House Convenes

House come to order. I am by the member staff pressing guests in the gallery to stand to be led in prayer by pastor. Marquess marquees person your pastor otter creek community church the guest representative tears Shepherd and to remain standing to be let in to. For the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. About. Greece's most trying to file their. Lord first of all we come to say we thank you for this day. We thank you for this day that. As been. Put together for. Minds and ideas to come together. For these group of people father got to make decisions. That are going to edify. The state of Arkansas. But I pray a special blessing of each one of them and their families on today. Many times they go through things in our lives. And we take for granted who they are and what they do each and every day. I got acts today that you would just guide them and help them make to make the right decisions. Decision is going to be beneficial decisions that are going to bring the things and people and ideas together. So god we just act that you would just go with the session on a day for every law there's going to be brought before them every discussion that they're going to have collectively and individually. And we pray that after this date the you will get the glory for everything that is taking place here in this section we axes blessing it also in Jesus name and we all said a man. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present about and prepare the machine madam Clerk. Casts up the ballot madam Clerk. Ninety nine members present. Shares she's a quorum. Are there any request for leave. Representative Fortner for what purpose. You're recognized. Her representative Deborah Ferguson is leave granted for representative Deborah Ferguson. Representative Jeffrey Wardlaw moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal no objections so ordered. Are there Reports from select committees. Other reports from standing committees read the reports. Mr Speaker your committee on education to whom was referred house bill thirteen ninety three Senate bill two thirty two vaguely report that we have in the same consideration here concerns I recommendation that a do pass respectfully submitted representative events chair. Is there any unfinished business. There any Executive communications. Members we have some guests here today in the east gallery we have the Arkansas school nutrition association guest of representative Fred Allen. Also in the east gallery has secretary Mike mills in Arkansas department of parks heritage enters and staff and secretary for department of parks heritage and tourism Mr Mike mills along with the chief of staff. Suzanne Romar in the State Parks Division director Mister Shea Lewis from around the state we have uniform park superintendents park Rangers and park interpreters yes the representative Rick Beck. Also in the east gallery have Jonathan Martin Ashley County guess that representative Beatty. I'd like to comment that he's also a time double where winner and three time Grammy nominee with Christian music trio the Martins. He is here with Freddie Thomason from loan at. Also any scary you have Neil longer associate medical director at Boston Mountain rule health center. I'm being told that the Members of the Arkansas nurses associations of that in the west gallery but I believe they're everywhere. Also in the west Gary you have Ashton feral against the the representative can do more. My employer please read house concurrent resolution six. And concurrent resolution six Senate concurrent resolution six by representative back to recognize one hundred years of Arkansas state parks and proclaim twenty twenty three of Arkansas state park since the new year. President back you're recognized to present your resolution. Thank you Mr chair. Guys you committee I talked about how to committee one asset we have our state parks I mean they they go far beyond that they they provide recreation for our cans but they're also or source for millions of people coming to our state every year to enjoy the beauty of our state and and what a great job we've done really taking care of the house and and I I know we've already recognized that this group up here man these are the guys and gals that make it happen and keep happening for the future generations so we we can't thank these guys enough I want to just a few things about our state parks or state park doctor TJ Hardison hundred years ago to his efforts with the house bill nine seventy three was passed now dissenting votes the governor Thomas McRae signed into law and nineteen twenty three and that started us into the then I want that act is it actually doesn't name the land to status Jean state park the first state park in our system it also included Arkansas into of a party with the federal government is far as a state park movement that was going on at that time and I love this quote from doctor heart of city said state parts of the first and primary conservation areas but. The concept is does not conflict with their use for recreation and with proper administration state parks will provide the best type of recreation for populations without impairing their natural beauty I think that's that really sums up what our state parks does but also something with these guys and gals are doing keeping that keeping that for. The future generations of president Roosevelt's created the the civilian conservation corps and in nineteen thirty three they start working our state parks they created paging State Park mount Nebo State Park Crowley's ridge state park devil's den state park lake Catherine state park and buffalo state park. Governor boppers invested in our state park basically doubling the number of state parks that we had it was governor Mike Huckabee and First Lady Janet Huckabee who got the voters to approve a one eight sales tax that really went to the State Parks gamefish Arkansas heritage and keep Arkansas beautiful coalition. And I'll have a if you guys know this but there are fifty two parts in Arkansas they cover almost fifty five thousand acres the founding forty eight forty nine counties our state Pat parks as I mentioned earlier really effective quality you know enhance the quality of our Kansas and guests from around the world collectively our state parks are the biggest single tourism to our state and they're an economic driver above about one billion dollars to our state so I tell you what the important role that these guys our state parks play a last year over a eight million people visit the Arkansas state parks and museums big number there all right so what this does is basically recognizes that obviously there is a hundred years and also sets two thousand twenty three and as as to commemorate the centennial year for our state parks so I would appreciate a good vote Mr Speaker please have the Clark read resolution. Adam Clark please read the resolution. To recognize one hundred years of Arkansas state parks and to proclaim twenty twenty three of Arkansas state park since the new year. Representative back is presented to resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution representative back is close for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of Senate concurrent resolution six all in favor say aye. Opposed nay. Resolutions adopted. Madam Clerk read Senate concurrent resolution for. Senate concurrent resolution four by representative gene to recognize Emerson elementary school as a twenty twenty two example Mary high performing national Ribbon school. Jean you're recognized president resolution I miss Baker colleagues this is for M. Emerson elementary their Blue Ribbon school there's only about. They're one of two hundred seventy nationwide recognized on academic achievement only two in Arkansas are not our colleagues from Brighton have one coming later for the bright. So bright with the larger schools members and won the small schools so just shows you the size of school does not mean the quality education. Just wanna jot remember that going forward. But anyway we've already recognized the school board and some of the principles and we also had some students on the scene only a sentence so they will be here today so I'll just ask that you support this resolution an answer Clerk read by title only. Madam Clark read the resolution by title and to recognize him as an elementary school as a twenty twenty two exemplary high performing national Blue Ribbon school representative gene is presented resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution for the resolution representative gene is close for the resolution to question before the House is the