Senate Convenes

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Transcription by CastingWords

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Transcription by CastingWords

The 2026 fiscal session of

the 95th General Assembly is now called to order. The President Pro Temp of the Senate, Senator Bart Hester, has appointed the following members of the Senate to escort Sabrina Nikkei Evelyn Llewellyn into the Senate chamber. Senator Kim Hammer, Chairman, Senator Blake Johnson, Senator Greg Letting, and Senator Scott Flippo. Senator Hester, you are now recognized for a motion nominating Sabrina Llewellyn as Director and Secretary of the Arkansas Senate. Thank you, Lieutenant

Governor. Members, I'd like to present to you Ms. Sabrina Llewellyn and make a motion that she be hired as the Director of the Senate.

Thank you, Senator Hester. Would anyone like to speak against the motion? Anyone like to speak for the motion? I'm closed. Senator Hester has closed. All those in favor of the motion, please

signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries.

Congratulations, Madam Secretary. And the presiding officer would ask if you have any

comments that you would like to make.

To the body. Thank you, Madam President. I was raised to do what I could to make sure that the work I do, the service I give, and the life that I live speak for me. And I certainly hope the last 23 years of being with all of you and other senators who are no longer here has done just that that has led to this day. Thank you for the opportunity to

be in service to you and 3.2 million Arkansans.

Thank you, Madam Secretary, it's an honor to serve with you, and at this time, the Secretary of the Senate will call the roll. Any senators wish to request leave? Senator Rice, you're

recognized. Leave for Senator Hickey. Leave, please. Thank you, Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Simon, Stone, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Thank you, Madam Secretary. If everyone in the chambers and the

gallery would please rise, the Senate will be led in prayer by Deacon Tom Pohlmeyer. This will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, if everyone would remain standing. Dickon Pohlmeyer, you're recognized.

Lord God, you are the author of life and the giver of every good gift. In this moment of prayer, we recognize that you desire the good of the human family. You desire an ordered society that works for the good of each of your beloved children. You call every person to make sacrifices for the good of others and the use of their talents for a noble purpose. We ask your blessings on each person here. Give them the gifts of your Holy Spirit so that they are guided by wisdom, infused with knowledge, moved by understanding, and strengthened with fortitude. Help them to recognize their brothers and sisters, the people they represent. Bear fruit from their integrity and help them overcome personal weaknesses. Bring them to the sense of shared mission in creating laws that truly serve the people of Arkansas. Give them both a strength of conviction and a willingness to listen. Give them the eyes to see the most vulnerable among us and discover your plan for human thriving in our communities. Create a true sense of collaboration in their decisions and a sense of purpose for the common good for every challenge in the path ahead, guide them. Loving Father, we also place in your care the families of each person here and the intentions dear to their hearts. Fill them with grace and peace and ease their hearts of every worry that comes with their work and life in this world. May this work be for the glory of your name and care for all your beloved children.

Amen. life of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation of America, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Deacon, for those uplifting words.

President and pro temp of the Senate, Senator Bart Hester, has appointed the following members of the Senate to escort the Secretary of State Cole Jester to the Senate chamber for the purpose of delivering special election results to the members of the Senate. Senator Kim Hammer, Chairman. Senator Tyler Deese. Senator Alan Clark.

Mr. Secretary, you're recognized. I'm certainly

glad to see you today. God has called each of you here for a special purpose in this session. But I want to recognize a new member of your ranks. So, Mr. President, pro-tempore, senators, family members, friends, and honored guests, in accordance with Arkansas law, it is my duty and privilege to present the winner of the special election in Senate District 26. I, Cole Jester, Secretary of State for the State of Arkansas, hereby certify that Brad Simon received the highest number of votes in Senate District 26, the special election held on March 3rd, 2026, as certified to my office by the various county clerks. Senator, congratulations. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

At this time, the President and Pro Temp of the Senate, Senator Bart Hester, has appointed the following members of the Senate to escort Chief Justice Karen Baker to the Senate chamber for the purpose of administering a ceremonial oath of office to the newly elected senator. Senator Jim Petty, Chairman, Senator Stephanie Flowers, Senator Matt Stone, and Senator Dave Wallace. This time I'd also ask for leave for newly elected Senator Simons family and friends to be on the floor who have joined us today Thank you, Senators Thank you. welcome madam chief justice karen baker to the senate chief justice karen baker will now administer a ceremonial oath of office to the new senator would you raise your right hand

i i brad simon brad simon do solemnly

swear to solemnly swear that i will support the constitution of the united states that i will support the

constitution of the united states and the constitution of the state of arkansas the constitution of the state of arkansas

and that i will faithfully discharge the duties and i will faithfully discharge the duties Of Senate seat District 26. Of Senate seat District 26. To the best of my ability.

To the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God.

Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chief Justice. At this time, Senator Bart Hester will now be joined by Senator Greg Letting, Senate Minority Leader, and Senator Blake Johnson, Senator Majority Leader, to present the Senate lapel pin to Senator Brad Simon. Thank you.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Senator Simon. President pro temp of the Senate, Senator Bart Hester appoints the following members of the Senate to notify the governor that the Senate is organized and ready for business. Senator Josh Bryant, Chairman, Senator Jim Dotson, Senator Clark Tucker, and Senator Brad Simon. And please return to the chamber following your appointments. The President Pro Temp of the Senate, Senator Bart Hester, appoints the following members of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives that the Senate is organized and ready for business. Senator Dan Sullivan, Chairman. Senator Fred Love, Senator Greg Letting. The President Pro Temp of the Senate, Senator Bart Hester, appoints the following members of the Senate to escort the governor at the proper time into the chamber of the House of Representatives for the joint session: Senator Jane English,

Chairman. Senator Blake Johnson. Reginald Murdoch and Senator Kim Hamer

I failed to mention earlier, but to our ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your

Arkansas State Senate. It is our expectation that each of you will exercise proper decorum and govern yourselves accordingly during today's proceedings. We're glad that you're here. and senators we will wait just a moment until the senators who are have been appointed by the senate present pro temp to make those notifications until they return senator hester you're recognized

members since we have since we have a few minutes while they're going to do that there's there's going to be two things that uh that i ask when we come back after the governor does our state of the state. One is today is CASA day so I'm going to ask or Senator Dismang will ask that we suspend the rules to allow to hear a CASA resolution and then I'm going to ask to suspend the rule on the intervening day rule which is common practice in the fiscal session. But if anyone wants to talk about any of that between now and then those are the two things we'll ask to do when we come back. okay hey so we will have joint budget today at 2 30 or after we adjourn the joint session whichever is later so 2 30 yeah we have to be adjourned here and they have to be

adjourned before we go meet, but anyway, that's some expectations

today. Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized for an introduction.

Thank you, Madam President. And it is my honor to introduce our Doctor of the Day, Dr. Beth Milligan. She's a family practitioner. I'm proud to have her here. And also our nurse, Lee Fazio, is back with us again. And please give them a warm welcome.

At this time, I would recognize

members of the House of Representatives who have joined us on the Senate floor. Representative Meeks,

you're recognized. Representative Meeks, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Lieutenant Governor. Honorable colleagues of the Arkansas Senate, I'm here to let you know that the Arkansas House of Representatives has convened and we're ready to do business. Looking forward to working with y'all. Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Meeks and other members of the House for joining us on the Senate floor today.

Thank you. Thank you. Yes, and yes.

How are you? I'm going

to sing it. Are you okay?

- Yeah, yeah, he'll play.

I don't know. the body to please take your respective seats so that way we can move through the other agenda item to a joint session. Madam Secretary, are there

items to be at the desk to be read across? Yes, Madam

President. Senate resolution one by Senator Hester for a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in the House chamber to hear an address by the Honorable Sarah Sanders, Governor of the State of Arkansas, Senate resolution. Senator Hester, you're recognized.

Members you've heard it's a resolution so we can recess and go down to the joint chamber, joint session. to read it a third time. Director,

would you please read it a third time? Senate Resolution 1 by Senator Hester, a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives at 12.30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in the House chamber to hear an address by the Honorable Sarah Sanders, Governor of the

State of Arkansas. Senator Hester. You've heard it. It's so we

can recess to go to a joint session. Any questions? Seeing no questions. Anyone wish to speak against the resolution. Anyone wish to speak for? Seeing none. All those in favor of resolution one, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Resolution is adopted. Senator Hester, you are recognized for another motion.

I just make a motion that we recess until 10 minutes upon adjournment of

the joint session. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. All those in favor of the motion to recess and to adjourn 10 minutes following adjournment of the joint session, please

signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion is adopted.

Motion carries, rather. With that, we will be in

recess until 10 minutes following joint session.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Transcription by CastingWords Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Transcription by CastingWords

Senate will be called back to order. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Madam

President, I move to suspend the Senate's intervening day rule for the fiscal session of the 95th

general assembly. Any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries. Madam Secretary, are there items

at the desk? Yes, Madam President. Senate resolution 13 by Senator Dismay to recognize April as child abuse prevention month in Arkansas and to commend the court appointed special advocate CASA programs. Senate Resolution 13. Senator Dismang, you're recognized. Thank you.

I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules to add SJR 13 to the calendar. All those in favor of the motion to suspend the rules to add SJR 13 to today's calendar, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have

it. Motion carries. Madam Secretary. Senate Resolution 13 by Senator Dismang to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Arkansas and to commend the court-appointed special advocate CASA programs. Senator Dismang, you're recognized.

