House Convenes

I by the member staff press and guests in the galleries stand to be led in prayer by David bush senior pastor of first Methodist church and held radio against of myself and representative Barker. And remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Before the prayer want to say one thing. Thank you for having the gas chaplains parking place at the front door. The last time I did this you had to walk over a mile and it was raining god works. This place has been transformed for the better my goodness let's go to god in prayer. We pause today lord. The simply site thank you. For the Arkansas house of representatives. We are grateful. For every member of the House. Lord being a native of elder radio and current resident. I want to stop and say thank you for our representatives in Union County. Thank you dear god for the Speaker of the house Matthew Joseph Shepherd. Thank you dear god for Sonya Eubanks Barker. Simonyan mask you both serve with commitment and dedication to the people of Arkansas with great wisdom. Again lord thank you for all the members of the House Arkansas is blessed contented continue lord to give them wisdom and guidance. Thank you lord for people. Who give their very best. We in Arkansas are blessed. With this great group of representatives I thank you for them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit and all god's people said a man. Members please indicate your presence by pressing your pushing yellow present but where the machine madam Clerk. Cast about madam Clerk with ninety nine members present the chair sees a quorum are there any request for leave. Representative Jeffrey Wardlaw moved to dispense reading of previous day's Journal without objections so ordered are there Reports from select committees are the Reports from standing committees read reports madam Clark Mr Speaker your committee on public health welfare and labor to whom was referred Senate bill one ninety three big report that we have in the same consideration here concerning the same recognition that it do pass respectfully submitted representative Johnson chair. Any unfinished business. Executive communications. Read the letter from the government Clark. February ninth twenty twenty three to the Speaker of the house Dennis a Speaker to This is to inform you that on February nine twenty twenty three I reviewed and approved the following measures from a legislative session of the ninety first General Assembly house bill ten ninety nine ACT thirty six house bill one thousand four X. thirty seven house bill twelve forty five ACT thirty eight house bill eleven ten ACT thirty nine house bill eleven sixty five ACT forty house bill eleven fifty ACT forty one sincerely there Huckabee Sanders governor of Arkansas. All right members we have a number of guests with us today in the north gallery we have Mister jim Davis is super assistant superintendent of the Roger school district he's aghast of representative Scott rich. I believe we have in the east gallery leadership Seling county against or guests of representatives Lanny Fite hawk Mayberry McCollum or Bentley Brooks and Furman. We also have in the east gallery the Arkansas cattlemen's leadership class A guest of representative peers. We also with this in the east gallery the Camden Southwest Arkansas leadership group against of representative Wade Andrews and with them we have former representative Judy Smith. Madam Clark please read house resolution one thousand eight. House resolution one thousand eight by representative rose recognized Mister Vincent easily for his efforts assisting veterans in Arkansas and other states. President bro you're recognized explain resolution. Thank you Mr chairman. Culhane generally thanks will honor proud to be able to tell can brag about this fellow here The it would not only the things he does for veterans and him being a veteran himself. He's been injured well we did for he's had several surgeries into a law. But not all that he's dedicated his life his part is only in this to helping others. No wonder cake is not just by himself then you does this he's got the whole family with them and they all dedicated to helping veterans families whatever the situation what might be you'll be there in an instant. A I do want to recognize him I got him into him and his family is set right up above this year the issue would in his family and if you would Redell read. In its entirety thank you. But please read the resolution and clarity whereas Mr Eastwood was born on may twenty third nineteen sixty in nineteen sixty in Oklahoma moved to Carroll County Arkansas in nineteen sixty eight and whereas Mr easily joined the Army National Guard at the age of seventeen and we're as at the beginning of the Gulf War in nineteen ninety mysteries we was deployed with the first battalion a hundred and forty second field archery unit and while serving there with was exposed to nerve agent that caused several intestinal bleeding and we're as Mr Eastwood was honorably discharged from the army National Guard after twelve years of service and we're as mysteries we continue to suffer from medical issues related to his service during the Gulf War but during his battles with the health conditions mysteries would realize that his passion was to help other veterans and where's misty with began his service of assisting veterans by building wheelchair ramps for those in need of his hometown and whereas mysteries would continue to assist veterans by organizing hunts for disabled veteran starting the reboot combat recovery programming Carroll County taking vengeance a doctor's appointment at the veterans administration hospital in favor of the writing a column on local veterans for the Carroll County historical quarterly in setting the military tombstones for the Nelson funeral services in Arkansas whereas in twenty twenty two mysteries would redirected his efforts in assisting veterans by forming the recon operation all in and we're as through the recon operation all in Mr Eastwood and team of volunteers provide trauma healing divisions in the first responders provide recreational therapy there hunting and fishing