House Convenes

And by the member staff press and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by pastor Rick Etheridge of the greater vision ministries of Paragould aghast of representative Gazaway no main standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. I'd like to say to the Speaker of the house into my lifelong friend or brother in Christ representative Gazaway and all the distinguished members of the House it's an honor for me to stand here today in the open this in prayer so I say thank you so much into all the little bit nervous when I got up here until I looked around and saw everybody and I know it shall put Jimmy on the very front right next to me and I. Never mind me assigned it's going a meeting set up front next and we also. So saying that let me redeem myself let us go to the lord in prayer. Gee this S. we access your presence to the power of prayer. We pray for your favorite new wisdom today goddess this House leads this because of this great state to even to a greater St I pray god that you would just bless them that you into just give them direction and guidance got off I pray for their families Jesus for all the all the the issues in life that is presented to them and their ways on them because they have to carry this load and I pray for them and for their families that you would just less than a minute to protect them Jesus and I pray god for this great state and I ask you lord when I was coming up here I said lord give me a word just a quick word lord to bless the house of representatives today and and you gave me a scripture and as I began to think about the script you are recognized for that that this house is the heartbeat of this house of god is to to see this great state greater and I know lord that there the burden goddess to see the home the homeless or sheltered a man at the the hungry or fed that the abuse or help to I know that god that they would like to see the drug abuse and lord in crime to cease and so I recognize that the heartbeat of the of the house of representatives here god it's the state a man of healing across our nation and across the state so I pray god right now Jesus that you would just blessed this great state guy with healing all across it you spoke of a burst Board and and a second chronicles seven fourteen and you said there is a recipe God that would heal our state that would heal our nation and in that recipe for healing and that first lord you gave us only four simple ingredients and the first ingredient to heal our state you said we have to humble ourselves so the more notice be humble and not be proud in our decision making the second greeting to hill our state you Senator lord that we need to seek your face on. Or I pray that we turn to you for guidance and direction always. The third ingredient he said it would help our state you said if we would pray and I know that this house is adamant that this assembly is adamant about prior to this and the fourth in the final reading for the recipe to bring healing to the state of Arkansas and across this nation you said lord we would turn from our wicked ways still order for hearts need to get right turn our hearts right god that we could be what you called us to be this the this state a man this president is become even greater lord bring healing across this land Blasis in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing yellow present button repair the machine madam Clerk. Cast about madam Clerk. With ninety nine members present the chair sees a quorum or the request for leave represent eleven for what purpose. Leave you're recognized leave a resident representative makes this leave granted representative meets. So noted represent Jeffrey Wardlaw moves we dispense the reading of the previous day's Journal without objections so ordered. The reports from select committees. Read reports Manafort Mr Speaker we you Committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill ten ninety four house bill thirteen seventy one house bill thirty seven C. house bill thirteen seventy three house bill thirty seventy four house bill thirteen seventy five house bill thirteen thirty six thirteen seventy seven house bill thirteen seventy eight house bill thirteen eighty six house with thirteen eighty seven house bill thirteen eighty eight house bill thirteen ninety thirteen ninety one house bill thirteen ninety two Begley report we have in the same consideration here presents a recommendation that a do pass respectfully submitted lane changing chair. Other reports from standing committees reports man Clerk Mr Speaker your committee on education to whom was referred house bill eleven eighty five house bill eleven sixty one day before we had the same consideration here transaminase ninety do pass to concur in the Senate amendment number one Mr Speaker your committee on education said was referred house bill thirteen thirty six house bill thirteen forty seven Beckley report we have the same consideration here's retirement same recommendation that a do pass respectfully submitted Brian Evans chair. Mr Speaker will your committee on public health and welfare. And Labor to whom was referred house bill fourteen forty house bill fourteen thirty three house bill fourteen forty one big the report we have the same consideration here service I recognition that it do pass as amended from one. Mr Speaker your committee on public health and welfare labor seven was referred house bill Fortino one house bill fourteen ten house bill fourteen twenty house bill fourteen forty nine Senate bill two seven Senate bill two thirteen day before when the same consideration here to serve the same recognition that a do pass as quickly submitted Lee Johnson chair Mr Speaker we are committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred house bill thirteen seventy nine house bill fourteen thirty five Senate bill one ninety eight make their report with the same consideration here the times I recognition that a do pass thankfully submitted less each chair. Durian finish business are there any executive communications. Please read the letter from the government of Clark. February fourteenth twenty twenty three to the Speaker of the house there Mister Speaker this is to inform you that on February thirteenth twenty twenty three I reviewed and approved the following measures from the legislative session ninety first General Assembly house bill twelve fifty one ACT fifty one house bill eleven eighty four ACT fifty two House eleven sixty four and fifty three House eleven seventy eight fifty four house bill eleven ninety nine and fifty five house bill eleven oh eight eight fifty six house bill ten sixty eight fifty seven house bill ten sixty six ACT fifty eight eleven twenty seven ACT fifty nine house bill in fifty five ACT six the house bill eleven forty four ACT sixty one house bill ten six one X. sixty two house bill twelve a two X. sixty three house bill eleven eighty three ACT sixty four house with fourteen sixty nine ACT six the mile house bill ten forty two ACT sixty six house bill twelve fifty eight sixty seven house bill ten ninety eight sixty eight of twelve hundred and sixty nine house bill twelve sixty seven ACT seventy house bill ten sixty