. Right. Caldwell. Caldwell Chesterfield. Clark. Kroll. Crawl. Davis. These. Davis. This mine. DISMANG. Johnson. English. English. Flippo. Flippo. Flowers. Flowers. Gilmore. Gilmore. Hammer yeah Hester. Hester. Hickey. Hello. Irvine. Blake Johnson. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. King. Leding. Leding. Love. Love. The key. Murdock. Page. Penzo. Petty. Rice. Statham. Stubblefield. Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace. Again on this side Senators wish to vote or change your vote on a go slow so make sure I call your name these present. Love no. Roll no Boyd no. Any others on the side. Tucker yes. Others on the side. Wish to vote or change that. Flippo now. Please Senator English no. Senator Hester Senator Dismang no thank you all for speaking up Stubblefield. Brian no. Any others please check the board. That's the ballot. By a vote five Yankee. Twenty four Nays or not voting and to present Senate bill two seventy five failed. Manager. You're recognized I'd like to make a motion to expunge vote by which Senate bill two C. five failed and also pull it from further consideration. Hi to expunge the vote by which Senate bill two seventy five failed and also to. For further consideration. All in favor signify by saying aye. Oppose ayes have it. Second motion is to with draw Senate bill two seventy five further consideration all those in favor signify by saying aye. Any oppose ayes have it motion carries. Senate bill four zero five. Senate bill four O. five by Senator Hammer. To amend the classification of the offense of possession of a handgun by minor. Senator Hammer you're recognized. Thank you measure shall this one works out Senate bill five four five bring it to you on behalf of the juvenile justice judges to and what it one of the big problems we have right now is the judge's or start to see a lot of minors in possession of a handgun what this would do. Is razor elevate the status of what they're able to charge and it's all based on whether they have been previously convicted or if they've had a previous offense and if or if their possession one more hand guns or possession of a handgun while engaging in criminal activity and I'll be glad to answer any votes again I brought this on behalf of the juvenile judges. Questions for Senator hammer Senate page you're recognized. Thank you so. It does look like most of the bill is pertaining to a previous offender. However there to top of page two. Possessing more than one handgun. So it could be a felony the first time they were. Thank imposition of more than one handgun they could be charged and part of what the debate in the Committee was an illustration was well what if what if it's for example my grandson the child honey this this was striking the ability for the judges to be able to charge those that had these previous convictions and charge them with a felony without capturing the other ones in the intent. Well and our committee I do for this for the first time. Is there an exemption further out. They're participating in organized shooting activity. The I don't think they would be in a position to have been charged under this because of the things that are written into this bill I. women I will tell you the statement that was made in committing full transparency it decided be left up to the prosecutor which they could do now it would that's why we're writing into the bill these things so that the judges can capture those that are creating the greatest offenses is minors in possession of a gun under the standards. For all of that. Exemption for those are legitimately in possession would be in order but that line this is this in more than one hand. Has nothing to do with our offenses and in the long line alone. Would be reason enough to elevated to a felony. Just because I had to do not because they had ever been involved in any criminal offense not because they were currently involved in any criminal. The way the bill reads. be one two three four five six. But all are connected with the nor. And so when they're connected with or that means either any of them could stand alone. And that line right there this is this is more than one handgun. Would stand alone. And then I also believe that you should have exemptions for legitimate position because they're organized shooting sports work minors are taught to handle and gun. And I take from the turn eighteen and it be legal them have no skills in handling a handgun I really don't think that this bill captures those one thing I point out an existing language no person state under eighteen of age shall possess a handgun in order this is not intended nor do I think it applies to organized sports where those under eighteen are being taught the skill sets that you're talking about again what the judges wanted was to be able to utilize says in order to deal with the miners that are committing these types of crimes and in some cases they do have more than one hand gun on them which what would be the justification for somebody under eighteen committing crime having more than one hand gun RO amounts of fifteen I've already missed the a matching set the record. I'm at the pair of handguns is. You know the old western style hat schon Sullivan there is there. There is. Reasons to possess more than one handgun. And it doesn't say anything about ammunition. Thank you very carrying a handgun without limitation I can only read what you put it in your bill as far as code references. But it certainly seems to me. To be very broad. And have no. Exemptions for religious possession. I thank the phrase is and why it was inserted in the language has been has previously been has previously pleaded under which you find that that number four five these are all in place for those that have previously been or have previously pleaded so I think that's well that's true the line for. The reprieve. Well again it's for for those that are under eighteen and possession sued under hi I hear your unique situation but I don't think that is for what the juvenile judges are trying to achieve but I. Losses the news there would have been three hundred and twenty contestants out here competing. In the shooting sports it's not that okay thank you thank you members. Any other questions for Senator Hammer. The nice speaking against or for. Senator Rice you are recognized to speak. On the bill thank. Thank you colleagues we had this in committee and and when not Senator Hammer amended it and brought it back I was up and transportation because I've got overlapping committees my question was the addressed unintended consequences and that's what center by we're talking about I live in a different world. I grew up many years ago within my son's dead and now my grandsons and granddaughters. Chief besharov out of four of. But they're if they're out own we've got. A large area we Ouachita National Forest bind us neighbors It are fine go out kill all got internet wise for your right now and she's mad. They're out with guns all the time multiple guns the responsible kids they've been raised that way. I understand we have gangs we have used that are violent or have the potential of being violent that we need to do something are that's what the bill was brought far I'm for that I don't know how to get there with the way it is because your and I don't I don't think our prosecutor in our area right now we would. Unjustly prosecuted you for being out and about but look in our nation that prosecutors now. In other states there's some stuff happening where the what we call the innocent person the one that's being attacked or our challenge or something is it wanted to end up getting charged so this is putting in the law yeah you can change laws later I just can't get there today thank you. Anyone else wish to speak against or for. Senator Pitsch recognized to speak against. Thank you members thank you senator Hammer I do appreciate the intent of the bill. Hi Senator Rice was stating. There is a huge contrast sometimes between. DO one city kids out there responsibly being taught how to handle firearm participating in shooting sports. Mess around on the on the family property out in the middle of nowhere and those that have. Criminal intent. The thing of it is I want my grand kids to grow up with the skills to handle that farm. Especially in case they ever have to face those others it grew up with criminal intent. And The law abiding citizens a lot of times. Have to be extremely careful when laws like this pass because even though the spirit of the law was to address something else it it affects all of us and I've got nieces and nephews that don't live on the farm. Come out. And huntin shootin target practice with my kids you know. They have to travel they have a driver's license when you're seventeen after travel from one location to the next with that firearm in their possession maybe multiple handguns I would think there's language we could including this bill that would have to do with. Well I'm a either that one line they all say previous unlawful behavior. But I didn't have a chance to have any input on the bill I just saw the first time today sorry been busy but also think you should have to be in possession ammunition maybe but I vote again I'm voting against that appreciate a good vote. Anyone for. Or. On it I think everything in the bill is appropriate