House Convenes

And by the members staff press and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by pastor sep Tucker the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville and guests of represent Mark Perry. And remain standing for the pledge of allegiance be led by representative Lane Jean. Thank you Mr Speaker if you all will join me in prayer. God we a we praise you because you're good you're good to us the way that you care for our needs and the needs of the state are evident in the way that things just take place in what I want to thank you so much for this great state of Arkansas I want to thank you for these men and women that choose to serve the state I pray lord that you would bless them. I pray that you'll bless their families that sacrificed so much. Thank god I pray that you would bless them with wisdom and discernment and ward above all else we pray that your will would be done in Arkansas as it is in heaven it's in Christ's name we pray amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing yellow present button prepare the machine matter Mr Clark. Cast a ballot matter Mr Clark. With ninety eight members present chairs is a quorum are there any request for leave represent Fortner for what purpose leave you're recognized leave a representative Deborah Ferguson is leave granted for RepresentativeHouse person. So noted representive off what purpose leave you're recognized leave for representative acre is leave grant president Baker. So noted. Representative Jeffrey Wardlaw moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal without objections so ordered are there Reports from select committees are Reports from standing committees is there any unfinished business are there any executive communication. Members we do have a few guests with us today in the north gallery against a representative eaves we have the Arkansas athletic trainers association. Mr Clark please read House resolution ten thirty four. Houses in ten thirty four per cent Milligan recognize the riverside Hyrule's boys tennis team for winning the class two A. state tennis tournament. Thank you Mr Speaker today I'm here to bring you know House resolution ten thirty four this state knowledge the riverside tennis boys tennis team or set up here in the east gallery other one the station's championship in twenty twenty two of. They are led by coach Terry Connor and Scott Duncan coach got Duncan Because Connor stated this year's team consists of eleven young men that compete in various other sports at the school they represent have athletes that are hardworking determined dedicated to the sport it is an honor to coach the young man and watch them compete. Mr I'm originator of quick alleged Gunthorpe go stand up when I say your name. Allowed to govern Thorton same a clear Logan ridge two is my cousin second cousin of bright brass Antium Jackson Thames Jacob Tipton Dennis Williams says K. out to is not here but that the secretary ward's nephew agriculture ward's nephew care to make an alley Thatcher's Irvin cash Gillis Hey Samak NO a inset counts for the ones they would buy one the doubles state championship this year and before we I'd like to also say aye it's going to embarrass him is going to make you mad at me but missed Connors would you stand up. Mr Scott Mr Connors we're not gonna talk about his age but I graduated in seventy was my teacher. So. But Mr Connors is it I'm not gonna go through the accolades I've got a normal rhythm all but he's been coaching these tennis and and everything he has got to thirty state championship. Mr Speaker would you have the Clerk read the resolution by title only please Mr Clark please read the resolution by title only. To recognize the riverside high school rebels boys tennis team for winning the state class two A. state tennis tournament represent millions explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution represent million is close for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house resolution ten thirty four all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it resolutions passed. Mr Clark please read house concurrent resolution one thousand nine. Resolution one thousand I'm a representative used to designate the month of March is national athletic training month. Surveys you're recognized explain the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker members I bring a resolution decide this morning for the national athletic training month that's held in March of each year to spread awareness about important work or athletic trainers do the Arkansas athletic trainers association for example was founded in nineteen eighty seven with the mission to maintain high professional standards support member education and to serve as advocates for the physically active in Arkansas they're just over four hundred certified athletic trainers in the State of Arkansas their multi skilled health care professionals who provide treatment to the right if athletic populations in collaboration with positions they provide peace of mind and reduce risk through emergency preparedness and injury assessment they also provide rehabilitation to injured athletes most recently the Legislative basketball teams we have a group in the north gallery so I appreciate a good vote. President eaves explained resolution we would like to speak against the resolution. What is the my once before the resolution. Representatives's close for the resolution question before the House the passage of house concurrent resolution one thousand nine all in favor say aye. Any opposed resolutions passed. Mr Clark please read house concurrent resolution ten ten. House resolution ten ten recognized lieutenant colonel Harold Chapman for his dedication and sacrifices made on behalf of the United States president Crawford you're recognized it's plain resolution. Mr Speaker hello friends could I have the Sebastian County delegation come down here with me please. B. Johnson there you are okay. Is J. here Jay Richardson. We're here today to remember lieutenant colonel Chaffin. He's from Sebastian County in March the twenty six twenty twenty three will be that eightieth anniversary of his disappearance. He was the first US Air Force to fly World War two. the four engine airplane into Fort Smith a kind of global that didn't. he delivered general macarthur to the Philippines in World War two reported missing in action in the South Pacific in nineteen forty three. And Chaffin junior high which I guess is middle school now in our area was named after his dad Mr Speaker would you ask the Clerk to read. The resolution in its entirety please. Mr Clark please read the resolution in its entirety. Resolution Colonel hair tefan was born on November twenty eighth nineteen thirteen and Sebastian County and we're as lieutenant colonel Hill tough and enter the United