eight seventy one house bill ten seventy X. seventy two House concurrent resolution one thousand one sincerely Sarah Huckabee Sanders governor of Arkansas. I'm Clark please read House resolution ten twenty one. House resolution ten twenty one by representative Cooper to recognize the contribution of home schooling and to proclaim February twenty first twenty twenty three is home school day at the Arkansas state capitol. pre recognized explain resolution. Would representatives delete a hawk when long Mindy Mack Linden. And Jeremih Morrissey in here. One man well placed. Friends and colleagues you may have noticed we've had a big crowd here at the capitol of the today. Part of the reason for that is education allowance posted home school day at the capitol today. My colleagues to join me in the Welsh president House resolution ten one twenty one which declares today February twenty first as home school day at the capitol. Representative of long myself representative Macklin and we all the home school our children representative hawk has many home schoolers in her district to she supports representing more was home schooled themselves that's why I've asked all of them to join me in the world today. Arkansas home school friendly state in home schooling fits perfectly with governor Sanders ideals of parental empowerment and education. The number of home schooled students continues to grow. Last school year there were thirty thousand two hundred five home schooled students in Arkansas. We put that in terms of school districts size than the home school school district to be third in size in the state of Arkansas second only behind Springdale in Little Rock folks that's that's pretty impressive. Your committee benefits to home schooling including flexibility being able to focus on our children's individual talents and abilities and emphasizing the family and not the government is the foundation of faith and social development. Many of these families are in the gallery today and we just want to welcome them to their capital. We want to make it clear today that they have friends and advocates in the legislature. I think I representative Macklin representive long have a few words. Thank you representative Cooper I welcome home schoolers it's great to be here I'm sorry that my children are not here but ironically their home doing schoolwork so I also want to take a moment just to think the legislature Arkansas has some of the. Best home school laws in the country and so I want to thank each of you for passing those laws because I've been able to take advantage of them and I think you for that I also want to thank the moms who are here moms don't get thanked enough thank you for taking time out of your life to do this with your kids it means a great deal it's often thankless and rewarding at the same time so I thank you for doing that and just a quick Bible verse proverbs FOR thirteen says take hold of instruction and do not let her go clean to her for she is her life and I thank you for giving that wisdom and instruction to your kids I hope you enjoy your day. A proud home schooled add my wife in a school or three sons over twenty years. We survey back in nineteen ninety five what what what's the common sometimes people look at it's kind of funny I ask questions like warning kids not in school. But I want to thank the parents. struggling to live on one income into income world to provide this opportunity to their children. Yes if you don't have all the stuff that's in there the kids have just keep that in mind your parents are really sacrificing to make this possible for you and somebody's been through it I can assure you parents is more third every moment of it thank you. Mr speakers please ask the court to read the entire resolution. Whereas there were thirty thousand two hundred and five home school students in Arkansas during the twenty twenty one twenty two twenty twenty two school year and we're at home schooling Office what's ability efficiency and effectiveness in teaching students in Arkansas and this benefit allows homeschooling families to offer increased opportunities for community involvement and service to others for their children and where is home schooling is not on and not a one size fits all plan in education because most of the students learning styles and purposes and can be beneficial to students with special needs and we're as homeschooling provides benefits in academics mental health physical health and social development and where as home schooling encourages anatomy and independence and allows children to harness their own unique qualities interest and we're as homeschooling offers opportunity for students to learn entrepreneurship in office began working on their own small businesses and we're at home schooling emphasizes family of the foundation for social development and develop and development of faith and where as home schooling is a comedy to special situations and works well for military families families who travel in families contending with illnesses intelligent work schedules and where is home schooling parents are able to value an individual student's potential focus on an individual potential instead of minimum standards is standardized testing as well as allowing parents to save homes only so that learning for the students can be reactive to new methods and new concepts regarding positive child development and where is home schooling provides for focus on life skills that students can use as they progress into adulthood as homeschooling allows students to dedicate time to learning anything from cooking to budgeting now therefore be it resolved in the house of representatives of the ninety first General Assembly to the State of Arkansas that the House representative recognized February twenty first twenty twenty three is home school day at the Arkansas state capitol. Members I ask for a good vote. President Cooper's explain the resolution we would like to speak against the resolution. We would like to speak for the resolution. President Cooper is closed the resolution the question before the House the passage of house resolution ten twenty one all in favor say aye. Any oppose the resolution passed. Please read House memorial resolution one thousand one House memorial resolution one thousand one by representative due to remember detective Paul Noel and to recognize the service to the state of Arkansas. To do to recognized to explain the. Thank you Mr Speaker I'd like to ask if the bin County delegation could join me. I'm gonna try real hard not to be motional but no promises. Members. I read this resolution to you today. In honor and memory of officer Paul middle. Up in the north Allori we have a slight relief his daughter Tanya. And the sister in law Cheryl. Sorry. As many of you know officer Noel died in the line of service in December escorted three's a cross. For their from my hometown. However I didn't know unknown Charlene since I was a little girl but I wasn't aware until office knows passing. Of all he had done in his years of service and I was kind of like surprise I didn't know that was tremendous and then I was thinking about it and I realized. First I didn't because that's what law enforcement