House Convenes

I'm by the member staff press and gas in the galleries to stand to be led in prayer by the house chaplain Dr Jonathan Kelly senior pastor at First Baptist Church build radio and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by Rep. Let us pray. Almighty god ever last. Hearts we are grateful. Sky that causes crops and grow. Perfection of wisdom. Thank god I ask that that wisdom would feel. Decisions that are made. In Christ's name we pray on. Members please indicate your presence by pushing yellow present button. Where the machine madam Clerk. Cast a ballot and Clark. With with ninety eight members present chair sees a quorum or the request for leave. Represents spring or for what purpose representative government is leave granted for RepresentativeHendren. So noted. Represent Jeffrey Wardlaw moves we dispense the reading of the previous day's Journal without objections so ordered are the Reports from select committees. Read reports Manafort Mister Speaker you Committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill ten seventy one house bill twelve eleven house bill twelve twelve house bill thirteen twelve thirteen house bill twelve forty house bill two O. seventeen house bill twelve ninety house of twelve twenty house with for twenty two Haspel to twenty three house bill twelve twenty five house bill ten twenty six has a twelve twenty seven house bill twelve twenty eight house bill twelve thirty Beckley FOR for them having the same consideration the same recommendation that a do pass respectfully submitted Lane Jean to. Other portions. The reports man part Mister Speaker your committee on public transportation to whom was referred house bill fourteen twenty nine house before fifteen seventy nine Begley report we have the same consideration here to serve the same information and do pass respectfully submitted. Representative McLaren vice chair Mister Speaker you committee on revenue tax to whom was referred Senate bill two O. seven big report we have the same consideration here to silence I recognized that it do pass as amendment one Speaker you committee on Revenue acts to whom was referred Senate bill two fifty two Senate bill three thirteen Bagley before them having the same consideration here to serve the same information that a do pass respectfully submitted last Eads chair Mr Speaker you Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill Fortino a House bill forty nine House Bill fourteen ninety six thank you for and the same consideration here to serve the same recognition that it do pass as amended or one Mr Speaker you Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill fourteen forty three house bill fifty sixty one Senate bill two eighty two bigly report with the same consideration here it's time within recommendation that a do pass respectfully submitted Carol Dalby chair Mister Speaker your committee on public health welfare and labor to whom was referred house bill thirteen sixty Bentley report we have the same consideration here to serve the same recommendation that a do pass concur in the Senate amendment number one Mr Speaker your committee on public health welfare and labor to whom was referred Senate bill ninety day report we have in the same consideration here was I was I recognition they do pass as amended number one Mr Speaker your committee on public health welfare and labor to whom was referred house bill thirty five house bill fifty forty three houses at fifteen seventy five Senate bill two ninety one Senate bill three twenty two big report we have the same consist consideration here to serve the same recognized that it did pass thankfully submitted Lee Johnson chair Mister Speaker your committee on education to whom was referred senate bill three fifty five day reporting the same consideration here was on same recognition at a do pass as amended number one Mr Speaker your committee on education whom was referred house bill eleven fifty six day requirement the same consideration here because I'm the same recognition that it do pass to concur in the Senate amendment number one to speak with your committee on education to whom was referred house bill fourteen sixty eight Bentley recurrence and consideration here concern saying recognized that do pass as amended number two to speak with your committee on education to whom was referred house bill fifteen twenty six house bill fifteen twenty seven Senate bill one ninety basically report we have the same consideration here to sign with same recognition that it do pass respectfully submitted. Representive eleven chair. ISRI in this business are there any executive. One ninety seven house bill fourteen forty five ACT one ninety eight House Bill fourteen fifty eight one ninety nine house bill fourteen sixty ACT two hundred house bill thirteen forty eight two oh one has the thirteen ninety six ACT to go to House Bill twelve eighty five ACT two or three has with seventy six ACT two oh four house bill twelve eighty eight ACT two oh five house bill twelve ninety three ACT two oh six house bill two ten twenty one ACT two seven two oh seven as well thirteen eighteen at two oh eight house bill thirty thirty two ACT two oh nine house bill thirty fifty one excuse him that's what thirteen fifty four at two eleven house bill thirteen sixty eight to twelve house bill eleven eighty ACT two thirteen sincerely Sarah Huckabee Sanders governor of Arkansas did it Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on March seventh twenty twenty three I reviewed and approved the following measures from the legislative session of the ninety first General Assembly House Bill fourteen ninety ACT two thirty six sincerely Sarah Huckabee Sanders governor Arkansas you Mr Speaker this inform you that on March tenth twenty twenty three I reviewed and approved the following measures from the legislative session of the ninety first General Assembly house bill one thousand five at two thirty nine house bill twelve forty seven ACT two forty as well so sixty three ACT two forty one house bill thirteen twenty nine at two forty two house bill thirty thirty six X. two forty three also thirty forty seven ACT two forty four house bill thirteen eighty three ACT two forty five house bill fourteen oh four ACT two forty six sincerely Sir Huckabee Sanders governor of Arkansas. Members we do have some guests with us today first we have a former state representative and the mayor Fort Smith George McGill whose here's guests of represent Richmond. Is a guest of representative Jay Richardson we also have this. The doctor of the day Dr John McAllen of Rogers against a represent underwood in the nurse's name assured when are. Additionally we have with us in the east gallery we have Kayla Posey executive director the Mayflower area chamber of commerce a guest of representative David Ray. We have members of the Clay County electric coop guests of represent Wooldridge and represent Stommel. In the west gallery have Selena Blair the Columbia County treasure guests of represent man groups. And third please read House resolution ten forty. As resolution ten forty by representative Easter reclaim March fourteenth twenty twenty three as electric cooperatives of Arkansas they at the capitol. Semicha recognized to explain the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker members this resolution to put cream March fourteenth as electric cooperatives of Arkansas day so just give me some background Arkansas electric coop of corporations based in Little Rock provides power for members of Arkansas seventeen different electrical distribution cooperatives electric coop of members are also owners that means that any profits these Cooper's make go back goes right back into their members pockets as savings on power costs electric cooperatives of Arkansas are uniquely set apart from other electric companies because they are owned by their consumers today the cooperative service areas cover more than sixty percent of the land area in Arkansas and include more than six hundred thousand homes farms and businesses and with that madam Clark please read the resolution in its entirety. Representatives explain the resolution we would like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution representative gave those close resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house resolution ten forty all in favor say aye. Any opposed read the resolution is adopted. Madam third please read house concurrent memorial resolution one thousand one. House concurrent memorial resolution one thousand one in respectful memory of Arkansas department of corrections sergeant Joshua Caudill. Represent rate you're recognized to explain the rest. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleagues today I bring you a house concurrent memorial resolution one thousand one. To honor and our Kansan who lost his life in service to our great state and to the people who call it home. Sergeant Joshua Caldwell was born in Little Rock and raising your White Hall he graduated from white hall high school in two thousand eleven and he devoted his life to service he served in the Army National Guard and spent ten years serving with the Arkansas department of corrections where he was a K. nine officer. A little over a year ago on February twenty eighth two thousand twenty two Pulaski County sheriff's deputies were called to a house north of Maumelle for a wellness check when a man opened fire on the. The assailant fled and sarsa call dell was part of a team assisting with the Mann High. A tract help track the assailant to a trailer. Where the assailant was lying in wait and when he arrived he shot and killed sergeant Joshua called out. Sergeant called L. was twenty nine years old. He leaves behind a wife Lorna Beth and three children MRA Audrey and Jeremiah. Sergeant called al's wife his mother and his mother in law or with us today the north gallery and I would ask that you stand and welcome them here today. The statement that the call L. family released after sergeant call dell's death said that he was quote a loving partner and sweet companion to his wife and his children were quote the light and focus of his life I spoke with sergeant called al's mother today and she asked that I convey to the people watching this livestream today and to the members of this chamber that her son was a good man. We often take for granted the relative peace and comfort and safety that we enjoy in our everyday life. We take for granted living in a society where we have stability relative order and the rule of law but we have to remember the none of these things are free they're only available to us because we have people. Sergeant Joshua Caldwell who are willing to serve who are willing to protect the innocent in our society and the work that we ask them to do is inherently dangerous we ask them to do things that put themselves in harm's way and even come face to face with evil itself. Many of us will never know what that's like and that's why it's so important that we honor all all those who serve but especially to hold in special referenced those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man. There is nothing unfortunately that we can do to erase this tragedy but by passing this resolution we can send a message to the Caldwell family that the members of this body representing the people of this state extend our love and our prayers that god would grant them the peace and comfort that only he can provide. Sergeant Caldwell. Lead a life of love and service to the state. And I ask that we honor him by passing this resolution today Mister Speaker would you have the Clerk please read the resolution it's and in its entirety. Alan Clark please read the resolution