adoption of Senate concurrent resolution for all in favor say aye. Opposed nay resolutions adopted. My work read House resolution ten twenty five. House resolution ten twenty five a representative Watson to recognize the Hicks funeral home for eighty nine years of service to the whole community. Represent Watson you're recognized president resolution. Thank you good to be here on this Thursday. Hicks funeral home has been around a long time and hope Arkansas senator Chesterfield is with me in about a month ago and asked me if I would like to recognize the only black funeral home the first Blake funeral home and hope I said absolutely they have been a mainstay in hope Arkansas for over eighty nine years NO the patriarch family personally wonderful people and this is an opportunity to recognize them they haven't hung in there they have been around through that the in thing in which is admirable in these days they sometimes so I'm so proud form and I'm looking forward to the time that she and I get to visit him personally to present this recognition to him also at this time if the Mr Speaker this time effect to have the Clark to read The the title only only House resolution I appreciate. Madam Clark read the resolution title on. Recognized. To recognize the Xfinity home for eighty nine years of service a whole community. Representive Watson is presented as resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution representative Watson is close for the resolution question before the House is the passage of house resolution ten twenty five all in favor say aye. Opposed nay out the resolutions adopted. Members were going to the supplemental calendar. Madam Clark reed House resolution one thousand seven House house resolution one thousand seven bye representative sample to commend the highland high school band. Represents final you're recognized president the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker if I would have marshals come up here Martin I share highland school districts so I'd like for him to please be your present at my here so bring you House resolution one thousand seven to commemorate the highland high school band on April eleventh twenty twenty to the highland senior concert band participated in the Arkansas school band and orchestra association state concert band contest that is a lot of words. Schools from throughout the state performed before an esteemed panel of out of state judges at Bentonville west high school the highland band had the highest score of the day of any class for a band and recognized as the four A. state champion. Gazaway here about four P. five P. seven Pete's. But this be tomorrow the band performed so well they are not allowed to compete in this year's contest but will perform S. the twenty twenty three honor band at Cabot high school in April. At the home of this great band is one twenty two point twenty three bandmaster the year Greg Bruner along with his wife hope and faith Serena unfortunately they were unable to attend because the amount of snow days taken earlier earlier this year but let's recognize him because they're watching back home. Madam Speaker if you would please be the resolution is entirety. That work thank you mistake my apologies madam Clerk for please read the resolution in its entirety. Whereas on April eleventh twenty twenty to the highland high school band with the clear the class four A. state champions concert ma'am by the Arkansas school band and orchestra association with the highland high school band is led by directors Reverend Bernard hope burner and faith Senate and whereas this championship took place at the inaugural state concert band competition have been built with high school and required each school to play three songs and where the highland high school man is out of the second place. High school band manages hundreds of points and whereas the state championship man programs continued strength and growth of statewide prominence serves to highlight the great things happening in the arts community in north central Arkansas and also provide students with and miss opportunities to compete in line and whereas the many accomplishments of highland high school band program are testament to the commitment to excellence Mister Bernard missed and miss Santa require from their students in a way that yields an admiration for the directors and forgets lasting minds among the band members and with the sixty students in the manner themselves dedicated not only to their music but also to their academic class work as van students are well represented in many of the high schools advanced courses that are generally recognized for their overall leadership in academic qualities now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety first General Assembly the house of representatives committee in the highest highland high school band four is twenty twenty two class four A. state championship caliber performance high standards students and directors. Representative finals presented to resolution would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Against the resolution. Representative finals close for the resolution question before the House is the adoption of house resolution one thousand seven all in favor say aye. Opposed nay the adopt the resolution is adopted. Morning hours and. Representative Bob recommends that we concurrence Senate amendment one to HB eleven eighty two madam Clerk please read Senate Amendment one Senate Amendment number one to House Bill Levin eighty two representative bought you're recognized to be explained Amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker so I only got down to the Senate I decided we could go ahead and take out the prescription prescriptive authority and also in the bill there was one spot where they could be compensated so we wanted to get rid of that also and that's what the amendment does and I appreciate a good vote. Represent Vaught has explained the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment representative bodies close for the amendment question before the House is concurrence with Senate amendment one to HB eleven eighty two where the machine madam Clerk. Has everyone voted. Cast a ballot nine Clark. Ninety eight zero nays and for president The Amendment. We have a concurrent an amendment one to HB eleven eighty two. Represent Bentley recommends that we concurrence Senate amendment one to HB eleven sixty three madam Clark please read Senate Amendment one Senate Amendment number one to House eleven sixty three. Represent Bentley recognized to explain amendment one. Morning colleagues I was trying to close lower quality just a little bit so few remember house bill eleven sixty three was a bill that we passed to allow landowners that live by a river to ask FOR D. from the Secretary I'm skews me commissioner state lands for the river band with this is the first standard gets in the precinct in there so we can add more land for the landowner there the Senate decided they did not like the fees that we have in there of a hundred twenty five dollars so we have removed the fee completely that's all the member does get or the hundred twenty five dollars B. I would appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Bentley's explain the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment. Represent Bentley is close for the amendment question before the House is concurrent concurrence with Senate amendment one to HB eleven sixty three prepare the machine the machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. Yes it the ballot madam Clerk. With ninety seven U. A. zero nine zero presence with concurred in Senate Amendment one to HB eleven sixty three. Representive Underwood recommends that we concurrence an amendment one to HB eleven ninety six madam Clark please read Senate Amendment one Senate Amendment number one to House Bill Levin ninety six. And under would recognize explained Amendment thank you Mr Speaker previously this is the work requirement for public housing bill when I represent this bill I committed to amending the bill on the Senate side previously it said that you were excluded if you're a parent with a child for with the child four months of age or younger that has been amended to five years of age or younger and I also added the co sponsored so thank you appreciated that. President under was explaining amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment representive Underwood close for the amendment the question before the House is concurrent with Senate amendment one to HB eleven ninety six prepare the machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. Set the ballot madam Clerk. Eighty