officers do they serve and they protect and they do it humbly and they do it meekly and they don't do it looking for recognition or for honors or accolades they do it because that's their heart and that's their service. And so today we have that resolution I'm ask you to obviously support I have this friend to give his family. But I also ask that in honor and memory of Paul that we remember to thank those law enforcement officers day they go by and do their work AS meekly and has humbly as he did not looking for recognition but so deserving of it. And so with that I would ask the Clerk thank you for the resolution is entirety I don't know if anyone else has anything they want to say but thank you for. I'm Clark please read the resolution in its entirety president December seventeenth twenty twenty two to take the final of the bend county sheriff's office died in the line of duty while escorting recent cross American and per session three Bentonville and we're as detective no with higher by the Benton county sheriff's office on December first nineteen eighty ninety eight to work with the detention department before his graduation Arkansas law enforcement training academy and whereas during detective novels career with the band County sheriff's office he served as a patrol deputy patrol sergeant training sergeant and lieutenant in the administration section and where is at the time of his death detective Noel served as a detective in criminal investigation division of being county sheriff's office and we're as detective no help to establish the Benton county sheriff's office motor division after graduating from the police motorcycle operators forcing two thousand six and where's the technol had eleven motorcycles and became a certified Harley Davidson technician in twenty twenty one and was instrumental in the maintenance and operation of an county sheriff's office motorcycle fleet and wears lieutenant Shannon Jenkins with the Benton county sheriff's office stated that detective no is leaving behind a long legacy with the Department as a man of many hats through his twenty four year career and where suspected nor was now to offer his for being deeply committed to the community service perhaps most of all it's a police officer from exemplified the role of to protect and serve now therefore be resolved in the House representatives of the ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the house of representatives honor the memory of the technical know and extend sincere condolences to his family and recognizes contributions state of Arkansas and his local community. Representative to explain the resolution. To speak for the resolution. Close for the resolution the question before the House is the passage of house memorial resolution one thousand one all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution passes. I'm Clerk please read House. House resolution ten twenty six by representative tear Shepherd to recognize delta sigma theta sorority incorporated for the one hundred and ten years of service to the community represents Shepherd you're recognized explain read. Good afternoon Collins it is a busy day at the capitol and there's a lot going on today and I'm proud to be a part of it personally to meet today I have my sorority here of the love the members of delta sigma theta sorority incorporated the ladies and read Jack this year we actually celebrated one hundred and two years of moving forward with forty two and I'm glad to have them here today with me and to be recognized Mr Speaker we can have the Clerk to read the resolution in its entirety please I don't Clark please read the resolution in its entirety where is the other signatories sorority incorporated a private not for profit organization that provides service to promote human welfare was founded on January thirteenth nineteen thirteen at Howard University by twenty two undergraduate students who were all women and where as currently there are over three hundred and fifty thousand initiated members and over one thousand chapters of delta sigma theta sorority incorporated in the United States England Japan Germany Virgin Islands Bermuda Bahamas Canada Jamaica West Africa South Africa United Arab Emirates and Republic of Korea and whereas in Arkansas there are eleven collegiate chapters in fifteen alumni chapters with over six hundred fifty members who are committed to one mission and one sister had empowering communities they're committed service and with the first public act of delta sigma theta sorority incorporated with its participation on women's suffrage March in nineteen thirteen in Washington DC and with the delta sigma theta has created programs to improve political education and social and economic conditions particularly within black communities and without the statement that a sorority incorporated collaborates with community organizations and corporations to further its programming goals and where as delta sigma theta sorority incorporated established programming that enlarges the scope of reaches ready activity including collaborating with habitat for humanity in building hundreds of houses for those in need engaging in a nationwide effort to provide library services in the rural south through the National Library. Projects in adopting the out alap Allen table school for the physically disabled and South Africa among many accomplishments now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives in the ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas the house of representatives the knowledge the delta sigma theta sorority incorporated and its members for providing one hundred and ten years of outstanding service and leadership to their to. Thank you in with their colleagues I appreciate a good vote. President Shepherd is explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. We would like to speak for the. Shepherd is close for the resolution the question before the House is passage of house resolution ten twenty six all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Absolution pass. Members are Dr the day is doctor Matthew Haas dean of Jones for a and our nurses days Mr Bernard. In the north gallery we have doctor Dennis Riddell president northwest Arkansas community college against a representative Grant Hodges. Also in the north gallery we have Lee Posey of the southern regional X. education board against to represent Cozart. Also a bill to mention we have in the north gallery The wife and daughter of Dr Holstein Melissa and and costing their the guests of represent Wardlaw represent Ladyman. In the north gallery we have the advisors of the family career and community leaders of America Arkansas chapter they are the guests of represent Ladyman represent more represent Cooper represent Watson. Also in the north gallery we have former representative current average the current CEO of Fulton County hospital against of represents time. In the east gallery we have the Arkansas realtors says. In the west gallery we have leadership Crawford County and leadership Fort Smith or the guest representative Charlene Fite president Jay Richardson rushed represent proper represent Graham like represent Johnson represent Richmond represent