in its entirety where the February twenty eight twenty twenty two Arkansas department of corrections field sergeant Joshua Caudill died as a result of losing current while pursuing a gunman who fired shots and left the county deputies near Maumelle Arkansas and where as well as tracking the suspect with the K. nine unit starting cardio was fatally shot as he looked committee the trailer where the gunman was hiding and where sergeant cardio serve the state of Arkansas for nearly a decade through his employment at the Tucker unit of Arkansas department of corrections and whereas although his unwavering commitment to protecting the public and his dedication to duty routinely put him in harm's way sergeant cardio serve with honor and distinction despite the personal dangers we face and where is his service encouraged reflect the outstanding character in here her heroism of both correctional and law enforcement officers and we're starting called up with a devoted husband father and sign and a respected member of the Tucker community in Jefferson County Arkansas now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas this it Senate concurrent there in that the members of the house of representatives expressed sincere condolences to the family of correctional sergeant Joshua Caudill and commend his heroic actions an outstanding contributions to the state of Arkansas. Per cent raise explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the. Sempre you're recognized. Thank you colleagues I appreciate a good vote represent rate has close for the resolution the question before the House is the passage of house concurrent memorial resolution one thousand one all in favor say aye. Any opposed the motion passes. Members will serve one of the guests with us today Garland County treasurer Tim Stockdale I believe in the west gallery. Morning hour is indeed madam Clark please read house bill fifteen sixty two. Fifteen sixty two by representative shall send men the and. The lack of access act to increase availability and accessibility of an opioid antagonist and to declare an emergency. The short you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleagues is we're all aware our state and our nation are in the grips of an opioid epidemic. In two thousand seventeen the Arkansas enacted the naloxone access act no locks on is more commonly known as nor can. Despite those efforts in two thousand nineteen we set a record. For annual overdose deaths. Related to opioids. The intent of this bill is to amend the naloxone access act. Just to simply make it a little easier. For those who need this no locks on to get it. police officers firefighters first responders. Family members of. Folks with addictions that type of stuff. that's all this is going to do is is kind of streamline the process where they can get that naloxone easier. after explaining that after we got this the Committee we discovered. Two words that have been stricken that needed to be added back it's line twenty six on the second page. Number six there a law enforcement officer we had stricken or agency we're going to put that back in just as a protection for the first responders. Senator Gilmore is the sponsor on that in and he is agreed to handle that on that in. with that I would answer. Seeing none I appreciate a good vote. President Schulz's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Ascential is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen sixty two per machine. The voting on the bill an emergency clause has everyone voted. Casts up the ballot mad madam Clerk. Ninety four yeas or nays and zero presents the bill and the emergency clause has passed. Madam Clerk read house bill fifteen thirty one that's the fifteen thirty one by representative hi just amend the law to allow qualified electors that is term the issue as to whether to elect the school district board of directors from single member that owns at large or combination single members own and at large represent partners you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleagues in the Senate bills pretty straight for the title kind of says mostly within the bill so under current law school boards can determine how the people of the district will be represented whether that single members owns that large or combination. what house bill fifty thirty one does is simply gives other people the same powers to school boards to decide how they want to be represented so currently through petition an election the people have the ability to get on the ballot to have single members owns at the school board this would just add in either at large or a combination of single member and at large so would give people by petition election the same authority that the school boards already currently. Any questions. Richard about. Represent Hodges explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Hodges is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen thirty one prepared machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot madam Clerk. Seventy eight yeas nine days on one present the bill is passed. Maddox Clerk read house bill thirteen fifty eight thirteen fifty eight by representative Johnson to amend the law concerning the rules and regulations that must be adopted from municipal fire and police departments Ben Johnson recognized explained bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues is the bill is brought to me by the professional firefighters association that fire chiefs association is negotiated bill that changes in hiring practices change the probationary period for which the firefighters are under that you surveillance and synagoge bill with no known opposition we have to try to answer any questions. C. nine appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Johnson is explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent Johnson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen fifty eight where the machine machine matter Clark. Everyone voted. Casts up the ballot madam Clerk. Ninety five Yeas zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. Madam Clerk read house bill fourteen forty fourteen forty by representative because I tend in the law concerning prohibition and limitations on the use of certain refrigerants and to amend the powers of municipal corporations and a speech HVACR licensing board and regulation to the regulation of certain referred to represent Cozart you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen this is a bill that. Basically. Folau's I guess I could say. In a two thousand twenty. President signed in the American innovation and manufacturing act into law. That act directed the environmental protection agency to issue rules to place phase down the hydrocarbons Hendren fluorocarbons and required manufacturers to begin producing equipment that will substitute refrigerants. What this this brings in jobs keep jobs here in America in Arkansas we have three of the largest manufacturers we have rain train and Lennix in Arkansas and they will be producing the so what this does. This request that the. This Ask for this will when this bill corporation shall not prohibit or limit the use of refrigerants designated as acceptable for the use of accordance with this US code and existed on January one of two thousand twenty three and if the equipment. Containing the refrigerant is listed and stalled in accordance with the safety and standards and use conditions established in accordance with the. Code federal regulations as it existed on January first and twenty thirds of two different codes US code in the code federal. So this provides that they will start being able to start using these refrigerants and it allows the Eunice pallipes to understand that that's what they will be using this does not stop what they're already using right now what they have out there if you have a unit that has a different type of refrigerant in there in your business or your home or anything like that you will not make you have to change it out when those go bad that will be what the new system will be so this just allows them to go ahead and put those replacement of cities can get their code set up. That is what this is about to try to answer any questions. Seeing none Christian good vote. Represent Cozart has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent Cozart close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen forty prepared machine madam Clerk. Has everyone voted. Gas up the ballot madam Clerk. Ninety days one day and three present the bill is passed. Madam Clark read house bill fifteen nineteen. It's a nineteen by representative hot to prohibit municipalities from enacting breeze the civic regulations for animals. Rosa Park you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker calling this I'm here today to speak on behalf of H. B. fifteen nineteen the bills about sound public policy that helps for to reduce the tragedy of animal attacks everyone wants safe communities but breed bans have been proven time and time again to be unsuccessful. Breed bans effective costly to enforce and have been found to be constitutionally suspect in losing in court cases over and over across this great state. Studies like the one published just three weeks ago by the American animal hospital association show that breeds. Really have little to do with dogs likelihood of biting but more with the owners national groups like the American veterinary medical society the American veterinarian behavioral society and even the American Kennel Club have come all come out against breed bans. You know what I was doing this bill what struck me was that the people that actually deal with vicious animals vicious dogs or animal control officers the national animal control association and the Arkansas animal control association have come out against breed bans in fact my animal control officer in Bryant and Benton Arkansas have publicly come out and endorse this bill. Now yesterday committee we had a very lively conversation. And I want to thank really all the committee members because they brought up some good points one thing that got brought up was local control right and while you may look at the title and says to prohibit municipalities from enacting breed specific regulations for animals. What we're not doing is we're not telling a city that they can't just ban a dog what we what we are saying you can't ban a dog but we're also giving them a solution. We're giving them an ordinance that is currently being used right here in the capital city in Little Rock it's a dangerous dog ordinance is being used time and time again there's there's over twenty five cities across Arkansas that are using this dangerous dog ordinance in what it says is that if a single dog attacks somebody or create creates a or is misbehaving you can ban that individual dog you're not banning the entire breed there are there are people that own dogs that might be considered a bad dog. That have never had an issue so why should those people that don't have a bad Dalby told they can't have that dog. They're being told by municipalities across the state that because other dogs have been bad that their daughters no longer wanted in their city. This was a constituent issue that brought this to me and. When it was told time and time again on why should I be told I can't have a dog and my dog's never had an issue my daughter has never had an issue why are they tell me I can't have my dog. And so that's what we brought this to the well. There we had eighteen people in committee yesterday sign up I took one of those people and ask them to speak eighteen so seventeen people from all over the state came to speak for this in support of this we had