eight fifteen eight zero president we've come current and Senate amendment one to HB eleven ninety six. Matterport read house bill fourteen thirty. Fourteen thirty by representative Lundstrum to amend the division of workforce services law to declare an emergency. Represent Lundstrum you're recognized. Presenter bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. I'm delighted to bring this bill to you today this bill actually reduces three different taxes it also reduces the amount of employment unemployment that we have in Arkansas currently we have four months of unemployment and this will take it to three months of unemployment it reduces the penalty rate from fourteen percent to ten percent it reduces a nother tax of for the new employers from two point nine percent to one percent and it reduces the stabilization tax in the first year twenty twenty four five point two five two zero percent to point one two five percent. And there is no physical impact to the red general revenue is actually to the trust fund which is extremely healthy. And with that I also want to thank department workforce services for working very diligently and during the pandemic and also to help make this bill possible with that only. Represent Collins what purpose question you're recognized I represent Lundstrum is it accurate that thirty five states or twenty six weeks of unemployment and we would be the lowest state in the country twelve weeks no I don't think would be the lowest would be one of many that are reducing unemployment right now we have sixty thousand jobs open and we have a lot of folks that need to go back to work also. We currently. In all parts of Arkansas our unemployment rate we've at we average going back to work in about eleven weeks following. Recognized can you tell me which states are lower than twelve weeks I don't think anybody is lower than twelve weeks I'm saying we average out thank you. Senate garner for what purpose question you're recognized I'm I just want to know how many people would you like. Do you know that drops off significantly it's one of those things when we lower that it's suddenly when you see the train coming at the end of the tunnel you get off on employment so we're encouraging people to go back to work he is follow up missed you're recognized. Is this is bill have anything to. In it to help with job. Training. Actually there are other parts of the state government that does have it we've been in Northwest Arkansas and you probably already know this we actually have an app on your phone that updated every single night because there's so many employers that need. People to come back to work all of Arkansas. We are desperate for people you can get them want any main street and to see a sign out the front of any employer help wanted so helpwanted please vote for this bill. Represent Lundstrum. As explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent Lundstrum is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen thirty where the machine madam Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. As everyone voted. Cast a ballot madam Clark. Seventy nine days fifteen days and three present the bill and the emergency clause this past madam Clerk read house bill fourteen thirty three. Fourteen thirty three by representative Lundstrum ten ACT the Division of workforce services general obvious act and to declare an emergency represent Lundstrum you're recognized explained bill thank you. This is more of a technical corrections bill I would point to you just one particular section that actually clarifies that department of workforce services does not have to release its confidential ways of detecting fraud and that's very important you don't let the fox know how to get into the hand House. With that I'll accept any questions. St nine thank you so much I would appreciate a good vote. President wants from his explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. President Lundstrum is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen thirty three prepared machine Madam. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted. Is everyone voted cast a ballot madam Clark. I have a ninety one Yeas one nine five present the bill emergency clause have passed. Members are doctor the day Dr Lee kun from when a guest representatives time more and we also have with this is wife Beth Kuhn and daughter Laura Beth Kuhn and there in the north county. Our nurse the days Mr Bernard. I'm Clark please read house bill fourteen fifty one that's the fourteen fifty one by representative Springer regarding employment and to require employers to provide paid leave on veterans day to veteran employees. Represent Springer you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker good morning colleagues first of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank members who call sign on this bill with me representative Stan Berry and representative Lanny Fite and also in on the Senate side Senator Brianne Davis and senator Wallace so thank you all so very much for supporting me with respect to this bill House Bill fourteen fifty one provides unpaid leave on veterans day to veteran employees let me just provide some facts because there were some questions that were asked. Are you a census shows that there are six point four million Viet nam veterans currently in the United States and there are over two hundred thousand for a while two veterans seventy two thousand of those veterans in Arkansas a Vietnam veterans and over two hundred and twenty two thousand veterans overall in Arkansas. And with respect to states that have set up a similar bill of Tennessee which is close to Arkansas does have a civil bill we celebrate veterans day on November eleventh to pay tribute to all Americans veterans living or dead who have served this country in an audible manner doing war or peacetime. Who's the Bill. The bill requires veterans to give employers. A thirty day notice. And proof of their veteran status and finally the employer may opt to pay the veteran a paid holiday thank you and I would appreciate a good vote. President Springer's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Person under you're recognized speak against the bill. I can't hate to do this most of you who know me know I spent pretty much my whole adult life in the navy. I am afraid this bill has some unintended consequences. One we have too many regulations. I don't think we need to be telling businesses what to do. This does not incentivize the hiring of veterans in fact is a disincentive and so many of the veterans that were were mentioned. Of older very few more to that under still in the workforce most of the Viet nam your guys are aging out who else this effect is anybody in the guard or reserve that's been activated on presidential orders. And the truth is if you're in the garden reserve your protected by federal law you're supposed to be but frankly your supervisor and your employer has other passive aggressive ways at getting at you so there's unintended consequences. I know that this bill was written with the best of intentions I'm a hundred percent sure of that but we don't need it. Just tell the better in your life that you appreciate him or her wish them a good day and that's really all we want thank you. Representive Unger spoken against the building would like to speak for the bill. Anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent very you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues and I'll echo what represent on you said. I don't think we need to be in the business of telling employers what they should and should not do provide for to recognize their veterans you know it's great the employer wants to say Hey I appreciate your service and I may give you the day off there's a lot of bureaucracy with thirty days prior notification and and you know when we veterans. And we raise our right hand and said that we're going to support and defend the constitution United States we didn't we didn't do it with expectations of getting something in return into often. people are afraid to vote against things like this because they think all the veterans gonna be all out against me don't be afraid to vote against existing or break my heart thank you break representative longer Sark needs be more people to speak out because veterans you know we've given represent the fight did you know retired pay equal you know anything coming from a guy that I served for forty five years it was born in Air Force hospital a better family wives to better and all that and I in and we I recommend people do recognize us and tell us thank you for our service and that's all with that that