per year represent road. Also in the west gallery with Amanda ressaca and Rachel Hoover her guests today of represent all the. Also in the west gallery we have Baxter County judge Kevin lady guests of represent painter represent for. I believe in the north gallery we have Brian surely in Jack's fault Faulkner against of represent the field. We. In the west gallery we have Josh but Eric national deputy outreach director of a package of stuff represent once. I also have yes we have the service the leadership group against of representative Eads. The morning hour isn't it. Madam Clark please read house bill eleven twenty eight. At eleven twenty eight by representative Johnson to allow emergency medical responders to be licensed and to authorized emergency medical response to be reimbursed by insurance companies and the Arkansas Medicaid program Ferguson Johnson you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker members an emergency medical responders in national certifications been around for many years we had many people in Arkansas go through the fire academy other pathways to take that certification but there has not until now been a licensure process at the department of health this is simply a tacit apartment health of of creating a licensure for this new provider top this provider type is between a first responders in EMTs or entities about six weeks of training and EMR emergency medical responders about fifty six hours of training it's a voluntary certification right requiring anybody to take this would just create this pathway so the people of taking this course already can be recognized it also creates a pathway for possible reimbursement down the road for people providing the service the Medicaid at the private insurance companies I'll be happy to take any questions. Seeing none I appreciate your vote thank you. President Johnson explained the building would like to speak. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Johnson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven twenty eight per machine ma'am. Everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about madam Clark. By a vote of ninety one yeas to nays and one present the bill is passed represent Gazaway your. House bill twelve. Thank you Mr Speaker with your permission I would ask that we. A batch house bill twelve eighty six twelve eighty eight and twelve ninety three for purposes of consideration members. as you're aware we have a package of technical corrections bills most of which have already passed the house these are three of the last remaining out of that package these have been vetted in each separately through the Judiciary Committee to ensure that there were no substantive provisions in these bills that they are purely technical in nature they all passed on Judiciary Committee with no issues so with that being said. I'm gonna read down the list of bills one by one if there's an objection anyone has objection please let it be known to one of the bills that can be removed from the batch in a be voted on separately again house bill twelve eighty six twelve eighty eight and twelve ninety three. Saying no objection your one vote will be recorded on each bill after they've been read for the third time so Mr Speaker and by indirect the Clerk to read the bills for the third time apart please read the bills for the third time house bill five eighty six house bill seventy eight house bill twelve ninety three where the machine Clerk. Everyone voted. S. everyone voted. Cast about madam Clerk by a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bills are passed madam Clark please read house bill twelve forty four. Forty four by representative acre to amend the law concerning the issuance of an application for digestive driver's license digitized driver's license. President Baker you're recognized explained bill. Thank you madam Clark and Mister Speaker colleagues I'm excited resent you house bill twelve forty four this is the constituent initiated bill that has brought forth a lot of input from a law enforcement agencies civically the sheriff's association the association of chiefs of police and the state police association as well as department finance administration has had a great hand in helping rollout with the logistics of this would look like and the current vendor of choice for the state ID me who produces our current hard copy licenses has provided some insight into the mobile applications they currently provide to roughly ten other states have already enacted this. so I'm excited that we can Provide this convenient complement to a current hardcopy driver's license this bill simply charges DFA with the mission to produce a product by February first of twenty twenty five that allows us to be in session again and address then the application and use of that product. All hardcopy driver's licenses are still required you can be requested upon any private sector entity public sector entity or law enforcement if those different entities do have the application to accept these digitized driver's licenses they would have the ability and discretion to do so. With that I welcome questions. C. none I appreciate a good vote. President bakers splaine the building would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent bakeries close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve forty four prepared machine madam Clark. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about madam Clark by a vote of ninety three a zero nine to present the bill is passed Manafort please read house bill eleven eighty six house bill eleven eighty six by representative Collins to amend and update the law concerning annuity options under the Arkansas teacher retirement system and to declare an emergency president contract nice to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker so house bill eleven eighty six is from the teacher retirement system are currently a member of teacher retirement can designate one of two times beneficiaries to receive annuity payments after their death can be a spouse or it can be a child who has been adjudicated mentally or physically incompetent by a court this bill would keep those same two times of beneficiaries but would allow third option where the member could designate both the spouse and the child to split the annuity so would be a new stream of payments going out it would just be a split of the existing stream also when one of the beneficiaries dies that a new payment would stop there's number version of one beneficiaries payments to the other beneficiaries the actuaries review the bill said there would be no measurable impact on the cost of benefits of the system just allow a little bit more flexibility for the very few individuals fewer than five currently with a disabled child who may want to pursue the Joint option so I happy to answer any questions. Should you vote. Representantes explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent Collins is closed for the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill eleven eighty six per the machine. Voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Manafort. By a vote of ninety to ninety one yeas one nine one present the bill emergency