one person that spoke against. So with that I'll ask open for any questions. Seeing none I would appreciate your indulgence represent Bentley for what purpose question you're recognized so just questions we do not think it will be better for the cities to enact a good bill to get rid of bad dog so that we don't have bad dogs they get for it yes ma'am so the dangerous dog ordinance I talked about we are saying you know what get rid of your band on breeds all together we've got a fourteen page document that I can send anybody in this room that the city little rock and nineteen other cities across Arkansas are using right now it's an ordinance it's holding up in court it's an ordinance that is base basically saying if you've got a bad actor dog you the city can band your dog because of something that it did wrong rather than saying the entire breed is gone we're getting rid of the entire breed this ordinance that we're giving cities would allow for them to ban your dog for doing a bad thing hopefully that answers your. Representative Cavenaugh for purposes. Question you're recognized at representative hot can you just clarify again what this covers and why it doesn't cover like birds or reptiles yes so yesterday in committee it I want to thank representative Dalby and representive Collins because they pointed out codes and being that I'm not a lawyer it took me a minute so thankfully for eighteen people I was able to run over the bill or ask about code real quick but in the law so it references to section of Arkansas Code first the first section deals with dogs running at large and the other section references animals that are required by the state to be vaccinated for rabies and there's a subsection that says dogs and cats so this would only apply to dogs and cats in the bill we're not talking about reptiles we're not talking about money rabbits we're not talking about chickens we're talking about dogs and cats in this bill. Thank no more questions I would appreciate a good vote. Represent park has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Representative Pilkington you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Recently I read a story about a mother of two that just left the hospital after being in the I. see you in stable condition she left the hospital. With stitches and bite marks all over her body after attempting to intervene one or two pit bulls mauled her toddlers to death. She was severely injured by these Dotson to try to pull them off her five month old boy hall is the two year old girl lily Jane just outside their home. In a matter of ten minutes happy home went to one in which two small children were laying lifeless covered in blood and bite marks dead on the cold earth. As a father of a two year old myself and six month old I cannot imagine the pain and anguish that father must've felt holding the limp pale bodies of a small children realizing that it failed as most basic duty as a father to protect his children realizing it never see them beam with joy as they looked up at him or hear their angelic laughter as they played. Colleagues I rise today to speak against this bill because it seeks to remove the local ban on pit bulls and other dangers priests in our state and I believe this legislation is not in the best interest of our constituents and urge you all to vote against it. Pit bulls and other dangers briefs are notorious for their crest behaviors and been responsible for numerous attacks on humans and other animals. The risks associated only people are well documented and it is our duty as legislators to protect our communities. I understand that some will say that pit bulls are not inherently dangerous and that with the responsible ownership lease logs and lease laws and socializing their dogs properly they can prevent this however we cannot ignore the fact that even well trained pit bulls have been reported to attack unexpectedly and cause serious injury and death in fact seventy one percent of mentalities did a dog attacks in the last decade or for pit bulls the rest from other dangerous breeds. This past December in el Paso Arkansas a ten year old boy was hospitalized and six year old brother injured while they are preventing their little three year old sister from being attacked by two pit bulls while playing outside the grandma's home. In Faulkner County a nine year old boy checking the mailbox was mauled to death by two pit bulls. In Bradford council four year old little boy Levi Watson was mauled to death by three pit bulls and down south of hot springs an older boy fifteen years old walking home from school was attacked by a pimple and even locally here in Arkansas and little rock here recently a little five year old girl was attacked and mauled. But this is not only kids in my own community of Johnson County Sharon Linderman a seventy five year old woman was killed by a pimple. If this carnage pain and death. Is not reason to vote against this bill that I would also let you realize that lifting these bands with an unnecessary burden on our law enforcement agencies and animal control officers. As we have a responsibility to to deal with an increase in football related incident and other dangers parades. Dealing with people sometimes is so dangerous with officers that the only way they can de escalate the situation is to euthanize the dog. Finally I want to emphasize that our state has a responsibility to prioritize the safety and well being of our citizens and their paths. And Wall representative parks is that they can do that dangerous dog ban you realize when he said this is that the dog has to attack someone first. So we need to have a lifeless dead body of a child or an animal in till we can act. I want prevention. I want to stop this and this is not a solution. So we can help some little special interest group get a win here in Arkansas so with that I say vote no against this bill. Represent Pilkington spoken against ability would like to speak for the bill represent winning record. Thank you Mr Speaker what I'd like to do is address those were indeed horrific instances and what we need to focus on is what can we do to stop those and the breed bans are indefensible in court this is why the American Bar Association favors bills just like these because what it does is it encourages our municipalities to an act vicious dog ordinances because breed bans are indefensible it gives us a false sense of security. And so with that. We now can encourage our municipalities to do the things that will actually provide protections against instances just like that breed bans get very very complicated when you start getting into court because once you get into cross breeding how much of this breed how much of that breed law enforcement also supports this type of bill as well because it takes them out of the picture everybody knows what a vicious dog ordinance is or what a vicious dog is but when you start getting into the the breed bans they fall in court and then the cities are left with nothing so I would encourage you to support this bill because this is a means forward to eliminating the vicious dogs. Represent rate for what purpose you're recognized for a question representative **** this is a question that I meant to ask yesterday in committee but didn't both you and representative hawk said that these breed specific ordinances are indefensible in court can you please explain that because my understanding from the Committee testimony yesterday is that we have thirty eight of these sorts of bans in effect across the state if they are if if they can't stand up to scrutiny in court why do we have thirty eight of them across the state once they are challenged they have fallen we had three of those breed bans across the nation have been challenged and defeated just here recently within the last couple years I'll let the the bill sponsor representative hawk address others as well I know why we've even had one municipality here in the state that has reversed their ordinance based on the in defense ability of. President Wayne has spoken for the building would like to speak against the bill. Represent what you're recognized speak against the bill. Mr couple things with. First of all this the courage on it prohibits. Tell him not to do. Okay second of all. The council again in repeat this substantive one down here and I will try to laugh and be happy because a lot of like a bad when I'm down here I'm not mad I'm just forcible I'm just making the point. The mission over the the city councils are elected. The others constituents just like we. We're getting to the point that we're dictating and telling the city's and county's what they can do. They have to be there closer to the people we all. Let me make this decision. Now let's talk about the constitutionality it's constitutional until somebody contested. And there's thirty eight is represented right in this study. If backed off every time I got through the system. I'll be back up every day. Awarded about the. That's not our war. Ten year old boy. That was mauled by a pit bull. Happen the same way that would be the police officer would small when he went to a home that he was called to because of vicious dog outside he got there and the dog jumped in the bid he'll. The mayor has as many to vote against this and I'm voting against. And and. Of. Let the local people take care of their business. We will not. For some of the things down their throat I want to do this one more time this does not encourage them to do it is prohibits them from doing. So you're a law that affects every municipality. In this study. Reserve wouldn't spoken against the bill anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative mark very recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues in his marriage my cousin you go back tell your mayor that I'm voting for the bill. In. The dangerous dog ordinance that's being used all over the country. And it works now love you are old enough to remember thirty years ago the Doberman pinscher that was the one of well as you know all this hysteria and everything with the media as a Doberman pinscher that was the vicious dog then it was the German shepherd then it was the all of us picking knees or something but the point is the media hysteria it changes in right now if you go there's just many facts you know to support dog ordinances as there are banning dogs I've had one person in my district contact me ask me to vote against this bill I've had. Be a hundred emails wanting me to support the bill because they believe the same thing that representative hawking set up here and told you that it's we need to get rid of dog breed bans in the state of Arkansas and I appreciate a good vote thank percent to. President berry spoke for the building would like to speak against the bill. President Gazaway you're recognized speak. Thank you Mr Speaker calling so as you know I don't like to speak. Yes members bills but in this instance I feel somewhat compelled to come down here. I have some experience dealing with these cases when I was a prosecutor I prosecuted instances where the revisions dog attacks into a one they were pit bulls I can recall in one specific instance where there was a young boy who the pit bull actually left its owner's yard busted up inside a person's house and attacked the young boy inside of his own home Grassed onto his leg and they tried to beat the dog off his leg and could not get the dog off off this child select a child almost died because it could have severed an artery fortunately it didn't and I think that dog was ultimately euthanized in response to that and several other instances which again to a one or pit bulls the cities that I represented at the