except for that subsection four princesses more than one hand gun I understand the intent of it but it needs to be clarified if it's in conjunction with criminal activity so if that was added to section four then I then I think it addresses the issue but without it I think it does open it pretty wide open up. Anyone else wish to speak for or on. Senator Hill you're recognized speaking on the bill. Senator Hammer now you have the right to do whatever you want to on this I would really wish that you would pull this down and fix that one line thing that would keep and put everyone in a very bad position because you have a pro pro gun group here and they're trying to tell you there's something wrong so I would greatly appreciate to do that. Right. But if anyone else. Answer for. Senator close. First of all I'm pro gun to just by the way in case somebody had a question about that. I got this from the juvenile judges let me read this to you know pull it down I'll send it back to committee even though it may resolve the issue this is what was just sent to me so you know. This is an exception in the current law about honey and here they are the person's license security guard acting in the course or scope of his or her dear his or her duties to persons hunting game with a hand gun or firearm that may be hunted with a hand gun or firearm under the rules regulations to game and fish commission or is in route to or from honey merry for the purpose of hunting game with a hand gun or firearm persons certified officer a person is on a journey unless persons eighteen years of age and last persons participating certified honey safety course sponsored by the Commissioner firearm safety course recognized and approved by the commission or state and national nonprofit organization qualified and experienced in firearm safety and the persons participating school approved education course or sporting activity involving use of guns so with that all pull it down and send it back I just hope that we can get this back up before we get out of here given the pressure the time frame because of the juvenile judges river elect uses to hold those accountable but I want to ask madam chair this people that referred back to committee please thank you. Motion to re referred senate bill four zero five activity. All. Opposed. Has had. We have now completed Page two of six. Three. Senate bill five zero two. Senator five O. two by. Senator Patty. Require house of the strictures of controlled substances to educate communicate and provide due process for licensed professionals before limiting for terminated sales of controlled substances substances that declare an emergency. You're recognized thank you madam president. Senator Chesterfield along with all activities of the last few days taught me a very valuable lesson which is assume nothing and everything is do considering consideration and discussion so with that SP five oh two. is a replacement bill for S. B. two seventy four this particular bill passed out of our committee and it's also actually a companion bill to HB seventeen thirty two in the house which is being heard maybe currently as well but it deals with the it originated with the opiate opioid crisis but it deals with federal court in twenty twenty to issuing injunctive relief in federal lawsuits by states against the pharmaceutical wholesalers giving them because I regulatory regulatory authority to create mechanisms to the wholesaler to reduce or stop distributed distributing controlled substances to pharmacies so this bill it has been. We worked from two seventy four is a new bill but it it was originated because one of the large wholesale distributors based on their interpretation of what they should do has begun cutting off small pharmacies and in Arkansas from there controlled substances list those that need a medication for illnesses cancer treatment six cetera they day they cut him off with an essence five days notice and and so what we're trying to do is create a clearly defined process that takes the ambiguity or their own subjective interpretation out of how they may choose to implement the injunctive relief and provide these businesses with predictability and and more so those that need these more predictability for these community services and again so far seems to be the smaller more remote from a remote rural communities that are there specifically this bill created for mechanisms again establishing more due process for the providers the holes these these pharmacist they basically have to file a complaint with the board of pharmacy in the past what is happened is we've got pharmacies that are in and in compliance and have no issues with the board of pharmacy but yet they were cut off from their supply and and so this is establishing that they have to file a complaint and if there is an issue inform those there in in charge of regulating those they can terminate with because the pharmacy could terminate also with because and then the wholesaler could flag certain purchase. Is it suspicious and not send them specific items within a specific order that was all addressed and and two seventy four. What we've done with five oh two in the companion bill in the house is basically the. We spent additional time I think I even mention this with the wholesale associate drug association additional time with the attorney general's office creating a a a better bill although the wholesale drug association is still not to and and They're not in favor of it but more specifically it includes more education requirements it requires more communication standards in my particular district they were cut off five days notice and no due process they call the gentleman on a busy day feelings descriptions and he he basically was forced to try to do multi task and he was not able to do that they cut him off and and we're not able to proceed with much due process it quiet requires having the license pharmacist involved it remove it requires patient chart review expectations and appeal process and we think it's very important on site visit to to look at you know of circumstances that may not show up in a data analytics office remotely and and you know some other state what happened is another example one of the change had closed and and one of the larger communities and so consequently the the of the chains were close and so the community pharmacy picked up additional controlled substances scripts again legally written but yet they were flagged and cut off they they were successful and ultimately overturning that address some of their concerns with the penalties it does not this bill I think it's important this bill does not prevent a registrant of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration from stopping a specific suspicious order as defined in the federal regulations and it only applies to all whole or it does apply to all wholesale drug distributors not just the top three which are AmerisourceBergen McKesson and cardinal because we feel like better education is better for for all the the. Eddie so with that it does have an emergency clause but with that I'll pause and be happy to answer any questions. Boy you're recognized. Thank you for this one questions for the record here nothing in this legislation inhibits the far the board of pharmacy with government regulation from doing its job so if there were a bad actor pharmacy the board of pharmacy could come in in a very short notice take licensing closed down a pharmacy absolutely that's correct. Any other questions for Senator. Speaking against or for. Senator you're pretty close I am closed I would appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed any objections rowing boat. And secretary please roll Boyd Brown Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis these Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers clover Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Centers in which to change your vote testing centre Dotson president. Any other senator Sam Nunn cast at the ballot. By a vote at thirty forty eight zero nine eight and one present Senate bill five zero two and the corresponding emergency clause pass please transmit to the House. Senate bill five zero eight. My. I'm sorry your five oh eight by Senator Payton. Two men the used tire recycling accountability act to repeal rim removal fees and impose a tire recycling fee to establish tire accountability signs transfer reimbursement authority and declare an emergency. Thank you madam president of. Be careful what you oppose I need to learn to take my own advice in that regard but six years ago I have fought hard against the. Changes that were made in this program and the addition of the rim removal fee which is basically used tire tax and as things unfolded in the years since. We all know we had to put general revenue into that program last summer and so many of the stakeholders came to me and said okay will you oppose the other thing. What's your solution this is the best solution I could dream up right here so we're taking it from eleven tire districts down to for accountability zones basically divide the state geographically for ways of seventy five counties trying to put eighteen to twenty counties in each of the four quadrants within those quadrants the county judges will elect from among themselves seven