States Air army air forces to serve during World War two and completed flight school at Kelly field in Texas and whereas during the World War two lieutenant colonel Chaffin two A. B. seventeen flying forges becoming one twelve in flying B. seventeen into well who during the attack on Pearl Harbor and whereas during the attack you can I mean it's a landing at an extremely damage to compute going on to land his B. seventeen hello Petty Y. airfield in your field meant only for fire fighter planes where is this extraordinary leaving merited being ordered this Distinguished Flying Cross and general Douglas McArthur bestow upon lieutenant colonel Chapman and one other pilot and resolution across half and continue to serve the United States in the war I would if I quit Carter from the Philippines and he was later deployed to port to port wine boards be opening any in March nineteen forty three and west on March to March twenty sixth nineteen forty three lieutenant colonel Chapman was couple of the B. seventeen flying fortress forge's number forty one deaths to twenty four thirty eight for Pluto and also on board as pilot was the commanding general of the V. Bomber Command brigadier general Howard K. Remy Division of the aircraft that they wish to carry on scheduled seven hour reconnaissance flight and we're up in horn island whereas last communication ever heard from their country as a message for the radio operator twenty minutes after take off an extensive every search was conducted but no sign was ever found of the aircraft or the twelve men on board were as all persons on board of their contribution to be clear dead on November nineteenth nineteen forty five or as everyone on the flight was mysteriously award of the Purple Heart after officially being declared killed in action on November nineteenth nineteen forty five March twenty six twenty twenty three will be the eightieth anniversary of the disappearance of lieutenant colonel Chapman and it is important to under the memory of one of many served in World War two now therefore be it resolved in the House represent. The ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas the Senate currently there and that the house of representatives and concurring recognized lieutenant colonel hello Chaffin president occasion sacrifices on behalf of the United States. Well I will close for this resolution as for a good vote and remember because of our veterans because of those who serve now and because of those who lost their lives we are free to do what we do in this house thank you. The property is explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Represent properties close resolution the question before the House is passage of house concurrent resolution ten ten all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution passes. Members of we have another special guest with this today we have represent Hudson's daughter Sadie who is paging with us today. What other CS all right over here. Morning hour is indeed represent Johnson recommends we concurrence Senate Amendment number one to House Bill eleven twenty eight Madam. Mr Clark please read Senate Amendment number one. Senate NO one house bill eleven twenty eight AM Johnson you're recognized to explain Amendment number one this man is just adding Senate co sponsor representative about thank you represent Johnson explained the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment would anyone like to speak for the amendment president Johnson's close for the amendment question before the House the concurrence of Senate Amendment number one to House Bill Levin twenty eight per machine Matt Mr Clark. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast a ballot Mr Clark by a vote of ninety eights one day and to present you concurred in the Senate amendment over one house bill eleven twenty eight. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen seventy five. Also fourteen thirty five hours is a baby try to find the intangible personal property of self service storage facility that is exempt from property taxes and requires county assessor to provide an explanation related to a taxpayer's intangible personal property. President baby recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members the purpose of house bill fourteen seventy five is ensure that non real estate assets the in tangible personal property are excluded from property tax assessments of self storage facilities. House Bill fourteen seventy five clarifies what items are considered in tangible personal property respect to self storage properties and would help achieve fair consistent real estate property assessments the bill also would require a written information be provided to the taxpayer upon request of what intangible personal property was excluded or included in the calculation with that members how it is all agreed upon language there is one amendment that will be made on the Senate in. to remove eight words from page two of the bill it was agreed upon in committee we had a consensus and center deals going to take care of that owns and enforce so my apologies to representative makes early on but this is to help expedite the process and move it three so I do I said I would I would do that from the way only not with that members I'd appreciate a good vote. Represent babies explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Representative Beatty is close for the bill the question before the House is passed house bill fourteen seventy five prepare the machine Mr Clark. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Bubble ninety forty eight zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Members I believe we may have some more guest with this today. Never mind they're not. Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen eleven. Possible to deliver representative Scott Richardson to create Charlie's law and to require electronic child safety alarm system be installed in the school bus represent rich Richardson you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker so colleagues I bring for for you today what's going to be referred to as Charles Lawson in that we pass around this chamber and get that agreement on the other end this is a bill that was brought to me by a constituent associated with the young man who was left on a school bus and apparently in Benton County the young man was left there for almost four hours this was a kindergartner obviously this is a big issue in his parents of of a small child and small children in a kindergarten actually this year I can only imagine that the the difficulty that that child head of the C. wasn't able to get out of the bus except there didn't know what he was supposed to do and spend a significant amount of time and obviously in a lot of anguish so currently in Arkansas rules we have a rule