trips assist families in need during the holiday season and provide various other efforts to assist veterans in need now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House representatives command Mr isn't easily for his service and dedication to the members of the military and efforts to support the needs of it. President road explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Represent bro is close for the resolution question for the House the adoption of house resolution one thousand eight all in favor say aye. Any opposed resolution is adopted. Man Clark please read House resolution ten fifteen. House resolution ten fifteen by representative license to recognize the seventy seven seven legislative conference of the council of state government southern office. President Lundstrum you're recognized to explain resolution thank you Mr Speaker we have a great opportunity coming up this summer the southern leadership conference will be held and it's a great opportunity for all of us to get together with our fellow states of Alabama Arkansas Florida Georgia Kentucky Louisiana Mississippi Missouri got a lead in one Yankee state North Carolina Oklahoma well maybe to southern Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia and West Virginia. This is a great opportunity for regional cooperation and curry encouraged exchange of information. These folks it's a great chance for us to learn from one another and a great chance to exchange information and I would encourage you to go. There will be also there will be one of the directors will be here either next week or the week after and we will host a short reception after a meeting and you'll get a chance to meet with them and find out what's coming up at the meeting so I would encourage you to attend that perception madam Clark if you would read the proclamation and I would appreciate it thank you I'm hurt please read the proclamation or the resolution where the council of the state government seven office is a nonpartisan nonprofit member organization if there's a seven legislatures of Alabama Arkansas Florida Georgia Kentucky Louisiana Mississippi Missouri North Carolina Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia West Virginia and whereas with the regionally based leadership and perspectives of national level resources CSG south for that seven legislatures and government staff with a wide variety of programs and services that facilitate regional cooperation encourage the exchange of information and where as the mission of the organization is to serve as a community of this state committed to connecting informing inspiring and harm public service in all three branches of state government to put the best ideas and solution it's a practice and whereas the seventy seven southern legislative conference will convene in Charleston South Carolina from July eighth to twelve twenty twenty three and we're at CST south offers a welcome to all seven legislative executive and judicial officials to attend now for the resolve of the house of representatives of the ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House representative recognizes seventy seven seven legislative conference of the council of state government southern office. Represent Lundstrum is explained resolution when he would like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Represent Lundstrum is closed for the resolution a question before the House the adoption of house resolution ten fifteen all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Resolutions adopted representative very for what purpose. A personal privilege please you're recognized for your point of personal privilege. In a fine if I may thank you Mr Speaker invite the distinguished gentleman from North Little Rock to the well and while he's making his way to the well I will want to comment on the Majority Leader so the presentation yesterday I will let you know that the marines are all bones and no brains in a server for spokes are all wines and no bones thank you ladies and gentleman I wanted to we have a leadership Franklin County a peer to my left in with them is my lovely bride that I love very much and she's been a great partner of mine and I thought what a better way to welcome her to the house of representatives by having the man with the cemex CS voice on radio television and all over the state of Arkansas my good friend representative Carlton wing thank. Retired United States Air Force ladies and gentleman please welcome to the house of representatives Theresa bearing. Welcome to leadership Franklin County thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues. The morning hour is has ended. Manford please read house bill eleven eighty one. House bill eleven eighty one by representative part to establish the counselling contacts of Arkansas in Arkansas. President hockey recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues I bring before you today house bill eleven eighty one for Arkansas to join a counseling compact roughly half a million our cans and suffer from a mental health condition and a hundred and forty five our Kansans do not receive or have access to mental health treatment that they need. Nami reports that one point four million our Kansans living communities where there are simply not enough medical healthcare providers to meet client needs demands Arkansas ranks forty fourth in the best states for mental health we want to change that and house bill eleven eighty one does that. The counseling compact is. Been joined by seventeen states many of whom are members of the SEC has missed a representative Lundstrum just read and nineteen more states are considering legislation this session. The counting compact would allow licensed professional counselors in Arkansas the privilege to treat clients in person and via telehealth and member states because licensure laws are different in each state it's a major barrier to the continuity of care for many Arkansas clients. The counseling compact expedites licensure process for qualified professionals moving into this state as well as the Arkansas L. PC's who moved to a member state's. One of the