judges to sit on the board the members elect five what we ran into last year was the business plans have been submitted to D. EQ which is not an accounting firm by any stretch of the imagination and they had approved for the eleven business plans which it when the atom together exceeded the projected revenues drastically and sure enough they ran out of money and so they came to us and needed some extra general revenue this will put that in the hands of the FNA I think there there will be no more familiar with dealing with the projected revenue in the business plans it eliminates the used tire tax the room fee. It does broaden the spectrum of where we collect the three dollars disposal fee on a new tire whoever came up with that idea back in the nineties I think that they've done a great job because instead of paying to dispose of the tire the point disposal you're paying in advance when you buy a new tire and that generates a used tire down the road so there for the disposal is still at no cost to the citizens at the time of disposal so. It encourages them to dispose of it properly rather than dumping outside the rotor carrying it home put in the backyard of that three dollar fee has never been collected on all the new tires we have new tires are generated from the purchase of new automobiles new trailers of ATVs things like that that we need that we don't collect three dollars on so this bill would broaden that which would generate extra revenue. Of course remember we're cutting the used tire tax or cut a tax we're expanding the the application of the of the thirty dollar new tire disposal fee the other thing it does is it gives those for accountability is owns the boards the thirty to set a price of disposing. large tires up to seven dollars and fifty cents extra large tires up to thirty dollars a large tires B. and basically what you put on a semi truck an extra large would be like on a escalator or of a farm tractor and the true cost of disposing of process in those tires as much more than what we're allowed to be set but we've never collected it on those farm tractors and stuff before farm bureau is okay with this bill I worked for months upon months I'm sorry is late this session before we get to it but basically thought I had all the stakeholders on board definitely does not like the fact that they're going to have to pick up some of the accounting there of legislative audit is going be compelled to audit these for accountability zones every other year the even numbered ones in even numbered years Auckland's in odd number years but anyway I found out Friday morning at the health committee meeting that I guess the governor's office is opposing it because there's another bill out there that they preferred that privatize it and uh the problem with that is. Those fees on those tractor tires are going up posted a hundred dollars and over to process those they're going to hold back to the farmer somewhere there rather than process and even the semi tires but if you show up with the local tire shop by Senator tires and those and you're asking how much are they and they said well if you save the take off and take them home with you it's forty dollars cheaper than if you don't. Those tires will go back home with most people and we're not gonna be dealing with the problem. Just like all the other garbage and trash and stuff folks we have to deal with it I think it's wise to collect the disposal fee at the front end on the new tires all. Leave it there and take questions. Senate bill. Thank you and thank you senator if the question I'm concerned about this new group of entities that is this new body that is supposed to be all for everything and that we are reducing that number to what you say four so yes for the. Could you tell me the number of individuals that are going on. Those on or very according to. So they'll be seven judges and five mayors on the board in each zone so that's twelve well and the judges of the zone which is that sums owns or eighteen counties in summer twenty as is trying to divide up state population basically and geographically. But the the judges five of them will be elected by the judges in that zone to the two most populous counties there to judge their judges will be on the board and then the mayor's it'll be election of the mayor's the association of counties has agreed to facilitate the nomination and election of the judges at it to establish and get it set up the municipality has agreed to facilitate the nomination election of the mayor's to get that first set up. We have a transition period built into this bill to give them time to get organized the current contracts and and Administration will not be interrupted until they're organized they have to submit their business plans I think it's in November or something like that to To the FNA and the FNA will it says in the bill cannot approve the for business plans if they X. if the bottom line exceeds the projected revenue so in that case you know they they have to go back to the drawing board come back to us could not approve the the business plans. Body to go into a when this bill passes we're really going to affect those individuals that might be of the judges on the other entities that are part of a pharmacy on pardon me I've been so busy lately I can't remember all the dates and figures but it's it's mid summer is when they have to get the nominations elections done I think it's September when they have to be organized have the first meeting and elected chair and things like that it's November when they have to submit the business plans and I think that might be thirty days there for the approval or rejection of the business plans. Yes one last. I guess I'm concerned about. The district that I look at the counter of the accountability is on three for instance ninety Montgomery city or have hi Clause The Little River hand it they then Miller live the ancillary. Gazaway. Hi spring in Colombia an thank you even though the state is small to have a journey from the. In hope Arkansas to Celine county and a whatever is going to be a distraction so I that is me great pause. And I should and I probably the dress is a little bit better I I did I left out the part of the component within the account abilities on we're not dictating which direction those tires need to be transported that board what does it and this was a big reason the reason that we did it the way we did it because transportation is a huge input cost in processing and and dealing with these tires so with these owns been that big quadrants of the State. That board is going need to make the decision based on where the highways and geographical features are. These tires need to go to this processor these tires they DO that processor and where they're going to set up to collection points which one thing that the bill does is de regulate those collection points so that they can have more of them we've always forced him to permit the the the collection points and the transporters of that work for the for the account for the processors and so we're lifting some of that burden on on the of license fees there for for so they have more collection points and that board the accountability board will decide which tires need to go which direction based on the cost of transportation and whatever Contract they can have with the processor that the process are going charge which is one of the biggest. Problems I see a privatization we only have a couple of processors only one private processor and so that could be a monopoly real quick if you privatize the the industry. Senator Solomon you're recognized. Correct yeah I was shocked but the county judges association has had two different votes on this bill one at its conception when we did when we set the target to where we were going and then one just last week and and they've unanimously unanimous or without opposition I have supported the bill. Yes I didn't know of any opposition to the bill until Friday morning. Thank you. Anyone wish to speak against her for. Centerman you're recognized for thank you members I'm just going to really applaud my public health a committee members we met Friday morning and review this bill we spent a lot of time on this we are committee did its due diligence and really did look at this bill very very thoroughly I really want to thank us senator Payton for stepping up and addressing this and then finally I will tell you if you drive down happy hollow road and at the intersection of happy hollow road in new data cut off which is a gorgeous gorgeous gravel roads in my district of San County there is the most horrendous illegal dumpsites and it is overflowing into the county road and across county road that is one of the most scenic roads and all of some county and we have to address this issue this session and we have to do it responsibly I do believe that if if we as government do not address and take care of this as infrastructure for our citizens then it puts us way way back and so I think it has to be addressed the session I think Senator Payton did a great job of being very fair across the board if you use it then you have to pay for it this is an appropriate user fee and I just I think you did a great job so I would appreciate a good vote for his bill. Anyone else wish to speak for or against. Senator you're pretty