that states that all of our school buses should. Should have these devices these devices are designed to require a school bus driver after the engine is turned off on a on a school bus to walk to the rear of the bus and to press a button the button causes the or disarm the system so an alarm doesn't sound if the button isn't pushed within a specific period of time of course large alarm sounds and everyone that's in the immediate area what would notice that the bus had not been checked for any children that remain that's already in the rules unfortunately as we've seen we we haven't quite implemented that in our in our school buses across the state so what this bill will give school buses to have those devices installed which are fairly low cost about a hundred and seventy five dollars each by twenty twenty nine which is a an extended period and would require any newly acquired school buses purchased to have those devices installed upon purchase so simple bill without I'm happy take any questions. The nine I'd appreciate a good vote. Representive Richardson is explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Richardson is. Close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen eleven prepared machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark I have a ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill one thousand seven. Also one thousand summer representative Huntington to authorize pharmacists to dispense H. of a HIV pre exposure and post exposure prophylaxis. Representative will continue recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker today seven for you to make a strong case farms of the Arkansas should be authorized to dispense HIV pre exposure posted post exposure prophylaxis as with many of us now As Chevys a serious public health concern with millions of people across the world thanks with the virus and thousands in Arkansas despite advanced treatments and advanced treatments many people still face significant barriers to accessing care that they need and this is especially true in our rural areas where access to medical can medical care can be limited however there's a solution that we can do to help improve a difference and that's authorizing pharmacists to dispense HIV pre exposure and post exposure prophylaxis This is been done in other states and we're simply what we're doing is just allowing of a when someone has an exposure being able to go directly to the pharmacist to get get this medical medication if they needed There's no opposition to this bill medical societies okay with that farm to size okay with that and I think this will do a lot of good for our struggling population in Arkansas that have been exposed to HIV potentially expose Chevy one of the great things This pap which is the pre exposure using that medication early on can reduce the chance of transmitting HIV up into the ninety percents and those on post exposure through a constant you constant constant regiment of that medication can actually limit their chance of contracting HIV than ninety nine percent so help us to route a Kate this terrible disease in Arkansas and vote yes on house bill ten oh seven thank you. President Polk does explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Pilkington is closed for the bill the question before the house passed house bill one thousand seven prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast a ballot Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero president bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve six. House little sixty one by representative Johnson to enact the Arkansas triage treat and transport to an alternative destination acting mandate insurance coverage for an ambulance service to triage treat and transport a patient to an alternative destination Ferguson Johnson you're recognized explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker at college this is one of the bills that I'm really excited to present at the session this is a bill that has a real opportunity to innovate how we care for patients on the frontline there are endless services so currently in the state of Arkansas in other places as well the only way in a public service gets reimbursed for a nine one one call is if they go to the House pick up the patient and take them to an emergency room so there's no pathway for them to take someone to any alternate destination like an urgent care clinic or that the behavioral health center the only way they get paid as they take them to any are many times as well able to show up in in in fact it's about a third of the time on nine one one calls emails will show up in take care of the patient on the scene and not even transports the patient in that scenario they don't get paid at all so what this bill does is it creates the pathway for able to services to be paid not only to treat a person in place but also to transport them to an alternate destination the stipulation for this is that they have to have a telehealth interaction for a medically related complaint with the physician this telephone or action complies with all of our current Teleflora but it does have the distal Carmen of face to face visit these are people to call nine one one because they thought they were having an emergency and I think it's important at the outset of this program to have a face to face interaction with the physician on scene in other places where these programs have been instituted as much as seventy percent of the time physicians have been able to treat these patients in place and avoid an unnecessary trip to the emergency department in other cases they're able to interact with the medicament the season jointly to not take the to an emergency room but maybe to an urgent care so maybe you were doing your dishes and catcher fan. You're and you're really scared riding call nine one one in the English shows up in the inputs provided the medic on scene looks at your hand yes no that's probably doesn't need emerges revisit will right now they're only paid if they put you in the you know he was taking the R. this would give them the opportunity to interact with the physician who could look at the cat and make the assessment maybe this doesn't need stitches at all maybe just to be updated we keep you there maybe the stitches but we can take you to an urgent care an off load the burden that we currently see an emergency department with patients that could be treated other places the other thing I'm excited about this bill opens the door for the opportunity to treat a behavior health crisis at the scene as well with someone that was a behavioral specialist so currently and and again we use a third about a third of nine one one calls the come to the system or behavioral health related and right now the only option we have is to send an ambulance of a policeman a fireman