time passed bans on pit bulls and to my knowledge they've not been challenged to this day. I'll also say that you know with respect to the legal challenge of these ordinances I don't know how the record was developed in the lower court B. and what evidence the appellate courts may have had when they looked at the appeals but there is a lot of evidence out there that pit bulls are inherently dangerous animals as representative Pilkington mentioned his this to districts he had said that seventy one percent of a dog bites were attributable to pit bulls that the statistics I had and I think that were presented committee yesterday said that it was sixty six percent. But one of the things that you have to understand I think this would be appropriate to develop a record of these cases were to go up on appeal is that you know there's this idea what's called instinctive for predatory drift in other words dogs are bred in a certain way certain certain breeds are bred in a certain way and because of that when they find themselves in a in certain situations their instincts kick in and it makes a much more likely to chase much more likely to bite and much more likely to bite with the intention to kill and that's exactly how pit bulls have been bred and that's why that they account for of all the dog bites the vast majority of dog bites but the thing that's particularly concerning about pit bulls is the pounds per square inch that their jaws have are capable of producing when they crush on a human beings. Ma'am lag knack whatever the case may be they have enormous power in their jaws that are capable of producing fatalities in humans and I think that is an entirely reasonable to allow a municipality and you know we talk about local control around here all the time we we talk about it when it suits our purposes typically but if you want to talk about local control I think it's the essence of local control to allow municipalities to make this decision to to ban a specific breed now ultimately you know as with everything we pass around here there can be legal challenges to it I think the record needs to be developed and I think all of the research that's out there that suggested I don't think it just suggests I think it proves that these breeds are inherently dangerous they're inherently aggressive they are by their nature capable of producing fatalities not like the lhasapoo that I have my my my sweet little dog couldn't kill you if you wanted to we love the little guy but a pit bull can. And it makes it particularly concerning and for that reason I think that we would be wrong to tell the municipalities that they can't do this let's let me admit Eunice pal these decide for themselves in these instances and so with that I would ask you to vote no on this bill thank you represent Gazaway spoke against ability would like to speak for the bill represent of rye you're recognized speak for the bill. You know it would bother me to to see a child her. But I want to say this. You have a good and you have a bad of worries. Not all. Calendar the same it's a lot of it is how that that dog is rice and we all know that. Now I have a ten. And they have passed a bill to basically ban the pit bull now they find out that they've actually screwed up because. Actually the the the the the the dollars that are left out there. Our German shepherds and other kinds of mixed breed dogs that are still out there on the street you know that will attack you so. I think we should vote yes okay we should vote yes because I don't think we should take one animal I have one three and take that away from the others and say that's okay unless you can prove something happened over here so I hope. The race parking for the building would like to speak against. Represent opened for what purpose motion let's hear motion motion for committee consideration. Proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Those having. Represent have spoken for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent rich. Thank you Mr Speaker. I do have a little experience dealing with different animals whether it's in dog shows or other types of activities and. I do believe that what general berry said earlier. I can remember when the Doberman pinscher was the most dangerous animal on the planet there. I can remember when the German shepherd. Most dangerous animal and planned or. And now the pit bull it's their turn to receive every single blame for everything to happen reminds me of an A. R. fifteen automatic rifle any time there's a shooting obviously was them with an automatic rifle. So this is what they go through but I will tell you my experience with pit bulls has been they're just as general as any other doll can be. They can be as angry and vicious as any other dog can be. And the idea that a small dog cannot do serious damage is simply law. I freakin Chihuahua is one of the worst animals I've ever dealt with in my life in that they will literally to your eyeball out if they don't like you. In so doing breed specific bans. Goes against everything is just like saying well you know what the Germans responsible for a couple of world wars we need to be sure the freaking Germans can't come to our country anymore because look at them and all the trouble that cost. That's ridiculous and it doesn't work. Re specific bands will not work either has a work won't work it's just one of those things that you throw out there some politicians can feel better about themselves. You got a whole The owner responsible. Hold the individual responsible. And people have to know and municipalities instead of sitting on their hands until there is an attack in a problem get their rear ends out there and do the freaking job. Because I guarantee you that you've got a dog was attacking people there are signs. When a stranger comes by another call comes buyer there's an encounter that there's a potential problem. So whose fault is it says the onus will. We can take the dog away from the owner there is no perfect solution to this. But the simply say you can't have these dogs. Because of something that's happened somewhere else and can happen that's transient. It will always be tracked. And there's nothing we can do here that can fix that. Including banning the breeze because there will always be another tragedy if we're going to try to prevent things. And and save lives. And we're the legislation getting rid of freaking cars. Where's that legislation. Because there isn't anything does more damage than cars and she's my friends but thank you. Representative Richmond has spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill represent brown you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I I represent Gazaway I hate speaking some members bill but in a lot of what I would say is I mean covered by other speakers against the bill saws tell little story stench number absent Bill Clinton. On may the twenty eight twenty twenty Robbie Taylor which is a name that is known Faulkner County went to go check the mail he was a summer vacation he was home with the siblings as mom he asked time I'm gonna go check the mail she said sure so what down the drive would check smell. We didn't come back in about fifteen minutes as mother noticed he's been gone for law so she went look for a. She found issues in the driveway. She called nine one one. His fifteen year old sister found his body in the field. He had been mauled to death by two pit bulls. As a street level or as they call us delivered everything and I had the occasion to be involved in gently on the resulting criminal case that came up. And I'd sit in court and what's the case and follow. And I had to look at the pictures of this child is nine year old boy lying down the field with his jugular pour out. I'd look at the pictures of him on the medical examiner's table for his autopsy. But the most haunting thing was I heard his wife sorry this is mother wailing in the court room. And my present Pilkington as a father two young daughters that bother me usually I'm dealing with insurance or banking or real estate. The fact the matter is is that statistics show that pit bulls. Make up only six percent of the dogs in this country get it fatal dog attacks pit bulls were responsible for snorts of sixty five percent. Rottweiler's make up less than two percent of dogs in this country and they're responsible for additional ten percent. So two dog breeds are responsible for three quarters of the fatalities in this country and the numbers just keep increasing. Folks are you that is not the dog is not it's it's the owners is bad owners. Well the two dogs in the Robbie's case. I had not been abused. They were you know thank you are pretty well their house dogs their family dogs family had small children they got a great to go longer if the kids. But one day they got out of the fence. And they snapped. And I would say that every purple pebble is a good dog until one day they're not in kids die when they're not. We all know the bloodhounds have been selectively bred to track its in there that it's in their nature it's in our DNA border collies have been selectively bred to herd it is in their nature is in their DNA. It bills have been bred for one purpose and one purpose only and that is to fight. It is in their nature is in there to it is in their biological make up. I know that. We had many bills this session where local. Municipalities government said overstep the mark in terms of regulation we had to come back and say Hey guys it's not appropriate we're gonna take that power away from the. But I think the ability of committee of communities that are affected by dogs like this to put in regulations if they choose I don't think that's overstepping the mark I think that's being responsible to your community. There is mention about the court challenges well the legal standard is is there a rational basis for the breed ban is rational relationship between the harm you seek that government seeks to avoid. And as police power to ensure the safety of the public health safety and welfare and I believe that those standards challenges in other states in the was standing here if it's represent Gazaway mention a proper records made every court case is different. But to me there's something fundamentally wrong where the associations that promote pit bulls even warn owners when you take your dogs out you must take a break stick with you because if your dog does snap in latches onto a kid or latches onto a dog you have to use the stick to be a responsible owner you must have this club to loosen your calendar. Now close with this one thing else I found my research last night as I was looking into this. And I've in joy the. Back and forth represent Richmond president Barry have about the marines versus the Air Force the one thing that surprised me is that one thing that the army the Air Force in the marine corps all three agree on is we do not let pit bulls on our base housing. The armed forces see the problem I think municipality should be able to have the same rights in therefore encourage no vote on the bill. President brown is spoken against the bill we would like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Representive hawk you you're recognized to close. Thank you Mr Speaker well. You've heard you've heard the most descriptive gross testimony. Representative Pilkington representative Gazaway representative brown. Single instances that happen. We have. Bills way and it's all been brought back to proportionally said seventy one percent or whatever our our from pit bulls did you know in Maumelle Arkansas which by the way the city council has got voted out because of this band because they found it was unconstitutional to answer questions