we ask but we don't need to put a burden on on our employers to mandate something that's absolutely none of our business is legislators that should be between an employer their appreciation for somebody that has served this country and then we should leave it at that that's all it is ask you to vote no against this bill thank you Mr Speaker thank. President very spoken against the building would like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. You're recognized close for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I would just like to comment that we do we are in the business of selling certain employers what to do we've done that your. For this past few months so that is something that we do and also I don't see that it is a burden because as I said before the employer and the employee has to give notice give a thirty day notice and that's not putting any type of burden upon the employer so they given notice let them know that they are veterans and they can work things out I was asking committee by one of the representatives what if one of the person's life in a hospital and they wanted the doctor of the day that they want to be off the doctors not there where there's plenty of time for the employer to make arrangements for the person to substitute and be available so this is not an insurance bill as you want it's is want to be believed here it is not so I ask for a good vote thank you. President Springer has closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen fifty one prepare the machine madam Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast a ballot. Madam Clark five or twenty eight days thirty seven nays and twelve present the bill has failed. Adam Clark please read house bill thirteen twenty six. Of the thirteen twenty six by representative may be used to create the uniform amount work policy acted to establish state agency guidelines for remote work. President Mayberry you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker last session I was contacted by constituents who works for the state and she was sent home like many of our constituents for Covin purposes to work from home. She never imagined working from home she really enjoyed it. She was more productive was the first thing she told me she got more done at home than she did when she came into the office she save money she felt like she got a pay raise because she wasn't commuting to work and spending that gas money she was and having to use lunch money. Clothing was cheaper a whole bunch of reasons why it was easier for she was mentally more stable because she was able to stay home and get that work done her health improved she lost lots of weight because instead of driving to work every morning she was exercising she came to me and she said what can we do. And I told her last time I'm not touching this we need to give first of all covid a chance to die down. And then let's send this through interim study and let's look at this issue so that's what we did this summer I had B. O. R. first of all put together a bunch of information regarding what other states are doing regarding remote work and many of them have remote work policies well before COVID I also had a huge survey done in July August sometime asking all the state agencies do you currently have people working remotely and eighty percent of our agency said yes we have people working remotely but not many of them actually had a formal policy in place I presented all this information during and a committee meeting and state agencies in October got feedback from those who were there and I said I'm gonna take that feedback and I'm going to put it in the bill so that we can provide protection for our and our for our employees and for the employer all this bill is doing we're not saying you have to work remotely that's not it's what it's saying we are allowing. The employer. To work out at an advance so everyone's on the same level and they know what's in this plan between a contract between the employer and the employee. So that we have guardrails in place so that things are not taking advantage of and then also the other part of this bill does allow us in October as the legislative body to get a report to see how this is working out is it truly helping our employees to be more productive or are we seeing some unintended consequences by allowing remote work it allows us more information so we can make better choices I would really appreciate a good vote I think the people in your district would appreciate this thank you. Represent Mayberry is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill represent very are you speaking for against against represent very you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues and okay I I voted against this bill in committee and for a number reasons and and I'll vote against it again today in the in the in the on the house floor but you know I'm one that it goes by the the old saying in god we trust everybody else bring documentation. So we had the documentation that says why this is such a great thing but I saw no studies that showed or those provided why this is bad and I will tell you as a former cabinet secretary and a director they had over two thousand employees this is a bad policy and we talk about the You know this is the study was done last October and state agencies well we have a new sheriff in town. Revenue governor we have all new cabinet secretaries and none of them to my knowledge has been. Contacted or consulted. About this this bill. This is not a good bill. One of the things that opens up. Is a it opens up a lot of grievances. For cabinet secretaries and if you have never dealt with the grievance it costs a lot of money because a lot of manpower and effort when you're trying to resolve grievances it opens up labor disputes some some of your employees are going to say. I want to work at home. And others are going to know why can't I work at home they're getting the work at home and then you're going to have to cut the baby up and figure out who's gonna get to work at home and it causes nothing but disagreements among the workforce. I have I just can't you know in my mind I see somebody walking down the street or dog in the morning with severe pods in in their pajamas in their neighbors guy what do you know not that you're working while I am I'm a state employee. That's a fine image for the general public to see are you sitting on the couch and I'd love to sit on the couch and sit and watch Rachel ray and and do my emails and exercise and things like that so to be in an office. But it sends a bad image for government to be working in that environment. I can tell you as of this morning. There's already been cabinet secretaries and chiefs of staff have been receiving emails saying Hey have you seen this are we going to get to do this can I work at home put my name on the list. Because they're excited about not coming to work. I think until the executive branch think this is a little bit over reach on the legislatures part I think it should be something that the chief executive officer of this state has a say in who is going to work from home and who's going to work at the office if any like pre pandemic we didn't see a lot of this remote work people have gotten used to it and they're comfortable they don't want to go back to the office because they're having fun at the house I think if you look at some of the studies that were not provided in committee that you will find that is actually counterproductive to state government so with that being said I would ask that you the nay on this measure thank you purpose of flowers for purpose. Represent very spoken against the building would like to speak for the bill represent Ladyman you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker of. Speaking to someone who work remotely for almost twenty years I had a boss in Germany I was in Arkansas most of my life at Boston Atlanta Chicago it does work it does save money. I work for a large corporation had turned thirty thousand employees worldwide I was one the first people that was approved for remote work so that I can stay in Arkansas and my boss was in Atlanta. Because I was traveling all around the state in the all around the country so it does work there are benefits you the the company and our state will save money if we do this. And. Yes it does not work for everybody. But the manager has a job to do our secretaries are managers. So in this bill. they would approve or not approve. Of people to work remotely they have the option to do that yeah they're going to have more work. It's going to save us money will be smaller government but they're gonna have