Right now if an English as upon the scene the only choice they have is to either put them in the M. S. and taken to the emergency department or just leave them there this bill creates the pathway for them to have a face to face interaction to tell health with the behavioral specialist who might be able to treat and manage the situation on the scene you might in the future bill connecting some centralized call system that could divert the patient to an appropriate facility that's in the community whether that's one of our thank you crisis units or or or some other facility locally at this gives in that pathway to take them somewhere besides jail or an a or a hospital it's not yet I'm really excited about this bill this is innovative this is going to be a new pathway pressing the state to look at trying to treat people in a different way and I'd be happy to try to answer any questions about this bill. Seeing no questions I appreciate your vote thank you Ferguson Johnson explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill president Watson you're recognized speak for. Thank you Mr Speaker recognized of. I am happy about this piece of legislation this is sorely needed this is been needed for many many years Amit Services seems like to make it they could just take so much only regret I have this bill to wasn't done several several years ago but I appreciate a good vote on this is very much needed for the state of Arkansas thank you. Represent Watson a spokesman for the building would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Johnson it's close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve sixty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone votes. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. I voted ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Members we have two doctors of the day today first we have former representative Dr gene shall be of hot springs whose against represent McCullough and we also have Dr Justin white of Little Rock in cap against a representative eleven. And our nursing days miss Brenda you. We also now have with this students from. Judy school guests of represent Walker. Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen fifty seven. House bill thirty fifty seven by representative talks to amend the law concerning the confidentiality of certain records related to the coroner's investigation. Representantes you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues during a criminal investigation especially one wore a death has occurred there's three main major components in that investigation it your crime lab or your medical examiner it's the law enforcement part of the investigation and as the corners report under current law under the freedom of information the medical examiner the crime lab hand the law enforcement investigation is protected as long as that case is active and it's only going and last year I found out that the coroner's report which is identical part of that component of that complete law of that investigation is not protected and so what this bill would do it will bring the corners report under that same umbrella and give it the same protection as long as that case is active and ongoing that we do to the medical examiner and to law enforcement and this is extremely important because we we we don't want information be improved prematurely released that could jeopardize an individual's ride from receiving a fair trial and also that something that could the attack the integrity of the law enforcement investigation and we worked really hard on this bill since this was brought to my attention and I just appreciate appreciate the import input and support from the from the crime lab from the sheriff's association from the chief of police from the state police from the association of Arkansas counties from the prosecuting attorney's office from the corners Association and from the press association also appreciate the endorsement is for the governor's office colleagues there is no known opposition to this bill and with that I'll take any questions. J. none I appreciate a good vote thank you. Representantes has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Tosh is close for his bill. The question for the house of the passage of. House Bill fifteen fifty seven. Per the machine Mr Clark. Has everybody voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six J. zero Nays zero present your bill has passed. Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen seventeen. House fifteen seventeen representative enters to separate the offices of share of serving tax collector in Washtenaw county and consolidate the offices of tax collector and county treasurer and was talking to. Represent Manders you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Speaker colleagues I bring to you today House Bill fifteen seventeen a pretty simple bill passed unanimously in committee. Everyone's a critic I know right. So also County Board what we want to do is take the tax collector of away from the sheriff's office and gives the treasurer other counties do this is five other counties operate this way a Lafayette County Pulaski County special council Johnson under counties also operate this way in Washoe county you know the self Arkansas will have robust economy like plastic county so we can afford a standalone tax collector so what we want to just move tax collector to the treasurer's office of the sheriff he has offices across town at the jail where is the treasures office is just across the hall from the collector's office so it's easier for the treasurer to supervise those collector employees. So this will take effect until two twenty twenty seven the next county official for your term collections in twenty six will take effect in twenty seven and with that I'll take questions Mr Speaker. If not appreciate a good vote. Reserve Anders has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Reserve enters as close for his bill. Question for the item is the passage of house bill fifteen seventeen. Where the machine Mr Clerk. Everybody voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six J. zero Nays zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen twenty five. How fourteen twenty five a representative mark very to update the military kind of Arkansas. You're recognized reserve bear thank you Mr Speaker Mr Speaker this just to clean up bill and updates the military code of Arkansas which is the the military's legal handbook in a clarifies the licensing for judge advocates and who can participate as a military judge or trial counsel but probably more than anything it takes the removes the term gentleman from the punitive offense of conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman so that terms gentleman will be removed and I'll take any questions. Seeing none I appreciate a good vote thank. Represent represent berry has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President parity was to close for your bill. President Buhari's close first bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen twenty five. Per the machine Mr Clerk. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six J. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen sixty two. Also fourteen sixty two represent representative Scott to amend the law concerning use in foster care and to certify unaccompanied homeless youth. Good morning colleagues sorry. Okay House Bill fourteen sixty two let me tell you just a little bit about how this bill came about last year Speaker Shepherd selected my cell representative audit and representative Brooks to participate in a foster care and homeless youth fellowship so we met with policy experts and colleagues from all around the country to figure out ways that we can better support the youth in our state so this bill as a result of all that work House Bill fourteen sixty two clarifies the definition of unaccompanied homeless youth in our state they're currently not clearly define in law and are often lumped up and other groups this bill clarifies that and unaccompanied homeless youth is a young person who is between the ages of sixteen to twenty two years of age and if not in the physical custody of a parent or a guardian including a youth who is a runaway who has run away from home or have been forced to leave his or her home or have parents who have left the area or they have been left behind simply put these kids are young adults on their own and this matches the national definition of homeless youth during the ninety third General Assembly we pass legislation to create the homeless in foster care liaison at the college campuses this bill house bill fourteen sixty fourteen sixty two will help us provide support to our parks to care and homeless youth with the basic documents that they need to go to school to get jobs and to contribute to our society this bill will waive the fees for the prosecutor in unaccompanied homeless youth to get the government ID to get their driver's license to get their birth certificates and to obtain their transcripts if I don't know if the at a public institution the. This bill will help us identify the youth who really need our support in this state and I would appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Rep represent Scott is explained the bill. Anyone like to speak against the bill. Then when I speak for the bill. Representative Scott would you like to close for your bill. Just got as close for a bill the question before the House is the passage of H. B. fourteen sixty two. Where the machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. Because of the ballot Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six days zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark please read H. B. fifteen twenty five. Hustle fifteen twenty five a representative Hodges to amend the definition of rebates As used in the business of insurance and to modify the minimum threshold value of token gifts in the business of insurance. Thank you Mr Speaker. I wonder if I was gonna get the freshman whistles here. Then I made the freshman moving came up here to correct so I deserve it. All right colleagues. This is one of you know is kind of my favorite bills this bill came to me from a constituent of concern that he shared with me he's a State Farm agent has a office in my district. And we talked last year when I met him at campaigning he shared with me that for his business he does if you kind of small promotional things throughout the year and gives away little gifts but he told me that the state limited him to only twenty five dollars for those little gifts and yeah that was a captain he was hitting you know. Very quickly especially with inflation and things like that twenty five dollar limit was too low so once I got down here for session I reached out to the insurance department. And I what they told me is that this is a bulletin and the Department and it's it's several decades old it's very outdated and the Department said they get about as many calls on this issue as as anything else and so they welcomed an opportunity to clarify this in the law and so what H. B. fifteen twenty five does is simply clarifies that these token gifts or rebates as they're called in the law are allowed in it raises it from twenty five dollars for it is in the bulletin into law at a hundred dollars the insurance department supports the bill also spoke with the independent insurance agents of Arkansas clear sign they were good with the bill and nobody had contacted me in opposition and there was no opposition or anyone speaking against in committee so I would appreciate a good vote. Hodges explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Hodges is close for his bill. The question before the House is passage of. H. B. fifteen twenty five per the machine Mr Clark. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty As to nays three present HB fifteen twenty five is passed. Mr Clark please read H. B. fifteen thirty two. Also thirty thirty two by representative Hodges to amend the law concerning charitable organizations and to modify the requirements concerning annual financial reports of charitable organizations represent Hodges recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this bill will help some of our smaller charities it came to me from the business office and secretary of state's office in it addresses the annual financial reports that are filed with secretary of state's office. So does three things it raises the threshold of total contributions from where the law is currently at five hundred thousand dollars to one million dollars for charitable organization to be required to file but an annual audited financial statements. an independent CPA will still have to review their financial records but they will no longer have to file the the full audited financial statement which will help reduce their costs because those financial reports can cost of between ten and twelve thousand dollars so really reduce expenses for some of our smaller charities the second changes give secretary of state the option to grant a second extension for filing these reports to give them an additional three months if the charity requested in writing which would align with what the IRS currently does for charities of financial reports and then lastly it increases the contribution exemption for entities for twenty five thousand dollars where it is currently in the low to fifty thousand dollars this leaves the burden on many small local charities like volunteer fire departments school fundraisers and animal shelters and also aligns with the IRS requirements