it was it violated the fourteenth in the fourth amendment's that's what three different courts in Arkansas determined. But the entire city council in Maumelle got voted out because this. This band it's funny to me that representative Pilkington got up here and gave a real solemn testimony about how how they were going to rip limbs and throats that's not a really familiar to is abortion testimony that he gave just last year. Where you talked about how when that when a child was to get rid of the one that sound exactly the same. But yeah he's going to do it on dogs. To represent of brown's testimony. Said that the military has banned pit bulls. That's completely false. That is completely false in fact I had a raid kannst was not a constituent but a man that lives insurer would Arkansas emailed me today just got out of the military he had a pit bull when he was in the Air Force and he moved to North Little Rock. And because they have a ban in place he had two options either euthanize his dog or move to another city. He just got out of the military. So once again that is false. Collins I ask you it was compelling testimony what they what they said about individual dog attacks we can say that just about anything that is out there. On any type of for Roche's attack you could say that there's some crazy situations that happen. But not every pit bull was bad. Not every dog is bad. They're not. My neighbor owns two pit bulls right next door to me and I've got a five year old and a one year old that they play with those dogs on the day. Never had an issue I don't have a problem with my kids hanging out with those dogs because they're trained properly the ordinance that is going to take place that if this bill passes what we give to cities is already working in Arkansas in the capital city they are using this ordinance it stands up in court. It does. And so I just ask will go away from the gross descriptive testimony that was given. And. Give citizens the right to choose we talk about this all the time and this chamber give citizens the right to choose if they screw up then their dog is gonna be taken away with this new with this dangerous dog ordinance that individual dog will be taken away if it's groups out. And with that I would appreciate a good vote. Represent Hawkins close for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill fifteen nineteen prepare the machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot madam Clerk by a vote of thirty four yeas forty five days and ten present the bill is fail madam Clark please read house bill fifteen seventy one. After fifteen seventy one by representative Gazaway seven Arkansas law concerning audits of counties and municipalities. Gazaway you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is a simple bill comes to us from legislative audit. municipalities currently have the ability to have a private audit as opposed to a legislative audit that also applies to a water and sewer divisions municipalities can be can have a private audit as opposed to a the legislative audit process what this says is if a municipality chooses and they're only they're very few who choose to have the private audit but if a municipality chooses to have a private audit or the water and sewer as a private audit that they have to submit that audit to legislative audit within eighteen months so that it can be reviewed this is once again Transparency purposes to make sure that you know municipalities have a private audit so that they can hide something that they're doing it does never come to anyone's attention because it's all been by private audit and so they have to submit their private audit if they have one to legislative audit within eighteen months of the completion of the audit And if they refuse to do that if they do not submit the audit within eighteen months then legislative audit has the ability they may it's not required but they may withhold turnback funds from you Mr municipality that provides a pretty strong incentive for municipalities who are having these private audits to disclose them to legislative audit that's all the bill does happy to answer any questions. Seeing on it appreciate a good vote thank. The representative Gazaway has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representive right you're recognized to speak for the bill. Well I'll say this much representative Gazaway done about as good a job as it is you can do on explaining that situation and you know this does occur I'll give you a good example county contracts out someone to do work well the county's we always pay that person. It doesn't always come out right when it comes out to an audit you know it's not always exactly like it should be especially after the revision of legislative audit's looks into it okay so I think this is a good bill representative Gazaway and I hope you will. Representative rye has spoken for the bill does anyone wish to speak against the bill. Where the bill. Representative Gazaway are you close to your bill. The question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen seventy one madam Clerk prepare the machine. As everyone voted. With that if ninety two yeah zero nine zero present the bill has passed. We will now move to I know we have one more madam Clark please read house bill fifteen ninety one of the bill fifty ninety one by representative race to clarify the applicability of the Arkansas resurfaced or consumer protection act in nineteen ninety one and two free of certain laws concerning retail pet stores. Representative ray you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you madam chair colleagues this legislation house bill fifteen ninety one prohibits local ordinances from dictating the sourcing and selling of dogs and cats that are sold at retail pet stores. And the reason that we would do that is pretty simple and straightforward that's because this area of the law has been under the purview of the state for at least the last thirty years in nineteen ninety one the legislature passed the Arkansas retail pet store consumer protection act and this is a law that covers the state's interest in regulating commerce in the area of retail pet stores and it does many things it ensures that there's a high level of standards that pet stores must abide by it ensures the humane treatment care and disposition of animals to ensure that their sound healthy and fit when they're sold as companions of this law requires very strict record keeping on every single animal it protects the rights of consumers when they buy an animal to know that that animal is healthy and not sick it prohibits the unlawful disposition of animals it gives the health department the state of Arkansas the authority to regulate to inspect to register these pet stores and it gives the board of health the ability to promulgate rules related to implementing the law so it's very broad and this nineteen ninety one law provides that the regulation of retail pet stores fall squarely under the jurisdiction of the state not local governments local governments obviously are prohibited from in implementing a law that conflicts with state law. So what this bill does it just makes it crystal clear by adding some very narrowly tailored preemption language the reason this is necessary is because unfortunately sometimes cities don't like what state law tells them and they decide to make it up and go their own route. That happened last year in the city of Fayetteville when they passed an ordinance requiring any retail pet store in their city to the to obtain to source their dogs and cats from the city's animal shelter or another approved rescue organization by the city. Now I don't I don't have a problem with anybody that wants to obtain a pet from an animal shelter I think that's a great thing to do my family dog grizzly that we've had for over ten years he is a rescue dog. but for the city to require the retail pet store source their animals in a way that is in contravention of state law is an over reach of local government. It would literally in this instance be impossible for the pet store to comply with both the fate bill ordinance and with the state law on retail pet stores. But aside from these concerns the type of these types of ordinances are also bad for business in our state how often do we say we want to attract jobs want to attract commerce want to grow our economy we'll this is a business that came to our state it's a national chain with over a hundred locations they were issued a business permit by the city. They spent a million dollars investing in our building in the city and then the city welcome them by passing an ordinance that was essentially designed to put him out of business. So I would ask you to vote in favor this bill because our retail pet stores are upstanding businesses in our communities the employ people they pay taxes they serve their customers and this is a doggone good bill thank you. Representative ray has explained the bill does anyone wish to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative ray is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen ninety one madam Clark prepare the machine. As everyone voted. With the voted eighty six nine zero excuse me eighty six yeah zero nay and six present the bill has passed we will now move to Senate bills madam Clark please read Senate bill two fifty four. Senate bill two fifty four by representative shows an excellent a write in candidates in elections to amend election procedures and to amend the law concerning. Representative Schultz you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you madam Speaker. Calling this bill comes to us from the election integrity group. The intent of this bill is to remove the write in candidate section. From the elections to explain a few things all right in blank only appears on the ballot when individual files as a write in candidate. Only the name of the person who filed to be that write in candidate. We'll be counted we could write in Donald Duck a thousand times. And that name would not be counted in the vote. Voters are not told. filed as the. That's why this is a trap for voters. So write in candidates are already excuse me are already prohibited prohibited in municipal elections possible elections in presidential elections all this would do was align everything together. Any person who wants a non part wants nonpartisan ballot access may file a petition and get their name on the ballot. With that I will take any questions. The N. appreciate a good vote. Representive Schulz has explained the bill does anyone wish to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative shoals is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill two fifty four madam Clark please prepare the machine. As everyone voted. With the vote of eighty five Yeas three nine a and to present the bill has passed madam Clark please read Senate bill three of seven Senate bill three oh seven by representative Bentley to create a monument to the unborn to create a monument on the State Capitol grounds and to amend the law concerning the duties of the secretary of state. Representive family you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you Speaker calling for. College as a walk around this capital we see some beautiful monuments my name's of our history and things that we need to remember. We look at the little rock nine the bravery of those students we need to remember that Arkansas was a place that The head segregation those things that we need to teach our students and to remember what happened here in Arkansas we have a moral for the World War two veterans that died here and fire firemen that died I'm a Chad daisy one of our farm that died no go