House Convenes

And by the member staff press and guests in the galleries to stand to be led in prayer by pastor Wesley hooks of the night Street Baptist church in Fort Smith I guess the representative Jay Richardson and rate remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative lane. Espere reasons got a lot of the companies I was thank you for those with someone in this house operated your your guiding. Each one of us all today provided everything to see the movie done. But we is that we think about our leadership we also got it you just read. Most of all be permitted to buy new clothes that one could fall for the other guys that were in Jesus name a. Members please indicate your presence. By pushing your yellow present button prepared machine Mr Clark. Cast a ballot Mr Clark. With a hundred members present chair sees a quorum. Represent Jeffrey Wardlaw most we dispense the reading and previous day's Journal without objections so ordered are there Reports from select committees read reports Mr Clark. The Speaker we are committee on house bills to whom was referred Senate bill two seventeen beg leave to report that we have the same into consideration here the return the same with the recognition that do pass or stick with it in my chair. There any Reports from standing committees ports Mr Clark. Misspeak you we're committed insurance and commerce to whom was referred house bill thirteen thirteen thirteen forty nine thank leave to report that we have the same and it could under consideration here to turn the same with the recommendation of the do pass strictly submitted. John Maddox chair. Mr Speaker we are committee on aging children and youth Legislative Military Affairs to whom was referred house bill ten twenty to at ten twenty three House within twenty five beg leave to report that we had the same under consideration here of the trying the same with the recognition that do pass a Texas omitted Sonia Eubanks Barker chair Mr Speaker we are committee on aging children and youth to whom was referred Senate concurrent resolution for beg leave to report that we have the same consideration here they're trying to say with the records and they do pass make this but it's a new Eubanks Barker chair Mr Speaker we could an aging children you to whom was referred house resolution. Ten twenty four Bentley to whether we have the same under the consideration here they're trying to say with the record a recommendation that do pass as amended number one respect this but it's on Eubanks Barker chair. Mr Speaker we are committee on agriculture forestry and economic development to whom was referred eleven eighty two by the Department seeming to consideration here they're trying to say with the recognition that do pass concurrence in Amendment number one respective submitted Jack Fortner chair Mister we're committee I culture at foreseeing economic development to whom was referred Senate bill two O. nine beg leave to report that we have the same under consideration here they're trying to say with the recognition that do pass rex's submitted Jack Fortner chair Mister we're twenty and culture for Syrian acknowledges development to whom was referred Senate concurrent resolution six big league report that we have the same consideration here they're trying to say with a recommendation that a do pass exactly submitted Jack Fortner chair Mister Speaker we are committee on state agencies the government affairs to whom was referred house bill thirteen twenty six beg leave to report that we have the same into consideration here if the transit with recognition to do pass exactly submitted Dwight Tosh chair Speaker we are Committee on state agencies government affairs who was referred house bill eleven sixty three beg leave to report that we had a similar under consideration here they're transit with the recommendation do pass to concur in the rule one Dwight Tosh chair. Mr Speaker we are committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill of ninety six beg leave to report that we have the same under consideration here to turn the same with the recognition that do pass to be currencies and everyone is like this in about Nicks junior vice chair Speaker we are committee on city county local fifteen was referred house bill fourteen six big return for the same consideration near the trying to see what the recommendation that a do pass submitted Milton Nicks question. They're in this business three letters from the governor Executive communications. Members. We have to agenda related issues four two resolutions is a resolutions that honor groups that due to scheduling and to get them to the floor by the first of next week we we need to re referred these resolutions to the House Management Committee so without objection. The Speaker directs the re referral of house resolution ten twenty seven from the House aging children Youth Legislative and Military Affairs Committee to the House Management Committee. Hearing no objections so ordered further without objection Speaker directs the re referral of house resolution ten twenty nine the House aging children and youth Legislative Military Affairs Committee to the House Management Committee hearing no objections so ordered. Mr Clark please re House resolution ten eleven. House resolution ten eleven by representative Michael returning as a Malvern leopards football team is the class four A. state champions. Simpler you're recognized to present resolution. That's correct representive Womack Gonzales if they'll join in well please. It's always an honor to recognize our students for whatever type of recognition that they're here at this state capital for they all have a story a wonderful story then when you add to it. That there is a state championship involved it becomes a little bit more interesting. Today I got the opportunity to tell you a little bit of a story. Every state championship team. As a road. Well the Malvern leopards road got very long before the season ever started with unforeseen scheduling changes in fact if I did the math correctly on Google maps. They did approximately seventeen hundred miles on round trips. They want to such places as Riverview. Hernando Mississippi. Waldron. Sorry representative Richmond about that one. Manner of sorry representive meaning Maddox about that one. Nashville sorry representative Watson. Lamar I'm sorry representative Pilkington. Warren sorry representative Wardlaw that was a great game. Riverview and into war memorial to face Harding academy. Sorry representatives. All that night or should I say it started during the day. There were two inclement. Weather delays totaling three and a half hours. Now I played a big part in this championship I want you to know that. You see my role was to make sure that the. Referees had an extra set of eyes. In the bleachers to. Make sure that any call that was missed was pointed out to them. At which time sometimes they tell me to shut up. But after three and a half hours of delays and scoring sixty four points again I apologize to the Harding