close thank you madam president I've taken up enough of your time I appreciate a good vote. Senator any objection rowing the boat. Mattis secretary please roll Boyd Brian Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Davis days Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice. I have a cell Sullivan Tucker Wallace any senator Christian change referred senate Dobson know any of the Senate. Senator Penzo Senator Rice. Right. Rather he is voting present one. Any other Senator Gilmore president. Many others. C. nine please cast a ballot. By. Thirty one year to date and to present Senate bill five zero eight. And its corresponding emergency clause passed please transmit to the House. You're recognized okay members only over over two things with you one I'm going to I'm going to push us to about four o'clock today and visited with Senator hill and they're just going to wait and do insurance and commerce after the event tonight that we're gonna we're gonna have so we we really we really need to get through the Senate bills today if at all possible and and with that I'm going to ask that you would spend a lot of time on the House Bills tonight that way maybe tomorrow I'm not saying start of session but early at some point session I'm gonna try to batch the House bills that we can agree to batch to batch but again tomorrow we will focus our time on Senate bills aside from House bills that we agree to batch tomorrow so you can look at the counter tomorrow and see where we're at we're not gonna get to House bills today but my goal in the next you know hopefully around thirty minutes we can we can finish up the rest of the the rest of the Senate calendar also after visiting with the Speaker it is highly likely we expect to be here Friday morning for just session to finish up there wasn't a bill that we were aware of after you know kind of game playing a little bit of that could not get through they could not get through the process right now so if that changes and we're gonna have to be here like Friday afternoon we'll just cancel for writing come back Monday Tuesday that makes sense so I think most of us would agree that if I'm not saying we do a midnight session or something but that this plan is will probably have to be here in session Friday morning hopefully just for session to finish up if we can't do that then we will not be here Friday will be here Monday Tuesday but the go very much is to finish Friday morning at this point so in that I reiterate again study House bills tonight so we can hopefully batch some tomorrow and then for right now our goal is to finish the Senate bills before we leave hopefully and still be able to be up plenty early and allow staff to be on time their next event as well thank you. Yeah. Thank you thanks for the governor just to add that to that. Injures commerce only to six thirty tonight. All we're going to cover is the Senate bills and insurance and commerce and I do Senate bills only total you're going have extra time we're probably pretty late please make sure you read the House Bills that Senator Hester talk about extra good for those of us who meet insurance and commerce. Before we take a single family. We're going to process Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate bill one ninety one by Senator Hammer the engrossed copy with the original find same correctly engrossed Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred senate three eighty eight by Senator hill compare the engrossed copy with the original find same correctly engrossed counted Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred senate bill four fifty four by Senator Gilmour compare the engrossed copy with the original find same correctly engrossed. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate bill five fourteen percent compared the engrossed copy with the original find same correctly engrossed. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred senate five forty nine by Senator Dismang compared the engrossed Rachel Bilson FOR. Calendar. Senator Irvin. So public health is going to meet upon adjournment we literally have to bills that are House bills just to concur in the fix an amendment that's it. Thank you senator. Senate bill five. Senate bill five eleven by Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning participating in a drag race on a public highway. Hammer you're recognized thank you madam chair drag racing continues to be a problem specially inside the city so this bills intended to introduce the option for law enforcement officer to be able to impound the vehicle if it's on the second offense somebody asked me a question while going to give the definition it's analog drag racing means the operation of two or more motor vehicles from eighty point side by side and accelerating speeds and competitive attempt out distance each other in the operation one or more vehicles over a common selected course from the same point same point for the purpose comparing the relative speed power a consideration motor vehicle motor vehicles within a certain distance or time that's what's in code so this would allow persons they would get one offense but if the person is caught on a second offense the officer news permissive the officer may impound the vehicle it is a problem that's costing putting people in a dangerous situation in this be one way to communicate a message that you don't need to be doing it because I'd take any questions. Thanks for. Anyone answer for. Preciado get vote centers close any objection to rowing the boat. And secretary please roll. Boyd Brian Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis these dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me keep Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice done Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator was to change his or her vote. Senator Chesterfield known. Senator Lott president. Any other. Same manner please cast a ballot. By thirty three eight one nine one present Senate bill five. Passes please transmit to the House Senate bill five thirteen senate five thirteen by Senator Mark Johnson to amend the law concerning annual disclosures for the secretary of state to amend the law concerning nine availability and to amend the annual report requirements for certain business entities for the secretary of state. Senator Mark Johnson you're recognized thank you madam president of this is a simple clean up bill of right now it's a a nonprofit corporation does not file their their annual report when they're supposed to be kind of puts everything in limbo instead what this will do and the name is no longer available because they're holding it what this will do is after five years the name will but now become available and someone else can use it this approved by Mister said Rosen bomb over to secretary of state's office so I'll be happy to try to answering questions. Thanks for Senator Clark. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator. I'm close for should a good vote Senator has closed any objection rowing the boat. Secretary please roll. Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark cruel Davis these Dismang Dobson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McGill Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice down Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace any senator wish to change his or her vote. Please cast at the ballot. But thirty five Yeas zero nine Senate bill five thirteen passes please transmit to the House. Senate bill five seven. Before we take that Senate bill five seventeen Senator Teague you're recognized thank you madam president I think I'd like to make a motion to refer Senate bill five forty four two interim study. If the insurance covers. Motion to. Referred Senate bill forty four to and. It's my best yet. Senate Mickeys bill all those in favor. Say aye any oppose ayes have it motion carries. Senate Brian. Thank you madam president. motion to suspend the rules withdraw house bill sixteen oh four from education for purpose of amendment. There is a motion to suspend the rules. For. House Bill sixteen oh four from education for purposes of amendment. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed. As areas. Amendment one to House Bill sixteen oh four. Thank you thank you members this is a an amendment the house sent over to get it off their floors with time running short reading into it in an education today so like having growth so we can speed up the process thank you for your vote. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed. Has had. Amendment is adopted. Senate bill five seventy. Senate bill five seventeen by Senator Penzo. To transfer oversight of certain duties of the regional solid waste management districts and to amend the required expertise of members of Arkansas pollution control and ecology Commission. Senator you're recognized. Sharon. Senator flowers you're recognized that's not the title of Senate bill five seventeen we. Right thank you Senator flowers. Those are can't hear this Senate bill five seventeen by Senator Penzo to amend the no patient left alone act and to set certain requirements regarding club clergy members visitation. Senate you're recognized thank you Mr president this this should be non controversial so I will keep it short and sweet Sir so. Okay so so right now under statute clergy can. May visit patients in the hospital what this does is just say they they they shall be allowed to visit there was a controversial one out there this is not the controversial one someone just asked me that on the way to the will so you know this just says that. if if somebody's dying in their in their last days you they have the right to have clergy whether there's a of a health emergency or not appreciate a good vote. Anyone wishing to speak against for four Senator Chesterfield speak for. Thank you madam chair is a rare opportunity to speak in favor of one senator pencils bill. But this is this is one of those opportunities and I should be labor it because I know the day is long. Having just suffered a tremendous loss in my family. It was such a comfort to. Such a comfort to have a member of the clergy the air without them and so I would be remiss if I didn't just get up and say thank you for this bill. Anyone else wish to speak against or for. Senator has closed any objection to rowing the boat. Madam secretary please rowboat Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark role Davis Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McGill Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator was to change his or her vote. St nine please cast a ballot by voting thirty five Yeas zero named Senate bill five seventeen passes please transmit to the House Senate bill five twenty five twenty by Senator Irvin to amend the composition of the graduate medical medical education residency expansion board. Senator Irvin you're recognized. Key members this expansive definition of medical schools so both dot osteopathic schools at the UAMS ends the new palace Walton medical school in Northwest Arkansas would be able to qualify under this new definition and adds one more member to the board. Any questions. Senator Chesterfield. But. One. To the board and it just the way that we had a written instability and out so that you have and a representative from that is by the House and one by the Senate and then one and that is a medical and that's appointed by the governor and then the other one is someone who is at who is is currently existing so it was just the but that's something that they all agree to so we're adding one member to the board. I mean it it's just whether the medical schools they all work together on this there's no opposition to the bill people on the board it's just one extra thing there's only. I think the more than one M. A. for okay Senate goes from two representatives The okay if you just look at it I can just read it's one representative from a hospital in Arkansas who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the house one instead of two One representative from a hospital who shall be appointed by the president pro tem of the Senate one appointed by the governor based on recommendations from this council and then no one just by the governor themselves. This is a kind of read the works at any other questions. Anyone wish to speak against her for. Okay has closed any objection to rowing the boat. Maddox secretary please well welcome Boyd Brown Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis these Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stem Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace any senator wish to change his or her vote. Sam nine please cast a ballot that thirty five Yeas zero named Senate bill five twenty passes please transmit to the House will now take Senate bill five thirty six Senate bill five thirty six by Senator Irvin to amend the Arkansas four double energy act and amend the law regarding retirement would be. At Irvine you're recognized thank you madam chair Senate bill five thirty six clarifies and streamlines the Arkansas Public Service commissions retirement review process and avoids duplication of work by utilizing the integrated resource plan process that's already in place the deleted items in five thirty six will be substantially known to the public service commission through this process within five years of retirement but likely much much sooner and they so bad the APSC Clause sought clarification from the General Assembly via the this via an order and they were part of drafting this process for this bill I'll be happy to answer any questions any questions for Senator Irvin. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator Reid close I'm close for the bill Senator has closed is there any objection to rowing the boat. Adam secretary please roll the Boyd Brown Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis these Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator was to change his or her vote. Scene nine. Please cast a ballot votes at thirty five eight zero nine Senate bill five thirty six passes please transmission House. We will now take at Senate bill five thirty seven. Senate bill five thirty seven by Senator king. To amend the law concerning the appointment of a part time law enforcement officer by a political subdivision Senator Teague you're recognized thank you madam president members last there is a bill passed last session that to require these small towns a very small towns to read have a full time police chief of what as I say a lot of time sometimes to correct problems like a bowling pin and knocks over other bowling pins the problem with that was that it cause some small towns like Omaha and Bergman which have schools in their districts that are not big towns they've had to now in quite frankly they've been out of compliance they had law enforcement officers in there working for their city part time that had had years of experience being reserve deputies had a great relationship so it basically change that so this goes back to allows those little small towns we just passed a criminal justice reform bill to address crime what happens is when you take out the the law enforcement in those situations NO change names the towns we had small of law enforcement that was in a small town he then left that ended and so then it becomes from B. and CityVille to dope bill because what happens with this law enforcement presence that is not there anymore because the previous bill put it out of compliance so with that answering questions. Questions for Senator P.. Anymore wish to speak against or for. Senator has close any objection to rowing the boat. Mattis secretary please local boy Brian Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Davis these dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty Rosston Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace any senator wish to change his or her vote. C. nine please cast a ballot. By a vote of thirty five Yeas zero named Senate bill five thirty seven passes. Transmitted a House Senate bill five thirty nine. Senate bill five thirty nine by Senator Bryant. To amend the law regarding the Arkansas racing commission to amend the membership of the Arkansas racing commission and to amend the powers and duties of the Arkansas racing commission. Senator Rapert you're recognized thank you have a. Thank you members for let me bring this visibility also you say whenever I had these initial discussions with the with the House member of I had no idea. How Kerr to controversial a policy decision like this would would be so I apologize if if your phone was was an overtime this weekend I'll say mine was not. so what what I would us seek to do here is that for consumer advocates a to the to the existing racing board. And all while many would say well of all the members on there are are consumer advocates that is truth I guess for every board even boards that are medically or industrial regulated. But the racing commission has evolved it has added casinos Amendment one hundred added the the duties to regulate casinos underneath the racing commission our race tracks are located at casinos E. sports or or online betting sports betting got added to the racing commission. That two runs through Arkansas Enos so what this bill would do with that ad for consumer advocates have no ties to the casinos. Through vendors they that they can't own owner resource has no ties to the vendor or to the rights commission. That way to ensure there's a there's an equal playing field for for our Kansans hardworking or Kansans that go to go to the commission for them to hear complaints. No I'm in no way saying that the current race the commission is it is it trying to do their job. However with the added duties and tasks I feel to have a consumer advocate that has no interest and by interest I mean one point six the seven current commissioners on horses they have about a vested interest in how things operate smoothly and I'm not I'm not knocking that I think that's critical important but we could see knows by memo one hundred are required to contribute seventeen and half percent of those purses it becomes a little bit of a different playing field as far as getting making sure casinos are even more successful to add to their purses. So just to just to. Clear up any misconceptions why am I running this bill. it is started with a simple conversation with the House member I don't know the ins and out of it I hope I can convince you there's nothing nefarious to my ask of this it really started out with a did you know that that that's one of our commissions is not have any actual