that's on form nine ninety which is fifty thousand dollars or more I said Rosenbaum with secretary of state's office spoke for the bill in committee again no one contacting opposition there was no opposition in committee so I appreciate a good vote to reduce some of the red tape and allow these charities to spend more of their funds on the good work that they're doing. President Hodges explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak. President Hodges close for the bill the question before the House the passage of house bill fifteen thirty to prepare the machine. Everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clerk by above ninety six C. A. zero nine zero president bill is passed members for Passover house bill eleven twenty one Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen fifty eight. House Bill fifty fifty a representative Pilkington to M. in the prior authorization transparency transparency act and to modify the medication assisted treatment under the prior art the authorization transparency. Represent Pilkington you're recognized Plainville thank you Mr Speaker So for the medication assisted treatment program that we street opioid you do not need a prior authorization we also those these these treatments to To treat alcoholism as well and so we're just merely adding that into the sections of the you're not needing that prior authorization to treat that condition as well so that as a good vote thank you. President Putin does explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Pilkington is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill fifteen fifty eight per machine Mr. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Bravo ninety three A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen twenty four. Because of fifteen twenty four by representative Marbury to me the law concerning the publication of the notice required for certain public works contract procurements. Person very you're recognized explained bill thank you Mr Speaker this is Building Authority clean up bill and it just simply corrects advertising pricing threshold from thirty five thousand to fifty thousand of which is in line with the current law that was passed in the last legislative session with that see no. As for good vote thank you. Berries explain the building would like to speak against. Would like to speak for the bill. Represent very is close for the bill the question before the House the passage of house bill fifteen twenty four per machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero president bill is passed members were passing over house bill fifteen twelve Mister Clark please read House. Fourteen ninety eight representative Matt round to amend the law related to microbrewery restaurant private. Close. President brown you're recognized two X.. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is a constituent bill no no no opposition as you may recall back during the ninety second session of the General Assembly passed created a microbrewery restaurant private club for those of us dry counties so this is a restaurant which might have a brew their own line of beer for sale in the restaurant only this is kind of a bill to bring both parity with the existing private club restaurant permits and bring some clarity to that this bill if passed would permit a private club microbrewery restaurant private club permittee to sell beer wine and spirits or the current law they cannot sell spirits and reason for that changes is we simply want to be able to compete with a private club restaurant across the street so that we can sell mixed drinks like chili's until mixed drink are not counties. The I think this is good for our local economy because microbrewery private clubs are owned by local interested not conglomerate chains such as Chile's route backs second change this bill does bring kind of parity between the two kinds of permits under the microbrewery restaurant permit if there is a violation of any time the permits shall be revoked this changes that shall to a may be revoked to kind of make this match up the existing private club restaurant which is gives the A. B. C. discretion if there's a violation to address that violation appropriately which may be up to and including revocation but not necessarily revocation I believe that this would permit if anything better enforcement as I believe an inspector might be reluctant to write a permittee up for a technical a very minor violation knowing that their entire permit will be revoked you know for state let's a paperwork error versus lacking I'll write you up and you're gonna get a hundred dollar fine maybe see. As the clarity has may recall we had some issues before with if observing someone drinking a glass of wine windows that constitute advertising promoting drinking this bill would provide that if a microbrewery private club restaurant right now you cannot advertise in anyway that promotes the drinking of alcohol this clarifies that if you're advertisement just consists of your name that is not considered promoting the drinking of alcohol and I think the analogy there is it is illegal to say come to Bob's restaurant and have a beer that would be illegal but if Bob's restaurant was a sponsor of some event they can have their name was in the program as is Baltz restaurant the sponsor finally this law also clarifies his or send in the UT law that if a per private club sorry microbrewery restaurant private club permittee is located entertainment district they are eligible to present their time in district just like a restaurant private club permittee I without like to thank co sponsor of Richard McGee whose actions sponsor the original bill that created this US two sessions ago and I appreciate a good vote represent Richardson for what purpose. Brown left the will represent bring a reserve brown's splaine building would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. President Brown is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill fourteen ninety eight. Prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of sixty eighth eleven Nays nineteen present the bill is passed. Mr Clark please read Senate bill one ninety five. Senate one eighty five a representative eaves to make the appointment procedure for the tax appeals commission to provide for the for the filling of vacancies on the commission and to declare emergency representatives recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues at last session we created the tax appeals commission and we ran into some similar problems that we found ourselves in a regarding the plant board so if you recall there were three commission positions with different qualification requirements one was an attorney position that would be shortlisted by the Bar Association the second position was a CPA position which