clause or pass Manford please read house bill eleven eighty seven eleven eighty seven by representative Collins to amend and update the law concerning the lump sum death benefit under the Arkansas teacher retirement system and to clear any merger. Purpose of conjuring nice. Thank you Mr Speaker I another bill from the teacher retirement system this bill clarifies that T. drop participants are eligible for the same lump sum death benefit and other active and retired members are eligible for T. drop is the program remembers work past the retirement age and contributions are handled under a different set of rules for those additional years the T. drop participants are members of the system but they occupy kind of an indie was placed between active and retired so all this bill does is make sure that we're specifically mentioning these T. drop participants in code so that there is no question that they are eligible for the lump sum death benefit there's no fiscal impact of this because it's just clarifying code with the system already does have an answer any questions. And I appreciate a good vote percent Collins explained the bill would anyone. We would like to speak for the bill. President Collins is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill eleven eighty seven per machine man Clark. Voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about madam Clark by a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause or past madam Clark please read house bill thirteen ninety six thirteen ninety six by representative Tosh concerning law enforcement officer training and standards and to require training concerning persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias for our officers certification The Tasha recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker college what this bill does it requires our law enforcement training academies starting in January of twenty twenty four to teach at least to to our blog to help officers be able to identify the resources available to those officers one and counter someone with Alzheimer's or dementia as you know back up couple sessions ago we passed a bill that when we establish a crisis stabilization units at that time required law enforcement to be trying that our police academies for sixteen hours this curriculum will just be added into that training course it'll be hot talk about mental health expert adult was Alaska Commission on Law Enforcement changes training also with the late Arkansas law enforcement training academy there is a support this and are looking forward to be able to train our officers and what to do when they encounter someone with Alzheimer's or dementia and with that I'll take any questions. J. none appreciate a good vote thank you. Tosh is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Representantes is close for the bill the question before the House is passed house bill thirteen ninety six per machine madam Clark. Is everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Asked about nine thirty. I voted ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Adam Clark please read house bill thirteen twenty thirteen twenty by representative writes amend the law concerning an issue petitions and referendum petitions to require the Attorney General to review in an initiative petition or referendum petition before circulation and to declare an emergency person for a you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this legislation would moves the ballot title review process from the state board of election commissioners back to the office of the Attorney General where it existed prior to two thousand nineteen as background to how we got to where we are today I'll give a quick timeline in nineteen twenty amendment seven to the Arkansas constitution was passed setting up the initiative petition process in nineteen forty three the legislature passed act one ninety five would set up the process a ballot title review. That process was challenged in nineteen fifty six and a case that went to the Arkansas Supreme Court called Washburn versus hall in that case the court determined that AG review of ballot titles was constitutional that it was in furtherance of citizens amendment seven rights and not a hindrance to them That process date in place for sixty three years until twenty nineteen when it was moved to state board of election commissioners. Last year when the state board of election commissioners this decline to certify the ballot title on the recreational marijuana amendment. that result in litigation that went up to the Supreme Court the Supreme Court struck down that ballot title review process as unconstitutional that leads us to where we are today as of today there is no state entity that has the ability to review a ballot title to ensure its legal sufficiency. that is extremely problematic because if you do not have a mandatory ballot title review process you will end up with ballot titles that are wildly confusing misleading or deceptive. this this bill as I said would move it back to the attorney general's office the way that would work is before any signatures can be gathered the sponsors of an unfinished initiative have to present the full text of the measure along with the proposed title and the popular name the Attorney General that has ten days to certify and accept that substitute light or they the Attorney General can substitute language and approve it or if the Attorney General finds it legally insufficient they can send that back to the sponsor explained the reasoning for rejecting it and instruct them to alter and resubmit their proposal. If at any point in time the the sponsoring party determines that they've they've been aggrieved by the attorney general's actions they have the ability under this process to petition the Supreme Court for proper relief this is a good idea because as I mentioned not having a ballot title review process would be extremely problematic but secondly the timing in the ordering of the process makes more sense this way before a sponsor goes out and collects tens of thousands of not hundreds of thousands of signatures they should have to have a ballot title that has been reviewed and approved is legally sufficient the AG's office is uniquely qualified to handle these matters they have that's the largest law firm in the state but also they have decades of institutional knowledge and subject matter expertise in dealing with these ballot titles and lastly this is the only mandatory ballot title review process in the State of Arkansas that's been upheld by the courts so with that I'll be happy to answer any questions. Thank nine appreciate a good vote. President praise explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill per cent raise close for the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill thirteen twenty prepared machine ma'am Clerk. Voting on the bill in the emergency clause. As everyone voted. Everyone voted cast about madam Clark. By a vote of ninety seven yeas zero nine zero president. The Bill emergency clause or past. Represent Ladyman for what purpose point of personal privilege. Let's let's hear point personal privilege I'd like to introduce officers of the