alumni in the room they became the state for a champions so you don't have anything you want to add cut a representative wall mac lives in Arkadelphia we're going to talk about that game so. Well I'm not going to talk about that game but congratulations. Mr chairman we please have the Clerk read resolution but title. Mr Clark could you. Read the resolution plan along. To recognize the member leopards football team at the class four A. state champions. Hello Sir. Represent a clear is presented the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representing the colors close for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house resolution ten eleven all in favor say aye. Opposed nay reserve resolution is adopted. Mr Clark reed House resolution ten seventeen. House resolution to seventeen by Speaker separate to recognize Parkers chapel to your team for winning the two twenty twenty two one to a class Arkansas cheerleading game to a state championship. Because after you're recognized to present your resolution. Mr I with your permission I'd like represent Barker joined me in the wealth. Thank you Mr chairman members. It's my honor to present House resolution ten seventeen honoring the Parker chappel Trojans cheer team for winning the to Senate two thousand twenty two one into a Arkansas cheerleading game day state championship which I actually was there and witnessed an interesting thing about Parkers chapel and their cheer program is this is not only this is not their first state championship actually what I'm talking about if you're going to stand up so we can see. So they not only won the two thousand twenty two state championship they won the two thousand twenty one state championship and the two and the two thousand twenty state championship so they had a three peat that they're in the midst of not only that they competed at the national cheerleaders association medium varsity game day high school competition in Dallas just a few weekends ago and out of three hundred and ten teams from across twenty seven states they finished tenth. Across all those states in those teams so you know a lot of times we recognize football teams and basketball teams but I can tell you that those sure squads work every bit as hard and that not only do they support their teams during game day but then beyond that they compete in cheer competitions across the state and as at your dad myself I know that that's many hours many miles and I thought is appropriate that we recognize the Parkers chapel to your team today represent Barker. I would just say congratulations on your hard earned titles. Mr chairman I'd ask that the Clerk read the resolution. Mr Clark read the resolution. Whereas on December seventeenth twenty twenty two Parkers chapel Trojans your team won the one to a Arkansas cheerleading game to a state championship in hot springs Arkansas and whereas the Parkers chapel Trojans your team repeated as champions after winning the two a Arkansas cheerleading game day state you would have been twenty twenty and twenty twenty one and whereas the Parkers chapel should you Jeanne placed tenth nationally in the national cheerleaders association medium varsity game day high school competition in Dallas Texas on January twenty second twenty twenty three and whereas three hundred and ten teams from twenty seven states competed at the national cheerleaders association national high school championship competition and whereas the Parkers chapel school in the community provided that Parkers chapel Trojans your team with the support necessary to compete at the national level and we're as Tory Jacob is the head coach for the purpose chapel church in tier team assisted assisted by care media. Now therefore be it resolved in the house of representatives of the ninety fourth General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House representatives recognize the Parkers chapel Trojans your team for winning the twenty twenty two to a Arkansas came to a state championship. Members would appreciate a good vote in honoring this your team that is a three time state champion they put in a lot of hard work and I would appreciate a good vote. Speaker Shepherd is present resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution Speaker Shepherd is close for the resolution the question before the House is adoption of house resolution ten seventeen all in favor say aye. Opposed nay the resolution is adopted. Our troopers of the day are corporal Kevin grounds and Lieutenant definitely like this. We have some guests in the north gallery Karen McIntyre who's the. Yes of. A final. Our daughter is paging today so uh welcome her to the House. I apologize I was in the north gallery. Also in the north calories Dr rich you mate and journalism students of the university of central Arkansas the guest of representative C. McGee. Okay in our west gallery had the Christian ministries academy senior government class the guests the representative McGrew. Also in the west gallery had the doctor Rebekah Baird professor of a issue Mountain Home and Julian. The N. G. day and they'll want to use me and Cassie. Caskey Jones students at a issue Mountain Home guest representative painter. Also to west gallery we have Jeff quick director of north central food alliance two is also with the Arkansas. Food alliance and we also I believe have former representative Kathy Webb. And they are also the guest of representative painter. Members are doctor the day. Is doctor sue G. eight. Code topcoat a padi of little rock and are. Nurse the days miss Brenda Hewitt. Okay. Members we have with this here on the house floor we have former representative Jody Dickinson initially in the gallery we have one maxi and white Skelton their guests of represent Tosh. In the west gallery we have the mica fellows program which is an initiative of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation in cooperation with the Methodist foundation for Arkansas their guests of represent flowers. Represent rye. For what purpose yes Sir of point of personal of privilege Sir you're recognized to make your point person for. Okay. Kaneva glasses this time. Yeah. Your today I want to honor the Truman high school junior ROTC. And as with the citation is where's the Truman junior reserve officers training corps junior ROTC has exceptional history of actions they were one of only seven J. ROTC units in Arkansas chosen for testing the inclusion of the eighth graders and army J. R. O. T. C. and whereas the Truman high school wildcat battalion is renowned for the number and quality of ceremonial events that they participated in each year far surpassing other junior ROTC these include over fifty color guards and for parades each year the protagonist color guards are notable because of the expanded number of cadets involved in H. H. event H. color guard is directed exclusively by cadet leadership and each presentation has you has unique choreography and where's the leadership of CEPT Joseph Elliott senior J. R. O. T. C. instructor and attack enemy