consumer advocates and all these things are piled on them I had no idea started researching boards commissions and he's right most of our boards and commissions have consumer advocates they've got. Well in the industry four or citizens in the field but no consumer advocates. Another question I got asked. to question the gas the committee I think I'd like to address. Despite the commission to be. And I would say. There's there's commissions of all different sizes I think this will since we're not removing existing commissioners were just adding four more they still have the line share the votes but some commissions such as the council on aging is twenty seven commissioner board members so I think that can be easily navigated. Another question ask is if it's not broke why fix it an answer that I gave that is we we don't know if it's broke. it when you got seven people who invested interest Senate you don't know when things are not coming out of the that maybe should come out of it that should have new ideas I should invest fresh ideas into the system that we've got. I think this bill it is just good policy again no other commission lax consumer advocates and one win this one. Whenever we say that you cannot have you can add four members this bill at four members that that don't have a vested interest in because and casinos or their vendors I think that just adds to and more equal playing field to get good policy out of the last component of this it adds reporting to the legislature because we don't know what Elliott legal activities going in this is almost a of almost a. A billion dollar industry in our state. In this industry. Does not have any ties to legislature so this bill would include those reporting requirements the legislature. So I don't I don't waste anymore time I just want to dress any questions concerns you might have. Question for Brian Senator Solomon. The board and this is tax record doesn't. Not to me I think if you've got if you got seven members all with a vested interest in one direction and you're reading for consumer advocates say that cannot have a vested interest in this you're just injecting inside of that. I'm a new member and then one from a member of a calm affiliated with the board what happens. Senate affiliated with a member of the the language says that they shall have for membership because you're not have any bill of our ability are affiliated in anyway these four members are appointed and are not affiliated in any way after the appointed day become affiliated with that they get that the governor would replace them okay for once it become a board member of the automatically affiliated. When not not with the casinos are seen vendor or board member of the of the racing commission. I guess what if I mean if your life you feel if the fill it in anyway. At the end of. With this this bill says if your ability to casino or as seen vendor. Okay. Senator Rice. Thank you senator Brian Watch the video and. We all know in this section. Five it is correct even though we had a lot of time. And the explanation where the bill came from. But we're talking about. A major change that you wonder why the bill can come up earlier session Kokomo bay at. Then when I went back and watched the video. The committee did a at I have a real job I appreciate a meeting to their clock. after we got the late hours here. And there was a good amount discussion about thirty minutes of discussion of I can't remember all but one member as one or more questions or make statements of very good you you answer questions very good. But one thing I noticed in. There was not any testimony from the public it was from nine thirty to ten PM at night. And my thought is. Nothing wrong with having public input. I'm not testifying against your bill I'm asking you do you not thank. That. If you will from public input on the board. Two people could do it because you're going from seven to eleven. Which really screws up board it really does is to go on the level of seven nine. And. Would that not accomplish it and also do you not think there needs to be some public testimony. Well in your ear right it came it came quickly I believe it said over in the in the house because there is a The New could build a house and I agree to get on it and with time running out didn't know is going to be meeting after session I would welcome obviously for testimony. As far as the committee I try to keep a consistent. with with the number of people on the board so if there's a five minute five person board basically to so seven three but then you got an even number. So add one more to make eleven that way there's there's that the. Tie vote. Okay but again the committee or by and brought out ideas VOL we don't get public input thank you Sir thank you senator Senator Chesterfield you're recognized. Thank you madam chair and thank you senator by taking the my question. I have a problem going. Impose reasonable Democrat but I have a problem with the government which is why I asked Senator Irvin about adding to the board she's talking about. Any talk about this summer advocacy for what you're talking about nice changing really the totality of the board. And growing exponentially. How does one law. In the end we're going. And if you're interested in consumer advocacy why so much consumer advocacy when I believe that the members of the board currently by consumer advocates well so would you speak that thank you senator Senator Chesterfield a teacher first question these are unpaid members I don't feel I feel like adding adding more input more our Kansans onto this this body like I said there's bodies all size for others or three hundred fifty boards and commissions probably too many in general but when you add voices that aren't affiliated they cannot be affiliated to a board that is having more and more task added to it I feel like this is this is good policy a person if if you feel differently. That's so I'd I'd I'd respectfully disagree with that assessment but. Any other questions. Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you Mr president Senator Brian We did have a pretty good discussion and Committee and I tried to note that since the commission was created its duties have drastically changed you mentioned that the casinos are now almost a billion dollar industry I guess probably a number in our state and we're not dealing with calendar gracing anymore that one away so it would appear to me might be a good time to re look at the composition of the board specially with a broader impact maybe have broader membership would you very yes senator I do agree thank you thank you ma'am. Any other questions. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator you are pretty close thank you. Members I appreciate this I know when you have competing interests of a long standing tradition these decisions are hard but to not come and talk about its is probably not the route either so I appreciate any votes to give a good vote thank you. Senator has close any objection rowing the boat. Objection's noted please call the roll VOL eight. Bryant. Caldwell. Chesterfield. Clark. Clark. Coral. Coral. Davis. These. These. DISMANG. DISMANG. Dotson. English. Flippo. Flippo. Flowers. Gilmore. Gilmore. Hammer. Hester. Hanky. Hello. Health. Irvine. Blake Johnson Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. King. Leding. Love. Love. The key. Mickey. Murdock. Payton. Page. Penzo Petty. Petty. Rice. Spasm. Stubblefield. Sullivan. Tucker. Tucker. Wallace. How to get on this side any centers who did not vote or who was injured by a C. center days yes. Any other center center Gilmore no. Anyone else Senator Boyd at present. McKee president. Petty president. The side. Dismang president hill president. Roll no. Flippo no. Anyone else. Please check the board. Please cast the ballot. By a vote of five eighty eight twenty nine for not voting and six present S. B. five thirty nine fails. S. B. five forty two zero five forty two by Senator Irvin to amend the right to know and see Act interim fire an abortion provider who knowingly performs or refers a patient for an abortion to comply with the right of a patient to view ultrasound images before an abortion. Centerman you're recognized thank you madam president this and the Arkansas right to life and many members of the of this body and added in a bipartisan fashion this policy that would require a visual alter sound to be shown to the patient before they would have an abortion we know that that has saved so many I'm more babies lives and I think it was a great policy all this bill does is add before a referral for an abortion is as made that an ultrasound would be shown to that patient expecting mothers so that's all the bill does. FOR centerman. Anyone wishing to speak against or for. Senator you're pretty close I'm close to preach I give up. Senator has closed any objection rolling the vote. Jennison noted please call the roll Boyd. Caldwell. Caldwell. Chesterfield. Clark. Clark. Roll. Crawl. Davis. These. DISMANG. Dotson. English. Flippo. Flowers. Gilmore. Hammer. Hester yes. Health. Irvine. Blake Johnson. I Mark Johnson. King. Leding. Love. The key. Murdock. Page. Penzo. Petty. Price. Statham. Stubblefield. Stubblefield. Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace. Senators which the voter did not vote or change your vote I see Senator Clark yes. Senator parole yes. Anyone else on this side. This side any centers which devoted voter was injured vote. Stubblefield yes. See no others please cast a ballot. But twenty eight yeah a six may one not voting as B. five forty two. Passes please transmit to the House Senator Hester you're recognized thank you governor I members right now we're gonna take up the Budget bills so we've got we've got to get those going and then after the Budget bills we suspended the rules to start session at on five more bills so if you're one of those five an it can wait please let it wait if you can't we understand but we're up against o'clock for any budget then the bills we suspend the rules for. This. Recognized members get your budget counter from you go the the set the first break I'm going to go to the Senate bills first season B. two batches so the first batch let's twenty you'd like to pull one out of Senate bill two eighty six three thirty one three thirty two or three thirty six. All also this Senate bill twenty. Thirty. Thirty two. Forty nine. And fifty five the doctor for those out for a separate vote or have questions let me know. Senate. Said bill two eighty six by joint budget for the department of finance ministration disbursing officer preparation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty for fiscal year Senate three thirty one by joint budget an actual Department of Education Division of elementary and secondary education after school or summer program grants appropriation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth fiscal year several three thirty two by joint budget an act for the Department of Education Division of elementary and secondary education after school summer program grants for boys and girls clubs appropriations twenty twenty three twenty twenty four U. K. this one here Senate bill three thirty six by joint budget act for the department of health state Arkansas State Board of of physical therapy appropriation bills twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth fiscal year Senate bill twenty Joint Budget Act for the department of health Arkansas tobacco settlement commission of corporation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty four fiscal year civil thirty by joint budget act for the department of inspector general appropriation of twenty twenty three twenty twenty for fiscal year Senate bill thirty two by joint budget an act of the parliament of commerce appropriation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty for fiscal year Senate bill forty nine by joint budget after the department of Veterans Affairs preparation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth fiscal year Senate bill fifty five by joint budget act for the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services appropriation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty for fiscal year. Any objection to rowing the boat. On the back of the Budget bills. Madam secretary please relevant mowing prime Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Davis Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty. Rice. Style. Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any center was to change his or her vote. Scene nine please cast a ballot. By a vote of thirty five eight zero nine. The back of Senate bills and the corresponding emergency clause pass please transmit the. Adopted. The string bass. All right members with to House bills house bill ten eighty four and house bill eleven seventy eight Senator Wallace you cannot leave yet because you're up next. Nine eleven seventy nine. All right it by like to point out for several vote have questions sing none. Ten eighty four by joint budget allowed for the department of finance ministration preparation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty four referred house bill eleven seventy nine by joint budget an actual Department of Parks heritage and tourism division of heritage appropriation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth this year. Any object to rolling the vote on the backs of the to House bills. As secretary please read about. Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark pro Davis the Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me kidi Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice doesn't Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any center was to change his or her vote Senator Teague president. Any others. Please cast up the ballot bad at thirty forty eight zero may and one president. To House bills H. B. ten for an H. B. eleven seventy nine pass and their corresponding emergency clauses adopted please return to the House. We will now take up the bills that were added to the end of the Senate calendar beginning with S. B. ninety six Senate bill ninety six by Senator Wallace regarding the termination of the obligation to register as a sex offender and requirement of cation to a victim of a sex offenders application to terminate an obligation to register. Senator Wallace you're recognized government. Members. I will do the cliff notes on this Basically in Arkansas. When the sex offender applies to get off the sexual offenders list. The victims are notified. This bill requires the state to notify the victim if the victim has opted in to be notified. I could sell lot more I have worked really hard on this bill but with that I'll stand by for your questions. Any questions for senator Wallace. Anyone wish to speak against her for. Senator you're pretty close close center has closed any objection to rowing the boat. Man secretary please roll the vote Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark cruel Davis these Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love key the key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty you have done Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any center wish to change his or her vote. C. nine please cast at the ballot. By a vote of thirty five Yeas zero nine as the ninety six passes please transmit to the House. One eighty one Senate bill one ninety one by Senator Hammer to mandate coverage for use of intravenous of. Many golf Dalby and to treat certain psychic psychiatric disorders caused by infections Farrer emerged. Senator Hammer you're recognized thank you and cheered Bills agreed upon flowers like Blue Cross blue shield what the bill does is allow for primary care physicians in collaboration with other specialists to be able to diagnose treat and see patients that possibly may have the pan pan is disease there's a brochure on your desk that explains about it for those who haven't been around here we've been pushing on this for a while but what it does the clinic right now over at the children's has a four month waiting list what this will do allow PCPs throughout the state to be able to start to see these individuals to determine if they have this diagnosis and be able to get to treat the form as I said street upon bill appreciating and appreciate a good vote. Any questions. I am always to speak against or for. Appreciate a good vote center is closed any objection to rowing the boat. Secretary please roll Boyd Brown Caldwell Chesterfield Clark for a loan Davis the Dismang Johnson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McGill Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice doesn't Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator wish to change their vote. C. nine please cast a ballot by a vote to thirty five Yeas zero nine Senate bill one eighty one passes please transmit to the House Senate bill three eighty eight. Senate bill three eighty eight by Senator Hill. To regulate ground transportation municipal airport and regional airports to regulate. to peer carsharing programs and to establish the peer to peer car sharing program at. Senate bill you're recognized thank you governor. Kelly this bill is pretty simple spent four years in the making all sides finally agreed on peer to peer between a tort Toro shelter insurance all those that are included on it. Not a single question of the day since they all agreed to to all the conditions and what's in the bill neither side was happy so that's always a good sign Senate bill with that being said I'll take any questions. Any questions for senate bill. Ninety one wish to. Cancel for. Senate bill. I appreciate a good vote Senator Hill has close any objection to rowing the boat. Boyd Brown Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis these Dismang Dobson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irving Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stands Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace any senator wish to change his or her vote. Same manner please cast a ballot but the five Yeas the resume Senate bill three eighty eight passes please transmit to the House Senate bill four forty one. Senate bill four forty one by Senator Wallace to amend the sales and use tax laws concerning exemptions related to certain machinery and equipment and to allow sales and use tax exemption for certain machinery and equipment placed in inventory Senator Wallace you're recognized governor. Members this bill simply clarifies the timing and paperwork issue with sales tax compliance there's no fiscal impact to this bill we passed a bill and passed an act actually for sixty five back in two thousand seventeen they gave exemptions to certain equipment that was bought for manufacturing a problem is if it goes into inventory. The company only has a certain amount of time to make a decision to claim it for tax deduction or not this bill simply says and and so you have a policy you have a situation where some years they have to they overpay their taxes they gonna fall tax return Amendment the other years they will under pay this simply says that when you buy a repair part. You don't. Take the tax action until you use the tax part. Then with that I stand by for your questions. Any questions for senator Wallace. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator. Senator has closed. Any objection to rowing the boat. Maddox secretary please world about mowing Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis these Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irving Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love became Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rise stands Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. You senator was to change his or her vote. St nine please cast a ballot. That thirty five Yeas zero nine Senate bill four forty one passes please transmit to the House. Senate bill four fifty four. He should change need said bill for fifty four by of of senator Mickey concerning public utility contracts for interrupting Jones interruptible service. Senator Ricky you're recognized members this is a good bill it's agreed upon language it all it does is codify current practice so I appreciate a good vote. Any questions. Anyone wishing to speak against her for. Senator has closed any objection rowing the boat. Madam secretary please rowboat the point right Caldwell Chesterfield Clark road Davis Davis Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Arvind Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me came Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stands Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote. C. nine please cast a ballot. That is at thirty five Yeas zero named Senate bill four fifty four passes please transmit to the House Senate bill five sixty eight Senate bill five sixty eight by Senator Dismang two men acts twenty twenty three number two thirty seven Intermin limitation on the funds at a participating student my receive under the Arkansas children's educational freedom account program. Senator Dismang thank you that members this is allows a student with a disability whose families under ten percent of the federal poverty level to be able to utilize both the philanthropic Scholarship and also the Education freedom accounts these are typically a higher cost schools to attend and again it lets some of those that would not otherwise have the ability to financially to utilize both. Any questions for Senator Dismang. Anyone wish to speak against her for. Senator has closed any objection rowing the boat. Madam secretary please. Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Davis the Dismang Dobson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love the key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty priced and Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace any senator wish to change his or her vote. C. nine please cast the ballot. Thirty five eighty eight zero nine Senate bill five sixty eight passes please transmit to the House. Senate bill five forty nine. No five forty nine by Senator Dismang. To reduce income tax rates will to individuals trusts estates and corporations. Senator Dismang in an members if there's an objection running this today then that is fine with me we can put on tomorrow's calendar the reality is the House committee meets tomorrow and so we can go ahead and get it out today I would be able to move through the process a little bit quicker hi this is the income tax bill drops the come to any individual rate by two tenths retroactive to one one twenty three it also drops the corporate rate by two to inspect one one twenty three that brings that to five point one percent it impacts all Arkansans that make above to twenty four thousand three hundred dollars and with that I'd be happy to take any questions any questions for Senator Dismang. Senator Tucker you're recognized. Is there any consideration to raising the brackets instead of lowering the rates if you look at it we already have two tables in seven in essence we already have that in place the two tables we have a higher income tax bracket which is very much lopsided as far as your your actual effective tax rate when you claim like that together and if you look at our lower tables I think did not next rate up or you committee drop down below twenty four thousand three dollars I think it's at three point four percent and so. I can look at my deal but I mean we already have a very progressive tax code because of the work that we've done for low and middle income families previous in previous sessions. What I mean is right now you pay the same top rate if you are thirty five thousand dollars if one billion dollars so my question is just one of the bill seventy five thousand eighty eight pounds forget into the other table was raised to one fifty what it actually doesn't work that way because we have two tables in it we we have the most complicated tax code the sister in the country even with the two because you again your effective tax rate for a pair that makes above eighty nine thousand dollars is strangely more than those making eighty eight thousand that's reason you'll see in the bill all of the steps that are included so I mean I understand your question but but I think with the way our tables are set right now this makes no sense at least to me. Thanks. Any other questions for Senator Dismang. Anyone speaking against or for Senator I'm closed thank you closing any objection to rolling. Secretary please roll Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark cruel Davis Davis Dismang Johnson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator would change his or her vote Senator flowers. President any other senators. Leding president Senator Tucker president. Murdock. Any others. Chesterfield president. Any others. C. nine please cast a ballot. By a vote at thirty eight zero nine eight one not voting for president Senate bill five forty nine passes transmit to the House. read. Senate bill for twenty six by Senator Irvin to examine turned to lay for state employees to amend the law concerning the catastrophic leave programs inspire an emergency that Irvin you're recognized Senate members just thank you and this extends that matches what we've done for public school employees that extends maternity leave to twelve weeks it also allows for the end at dot the placement of our foster placement of an infant under one years of age as well would be a qualifying factor for taking maternity leave however they would not be eligible for an additional twelve weeks if for the adoption of a child if the employee takes that for the initial foster placement of the child and Brooke Holloway is a state employee came to testify for the bill I would encourage you to go and look at that her testimony it was fabulous she talked about and she was there when we pass the bill it for weeks and she was in the governor's conference room when we signed that bill and she's grateful for this the emergency clause she's thirty four weeks pregnant so this emergency clause is formed as follows way so we're hopeful we can get this bill passed so that she can take advantage of twelve weeks and in her words she will have to make a choice between paying her bills or being with her baby I appreciate a good vote. Any questions. I am always answer for. Senator has close any objection rowing the boat. Mattis secretary please. Boyd Brown Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Davis these dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irving of Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty price Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator. I have seen nine please cast a ballot. That thirty five eighty zero name senate bill four twenty six passes please transmitted to the house. Senator Hester you're recognized members were going to come in at twelve o'clock tomorrow twelve o'clock tomorrow again. All righty. Are there had an S.. The resolution fifty three by Senator Wallace to recognize the Manila high school lines of boys basketball team for winning the twenty twenty three class three A. back always a state basketball championship Senate resolution fifty three. Calendar Senate solution fifty four by Senator Penzo to recognize the fees for rich registry identification cards for qualifying patients calls a financial strain for persons and to request the Department of Health promulgate rules to ease the financial burden Senate resolution fifty four. Public health Senate bill five seventy five by Senator Mark Johnson to amend the law concerning records to be posted on our website five zero board to approve the use of a mobile application for posting information concerning Perot and to create Arkansas. Senate bill five seventy five transportation technology. No further announcmenet. The Senate standing adjournment until noon tomorrow April fourth subject to clear the desk.