there to show my grandchildren which has name is there on the morning there's things that we need to remember this state has a strong history. Big history that we have always protected the on born in our state even before we were state we're protecting the unborn here we have a long long history of that one review I just part of the common law that was part of Arkansas's law when we first became a state. With consistency beautiful and I'm deviating human life from its commitments to its close is protected by the common law. So common law started even in Arkansas we had we enacted common law when we became a state in this early is eighteen eighty five we enacted a statute to protect the unborn before quickening. Arkansas since its beginning has always protected the unborn we have never voted to support abortion in our state. In nineteen eighty eight we passed a constitutional amendment to make sure that Arkansas it is our policy to protect every unborn child from conception until birth to the extent permitted by the United States constitution. But some in nineteen seventy three what has been Arkansas's history and Arkansas law was interrupted by the Supreme Court. But that and similarly those words in his decision in nineteen twenty twenty two he came and he said that roe was deeply damaging and wrong and it was overturned and Arkansas's history get to return to what we have always done and that is to protect unborn children in our state. During those fifty years two hundred thirty six thousand young lives were taken in our state. We don't want to forget those two hundred thirty six thousand eleven that we were not able to protect journalists fifty years every single year after Rovers Oakwood roaster said in nineteen seventy three we have had March for life here because we did not forget. In nineteen seventy three. Some of you were not even born yet but during that time we didn't have an ultrasound we did have a way to show that that was a precious little baby in there but times can look at ourselves and see this baby in there and we didn't give up it's a strong history to our state that we did not give up we didn't quit we kept moving forward and it's a history that we just do not need to forget this important so this is a pretty simple bill that will allow Arkansas our Kansans to donate money to give Fund in the secretary of state's office and raise money for beautiful memorial here that we can remember those children that we were not able to protect and will not be able to forget and with that I'll take a question. Representative gene for what purpose station you're recognized riveted Bentley I appreciate what you're doing here you said you would do have private funds that you're going to be a race to build the monument yes Sir do you all have a fund also private to maintain the monument yes come yes Sir Page for the bill I make sure that was in there after our discussion in committee the other day thank you ma'am thank you Sir. Any other questions representative ray for what purpose question you're recognized represent Bailey do you know are there any renderings of this monument or do we know aesthetically what it's gonna look like it'll be under this no we don't have a story about of the secretary of state's office will approve it before it ever comes up so we'll have a chance to look at it beforehand to be something beautifully done on our precious children center be the secretary of state that makes it to secretary of state's office. With that I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Bentley has explained the bill does anyone wish to speak against the bill. Representive Unger you're recognized to speak against the bill. It pains me to do. I have no vote no on this bill and I'd like to explain why. I would ordain southern Baptist and have been in the trenches of the pro life movement for over thirty years I still in. That said this just does not feel right to me. Public memorials to our nation's wars or we face an external threat all right and proper. A memorial to an ongoing culture war we seem to be shooting at each other is not. A better way to honor lost children would be an expenditure expenditure or fund raising campaign. This supported pregnant mothers. gave aid to our broken foster system I would vote for that. Second and actually more important to me. From a Christian perspective this has the look and feel of spiking the football. It looks like gloating. The Jesus that I know whose call friend of sinners never did that. This is a matter of the heart and I would not presume to tell you how to vote I just want a chance to explain mine thank you. Representative under has spoken against the bill does anyone wish to speak for the bill. Again. Representative Wooten you're recognized to speak for the bill. They should live. Nationwide we kill sixty two. That's probably about three or four times more. War we fall. I thank and I don't know the numbers and representative Bentley may mention that when she was up here I don't know the number in Arkansas. Least we forget. What we have done. Absolute tragedy. But. The. We'll have that reminder. What we the. The building is. Representative wouldn't have spoken for the bill representative Jeremiah more you're recognized to speak against the bill. Representative Bentley I want to. In the trenches fighting for the. Members of the House I stand before you today because I feel the not need to voice my thoughts. We're serious body in our actions have serious consequences both intended and unintended. This proposed monument will have an unintended impacts to the pro life cause. As someone who is staunchly pro life. I cannot in good. For fifty years we fought a battle to protect the precious love. Some of you have been in the fight for much longer than I have and I commend you. Many of us doubted that we would ever get here. But we have finally won the legal battle to protect the most vulnerable among us here in. I couldn't be more proud for our state but now the real work begins. Now we find ourselves not in a political battle they can be one of the legislature and or in the courts now we must win the battle of hearts and minds. Now we must turn our attention to respectful productive engagement with those who disagree with this. In this fight for hearts and minds our job is to do everything we can to convince our fellow or Kansans of the justice of our cause without compromising our convictions. The pro life cause today is best served by constructive dialogue with those that do not currently see out out a I with this. In this new fight our best weapons or compassion and understanding. For the tragedies that women often times face. I believe that life is precious. But we must approach these matters of grace. This proposed monument won't bring back the two hundred and thirty six thousand babies that have been so grievously lost to abortion not a single one but will serve as a poke in the eye to all those who do not share our beliefs this monument will do nothing for the pro life cause as we move forward together it will only be used as a weapon to rally against pro life values through fund raising and stirring up anger and vitriol. The opponents of the pro life cause will claim that we are virtue signaling something that we often like to accuse him of doing. It will be a step backwards in our mission to protect the lives of the unborn and I ask you to think of the long term implications. Representative more has spoken against the bill does anyone wish to speak for the bill representative Crawford you're recognized to speak for the bill. Hello friends. My heart's broken. The hardest. When we can kill sixty three million babies in debate over a monument. The monuments paid for not government money. It is to remember. And you can S. slaves what happens when you forget. We have to remember slavery in America so it won't come back. We have to remember abortion in America. We have to remember a portion in Arkansas so it won't come back. There's no reason we cannot have a monument there's none. It is not a poke in the eye. It is a god forgive us for what we have done. It is to remember. Thanks I'm sure it will not in merry if you allow me I will say it will not. Be ugly it will not be ugly. But it will be one that depicts a life. One that can bring us together. After we've been divided. Life is precious. There's always tyrants in the world we see it today always tyrants. And I would ask that you would vote. For the public to be able to build something on the capitol grounds will not cost the government anything. And just to remember the lives that are lost so we don't go down this road. Representative Crawford has spoken for the bill does anyone wish to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Bentley. The representative Haak you're recognized to speak for the bill excuse me representative Bentley. Thank you madam Speaker I was just thinking of the memorial over in Oklahoma City I remember the day that bomb hit and the innocent people that were killed during that attack and we memorialize the innocent lives lost we think of the Holocaust and people that were lost the innocence that were killed and we want to remember so that it as has been said it won't happen again and the precious lives that were lost were innocent we're just honoring those because they didn't have a voice at the time I would like to be among the generation that rejoices that these children can now find a life and I respect my colleagues on both sides of this issue so this is not a vote about one way or the other but I would just like to say why I am voting for this bill thank you. Representative haka spoken for the bill does anyone wish to speak against the bill. For the bill. Scented Bentley you are recognized to close for your bill. Colleagues I will I'll never forget the day that we pop past the trigger bill here in Arkansas. Only pass that bill I thought lord I don't know if I'll ever be allowed to see the day that we and the slaughter of innocent children in our nation. But I was alive and I'll never forget the day when it came out that we and Rovers's way in America and the celebration that happened that day it is something to celebrate because I don't want us to forget. We did in this country. I don't forget that babies parts were sold. I will never forget the videos that I saw a baby parts and the ziplock bag being pulled out of refrigerator and talking about how expensive they can get for certain baby parts. It was a Holocaust in this nation which for got how precious human life is. And life one. It is return back to this state this state we are honored for the past three years to be called the most pro life state in the nation. It's something for us to be proud about and to speak to our children to protect life and to love each other and this mano be about loving a place where women can go in S. and remember what happened. Women that were lied to that was just a clump of cells. Men that were applied to it's a chance for healing in our state and our hope for a good vote thank you. Representative Bentley's has closed for the bill the M. question before the House is the passage of Senate bill three oh seven prepare the machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. With a vote of sixty eight nineteen nay and eleven present the bill has passed. Represent more for what purpose motion let's hear motion motion that we expunge house bill fifteen nineteen. Represent more moves we expunge the vote by which house bill fifteen nineteen failed that's proper motion is debatable represent more your. Thank you Mr Speaker R. J. Harkins a really good friend of mine and initially I voted no on this bill and. I would really like to hear. Further