things this bill also addresses the practice of telehealth counseling in Arkansas currently. Outside counselors cannot practice by telehealth in Arkansas and Arkansas L. PC's cannot practice telehealth to their clients to move to other states this would change that. The accessibility and continuity of care for college students in Arkansas or call students that go to other states traveling medical professionals such as nurses coming in and out of our state military personnel and their families and other to a transient workers we now live in a very mobile society of people moving from state to state working in one state living in another this would alleviate their ability to keep their licensed professional counselor if they were a member of this compact commission. Concerns were raised about the rulemaking and prosecuting power of the counseling compact which are very valid concerns many of the questions raised by the committee. But the commission's purposes to oversee and carry out the compact including establishing and maintaining the national data system a code of ethics bylaws rules and budget and financial records to be clear and the attorney general's office has confirmed this the commission oversees the compact not the practice of counseling in member states the compact is not a waiver of sovereign immunity for the state of Arkansas. The privilege to practice through the compact will be available to councillors and early twenty twenty four allowing for rapid verification and immediate access to all compact member states so if you have a licensed professional counseling certificate to practice in Arkansas you can practice in any of the state member states that you would so choose. This will enhance our work force and sure that Arkansas remains competitive meets the increasing demand for mental health care and brought is patient choice by creating this national database and network for the first time allowing for advancements in behavioral health. While optimizing patient safety and counselor safety. Much like sick is sixteen existing licensure compacts for nurses physical therapists physicians psychologists and EMS personnel and we just a past for occupational therapists as well the concept the counseling compact will increase licensure portability for practitioners while allowing member state regulatory boards to better protect consumers through enhanced sharing of licensure information. The American counseling association endorses this bill the Arkansas counseling association endorses this bill the department of defense for military found families endorses the bill and what we want to do today is improve mental health care for all Arkansans and with that I will take any questions. D. N. nine I would appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Parker spoke for the bills anybody like to speak against the bill. Against the bill. President Ferguson you're recognized. Thank you represented a lying Jean and thank you colleagues I had a spoke against this in committee and I appreciate that representative Hart did change the rulemaking aspect of this compact but I want you to understand about all these compacts and why we need to be very careful per CD I'm for the compact concept of because what happens like I'm getting a dental license I have to submit every transcript from every school I've ever been to a I have to you know to do all of the licensing things I've ever had in other states it's a very complicated credentialing process and I'm absolutely for compact's that except the credentialing from other states so that you make it much simpler to apply for a license my daughter right now is applying for medical license in Arkansas I can't tell you how complicated that is I'm having to help her get transcripts from every school for every state she's ever had a licensee and all of that I I am for compact's that help with credentialing but this particular compact it would allow it in she said in her may in the meeting this is the reason she's running it she had a counselor that wanted to come to Arkansas but was going to have to take seven additional hours. You know I'm not for waving our requirements to practice it's okay if we accept the credentialing and don't have to go through all that process of gathering transcripts and all that but when we start waiting things like the medical board require certain prescription monitoring program additional C. E. credits so what this bill would allow is for a person to go to the least restrictive state with the least requirements income to Arkansas and practice without taking those additional requirements for CE credit or for state passing a test on state law and all those things so that's why I'm opposed to this particular compact and I think we really going forward have to look at all these contacts to make sure loss that we're passing that we think are important for people to practice and taken additional continuing education credit that that gets done that that we're not accepting people from other states that have not met those requirements I'm glad to answer any questions. Thank you. Anyone like to speak for the bill reviewed Wardlaw you're recognized. Thank you Mr I came down here and spoke against representative bill consent bill a couple weeks ago and. The points that I made on his building Zak same languages and represented Hawke's bill we made that change and just received the email from the attorney general's office I had them look into the compact language there was If you amend those compact languages you run the risk of the compact not accepting that language and becoming a state of that compact since we did not change any such substantial changes we can make any and we only change the rulemaking authority which is different in every state this compact will not be harmed so I just wanna make sure everybody understands it we did change rulemaking authority to match what we do in the state and it is okay to now supported on the rulemaking ability thank you guys. If I like to speak against the bill. For the bill. I just hope you wanna closing your bill. You're recognized. Thank you and thank you representative