from a high school junior ROTC students exemplify the values of citizenship service to the United States and personal responsibility the following students are also honored for service pages during that this section two thousand twenty three legislative session Gracie carding Deverell Hodges Sonya Barnes Tanya Barnes and Landon holiday and whereas the house of representatives of the ninety four General Assembly of the State of Arkansas takes great pride in recognizing the Truman high school junior ROTC and wishes in the bay. Best in future endeavors now and now pursuant to the motion by representative John here The Arkansas house of representatives directs that this citation representative on this twenty second day of February of two thousand twenty three and I appreciate these kids thank you all. The morning hour has ended. Representive Hudson recommends that we concur in Senate amendment one to House Bill eleven sixty one. Mr Clark please read Senate Amendment one. Senate mineralized NO seven sixty one. Representative Hudson you are recognized to explain amendment one. Thank you thank you colleagues and as usual I mentioned this in committee yesterday but the Senate had to monkey around with perfectly good bill the worst thing that they did to it and and I extend my apologies is again is that they added representative Brooks is a co sponsor and the other thing that they did to it was they added a little bit more clarifying language on where the breast pump should be stored as the only two changes happy to answer questions but other than that I appreciate a good vote thank you. The question before the House is concur. Representative Hudson has explained the amendment does anyone wish to speak against the amendment. For the amendment representative Hudson are you closed. The question before the House is concurrence with Senate amendment one to House Bill eleven sixty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. By a vote as ninety nine yeah zero Nays and zero present you have concurred in Senate amendment one to House Bill eleven sixty one. Representative may very recommends that we can current Senate amendment one to House Bill eleven eighty five Mister Clark please read Senate Amendment one Senate bill number one to House eleven eighty five representative Mayberry you're recognized to explain amendment one. Thank you miss Baker The Department of ad had a great clarification to add to this very simple little bill and I appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Mayberry has explained the amendment does anyone wish to speak against the amendment. For the amendment representative Mayberry are you close for your amendment the question before the House is concurrence with Senate amendment one to House Bill eleven eighty five prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. With that if ninety seven yeah zero ninety eight yeah eight zero nine eight and zero present the amendment has passed. Have concurred in Senate amendment one to House Bill eleven eighty five. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen nineteen. House bill forty ninety representive Underwood to create the ensuring access for all Arkansas our Kansans of voter protection act twenty twenty three to me the procedure for the filing of a ballot initiative and referendum petition and are declared emergency. Representive Underwood you're recognized to present the bill thank you madam Speaker today out of state special interest groups can change Arkansas constitution simply by getting signatures from fifteen counties and typically those are counties that are more populated in larger counties. Arkansas constitution states that signatures can be collected from quote at least fifteen counties so the constitution sets a floor but it does not set a ceiling on the number of counties that need to be represented in the signature gathering process under this bill what we're doing is we're raising that process that signature getting process to fifty counties I do want to clarify our emphasize that this is not changing the percentage of necessary signatures and anyway by doing this we can ensure that more Kansans have a chance to participate before measure makes it on the ballot and particularly make sure that these best these issues have more widespread support instead of just being enforced by out of state special interest groups specifically by passing more rule counties in the state of Arkansas and I appreciate a good vote thank you. Representive Underwood has explained the bill does anyone wish to speak against the bill. Representative Clowney. You're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you madam Speaker colleagues I spoke against this bill in committee yesterday and I just want to share my concerns about it with you this bill is in my mind an insult Arkansas voters in three different ways and I just want to lay those out for you here Arkansas voters. Have the opportunity to have their voice heard every Arkansas voter in every county urban and rural when these things get on the ballot in other words we're being told that we want to make sure things have widespread support before they get on the ballot even though once they get on the ballot he clearly still need to be approved by a majority of our Kansans before there are these changes to our constitution. The constitution is protected in that way and it is I think insulting to Arkansas voters to presume that that's not enough we were told in committee yesterday that oftentimes in these campaigns special interest groups come in and they you know deceive voters but I can't think of another arena where our answer to the concern that voters are being deceived is to remove their right to vote on a thing that is what we're doing here that to me is insulting to Arkansas voters the second way that insults Arkansas voters. Is that we just heard this is to prevent out of state special interest groups from coming and spending money and getting on a ballot I'm in fact. Thresholds this height will actually have the opposite results in other words the only people who will be able to get on Arkansas ballot will be out of state special interest groups who are so well funded that they can meet this incredibly high threshold of county is anybody who's ever tried to get signatures or who knows anything about it knows how hard it is it would be virtually impossible to get this number of people to agree that the sky was blue right this is going to be a huge undertaking and one that cannot be supported by grass roots are Kansans trying to get something on the ballot which is what this process was designed to protect so I think taking power away from those grassroots groups from the everyday our cans and giving it to the special interest groups those well funded out of state interests is insulting to the Arkansas voter. And finally this is insulting to the Arkansas voter because the Arkansas voter actually told us they don't want this we are doing this under the guise of protecting with the majority of our Kansans want