Arkansas FCCLA. You're recognized members we have with us today the Arkansas state officers of the family career and community leaders of America they're in the nice red coats over there with the emblem on they were standing out front they were getting questions so but. I do want to read as to introduce them if I could real quick Melanie **** is the vice president parliamentary law. Taylor Dixon is the vice president Community Service Lewis Mayo is the first vice president Roman heart from my district is the president state president so give welcome them. Members without objection to move to Senate bill fifty nine madam Clerk please read Senate bill fifty nine. Senate bill fifty nine by representative Jay Richardson to amend the law with respect to certain things that justify the use of physical force upon another person represent rich new Richardson you're recognized explain that. Thank you Mr chair colleagues this bill was brought through a member of the constituent of senator Chesterfield this is already into law this bill does nothing but expanded to other members in the school district was a bus driver para professional and so forth so it's already in code were already falling is just expanded to take any questions. Create a good vote president Richardson is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill president Richardson is closed for the bill the question before the House is passive Senate bill fifty nine the machine man Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Manafort Bible ninety one yeah zero nine five present the bill is passed. Man part please read House Bill Fortino for. The fourteen oh four by representative part time in election procedures ballot tabulators represent park you're recognized to explain the. Thank you Mr Speaker members this is one of our election integrity package that has been brought to us to secure our elections moving forward and this came about from a county that needed these procedures just to be more and code if a election is going to use a polling tabulator and more than one location during early voting they need to secure the votes and that tabulator each evening in a secure box that is number and take it and how's it in a secure location centralized or other ballots are capped if they're moving the machine from one location to another and they have a ballot box they are to secure that ballot box with a numbered seal and take it to the centralized location where all ballots are collected and stored until election day and this is just to help ensure that for counties that have abroad sparse population and they need to move their polling machines from one location to another that we know that every night those ballots are secure and sealed and taken to a centralized location every night and with that I will take any questions. The N. nine I'd appreciate a good vote. Absent Hawkins explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President pockets close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill Fortino for prepared machine mental Clark. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Manafort Bible ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed ma'am Clark please read house bill fourteen oh seven as the forty nine seven by representative required to create the voter registration and secure voter records active twenty twenty three to amend Arkansas constitution amendment fifty one and some in the duties of the secretary of state. Personal career recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr please excuse my boys the allergies have hit for the spring time. Basically this is a very simple bill but it does a lot. One of the things that we all want is fair elections one of the things that we want is to have accurate voter rolls. Very simply we have seventy five. Elected county parks around our state. They work hard. They're in charge of the voter rolls locally this does nothing to change what they do. What it does do is allow the secretary of state's office to come in above that and use the state rolls and other data resources to make sure that the information passed down to the county clerk's is is accurate as possible. We want to make sure that election day everybody has a fair election we want to make sure that every county has accurate voter rolls that's what this bill does And I would appreciate a good vote. Represent chords explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for for the bill get represent flowers you're recognized speak against the bill. Because I do not want to come down here to this I try to ask a question And based on what I've heard and what the bill demonstrates. It really allows the state to come in and supersede our local government officials they are closest to our counties they are closest to the people registered and the other thing that causes me great is consternation is I believe it might have been three maybe four years ago this state. Second the secretary of state's office purged votes incorrectly. So I just want us to be aware that you know there there are people who rely on us to get it right. And I think that our county clerks get it right. And I don't think that we want to do something that would allow the state come in and supersede the work that our county clerks to thank you so much. President flowers spoke against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Resume recognized to close for the bill. Again this takes no authority away from the county clerk's it does nothing change nothing of what they do what it does do is take our statewide voter rolls and uses such things the Social Security Administration to make sure that those who perhaps of deceased not perhaps they they have deceased. Would be taken off that role basically what it does is it reduces the workload for the county clerk's so they're not overwhelmed the Committee I made this statement. If you think about when people pass away. People who are registering to vote people who moved out of the area you add all that up it minute by minute and even in small counties perhaps hour by hour that the voter roll is changing data what this does is take that information and at the state level clean it up a little bit pass it down and county clerks can still do what they want to do so I would appreciate a good vote thank you represent a clear his clothes for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill Fortino seven prepared machine apart. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about a Clerk by a vote of ninety three As one nine zero present the bill is passed and Clark please read house bill fourteen twenty three. The fourteen twenty three by representative painter to amend the law concerning the recount of ballots and to amend election procedures represent pain you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker good afternoon colleagues this bill is really simple three pages in the does the point on every page first point this bill removes old language when it comes to the old voting machines number two this bill codifies the procedure process for conducting a recount. This bill specifies the deadline for a recount petition submission that is it and I appreciate a good vote. President painters explain the building would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent painters close for the bill question before the House is passed house bill fourteen twenty three per machine matter. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast bout one Clark. By a vote of ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed man park please read Senate bill one eighty seven. Senate bill one eighty seven by representative shows to repeal the health care quality and payment policy advisory committee at represent short you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleagues this is a very simple build more friends at DHS this bill simply repeals an advisory committee that is no longer active in two thousand thirteen the legislator legislature created the healthcare quality payment policy advisory committee. DHS's sent since sunset this initiative and is no longer active this committee has not made it over a year and the H. S. is recommending that this committee be disbanded with that I appreciate a good vote. Represent shields is explain the ability would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Schultz is close from the bill question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one eighty seven per. Is everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about my own Clerk. By a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed Manafort please read Senate bill one eighty eight one eighty eight by representative shows to clarify that the division of providing services and quality assurance of the Department of Human Services center five regulates long term care facilities and services for social. Thank you Mr Speaker. Members this is another seven one from our friends at the age yes in two thousand seventeen the legislature combined. To DHS divisions to create the Division of aging adult and behavioral Human Services the bill creating that was forty five pages long since that time they have discovered three code sections that were wrong. they had the wrong division names this bill is simply a technical correction. Explained the Bill we would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. President shelters close for the bill the question before the House is passing Senate bill one eighty eight per machine madam Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about man Clerk by a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero president bills passed an import please read Senate bill one ninety one ninety three Senate bill one ninety three by representative Eubanks to amend the Arkansas occupational licensing of uniformed service members veterans and spouses active twenty twenty one purpose of Eubanks recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members this bill deals with the occupational licensing of ours military men and women there veterans and their spouses that allows the that licensing agency to consider the national certification that these individuals achieved through the military it extends the to the spouses the ability to credit other military education and training for the spouse's initial licensure. And removed the one year waiting period consider this. I'll be happy to try to answer any questions. Purpose of Eubanks explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent McCollum you're recognized speak for the bill. College this is a great bill because it gets Arkansans back to work quicker. Appreciate a good vote. Reps McCollum smoking for the bill. We would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Purpose of Eubanks is close for the bill question before the House is pass the Senate bill one ninety three prepared machine mental Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Manafort. By a vote of ninety three eight one nine zero present the bill is passed madam Clark please read Senate bill one ninety four. Senate bill one ninety four by representative Cavenaugh to amend the law concerning the secretary of the department of corrections and to declare an emergency. President Cavenaugh you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this bill is a simple bill what it does is it will now have the secretary department of corrections to serve at the pleasure of the governor this is the only Secretary position that currently does not do that this puts another line with everybody else and with that I'd appreciate a good vote represent Kavanagh's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Cavenaugh as close for the bill the question before the House is passed to Senate bill one ninety four per machine man Clerk. Voting on the bill in the emergency clauses everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Madam park. By a vote of ninety four U. eight zero nine one present the bill emergency calls are passed by a part please read Senate bill one ninety six Senate bill one ninety six by representative McCullough to amend the law concerning a vacancy on the County Board of election commissioners represent Michael you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I constituent brought this idea to myself in Senator Tucker she was an election commissioner and had to resign when she became ill not long before an election the purpose of this bill is to ensure a full Election Commission for every county if for some reason or reason a commissioner has to resign because of illness moving away or god forbid die shortly before an election the way the law is formally written the vacancies filled by an election of the county party but sometimes with party rules elections are delayed because you have to wait a certain amount of time so this bill says County party chair will appoint a commissioner to fill the remainder of the term and appointment by county party chairs only temporary until the county party can elect a permanent replacement the state party chair only steps in and to circumstances for the temporary appointment if there is no County party chair or for the permanent replacement if the county party does not elect anyone within forty five days the bill explicitly says that the state party chair can appoint the same person and both of circumstances. Not seeing any questions I would appreciate a good vote. Personal call is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent a call as close for the bill the question before the House is passive Senate bill one ninety six per machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast up the ballot matter Clerk by a vote of ninety sixty eight zero nine zero present the bill is passed by a court please read Senate bill two forty seven. Two forty seven by representative part to allow and see voting for religious observance and to amend the law concerning absentee voting present hockey recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is another election integrity bill and it will do two things to amend our law concerning absentee voting one is voter qualifications currently we have two qualifications this will add one the qualifications are any person who will be unavoidably absent from his or her voting place on the day of election and second any person who is unable to attend the polls on election day because of illness or physical disability