more work to do that's part of their job. Some people will not work out. Some of the people that I worked with that were remote in other countries in other states it didn't work some have to go back to the office someone got fired. Because they were doing what you said representative very they were out not doing their job doing something else but their manager knew that and they had to take the action that was necessary. So this is a good bill as far as new secretaries coming in. All of our secretaries we had all of our new secretaries or managers this is something that is part of their job. So I would appreciate a good vote representative Cavenaugh what purpose. Question you're recognized for a question. Isn't it that they can possibly already do this why do we need to mandate it can those decisions not already being made. This bill is not a mandate it sets the guidance as representative Mayberry said if we're going to do this we need to do it correctly. So we need guidance we need to set up a rules so that it is the manager that is making the decision and not the employee the employee request the manager makes the decision follow up Mr Speaker you're recognized for follow up but really if the managers making the decision the manager can currently make the decision already so I don't see why we're trying to create a law to tell a manager what to do when that is really their responsibility already which is what you said so I that's where I'm confused well they could do that now but my answer to you would be do we want guidance or do we want to be the wild west I think we won't guidance. President represent Wardlaw for what purpose passion recognized. Can you can you explain how it saves money you made a comment that this saves money can you explain that yes I can it may take a while of. When I worked in Arkansas instead of being in Atlanta I had to have an office pretty big office actually and it costs money to for me to have that space quite a bit it costs money for utilities cost a lot of money to the company if you take a lot of people to have them work remotely from home your saving that money and also as representative Mayberry said you are more productive if you work in this environment at home like you're supposed to you are much more productive that answer your question follow up recognized. But the state already has the office down made for DHS we already have the office on Markham for the health department we already have department of commerce over by the river. Are you saying that we're going to do away with those offices because we're going to send these people home or because we're already incurring all those calls that you just labeled off. If this was my corporation I would meet those offices out having income. Thank you represent very for what purpose you're recognized questions of Mister Ladyman so when you work for that major corporation and you remote work. Was that decision made by the CEO of the company. To allow you to work. Our manager is a really good question it takes much time I'll tell you the whole story suggests that. The whole story. Well no it's a good question it really is this corporation had two hundred thousand two hundred thirty thousand employees with within work remotely. I will miss the name of the company but it was a large company in the division that I worked and had nobody working remotely. I was working at the restaurant power plant down here and my boss left he was a regional guy I wanted the job so I applied. My his boss in Atlanta said no you you can't you have the job to move to Atlanta as I don't want the job because I don't leave Arkansas so I'll take my name off the list. About a month later we're in a meeting in Atlanta with all the folks around nine states had a meeting is there based dismissed except Jack I need to see him in my office I thought I'm gonna get a raise or getting fired but when I go up there he said you still want this job I said yes effects in Arkansas and he said yes you can live anywhere you want to in the region so I move that bill. So that was the first thing right after that. To representative Cavenaugh question we established policy. And we had hundreds of people working remotely we're we're it was productive. Thank you questions follow up missed Speaker so not really didn't anyway so just a short person on this one so in that instance somebody at the executive level made that decision that you're going to work remotely so would you not consists of I believe that is in the best interest of the executive. Branch. The the the chief executive officer of the state of Arkansas in consultation with the cabinet secretaries make the decision whether or not individual should be able to work remotely or not. I believe the manager of these employees that make this request should be making that decision. Whether that be the secretary or director or someone else over a small division however I think it's our job. To set policy. For that activity so all right I appreciate a good vote. President Ladyman is spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent Pilkington you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I didn't intend to come down and speak on this bill today but there's a lot of really interesting things said about remote work in as when the younger members of the chamber I thought it was a informed to talk on this. from my understanding the official position the governor's office as neutral so if there was an issue that they had with that I'm sure we would have heard about it I'm here anything about it I understand that's not what it took a thirty away from our executive branch but I I think is a good policy I think letting things happen you know during covid we did have a lot remote worker member us talking to a leader at apartment is it because of the software that we're able to install a computer you can monitor at home work and what they found is there employees that were clearly doing only about two hours of work a day in that department so it actually helped us to increase our performance because what we're doing is able to track the ability and how much people are actually working you can be in office for eight hours a day playing minesweeper it doesn't mean that you're actually working just because you're there. And also we think about hiring state employees it's really hard because we pay them so low in reality live in the city like little rock or cost of living significantly higher remote work allows us to cast a further now that we can have our Kansans and rule Arkansas like Clarksville or Knoxville Lamar all of which are the jewels of the river valley and work in the remote work in their families that my husband has a job is there they've children local schools if they take a job the state government they can't automatically moved down the Little Rock Senate office for eight hours a day they might bills of the commute which is expensive so I just think I think is a good policy I want to see is the more room work we need to be more efficient we need to be smarter about how we do these things you know the representative Wardlaw common about these buildings I mean no one is paying a gun hands and we have to owned buildings in downtown little rock to be successful and being efficient state government we can move people and other places let them work from home and they can be efficient we have monitoring software to so that we can do that let's do it let's let's be future thinking let's be proactive let's let's not be stuck by just doing things because that's always how we done and there's new technology that we can use to help benefit the state and I think we should embrace it not fight against it and with that I would hope that you will be with me in supporting this bill represent Dalby for what purpose question correct this is really a question for a representative may vary but I'll pose it to you so maybe she'll hear it and answer it and I just. In the bill on page two it lists the people who were exempt members of the Supreme Court members the court of appeals the administrative office of courts circuit courts in prosecuting attorneys and it is not listed District Court and so I would inquire as to why they are left off and why they would not be included in this bill at in respect to you and the sponsor I want her address that represent very for what purpose question you're recognized did you pay for that time. It was it was a gift from a dear friend I have a motion at the appropriate time. Very purpose motion. What's your motion media consideration. Proper motion it's not debate. All in favor me consideration say aye. Any opposed. No. President Pilkington is spoken