explanation as to why. S'mores explain The motion when he would like to speak against the motion represent Pilkington you're recognized speak against the motion. I think we spend ample amount of time on this bill today we heard many speeches for and against purpose of pop was able to present it was able to call me on the wellness clothes and I think it's more very only got thirty four yes votes I think let's just let this lie with a lot of work to do no need to explain his vote let's move on to more important matters thank you. President Clinton spoke against the motion we would like to speak. For the motion. We would like to speak against the motion. President more is close for the motion the question before the House is the expungement of the vote by which house bill fifteen nineteen failed all in favor say aye. Those opposed. The noes have it. I only see three hands Manafort please read. Senate bill. Two seventy three. Two seventy three by representative recommended to amend election law concerning polling sites and some in the location of a sentence. Represent my community recognized to explain the bill. It's tough down here today. Fortunately this is an easy bill so this is house bill or to the Senate bill two seventy three it basically clarifies locations for run off polling sites it allows for a run off polling sites to have meaningful polling locations which are determined by the geography of the run off area is a common sense bill that allows the most voters to have access to run off ballots during the runoff election are there any questions on the bill. And I ask for a good vote. Represent mac wanted explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. CEMAC when it is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill two seventy three per machine madam Clark. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot madam Clerk by a vote of ninety three eight zero nine zero president bills passed Madam fork please read Senate bill two sixty seven to sixty seven by representative Kasich ran for the criminal detention facility review committee and the office of criminal detention facilities review coordinator to the department of public safety and to declare an emergency representantes you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker college what this bill does it moves the criminal detention facility review committee out from under the department of corrections and over to the public safety department of corrections is in agreement with this transition as long as as well as the public safety everybody's agreed only and with that I'd take any questions. Appreciate a good vote thank you. Representive Tosh is explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anybody like to speak for the bill representation's close for the bill the question before the House is passed Senate bill two sixty seven per machine madam Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. Man thirty five of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero president bill emergency clause have passed madam Clark please read Senate bill three forty three three forty three by representative will make to repeal the law concerning a written report on cost savings by cabinet level departments resume Womack you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker of members this bill very simply repeals a law concerning a written report on cost savings by cabinet level departments as a result of the transformation I think it's impaired of the notice that the guy that the Senator Hammer is the one that where this original legislation came from it was his idea he is also the guy that is reason I did this cancellation of it and the truth of the matter is the father we move from transformation the less. Ability there is to tell how much if any cost savings there were we have. Lawful purpose. West. So are you conceding that there was no cost savings and transformation are you think there was a now it's played out I mean give me some reasons why we would do away with this at this point well the the reason to do away with that is one inflation changes the way things look into the the further we get from it it's harder to know whether it was a change due to two of the transformation or due to changes in leadership or you know how inflation is affect those numbers follow up. So inflation's going to give us cost savings it looked like that would give us cost not cost savings correct correct which is what makes it hard to determine what was actually cost savings and what is just due to environmental conditions economic conditions and. No there's no no opposition to the bill and I appreciate a good vote. President Womack is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent's Womack is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor Senate bill three forty three prepared machine madam Clark. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast a ballot madam Clerk by voted eighty nine yeas to nays and one present the bill is passed and for. Senate bill sixty six by representative Michael in and to create the protection of minors from distribution of harmful material act to establish liability for the publication of distribution of material harmful to minors of the internet and to require reasonable age verification person Michael in your. All right thank you colleagues I present use it with Senate bill sixty six it is a pretty straightforward bill it's protection of minors act is designed to help prevent minors from logging on through online **** sites data show that a third of children under twelve are exposed to **** ninety percent of them come across it because they Google the word either by accident or out of curiosity. Currently it is easier for children to log on to a print out of the website that it is to log on to Budweiser dot com we're all they can see there are beer bottles. This bill puts just a little bit of a gateway between our children and adult entertainment Louisiana has already enacted this bill and it is currently in session before six other states as a result we are seeing the major **** websites put in third party authenticators voluntarily at their expense to help prevent our children from gaining access. Yes colleagues it is incumbent upon parents to protect their own children but is also our job as a legislature to put some guardrails in place to help. Doctors that never testified before Congress that **** addiction as chemically identical it is chemically identical to heroin addiction. Children who were repeatedly exposed to porn develop distorted views of relationships and sexuality they go on to impact their adult relationships in even their ability to hold jobs. We all know that the internet can be an endless buffet of debauchery. But if we can do something to prevent a few children. Then we should do our job thank you. I have any questions I'll be happy to. That ask for a good vote. President mac one is. Against the bill represent makes you're recognized because. Thank you Mr Speaker you all are probably surprised that I'm down here speak against this bill because I love the intent of this bill a lot worse going and I agree that those concerns are definitely out there but is your technology chair I would be remiss if I didn't come in come down and explain some of the possible secondary effects of this our first off if we pass this law in Arkansas it will have no impact on any business that is not actually doing business with Arkansas so when Arkansas law we can't force a business based in California Louisiana Michigan to follow this law. My biggest concern is this is this bill requires that for access to the sites that Arkansas citizens give over their driver's license and other easily identifiable information and as we all know the vast majority of these sites are not always reputable. So by putting this law in place are we creating an excuse for these websites that may and many times are not even located in our country. To put up a portal. Requiring an Arkansas citizens to give their personally identifiable data now the bill dictates that they delete that data but because our laws don't apply in those areas. We have no way to ensure that is taking place what kind of quality controls are in place so are we setting our citizens We're giving over their driver's license and all this other identifiable data then it could be used in identity theft. So while I highly support what the bill does. I don't know how effective it's going to be and my concern is is we're creating an opportunity for the identities that often this handling of data from our Kansans and so. I'm really conflicted about this bill I want to put that out there so you can all make your informed decisions. President makes a spoken against. Thank you Mr Speaker. A couple of quick things I just want to share is that common sense media did a survey and found that the average age that children unwanted exposure to **** was twelve years of age fifteen percent of those children were first exposed to **** by the age of ten years or younger. secondary effects of **** addiction in the harm that has on children released a report from the American Bar Association states that **** harms children in that it normalizes the viewing of sexual harm. Remote's aggression towards women Scheetz negative attitudes and behaviors towards women among many others including the effects on healthy intimate relationships later on in life and it can lead to additional addictions so in overall I just want to say that I am going to be voting for this bill and if there are any imperfections discovered after the fact let's fix them I think we should do all that we can to protect children from having their minds damaged and warped and it was said by representative macalin didn't the addiction to **** and what the scans and the brains show is it is almost identical to drug addiction like heroin and we need to do anything we can to prevent that from happening to the children in this state thank you appreciate a good vote. Represent Rosa spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill represent Collins you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I this is not really a substantive issue with the concept of the bill but I talk with representative Macklin about the free serious under unintended consequence in the definition of material harmful to minors which is the trigger for everything that's required in this bill all the age gating and all that. It has three facts and they should be separated by an aunt but instead they're separated by an or and I think if if that. Four were changed to and it would you know this would be no issue but as it stands material harmful to minors means the material taken as a whole lack serious literary artistic political and scientific value for minors and that is so broad and that that is basically any entertainment that doesn't have any redeeming artistic political or artistic value you would have to sign in and be over eighteen access well that doesn't make any sense I don't think anyone wants to say that I mean maybe some do but SpongeBob you have to you know log in and be over eighteen a simple game a game that is appropriate for children doesn't have redeeming artistic value or political value and so that would be picked up here by this bill I don't think that's really intended but it hasn't been changed and I think with that this is a bill that's going to have a lot unintended consequences and go way further than probably anyone really intense thank you. Represent Collins spoke against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent Macklin you're recognized close for the bill. Thank you someone address just a couple things that were brought