we shortlisted by the CPA society that third position was an attorney and CPA position which would be shortlisted by the Supreme Court this bill makes two changes the attorney and CPA position becomes attorney or CPA position apparently it's hard to find an attorney and CPA together the so this broadens the pool of those potential appointees and it will continue to be shortlisted by the Supreme Court and the governor can designate the chief commissioner from the tax bills commission from on among any of those three commissioners with that I'd appreciate a good vote. Representatives explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Eads is closed for the bill the question before the House is passed Senate bill one eighty five per machines court. Everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three yeas zero nine one present you pass the bill in the emergency clause. Mr Clark please read Senate bill two eighty seven. The bill two eighty seven by representative John Kerr Teman the law relating to recording subdivision plats D. that instrument instruments of transfer into the law relating the recording certain documents prepared by Lansing mayor. Represent Kerr you're recognized explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues today I present to you Senate bill two eighty seven this bill streamlines a process in the circuit clerk's office regarding Platz and beats this bill is that no opposition and it was past thirty five zero in the Senate and thank you and would appreciate a good vote. Purpose of cars explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill president car as close for the bill the question before the House is passage of Senate bill two eighty seven per machines Clark. Everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast ballot Mr Clark Bevo ninety two yeah zero nine one present. Bills past Mr Clark please read Senate bill two ninety five. Senate bill two ninety five members in the fight to amend the Arkansas renewable energy development act of two thousand one two different cost shifting and ensure fairness to all ratepayers to create the customer protections for net metering customers act and to declare a vacancy represent fight you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I think first I need to explain to you that earlier this week I had Senate bombings House Bill thirteen seventy I was going to run it but we had some amendments that have been placed at the last minute the they asked for and we were going to send it down to the Senate there were some questions about that so I just pull that bill down and this is the Senate bill it mirrors that one exactly our problem was that we had requests for six amendments during this process and that's why struck out a little bit. All right let me let me start senate bill ninety to ninety five. In two thousand nineteen wish us starting netmetering in the state of Arkansas. We were led to believe at that time that it would be about six months and then it would change and that didn't happen as of state was going to be temporary. I talked in the committee about one megawatt what it ended up being was twenty megawatts the largest in the nation that we could find no one else is permitting net metering of that size. Of all the electricity that is sold in the state of Arkansas is sold degree at a wholesale price and that's about a nickel except for net metering and it is sold to the grid at twelve cents and they're the only ones in the state that does that and there's for our call shift comes from the board is sold at retail price to the grid the board pushes the cost of the other consumers in this state. and that is the main reason for the call ship there other factors in it but that is the largest one right there the cost shift in two thousand and one I make two thousand twenty one was eighteen million dollars in the state. And with grandfathering that comes out about two hundred ninety million dollars over the life of it the two thousand and forty day. And we haven't got the two thousand twenty two numbers and yeah. In California the public the utility commission published an order stating that the over compensation from net metering facilities unfairly harm low income customers not participating in solar. And that is true here too of Hawaii California have some of the highest rates in the nation and they have finally abandoned it one four one. Of. In Arkansas has one of the lowest rates in the nation utilities but if a one to one it will soon increase and we'll move on up the list. Well let me let me talk about some of the some of the changes that this bill does. What it will do it'll implement two channel billing what two channel billing as you will be they will send the when when you have a net metering facility at your house and use all electricity can then you send the rest back to the grid. Right now it goes retail price. in and what will happen in the Two channel billing it will go back as wholesale not retail and that will cost that was stopped because she. About fifty percent what will happen with the new bill about fifty percent of the uses must be behind the meter. The the net metering customer will be treated like all of the customers and utility. residential the sizes will be allowed will be residential will be lesser of twenty five kilowatts or the highest monthly bill hi this month of the previous twelve months nonresidential. It'll be the lesser of twenty five megawatts or the highest month of the previous twelve months net metering facilities cannot take territory from utilities net metering facilities must be within one hundred miles of a meter. and again fifty percent of the uses motion behind the meter we've also added a consumer protection to this bill several of my colleagues here came to me telling me stories about of about. Existing prices of telling him things that weren't in that were of true about their contracts and so we put that in there so they can appeal to the Attorney General now. Of net metering cannot be interruptible power because it actually costs you also. Even with these changes we will have one of the most progressive policies in the United States about half of those of states only allowed one make a lot we're allowing five under this bill right here. Amendments have been made of. one of the members was removed the requirement of grandfathering projects to pay writers and surcharges before this let me say this the solar industry had an agreement with us they came to us in committee. And the said that they would if we would do these things right here they would not opposes bill. The grandfather customers continue to be treated as they are today through twenty forty extent grandfathering from December thirty first twenty three to September thirtieth twenty four provide an additional one year and nine months