but not even three years ago issue three on the ballot would raise the threshold to forty five counties that was voted down by the majority of Arkansas voters it is insulting to Arkansas voters to say we heard that you didn't like what we ask you to support. And so instead of listening to your voice on that we're gonna force it on you anyway that's what thirteen for this bill would do that in my mind is why it's insulting to Arkansas voters it's why I'll be voting no and I'd ask you to join me thanks. Representive Clowney has spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative brown you're recognized to speak for the bill. You're recognized thank you madam chair I support this bill because during the last election we had so many referendums on the ballot we learned that. Arkansas is one of the easiest states to get a referendum on the ballot we are one of the easiest targets for these groups that come in from out of state to bring us marijuana and gambling and a lot of things that Mostar Kansans do not support and so that is why I am going to vote for this bill thank you. Representative brown has spoken for the bill does anyone wish to speak against the bill. Representive more you want to speak for the bill you're recognized. Thank you madam chair. I wasn't committee yesterday and all essentially say the same thing I said the. Currently you have to have fifteen counties of signatures from fifteen counties well there are sixteen counties in this state out of seventy five that all have populations of less than ten thousand individuals myself I live in Monroe County it's the fees the fifth least populous county in the state. Also represent what your county which is the third least populous county in the state. I couldn't tell you when the last time I saw somebody gathering signatures for constitutional ballot amendment in my county. We talk about representation I represent five counties hundred and twenty seven miles from one from the most more than most city. To the southernmost city. And I'm all they've got. I really wish that more people would ask their opinions and value what they think and so I urge you to vote in favor of this measure so more Kansans can be heard thank you. Representative represented more has left the well. Representative more has spoken for the bill does anyone wish to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representive Underwood would you like to close for your bill. Thank you members I would just say you know. This bill isn't about making it harder to get something on the ballot it's about having a wider spread support across the state of Arkansas or something that's gonna get on a ballot and add an additional accountability measure that this is something that Arkansans want. I don't think that doesn't diminish the voice at all in fact that increases their voice by saying we're not we don't want to just go speak to a select few people that in the state of Arkansas and then have a bunch of out of state money try to pour money into that once on the ballot instead says Hey we're gonna go to more people instead of Arkansas and see if this is something that they they support. And I would also just say finish by saying I looked up I had secretary state office give me the three smallest counties and what the how many signatures you have to get from those counties it was eighty ninety nine hundred and one and to me that's not overly burdensome to go and talk to a eighty people in a county and see what their thoughts on that so with that I appreciate your consideration I appreciate a good vote thank you. Representive Underwood has closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen nineteen Mr Clark prepare the machine. You're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. As everyone voted. With a vote of seventy five Mr Clark cast up the ballot. With a vote of seventy nine yea nineteen nine a and zero present the bill has passed. And the emergency clause. Members we have another page that we would like to introduce to you today. Drew more Senate representative Kantor Moore is with us today in the house welcome through. Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen forty seven. Possible thirty forty seven a representative back to create a find financial aid appeal process in committee for the Division of higher education. Representative back you are recognized to present the bill. Thank you thank you thank you colleagues on this bill. the simple. It basically sets up a five person financial appeals committee from higher read. Currently when you get a scholarship if something goes wrong you had an emergency or something like that you failed to put your scholarship on hold are just something happened and you lost your scholarship there is no Avenue for you to get that scholarship back. So what this does is it sets up this appeals committee and what you would be able to do then is to fill out the form that they have set up in regard to them that would looking that's okay this is a good student there removing a law something happened in their life they can look at this and I could just reinstate you back into the system where where you where you left the system there's no additional money that that's associated with this it also allows them to take a look at a student that needs to of my need to take some. Some classes or something to cut and catch up one time they can actually get some funds from the end of their scholarship not additional funds from the end of their scholarship to make sure they can attend those classes so with that I appreciate a good vote. Representative back has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative back are you close for your bill. To back is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen forty seven Mr Clark prepare the machine. As everyone voted. With the vote of ninety seven yeah zero nine zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen thirty six. House bill thirteen thirty six a representative Cozart to create agricultural education pilot program a public elementary schools. Representative Cozart you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you madam chair. Ladies and gentlemen this is a little bill around to Education yesterday. It's it's not really a simple bill but it's a great deal. I believe this is something that would be great for kids. I go to school that love agriculture may want to be in some type of plan that will you take agriculture to get there will there be veterinarian will there be a farmer will be a rancher would be anything of that sort are into growing things plants. Any kind of any kind anything that deals with agriculture. This is a as created agriculture education pilot program in public elementary schools. And I'm gonna I'm gonna give you a brief I kind of want to the long term yesterday but I'll stand and ask questions if you have some what this does is allows the Department of is and the farm bureau federation to come together. And make rules to allow for six pilot schools across the state. And I did