for the bill we would like to speak against the bill represent brown you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker and my apologies to representative may very because I told her I do support this bill. Anyway. I have some concerns if this language were more permissive. I might be I think it would be a good idea to if if employers department heads want to allow people to work from home that might be a good idea one concern that I have that I would like represented Mayberry to address is during covid often times when you have to call tech support when I called tech support I hear children in the background or hear dogs or something and that does not give the most professional it does not present a professional image but we sort of dealt with that during covered because we knew so many people were working at home I would like representative merry eight Mayberry to please address that and and if this is just permissive it or you know certain day certain types of whether certain situations that the department head could make that choice thank you. Bill what he would like to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker hello colleagues. I think this is a good bill because I have watched it first hand work in my family's life. With my oldest son who's at a large corporation who is very miserable. In his cubicle. When COVID hit and they sent everyone home. The ones who excelled in their work because they were monitoring what was going on. They were allowed to stay at their home if they chose or they could come back to the office. He chose to stay at home his work continues to excel. He is continually noticed and given accolades not money. Until the time is right and when you get up there you don't get all those extra bonuses just come like teachers but anyway I say it's a good bill in as for the buildings the thing that has happened in his corporation is they have hired young people coming out of college who they paid less. To sit at his seat. While he is working at home and doing his part the people that do not. Work well at home they bring back in the office so I think it's time to look for a new generation I think it's time to look for the way that work is headed and the way that the millennials and different people will work and if not the millennials. The ones about that witcher whatever they're called generations the okay so they work well at home but I would ask for thank you the proper. Will represent Richmond you're recognized speak. Thank you Mr. Sergeant. We're not talking about private corporations we're talking about state employees and again I feel like we're for speeding something to the executive branch that we ourselves would not be happy if they were for speeding something to us. That if there's going to be policy they need to be absolutely involved in this process and they haven't been. Now my concern is I go back to covid. And how many phone calls I got from constituents because they couldn't get serious things address because there was nobody available to get them addressed. It was a real problem. And I certainly don't look forward to going back to my district and explain to them why we're going to allow state employees the stay at home when they have to get up and drive into some place and work. I appreciate a no vote thank you represent Richmond spoken against building would like to speak for the bill represent flowers you're recognized for. I have a point of clarification before I do. We are still not or are we allowed to bring a device with us to the well you're allowed to bring us to. Can you device to the well like to look at the notes and other things but not for purposes of a proper photos or other things. Thank you for that clarification Collins I I had a question and it forced me to sort of look up some things and I'm my understanding of the bill was that the mandate was to set a policy versus the mandate to allow for all state employees to be able to work from home at any point and so I just would ask the sponsor for clarification of that and then the other point of clarification that I would like is to see to the point that this would set a policy that would affect the executive I didn't hear anyone say that there were any secretaries or directors who came and spoke against this measure. the thing that I've found that I think it's very important for us here I saw that there was a study from ECR tron that sample of thousand full time workers that I founded for peace it found that as workers become more acclimated to hybrid in remote office environment since the onset of cope with the hybrid workplace model has empowered employees to reclaim physical health they're saying mental health benefits and a total of fifty six employees cited mental health improvements better work life balance and more physical activity. I think that as we consider what we want the people who work for us and work for our constituents to be able to understand is that there is a policy and I will just leave you with this I don't know how many of you have managed people I have experience as a director and later chief operating officer for an agency affiliated with the state at UAMS I can tell you that when there is not a policy in place if and there are others within the state others within an organization who are allowed to do a thing that others are allowed to do or there's not clarity through a policy about what we can or can't do that more than anything opens us up to complaints and to litigation so with that I would ask you to vote with me for this bill thank you. Senator flowers and spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill represent a group you're recognized speak against the bill. I would just like to say I am against this bill for numerous reasons I is a small business owner had employees is a lot of this did during code and then some ploys got to go home and work. I know for a fact that my employees when have access and have the children at home they have access to their washing machine to their TV to all the things they have at home and human nature sets in those things are distracted and they do those things from home I actually know that ma'am my employees although they were reason the protective were not as productive as they had been at the office under direct supervision and I I don't believe I talked to any small business owner that said that was I know this is not a small business but just that example that that we're human emotion home that stuff kicks in. Also the fact that I'm here to represent the people of my district the people that are paying taxes that support these government employees and I just think about what they would think about if I say you've got to get up and go to work so we can set a policy for the government employees can go home. But I will say this if this passes how many of our plan for this and want to sit home instead of coming here thank you. Would anyone like to speak against the bill represent Cavenaugh you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker and if you all know me I don't come down very often speak against a bill. But the governor's office is neutral on this but has anyone asked what their concerns are on this there's concerns that it goes against authorities executive authority there's concerns about how they develop a whole process against all agencies because all agencies operate differently and they have different operations that they have to do. So before we go into this we need to think about that because it's not a one size fits all and I will say from someone who survived covid. And everyone working remotely and trying to get stuff done for our constituents while everyone was working remotely for for the government it did not go well it was horrible thank you I appreciate a no vote. Represent Ladyman for what purpose question you're recognized a representative Cavenaugh you said that the governor's office or some the secretaries had concerns did they go to the committee and and express those concerns. I don't know what in committee. Well I was told that none of them spoke against this again I don't know when the committee thank you thank. President Cavenaugh spoken against the building would like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent Mayberry your. You're recognized to close for the bill. Thank you. Okay good discussion here I'm happy or not happy. I'm going to smile so let me first of all try to address some of the questions that have come up first of all very briefly Arizona save three million dollars and twenty twenty with space reduction and save overall cost an on going recruitment and training that's just one little example another thing