that's currently the law we are adding any person who is prefect prevented from voting due to observance of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire twelve hours that the polls are open on election day the second part of this is on the application form when you go to ask for a absentee ballot there are three qualifications what we're asking this bill to do is add a fourth qualifications on the application and at that is for those that are unable to attend the polls due to the observance of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the and tire twelve months at the polls are open on election day and the reason for this is there are people that ask for an absentee ballot and there's no way for them to check a box honestly that says they are asking for this absentee ballot because of a religious observance or discipline on the day of election day therefore they're asking for an absentee ballot for that excuse that exemption. With that I'll take any questions Max wanted for what purpose question you're recognized for a question representative hot can you explain to me why we need this bill and why the person can't just vote during the two weeks early voting they can go directly if if they don't have a religious in a reason not to go during early voting they can't this only refers to they're asking for an absentee vote so if they are asking for an absentee vote they have those four reasons to ask for an absentee vote on the application yes. Representative Charlene Fite for purpose question recognized thank you Mr Speaker representative hot to any other states do this yes and there are a number of states currently Arkansas is ranked thirty seven out of fifty for religious liberty in the country and this is one of the bill so that we can add to an exemption for religious liberty that would give our state more options for those observing on election day or needing to file for an absentee ballot application. See no questions I appreciate a good vote. Percent pockets explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President pockets close for the bill. Is a passage Senate bill two forty seven per machine mental Clark. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about madam Clark. By a vote of eighty two yeas one million eight present the bill is passed. Represent me. Representing those that we place house bill eleven oh six on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection remember number one madam Clerk. Amendment number one to House eleven a six percent gene you're recognized explain the amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker colleges amendment one to House Bill level six department military this is a three point one million federal funds to build a and construct a readiness center at fort Chaffee. Any questions on this amendment. Members federal funds. Create a good vote president Jean is explain the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. We would like to speak for the amendment. President Jean is closed for the amendment. Question before the House the adoption amendment number one to House Bill Levin of six all in favor say aye. Any opposed the amendment is adopted representative Jeanne moos we place house bill eleven thirty four on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection remember number one might Clerk. Amendment number one to House eleven thirty four. President Jean you're recognized to explain the amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker college member want to house bill eleven thirty four department of corrections is committed to corrections this allows two point seven million one point seven the company special revenue it's it's an appropriation they have fund balance to cover the one point seven is to buy to buy automobiles and their ten year rotation about update the new they're all bills for community corrections and there's also a million dollars in there to work on other centers across the state of upgrading them and and and renovating those any questions on this amendment. Cash funds special revenue no general revenues. Appreciate a good vote on the member representing is explain the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. We would like to speak for the amendment. President Jean is closed for the amendment question before the House the document number one to House Bill Levin thirty four all in favor say aye. Any opposed the amendments adopted representing your record. Thank you Mr Speaker we have one bill today house bill fourteen three of this came at a joint budget Thursday representative Delia hall what it allows a six million dollar Appropriation for the Illinois river she had now this has no general revenue might affect the station the bill that of the funds if available will come from the governor's development and enhancement fund so she'll have to. Or call on the governor to get this funded for that watershed study of the Illinois river any questions. Your one voted for the bill the mercy calls Mister Speaker the Clerk read the bill third time. I'm quite please read the bill house bill fourteen oh three percent jeans explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent Jean is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill Fortino three pregnancy mental Clark. Voting on the bill in the emergency clauses everyone voted as everyone voted. Cast about Manafort. I have a ninety one yeas to nays zero president bill emergency clause or past. Represent eleven for what purpose motion you're recognized thank you Mr Speaker after the announcements reading of the bill is transferred to the bill's place the calendars on the desk members amending their own bills with their own amendments members withdrawing their bills finalizing resolutions ready communications and any remaining committee reports I move that we adjourn until one thirty tomorrow that's a proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Motion passes any announcements represent Lanny Fite what purpose city county local will be needed tomorrow at ten AM activity represent Barker for purpose announcmenet you're recognized aging children you will meet tomorrow at ten AM in room one thirty. President Bob what purpose. You're recognized per caucus will be in the morning at seven AM spring court room and rules will meet tomorrow at noon president Tosh what purpose now it's been you're recognized state agencies ten AM in the morning room one five one percent Maddox for what purpose. Announcmenet you're recognized Insurance and Commerce tomorrow ten AM. President Johnson for purpose announcmenet you're recognized me ten minutes upon adjournment and big mac it's going to be a joint meeting with the Senate its informational only it's going to be a discussion about workforce shortage with the hospital such as nursing association pharmacy association anyone interested in attending welcome to come thank you. It's for what purpose. Announcmenet you're recognized agriculture economics make tomorrow morning at ten AM in room one thirty eight. The other announcements. Not the desk for main open is needed for the reading of the bills upon completion The Addams named in the adjourn resolution the house would be adjourned