You want to introduce your guests? Ask Lee for them on the

floor. I'd like to ask for Lee for representatives from CASA. Lee. Whereas the children of Arkansas are among the state's most valuable resources and their safety, well-being, and the success are vital to the strength and future of our communities. And whereas child abuse and neglect remain serious concerns that affect the physical, emotional, and developmental well-being of children across Arkansas. And whereas preventing child abuse and neglect requires the commitment of families, communities, nonprofit organizations, and public leaders working together to ensure children are protected and supported. And whereas April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness, strengthening families, and promoting community involvement in the protection of children. And whereas Arkansas is home to 23 court-appointed special advocate CASA programs that serve children in foster care system by recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. And whereas CASA volunteers provide vital advocacy by gathering information, making recommendations to the court, and helping ensure that children have the opportunity to achieve safe, stable, and permanent homes. And whereas in 2025, 2,780 children in Arkansas were served by more than 1,300 CASA advocates, demonstrating a strong commitment by volunteers to professionals to improving outcomes for children and foster care. Whereas the Senate recognizes the importance of raising awareness about child abuse prevention and commends CASA programs, their staff, and volunteers for their dedicated service to children and families across the state, now therefore be it resolved by the Senate of the 95th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the Senate recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Arkansas and encourage all citizens to support efforts that strengthen families, protect children, and promote safe and nurturing environments. Senator

Dismang, you're recognized. I motion that we adopt Joint Resolution 13. All those in favor of adopting Senate Resolution 13, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any

opposed? Ayes have it. Senate Resolution 13 is adopted.

Members, so that we kind of put this resolution

together at the very end. And so sorry about how that works, because I know that we would have had unanimous support even as sponsors of the resolution today. But today we had Casa Day at the Capitol. Hopefully you've had a chance to visit with some of your representation from your local communities. This is a critical organization that helps our children and provides them with voices that they would otherwise not have. It's a complicated world that they're in, and they're doing their very best to make that as simple as they can and provide all the assurance they can to children that are going through some of the toughest times in their lives. So with that, again, we want to say thank you, and hopefully everybody's had a chance to get around. And if you haven't, seek out your local CASA representatives, have a conversation with them. And one little plug here that I'll say. This group doesn't have lobbyists, right? This is a volunteer organization. They are not paid. They're doing this because they want to do the right thing. Let's take the time to have the conversations that we need to make sure that we give the value that we should to the service that they provide. So with that, thank you all very much. - Thank you, Senator Dismang, and thank you to all of our CASA representatives for being here today. I appreciate your all's work. Thank you. I've got a question for you.

Yeah. Thank y'all very much. Senator Dismang, you're recognized again, and we did go ahead and

pass that motion. I know, I've got

a question. I'm scared, but I've got

a question. Chairman of Budget, and do you realize that CASA struggles for funds and everything to operate? As you said a while ago, they're not paid, they're volunteers, and they are struggling for those needs. Are you aware of that?

Yeah, there's been a federal cut in VOCA, and that's the outcome of that. And we need to be working with our federal delegation to make sure that they're adequately funded and also in the short term we have responsibilities to. Okay, thank you, sir. Thank you. But I do have an announcement today. Senator Dismayne, you're recognized for an announcement. Anyone else who has an announcement, I would encourage you to come stand along this wall so that way I can recognize you following Senator Dismayne. So the first one's not as important. We're going to meet at 2.30. Joint budget's going to. We've got one bill to take up. We have to wait until 2.30 because the House didn't suspend the rules. So that's why that is. And so just here shortly, we need to go over. We're going to vote on one appropriation bill and then hopefully wind up our business pretty quickly. Seats are already selected, so if you're worried about that, don't. Second is, and I'm going to steal your thunder, so I don't know if you all know this or not, but Senator Hester is a grandpa. I mean, I was sitting behind you on the floor today, and I see the gray hair, and I was like, eh, it's time, it's time. So, but with that also, so what we're going to do during the session is, there's going to be a ballot, we'll pass it around, and we need to come up with, you know, Normally the grandchildren name, the grandpa, you know, whatever the nickname is. We're going to do that for him on the floor here. We'll have a vote at the very end. I'm at Pawpaw right now. Y'all come up with your own, and we'll work through. But anyway, congratulations, Senator Hester. Thank you, Senator Dismang and Senator Hester. I would like for you to give us the name of your

granddaughter and brag honor for a minute because we want her to have her name. Well, I

very much appreciate that. I know many of us in here have grandkids, but as of last night,

I have Eliza Ann Laney. He was born at Baptist, and we are super thrilled. So thank you.

Thanks, Senator Heston. You're recognized for announcements.

Does that mean I can, like, make any motion and get it right now? Maybe. Here's what

I think. Our understanding is, of course, the body will do what they want to do. The budget should be expected to be quick tomorrow morning at 9. So I'm going to call us in at 10 a.m. tomorrow without objection. We'll do that. We'll come in 10, but the normal process will be 9 a.m. budget, 1 p.m. on the floor. But tomorrow will be 10 a.m.

Okay. Any other announcements? Senator Dees, you're recognized. thank you

madam president members make sure you get your payment for the jerseys that we've ordered for the softball game the charity event please get the payment to miss sabrina to make sure that we get those jerseys ordered correctly we've got to make sure we defend our title and beat the house in this year's new event at the softball fields that'll be coming here in a few weeks so get your

payment in. I appreciate it. Thank you. Any other announcements?

Seeing no other announcements. Subject to the reading items across the desk, the Senate will adjourn until Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 10 a.m.

Thank you.