find a little more information the state will be divided into six areas Seoul all the schools in those areas can apply one school would be selected out of that area for a pilot this could spread later wanted to they have the option to run this for three years and if they want expand on it and they can expand on it are they can let it the way it does not do what they want to do there's no cost on this farm bureau is going on right this program and take care of it unless the school decides to hire an agriculture teacher to help teachers that would be the only call so they would have all of the equipment all the needs of the curriculum everything would be under written by farm bureau I'm gonna stop there I'll give you this was started in Georgia a few years ago and you know the like George does we can be in the basketball pretty bad so I think we do a better in Arkansas who me well I'll be glad to take some questions. We'll see a nun I appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Cozart has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative because are you close to your bill representative Cozart is closed for the down. The question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen thirty six Mr Clark where the machine. As everyone voted. With that in ninety nine yeah zero nine zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen seventy nine. House bill thirty seven I'm a representative Michael and didn't to require the electronic filing of certain sales and use tax returns. Represent Macklin and you're recognized to present the bill. C.. Thank you chairman members I present to you today house bill thirteen seventy nine which requires electronic filing of certain sales and use tax basically this requires taxpayers who have. To file electronically if you have more than five thousand dollars monthly sales and use tax based on the last fiscal year if you do have an issue or if the taxpayer has an issue that this is a hardship to file electronically they can receive a waiver from from IDFA in order to file it on paper as they had in the past and currently we have about seventy five percent of taxpayers to file electronically which means twenty six percent are still on paper this bill would affect about three point four percent of those are eight hundred sixty five taxpayers would be now be required to pay to file electronically and the reason for this bill is that in twenty nineteen this body passed a law that asks us to try and modernize our tax laws and move people to filing and doing things electronically this bill helps us move that forward other states have similar programs with different amounts required from the filing but we're kind of in the middle and there is no revenue impact to doing this and so without any questions I ask for a good vote. President Macklin is explain the bill we would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Senate. Clinton is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen seventy nine prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted as everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four Yeas one name one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen thirty five. House forty thirty five a representative Haak to mean the prepayment calculation for sales tax from the preceding calendar year to the preceding fiscal year and to declare emergency Senate hawk you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members this bill was brought to me by deified the FAM one thing go representatives for allowing me to run this this bill this is to amend the pre payment calculation for sales tax from the preceding calendar year and the preceding fiscal year so basically right now if you make two hundred thousand dollars a month in your business you're required to make that prepayment tax penalty and all this bill is doing is allowing tax with the businesses to decide in December what that tax penalty is going to be they're going to give them a little bit more time to know in July so all we're doing is in the calculation moving it from December to July it's technically clean up bill but because the fact that we're having to move it for five months now with the they want to run this out so we had a good conversation committee yesterday this is doing nothing but moving it from December to July to give taxpayers more time to know what their tax bill will be on the prepayment and with that I would appreciate a good vote. Representive hawk. Explain the building would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. President Hawkins close for the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill fourteen thirty five for the machine Mr Clerk. On the on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety eight Yeas one day and zero present the bill is passed an emergency clause Mr Clark please read house bill Fortino one. House bill forty one by representative Burke's regarding public assistance in time in the direction of cash assistance. President Burch recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Callings H. B. Fortino one is to amend the cash assistance benefits provided to work eligible able bodied adults receiving ten if you may know tennis is the temporary assistance for needy families program administered by the department of workforce services is designed to helping low income people during a difficult time when they're becoming more job ready such as participating in a training program to return to the workforce the bill came to me from the cordon and opportunity Arkansas and I discussed this bill it link with doctor shoulders at DWS before filing it she is absolutely fine with the bill currently ten F. provides a benefit to children and adults they receive this cash benefit and other support this bill changes nothing relating to the child cases it only affects the able bodied work eligible adults for those able bodied adults the bill reduces the time limit that can be on the program from twenty four months to twelve months and during those twelve months the participants should be able to ready themselves to find work and join the work force the safeguard here is that DWS has the ability to issue a waiver when they get to that twelve month period and extend the benefit they can extend the benefit unlimited number of times up to sixty months if DWS chooses so if somebody's in a training program that takes eighteen months to come. This benefit and till they complete that program the ultimate goal here is to help more Kansans leave the trap of government dependency cycle off this program and bolster the workforce by moving more adults from welfare to work thank you for your attention and I ask for a good vote. The birds explain the bill we would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. This is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill Fortino one machine. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of eighty one the A. seventeen A. zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read House Bill fourteen ten. How fourteen ten by representative perks to revise the child labor laws and to create the youth hiring after twenty twenty three. Burch you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members this bill simply seeks to eliminate the work permit required by our state government before somebody under the age of sixteen can get a job keep in mind that in most cases you have to be fourteen years or older to be employed in Arkansas unless you're working in a family business or some other exception like that so we're generally here talking about fourteen and fifteen year olds eliminating this bureaucracy is not a new idea at least fifteen states to do this the federal government at least fifteen states do not have this work permit requirement in the federal government does not require this work permit as well the work permit was put in place in Arkansas in nineteen fourteen back then enforcement of this law was assigned to the inspector of mines and factories the superintendent of the schools had to sign off before somebody under sixteen to get a job this permit today has nothing to do with schools today it's morphed into a piece of paper which must be completed by a parent and the employer and accepted by the division of labor before that child can get a job it is nothing to do with school if the division of labor doesn't sign off then your child can't get a job even if you as the parent think it's in the best interest of your child there's no reason why anyone should have to get the government's permission to get a job bear in mind that the employer is still responsible and liable if they violate any of the other numerous child labor laws that we have so we have laws that govern how many hours these fourteen and fifteen year olds can work what days of the week they can work what kinds of jobs they can work and this doesn't change anything about those laws child labor laws still all of them federal and state are still in effect this is simply about eliminating the bureaucracy that is required in taking away the parent's decision about whether their child can work. Federal laws again like I said don't require this work permit and fifteen other states at least not required we reviewed this bill with the division of labor in the governor's office and they have no issue with the bill again help me return decision making to the parents and get the government out of the way about this important family decisions I ask for your vote representative Collins for what purpose represent Berks is left the well. Percent versus explain the bill anyone likes of speak against bill represent college you're recognized speak against Bill. Thank you Mr Speaker it really was just a question but I think the only thing that this bill does is take away the parents obligation to sign off on the child working and it was confusing when it was presented I went back and watched it because I think that it was presented as somehow being pro parents but the parents have to sign off under the current law if this passes the parents won't have to sign off and I think that's a pretty big distinction thank you. Collins spoke against the building would like to speak for the bill. President Lundstrum you're recognized speak for the. Colleagues I would hazard a guess that most people don't even know that that piece of paper exists I started a first job at fourteen in the church daycare my parents had no clue that even existed so getting rid of a little bit of a government paperwork is not a bad thing I would encourage you to vote for this bill thank. Simple instruments spoken for the building would like to speak against the bill represent McCauley recognized speak against Bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I also had a question about it the possibility of a a parent that doesn't have the best interest of their child possibly coercing them into working when maybe they shouldn't be but I also want to say that permits as they are provided extra layer of protection for children improve the company's to company that the companies that hire the children at least have that it knowledge meant in writing and that they're following the law. this red tape exists to make it harder for people who would take advantage of our most vulnerable possibly for the sake of greed and three reasons I'm against this bill it could possibly cost our Kansans to lose tax dollars it could increase school truancy and the drop out rate and I believe that it could endanger an export Arkansas Arkansas children some asking you to vote against this bill. Person because spoken against the bill anyone like to speak for the bill president Ladyman you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members in committee we had a big discussion about this most of things that have been brought up here brought up in committee and and discussed at length but the bottom line this doesn't women a paper. eliminates red tape makes government more efficient. but the bottom line is it gives the parents the decision. Or they want the kids to go to work. Not the government's I think that's what we want I appreciate a good vote thank. Represent les mis spoken for the building would like to speak against the bill represents Charlene Fite you're recognized speak against the bill. Colleagues it brings me no joy to speak against my friends bill in this body we respect families and their decisions but we also protect children as evidenced by some of the laws that we have recently passed. I was formerly at teacher of English as English for language learners. I believe that this bill would disproportionately affect those children who were my students I sympathize that a family might need additional income and want their very young student to go to work however that will eventually hurt not only the students but their family as their overall earnings are lowered for a lifetime but not being there to do their homework and by missing additional school time. For those reasons I plan to vote no and I hope you do too. President find spoken against the bill we would like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. President Berks is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen ten prepared machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. By a vote of fifty four Yeas thirty two nays and one present the bill is passed. Sir Clark please read house bill fourteen. Fourteen twenty by representative Matt brown regarding emotional support animals The brownie recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker and I. I do have a pellet gun at home they can take care of those birds up in the rafters we need to bring. I was also told by very I won't say senior also experience member that the magic words are this is a little bill in it don't do nothing so. Fourteen twenty is a bill is designed to try to address some of the problems that we have run into with the so called emotional support animals the bill has two components the first component is a consumer protection part and what it provides is that if a