the reason why a representative Dalby I know has asked some questions and she did text me this morning asking me some of these questions about why the courts were not included in this and we took because when I went to at the bureau when I said you know how do I know what state agencies and and how to define that we took what was already in there in twenty one dash four dash two oh three and it's the uniform attendance and Li Policy Act the District Court was already excluded from that I have no problem if we want to amend that little piece if if that's important that actually opens it up to more then then what we have here but. But that's where that language came from I didn't come up with that language we were using existing law on how things are already defined I do want to point out of Karilyn Brown I believe you were asking it you know is this permissive I want everyone to look at page three. well actually starts on page two the very last line thirty six it says each state agency shall so is they they must do this establish a policy under which each under which I will put that eligible employees of the state agency may be authorized to perform remote work and then it goes on to say determine the eligibility for all employees of the state agency including critical need employees to participate and remote work all it's saying is develop a policy. It's not saying send everybody home we don't want covered we don't want everybody working from home what we want you to look at the positions that you have there and figure out what positions work better in the office where do we need when I go to get my driver's license I want to have that DMB person right there absolutely no doubt about it. But is there an attorney that's working or an accountant working for the state that might actually get more done as a matter of fact in committee yesterday we had four of these agencies are Division divisions asked by representative Lane Jean to come forward he said anybody representing please come forward and give us your feedback all four said thank you for this bill we want some guidelines this is a big deal to our employees and this gives us some framework thank you and one even said he works from home one day a week. And he gets more done on that one day that he does all the other days and he said It for vote work is completely taken out he's going to look for another job and I promise you there will be other employees who currently are working remotely who will say I'm going to look for another job in that survey. That we did. It showed for employee recruitment fifty three percent founded helpful but employee retention eighty seven percent. Founded helpful. Employee retention we save money when we don't lose employees. Employee productivity we want to talk about efficiency employee productivity ninety three percent found it helpful. And workplace morale. We want our employees happy because happy employees stick around longer. And workplace morale was ninety three percent. Helpful. All I'm asking for is that we put some guardrails there we know what's already taking place and so that this body. Is working with the other body keeping an eye on each other isn't that what we're supposed to be doing. We represent our employees our state employees. And I want to make sure that there's good communication between the employee and the employer. And with that. I probably didn't answer every question. But if there are some amendments on the other side to clarify something I'd be happy to make it and with that I'd appreciate a good vote you'll have a good day. Represent Mayberry is closed for the bill the question before the house is the bill thirteen twenty six prepared machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast a ballot madam Clark. By a vote of forty two yeas forty one days and eleven present the bill is fair. Madam Clark please read house bill Fortino six. House Bill Fortino six representing eleven concerning the regulation of certain battery charge fences by municipalities and counties. To eleven you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members bring to you today house bill fourteen oh six the purpose of this bill is to set a uniform standard across our state for the use of battery charged offenses that work with alarm systems to protect the business owners property. These battery powered fences allow businesses that are often targeted for theft and generally hard to protect such as rail yards construction sites with heavy machinery. And as and rental car lots most of you have probably had issues in your district's with apps of catalytic converters it's a big problem we face we facing across the state right now this would allow those rental car company lots to protect those assets. Fences are solar powered never connected to existing electrical infrastructure they will be properly labeled and meet the safest stringent guidelines as outlined by the international electro technical commission sixteen states to pass this model legislation already including border states Texas Missouri Louisiana and Mississippi. I'll be happy to try to answer any questions president Cozart what purpose question you're recognized Russian eleven I know that you said is the twelve All system but that also carries on a higher voters on those lines you know what a voltage could carry. No Sir I do not okay thank you. I see no other questions I appreciate a good vote. President eleven explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent eleven is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen oh six per the machine madam Clark. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Yes about men Clerk. By a vote of ninety six C. A. zero nine zero president. The bill has passed man park please read house bill thirteen thirteen. Thirteen thirteen by representative had sent to amend the exemptions of life insurance proceeds from actions by creditors and representatives. We're gonna pass over house bill thirteen thirteen Manafort please read house bill thirteen forty nine. As the thirteen forty nine by representative ranking current concerning paid E. sports tournament percent rate you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this legislation defines paid E. sports tournaments and clarifies that Patey sports tournaments do not constitute gambling under Arkansas law if you're not familiar with E. sports I'm gonna take just a moment to explain E. sports is essentially the world of competitive video games these are multi player games where people compete against each other some of the more popular games are games like Madden named after John Madden that's a football game fee for which is a soccer game but there's plenty of others halo call of duty rocket league X. center in recent years E. sports have become extremely popular in twenty twenty to nationwide each sports was one point two billion dollar industry. And there's currently just to demonstrate the popularity of the sports there's over eighty schools in Arkansas that have competitive E. sports teams and the Arkansas activities association recognizes it as a sort of competitive activity. it's also very popular at the collegiate level we've got Six different universities or colleges in Arkansas that offer scholarships for E. sports. Hendrix lie and John brown Henderson state southern Arkansas university and a issue and and nationwide there are tens of millions of dollars in E. sports scholarships awarded each year at the collegiate high school level most of most E. sports competitions are just friendly competition it's a hobby but they're also paid E. sports tournaments where people compete against each other interments for money or prizes and that's what this bill lays out and defines the the most simple analogy I can come up with to compare this to is a fishing tournament so take for example where insurance will pay and the pay an entry fee to secure their spot in the tournament and then they'll compete against one another to see you know who can catch the biggest fish or the most finished and they compete for money or prizes any sports tournament when operating the same way except having been fishing a time or two I think this is a fishing is much more dependent on a lot then this would be the sorts interments are very popular in some places they will fill a venue the size of the statehouse convention center or Simmons bank arena of competitors to to compete against each other and some of these competitions or even carried on some of the ESPN family of channels so the reason that we would want to define E. sports this way is because the outcome of any sports tournament is determined by the relative knowledge