more grandfathering and subsidies for the projects that meet the requirements from the state the requirements are grandfathering are complete a project before the deadline is September twentieth twenty twenty four I have a project in progress by the deadline file a complaint with the queue Commission regarding a dispute over facility agreement by the deadline allowing projects to be extended five megawatts maximum of size in those projects. Have been approved by the commission by December thirty first twenty twenty two file an application with the commission on December thirty first twenty two or execute a contract with a developer five February twenty second twenty three. also increasing the distance from five miles to a hundred miles a utility can be from its meter. Of all projects that exceed this this. and size of. They can be allowed to if they have approved have been approved by the commission for December thirty first twenty twenty two following application with the commission before December thirty first twenty twenty two are executed contract by developer. by February twenty two twenty three. What net metering does it unfairly penalizes people who don't have solar. Kashif is growing daily it will grow I will end up like Californians on the other states that are happening to In the compensation. Okay what this bill does let me explain this I got many many calls from people about of whether they're shoulder was going to be covered under this. What we've done we've extended nineteen months we the same policy that's in place as of the end of last year we have extended it through September thirtieth twenty twenty four. In the state of Arkansas. Net metering amounts for about ninety six million four percent. Of the seller ninety six percent of the solar in the State of Arkansas is sold at retail price I mean at wholesale price net metering is only one sold at retail price. Mr Speaker this time I'd be happy to answer. Being on I appreciate a good vote. Representive Garner. President garner for purpose. When you're recognized thank you representative that thank you Speaker thank you represented by I am extremely concerned obviously about university of Arkansas. The. Projects across the state they did file before December thirty first so that means that their project will. Would like to have your assurance that is. Issues that you would work with me to get that fixed well I and I'll be honest with you I do not know what the project is I've just heard they have a project and I could not in good faith say here and tell you something that I don't know about that project I apologize thank you. But if it can be got it can be yes. We put in there under this bill I'll do everything I can right thank you very much. Person files explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill present lady committee recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I just want to address your question or a little bit I talked University and I believe they are totally okay with this bill because the grandfathering clauses that represent if I talked about if they have an active project which I believe it is then it would definitely be covered under the grandfathering clause but again that much money involved in a project is represented by said that could be addressed later on but I I believe they are okay and covered. Some lady minutes before the bill what he would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill represent under you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I'll be brief. Three hundred fifty five thousand. Our Kansans left our state between the years of nineteen fifty one in nineteen fifty five it's an intuitive that we know that we lost so many people during the Great Depression from fifty one to fifty five three hundred fifty five thousand people left our state because of the collapse of agriculture. Timber and some other things and there wasn't industry there to pick up the slack so they went other places just the other day we had a new court date we all clap for them I can't remember exactly when I heard the liable at steel mills and I was so excited about that and those steel mills don't run on coal or wood chips they run on electricity and so for many of us no it's not this is not in Northwest Arkansas problem our population just grown and grown were exploding but for many of you down south and little smaller areas. They have washed your tax base over the year over the years it's a road your school districts and what not the chance to get Nishi industries to come in Arkansas to grow roots to provide jobs to help your rules your road to help your public schools this starts with the secure energy grid. Now we have spent money in this chamber on rule medicine we spend money on broadband other things and that is right that we need to take care of every our cans and across the state but please let us invest in our energy grid with reliable affordable energy thank you. Person under spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Fite recognized close for the bill. Let me also clarify that there sixteen cities in the State of Arkansas that have their own fire systems this bill does not affect them at all I appreciate a good vote. Syfy has closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill two ninety five per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted you're voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. Passed up the ballot. Sir Clark by a vote of seventy three eighths fourteen nays and six present the bill emergency clause have passed. President makes. For what purpose. Motion please let's hear your motion after the announcmenet of the bills transferring bills placing the counters on that as members amending their own bills don't amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalized resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move that we adjourn until one thirty on Monday afternoon. That's a proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed the motion passes. Any announcements represent Fite what purpose city county local will meet Monday after just fifteen minutes after German. Represent worn for purpose announcmenet you're recognized public retirement will meet at nine o'clock Monday morning in big mac eight percent wing for purpose announcmenet you're recognized House Management meets immediately upon adjournment today for a very brief meeting and one thirty eight. President Tosh for purpose announcmenet you're recognized state agencies will meet Monday fifteen minutes following a German one five one actually makes for purpose announcmenet you're recognized the technology committee will meet Monday at noon Monday at noon any other announcements. The desk remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion of that items name in the joint resolution