up first I did speak with a representative Collins and I did make some of the changes that he asked me to make to the bill to make it stronger I read the changes by the AG's office in the AG did not feel like that last change was necessary so I did not make it. currently anything that you put on the internet any time you log on to anything anytime you log into your bank any time you get your new card tax any of those things are gonna be subject to identity theft so yes you should be aware what websites you go to absolutely you should be protected by their information this bill doesn't require that only a driver's license you can use another form of ID you don't have to put your driver's license out there. Also what we have found is that the major **** websites are voluntarily putting this in place in because it is being looked at and so many different states those websites are looking at doing it across the nation so you are correct you cannot just regulate anything coming into Arkansas but these websites recognize where this is headed and they're already putting that in place to try to protect children from **** access these a lot of these third party sites are reputable. The ones that we have looked at are doing work for groups like NASA and for TSA so these are groups that know how to take the information and they know how to delete it there is a cause of action if it is not deleted that someone could take additionally it is a third party website so it is not connected directly to the website that you were trying to access so if that information got out there it's only related to that third party authenticator not to the website that you were accessing. with that I would ask that you would do everything that we can do to protect our children we do protect them from alcohol from drugs to cigarettes because of their age because their children they can't make good decisions this should be no different and this is actually as dangerous if not more dangerous to our children so with that I ask for a good vote thank you. Represent Macklin is close for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate bill sixty six per machine. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast a ballot for. Fourteen present the bill is passed man Clark please read Senate bill to see. Two eighty. Senate bill two eighty by representative Lanny Fite to amend the law concerning the creation and duties of the Arkansas ethics commission to amend the portions of initiated act one of nineteen ninety initiated act one of nineteen ninety six. Represent but you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker Senate bill two eighty is a brought to you by the ethics commission thanks the ethics commission recognized me. As required to adjust the campaign contribution limits every two years for inflation this change removes the outdated out in the code and keeps the code from having to be amended every two years the it is not a third discretion to do this they do it by the Federal CPI formular okay sections two three and four the changes as statues already under the ethics commission jurisdiction to the list of staff statues set forth in this enabling legislation section five a fine for violating seven dash one dash one fourteen shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars that's for violating the twelve inch by twelve inch sign on your vehicle campaign sign on your vehicle on the capitol grounds in section six it requires the independent expenditure committees to mere the reporting dates of the candidates for who for or against whom they are spending money against. In section seven it clarifies the paid for by language on two sided campaign signs are required to be on both sides section eight this change of follows the Arkansas code which makes is unlawful for a person to file for office run for office or hold office if they have been convicted of a crime a public trust requires the the complaint alleged violation on this provision to include a court records reflecting the public trust in question and section nine this section establish an effective date for the changes in seven the the paper or by sign this November twenty third. I'll to entertain any questions. I appreciate a good vote. Person files explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent fight is close for the bill the question before the House is passive Senate bill two eighty prepared machine ma'am Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about madam Clerk. By a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed I'm Clark please read Senate bill three twenty three three twenty three by representative shall submit the secretary of the department of labor licensing to designate a person to serve on his or her behalf on the elevators. Thank you Mr Speaker members this is the last time you have to look at me today. This is the simplest one we've done today currently in Arkansas we have an elevator safety board that is comprised of six members. The way the wording is on this now the secretary of labor themselves has to serve on this board all this seeks to do is insert the words for his. Officials explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Like to speak for the bill represents shelters close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill three twenty three per machine metaphor. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about madam Clerk by the ninety six C. A. zero nine zero president. The bill is passed man Clark please read Senate bill three. In about three forty four by representative Johnson to require posting a written notice that attacking a healthcare professional is a felony and to allow the healthcare professional to use a work address reporting certain offenses. Ferguson Johnson you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues right now in the state of Arkansas is a felony to assault a healthcare worker this bill just requires a healthcare facilities to put up signage recognizing that fact and I'd be happy to try to answer any questions. Represent brown for what purpose. I stand you're recognized. With that would your legislation have the same impact. Yes the way I believe the legislation is where is the healthcare worker not specific and certainly a healthcare workers as defined as I understand it statue would include paramedics EMTs nurses. In no further questions appreciate a good vote thank you represent Johnson is explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill represent Johnson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill three forty four per machine matter. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about man for by a vote of ninety forty eight zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Manafort please read Senate bill one twelve anyone wants welfare centre Pilkington to address physician assistants to be identified as a treating provider for insurance bill into claims and claims into bill and receive payment for providing healthcare services. Continue recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this bill's pretty simple and create the rendering provider status for physician assistants which creates a billing record for the cases with the scene there's no opposition to this bill we work with the medical society so everyone's good with that yeah this currently don't supervise president physician's permission and really this is being requested by the PA association so there's incentive to work here in Arkansas and it's already being done in other states doesn't change what they can bill for it doesn't change what they can do it doesn't change or scope at all it's basically just have in a way that we can see what the PA's are doing when they're offering under a position that as forget that thank you president Pilkington is explain the bill would anyone like to speak. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Looking as close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one twelve per machine ma'am Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about my own Clark by a vote of ninety three eight zero nine zero present the bill is passed and Clark please read Senate bill ninety one ninety one by representative Charlene Fite established ideology in speech language pathology interstate compact in Arkansas. Thank you Mr Speaker Senate bill ninety one is the last of the three health care contacts that have been considered by the House this session this includes the occupational therapist compact and the counseling compact both of which are now on the governor's desk Senate bill ninety one passed the Senate and house public health committee and the Senate without a dissenting vote it's a cooperative agreement enacted into law by participating states to ensure that those states communicate and exchange information including verification of licensure and disciplinary sanctions for those audiologist and speech language pathologist who the tainted privilege to practice in the participating state the compact will allow participating Arkansas specialist to expand their reach and to any of the compact states and will benefit our Kansans by providing greater options to receive these essential healthcare services this compact has been adopted by twenty three states including every surrounding state and is currently under consideration in three other states is supported by the state national speech an audiologist associations and by the US department of defense I am honored to be co sponsor of this along with senators Hammer Boyd in love and my house colleagues representative Pilkington Eubanks Denise Garner and chairman Lee Johnson and I appreciate a good vote on Senate bill ninety one. Thank you. Person files explain the bill would anyone like to speak. We would like to speak for the bill. President fight is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill ninety one. Per machine. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast a ballot Manafort by a vote of ninety two yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Represent Meeks what purpose. Motion place what's your motion after the announcmenet for you know the bills transferring the bill's place of the counters on the desk members amending their own bills from members members of drawing their own bills finalized resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move that we adjourn until one thirty tomorrow afternoon. That's proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it any announcements represent what. You're recognized thank you personnel committee meeting in the morning at eight o'clock and big mac a. Represent Fortner for purpose. You're recognized ACT will meet tomorrow morning at ten o'clock represent fight for what purpose that's what you're recognized city county local will meet at nine AM and big mac B. tomorrow. President Barker for purpose announcmenet you're recognized aging children you for meet in the morning at ten in room one thirty resembling FOR purpose announcmenet you're recognized House Management will meet in ten minutes and room one thirty eight representantes for what purpose but you're recognized state agencies ten AM in the morning room one five one percent off what purpose you're recognized at tomorrow morning will be prayer caucus and the Supreme Court raiment seven AM and rules will meet tomorrow at noon represent Maddox for what purpose now spent you're recognized Insurance and Commerce meet at ten o'clock in the morning represent eleven four purpose announcmenet you're recognized House education will meet tomorrow afternoon big mac a upon adjournment. Any other announcements. The desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion of the