and skill of the competitors not by chance is central element to gambling is that you're waging money wagering money in order to win money in the outcome is determined by chance like it would be with a lottery ticket or a slot machine or what have you but for the folks who compete in esports they practice they train Nays they devote significant amount of time to this and and as a new emerging industry the participants. Would benefit from the clarity and certainty in our law to ensure that what they're doing is actually allowed for under the law. But also E. sports could benefit Arkansas economically as I mentioned is becoming more more popular to hold regional and even national tournaments if we have regional or national tournaments come to Arkansas that's more people coming to our state to visit their staying in our hotels they're eating in our restaurants or shopping in our local business some states like North Carolina even and had economic development incentives to trying to bring a tract E. sports tournaments to their state which just goes to show the popularity of this and I think passing a law like this sends a signal that Arkansas is welcoming to new and emerging industries and we want to bring more economic activity to our state and it cost us nothing to pass this law so with that be happy to take any questions. Seeing none Preciado give a. Represent rates plane the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Reagan's close for the bill the question before the House is passed house bill thirteen forty nine. The machine apart. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about madam Clark. By a vote of ninety As zero may zero present the bill has passed. A person makes for what purpose I will represent Crawford for what purpose thank you I would like to know if we could expunge house bill thirteen twenty six please is that a motion yes sentence. Proper motion. Is debatable represent Crawford you're recognized to explain The motion. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues to you know that that both that just went through affected everybody here behind us. That that the people who take care of us we just voted against so I would like to expunge the vote if we need to make changes to make on and let's take care of the people who take care of us thank you. Representive Crawford has Explain the motion we would like to speak against the motion. Represent very recognized speak against the motion. Ladies and gentleman this has absolutely nothing to do with these people behind us. That is up to mark the General. About whether they're gonna work here they're going to work there the bottom line is the executive branch should have a say in this they have not been called to the table or to see how they feel about remark remote work from home when we start talking about you know making the motion in using them as a sympathy vote that is not appropriate I appreciate you're not voting for this thank you president Crawford. What purpose. President Perry spoke against the motion we would like to speak for the motion. Ladyman you're recognized speak for the motion. Sorry colleagues for coming down here but. Representative say they have been called to the table they had a committee meeting the table was there they were in the room where they were available it's been scheduled why did they come speak. explains the vote let's discuss one particular sent flamen spoken for the. For the motion we would like to speak against the motion. We would like to speak for the motion represent Mayberry recognized speak for the most. First of all. The governor's office told me they had no amendments to this after I filed the bill I got called and I had a conversation with transformation services and we sat down at the table several of us together to talk about this bill and they told me then and there. That transformation services that a lot of the language they're putting in their policy is actually in my bill. And they asked me where did I get it from and I said well the department of commerce has a policy in place and the bureau of legislative research has a policy in place and we used those things to put this bill in place I did reach out I did have this conversation. I also got back from DHS after I filed the bill they reached out to me and they said we have no problems with your bill the only thing that they would like is they don't want to reporting mechanism in there that they have to report in October how it's working now and I told him well legislators kinda need to know how it's going. And we did hear from these other agencies at committee meeting and they all supported the bill they told us they love this bill there is a great need for this bill. The last one I got from the governor's office was we have no amendments. This passed through committee yesterday. I was not approached by anybody. Intel might. Phoning got a dean at seven something this morning. Asking. However bodies voting on this bill. That's how I got notified. I would appreciate the opportunity to perhaps bring this back to committee if there are still some concerns and some wording. I said I was willing to make that change much earlier and was never given any amendments I actually did respond with something that I had in the bill that they I I add something about internet and how it's going to be paid I listen to the governor's office concern about that and I made an amendment to fix that. So I have been working I don't like to share all those details I don't want to bore you all. I would really appreciate another opportunity to continue to work on this. Thank you some Mayberry has spoken for the motion we would like to speak against the motion. Anyone like to speak for the motion represent makes. Thank you Mr college I'm just gonna make one quick point on this is as we've had this discussion this is been a very good discussion for us to have there's a lot of question marks out there there is already remote work going on. And I think it's hard for us to make informed decisions about that because we don't have information about how it's going is it like representative very you know that people sitting at home in the region was not getting things done or is it as representative Ladyman has pointed out that people are being more productive in which case is which happening where are the best opportunities for us to take advantage of this and I think one of the most important pieces of what representative Mayberry is doing here is by requiring the agencies to report that information to us through this legislation that we can get the information that we need in order to make better informed decisions on this topic going forward so with that I would encourage a yes vote so we can learn how we can best utilize this potential opportunity for our employers if it is a good opportunity for employers thank. A person makes a spokesman for the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. When you would like to speak for the motion. Represent Crawford. We are you close for your motion. Members. Wrestled for expungement is two thirds the question before the House is the motion to expunge house bill thirteen twenty six all in favor say aye. Those opposed. The nose have. Representative makes for what purpose motion place let's hear your motion after the announcmenet for any of the bills transferring the bill's place in the counters on the desk members amending their own bills their own members members withdrawing their own bills finalize resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move we adjourn until one thirty on Monday afternoon. That's proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed the motion passes are there any announcements. Represent Warren for what purpose announcmenet recognized joint retirement will meet Monday morning at nine o'clock in big mac a president wing for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized House Management meets immediately upon adjournment today in just a few minutes in room one thirty eight represent Matix for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized Insurance and Commerce meets in fifteen minutes. Any other announcements. Scott for what purpose you're recognized okay M. mandate is A. K. A. day at the capitol I'm asking each of you to wear pink or green thank you. The other announcements. The desk remain open as needed for the reading. Senate Richardson. What purpose. You're recognized. Legislative black caucus will meet Monday eleven AM room to seventy two any other announcements. The desk remain open is needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion The Addams named the adjourn resolution the house