business or company the company or persons in the business of selling an animal and advertising it marking it as an emotional support animal then the business has to disclose to the consumer time purchase in writing that this is not a service animal under the ADA and you're not getting the same rights and privileges as a service animal under the ADA it also provides that to a business that sells accessories for emotional support animals such as a vest that says emotional support animal you must disclose the consumer this is not entirely Randall to the rights of religious of an eighty a service dog. The second part of the bill is intended to try to curb some of the abuses that were saying particularly in the housing area is simply provides that early back up under the fair housing act landlords are required to accommodate people who needs emotional support animals under federal law right now all that's required is a certification in federal law provides no guidance about the certification an entire industry has has arisen on the internet that lets people go online and get the certifications for sensually hundred thirty nine dollars I myself went to a website WWW dot emotional support animal letters dot com forward slash totally legit four slash enter your credit card answer the question yes I've had trouble sleeping since legislative session is started four hundred thirty nine dollars I'm now entitled to emotional support animal did not get my wife's consent however. Anyways this bill is trying to reduce it to solve some of that issue in that it simply requires that if you're getting one the certificates you need to be from an actual Arkansas licensed physician therapist clinician whoever conserve prescribe these they need to have a license here in Arkansas not California New York India wherever the second thing it requires is that the provider has to have an actual provider client relationship with the person getting certificate for a period of at least thirty days pre dating certificate again This is to cut down the I go on the internet that night printed out give island or the next morning and finally on certifications it does require the provider to recertify an annual basis the continuing need for the emotional support animal with that this bill is is very small it's taking baby steps and fortunately we are constrained by the fair housing act we can't do a lot within the confines of that act I think it's a good step in the right direction to try to cut down some of this abuse other states have adopted similar languages similar bills and so far they're sticking I encourage good vote thank you. President Brown is explain the bill would he would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Brown is close for the bill the question before the House is passive house bill fourteen twenty prepared machine. As everyone voted. As everyone voted Mr Clark. Please cast up the ballot. With ninety nine Yeas zero nays and zero present and one non voting your bill has passed. Members were going to move on the H. B. fourteen forty nine Mr Clark please read H. B. fourteen forty nine also forty forty nine by representative Ken Ferguson to amend the law concerning lifetime licenses under the cosmetology Act. Representative person you're recognized for senate bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. The. Good afternoon colleagues bring you house bill fourteen forty nine it is a very simple bill that's been brought to me by cosmetologists in my district and also outside of my district of the bill simply. In the case that a licensee who is fifty five years of age or older and has been actively engaged in the practice of law or teaching of cosmetology for at least twenty years or more and they apply for like ten license the only thing it does it moves the age sixty five to fifty five and twenty years or more this was vetted by the department of health the actually recommend the language what and with that thank you and I appreciate that the. Representative Ferguson has explained his bill is there anyone I like to speak against this bill. For his bill. The question before the House is the passage of H. P. fourteen forty nine prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Tally up the vote Mr Clark with nineteen ninety eight zero nine eight zero present the bill has passed. I move down to Senate bill one ninety six representive eighth. Mr Clark read the bill SB one ninety eight. Senate bill one ninety a representative eaves to amend the frequency at which each county is required to appraise all real estate at its full fair market value. You're recognized representatives. Thank you madam Speaker of members this bill comes from such Asian counties it's just going to take all the council still for your property reappraisal cycle doing away with the uncertainty that's created by having to bounce back and forth between three year and five year process eliminates confusion for the taxpayers of property owners I mean and title companies and it's offers continuity and certainty to the property owners but not having to guess again whether they're on three year or five year cycle and back and forth be happy to answer any questions. Representative Richmond for what purpose. Richardson a question you're recognized for a question thank you man Speaker so my question revolves around the the cycle associated with property goes up and down wouldn't we want to be able to I haven't accurate assessments of the accurate taxes would be assessed for that given year yeah you're still going to have that but what you have now is is a situation where you have to bounce back and forth between three and five year cycles you have a large number counties are going to be re appraising at a certain time and then the next year maybe a small number so eventually they're still gonna have to do a little bit adjusting going from three to five the bench they'll get a substantial number of counties on a four year cycle and I will continue on but they're gonna have to have some leeway to keep that going. Represent apart for what purpose question question you're recognized for a question how do you know if you're on a three or five right now like you how do they know if the which one they're on you that your Fraser okay cool thanks. Yeah thank you appreciate a good vote. Representive these has presented his bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. The question before the House is the passage of SB one ninety eight. Clark prepare the machine please. As everyone voted. As everyone voted Mr Clark please cast up the ballot with ninety six days one nine eight and zero present the bill has passed members we're going to pass over SB two twelve and SB two one three that's good that's going to bring us up to SB seven the eight Mr Clark please read bill SB seven eight. House bill seventy eight or Senate bill seventy eight by representative Dalby term of the requirement for member member contributions to the Arkansas duties judicial retirement system in the event that a judge or justice has forfeited his or her rights to retirement benefits from the system and to declare an emergency. Op you're recognized for senate bill. Thank you madam Speaker Senate bill seventy eight currently what the law is an Arkansas judge or justice has to forfeit their retirement because they reach the age of seventy years they lose everything their contributions the state contributions of any interest that may earn on that retirement account all this bill does is saying that a judge who remains on the bench past age seventy can withdraw only that money of which they contributed to the account they will forfeit anything that the state has deposited or any interest increasing those accounts so they would be getting that just there amount that's all this bill does any questions sing none I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Dalby has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill the question before the House is the passage of SB seven eight Mr Clark please prepare the machine. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Mr Clark cast about. You're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Mr Clark please cast up the ballot with ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill has passed. Members and the emergency clause members are going to go down to the Alamo agent calendar representative Jane you are recognized to present the bills. Thank you madam Speaker. College we've got one. Appropriation for next fiscal year that's going to your first bill H. B. ten ninety four it's the of Commissioner state lands. There's not no increase of thence of salary. And the matching on insurance. But that's only appropriation we have today so we'll take that thank that up first any questions on house bill ten ninety four. Seeing none your one vote is for the bill number two calls the Speaker the Kerr read bill third time. Mr Clark please read the bill for the third time Appleton ninety four. Jean. Voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark Bravo ninety seven yeah zero nine zero present the bill is passed represent gene you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker. Calling the rest of these bills from house bill thirteen seventy one down to thirteen ninety two a re appropriations these are projects that are going on in the current fiscal year that we're in now they will probably not be able to get finition so what we're gonna do is extend them into the next fiscal year beginning July one there is no additional money what was appropriated originally is is what the cost will be I have had two members asked me to pull out. House bill thirteen seventy one department of Human Services and also house bill thirteen seventy two higher education there's we have a conflict on the voter either work or have some business with them do I need to pull any of these other that the batch. The time to look at a. Seeing none will start batching it house bill thirteen seventy three. And go all the way down to House Bill thirteen ninety two. Your one vote is for the bills emergency clause Mister Mister Speaker the Clerk read the bill third time Mr Clark Is rebuild for the third time. Also thinking thirty three has a thirteen thirty four has a thirteen thirty five house bill thirteen seventy six house bill thirteen thirty seven house with thirteen seventy eight house bill thirteen eighty six house bill thirteen eighty seven house bill thirteen eighty eight house bill thirteen ninety house bill thirteen ninety one house bill thirteen ninety two. Where the machine Mr Clark. Voting on the bills. And the emergency clause. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast a ballot Mr Clark by a vote ninety seven yeah zero nine zero present the bill to pass an emergency clause representing you're recognized by your Speaker will take up house bill thirteen seventy one department Human Services of the same thing this is a reappropriation no new funds any questions. The one voted for the bill number to call for Speaker the Clerk reveal third time Mr Clark please read the bill for the third time. House bill thirteen seventy one. President genes explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Jean is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen seventy one per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted voting on the bill emergency clause the one voted cast about this Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three eight one nine three present the bill emergency clause past president Jean you're recognized. Thank you Speaker next bill house bill thirteen seventy two this the institutes of higher education reappropriation any questions. Seeing none your one vote is for the bill emergency clause Mister Speaker the Clerk read the bill third time Mr Clark please read the bill for the third time hustle thirteen seventy two. President James plan the building would like to speak against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill representing is closed for the bill the question before the House is passed house bill thirteen seventy two per machines Clerk. Voting on the bill an emergency clause everyone voted. As everyone voted. The cast of the ballot Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety three As one day and for president the Bill emergency clause or pass. Person meets for what purpose motion place let's hear your motion after the announcmenet reading the bills transferring the bill's place in the calendars on the desk members amending their own bills the only members members withdrawing their own bills finalize resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move we adjourn until eleven o'clock tomorrow morning. Proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Motion passes are there any announcements representative gene for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized the House Budget beach you'd be joint budget will meet tomorrow morning at nine AM and big mac a. Representive Stan Berry for what purpose now you're recognized Judiciary Mr Speaker will meet tomorrow in room one forty nine at ten AM. President Wooten for what purpose announcmenet recognized personnel meet at night at seven thirty in the morning and big mac K. thank you representatives for what purpose Hausman you're recognized revenue tax will not be meeting tomorrow represent Miller for what purpose. Smith. You're recognized. Public health making more at ten. Quickly. Person Maddox what purpose announcmenet you're recognized insurance and commerce committee in fifteen minutes. Representative representative eleven for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized House education meet room one thirty eight tomorrow morning at nine thirty AM. President Holcomb for what purpose. You're recognized. Public transportation will meet in the morning at nine thirty in Matt B. yes nine thirty thank you any other announcements. The desk remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion The Addams named in the adjourn resolution the house to be adjourned until