Ferguson for caring a lot about our our Kansans and making sure we're providing qualified licensed professional care for them to answer the question that was raised Arkansas meets the sixty hour requirements of a master's degree plus a degree conferred by a nationally accredited institution as well as the Passing the national exam which covers eight domains that of all national programs. Arkansas does include an additional seven hours above the national standards so would be like if you received your law degree from the university of a bill or else UALR and you pass the law exam and you have a law degree conferred by all nationally accredited law schools but Arkansas required you to take seven more hours in addition to the written. Degree requirements the national exam requirements and so on most students wouldn't come to our law schools if they had to take seven additional hours most lawyers wouldn't come to practice here if they were required to take seven additional hours on top of their nationally accredited law school degree or their nationally passed licensure for practicing law that's currently what is happening in Arkansas by requiring seven additional hours over and above the sixty hour nationally accredited institutional degree program to receive your master's degree plus passing the national exam and being able to practice in a member state while those seven hours would be additional information I know when I was working on my education the reason I kept going is because there was one more class I wanted to take and one more class after that and one more class after that and here we are and that's all good and I would encourage any licensed professional counselors to continue their education but for us to become a member state we are not lowering Arkansas standards to any nationally accredited program or nationally and credit exam or nationally accredited licensure so with that I'm close for my bill and would appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative hawkers close for a bill the question before the House is passage of house bill eleven eighty one where the machine. All voted. Are capped up the machine the ballot. With seventy nine yeas and nays and I present the bill is passed. Maddox Clark please read house bill thirteen fifty five. House bill thirty fifty five a representative Beatty junior an act to amend the law concerning jury service to provide an exemption from jury service the price and seventy years of age or older and to create Lana gales Law. Maybe you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker. Today I come to present a bill as a request of one of my constituents Misaligned again nine member of my church backing Crossett for the last year and a half every Sunday morning that I mean church catches me at the back door before she goes in the balcony and she speaks about jury duty and her summons that he received and what she basically came and I ask is that we would run a bill here in in the legislature that would allow her and seventy year old our Kansans to elect to be exempt from jury service instead of having to go and report for jury duty what this bill would do is it would it would put us in conformity are and I guess in unison with some of our neighboring states Mississippi that ages sixty five Louisiana seventy Texas a seventy Missouri is seventy the federal courts are seventy year old exemptions that you can check on the form when you when you received your summons and she's just requesting that I think she spoke Committee many of you met her in committee and then also met her it and our legislative meeting after we discussing some of the bills and she expressed in her own words that she takes the obligation of jury service very seriously and to the point that you know she she stated that sometimes you know it's hard for her to pay attention and. And to follow the the trial and and the information she's worried that she would make a mistake she's not saying that all folks that are seventy or older Archaea are shouldn't serve she's just requesting that she has the option to check the box and say that it at seventy four she doesn't want to serve and so it's just an option and those of you that have served on juries you know at the very beginning I would say this is also a trial efficiency bill you have folks go to the judge to express their concerns or reasons for not serving and that takes an amount of time so they they stay and speak to the judge about their conditions so my request would be at seventy four if they don't want to be there at eight seventy that they can have that option and I will take questions. Represent all you have a question yes question recognized for a question representative Beatty isn't it true that under current law now they can request to be excused and that there are that we don't really need this seventy rule because in essence isn't it true they can simply request the court is any person in Arkansas can request the court for an excuse is that correct my my understanding is that they can make a request in person in court after they appear before the judge that they can make that request follow up. Recognized. Isn't it also true. Is that you don't have to appear in person you can make that request to the Clerk of the court he will then make the request to the court isn't that all century. I would think that that is true but I'd also say that that's at the discretion of the court to grant that request or not. Red room you have a question yes recognized for. I'm glad you clarified that we're not unfit to serve. but I feel like you know that we may be able monitor I'm happy but I'm going to make the same for the same point the representative del I thought we passed a law a couple of years ago so if what you're saying this will permit them to do it by a letter or phone or how will they notify the court that they don't want to sell it. At it would allow them to notify the court that based on their age the desire not to serve on the jury summons. It would give them the option to do that okay but how. Do they write a letter to the call or a the jury summons they would still receive a jury summons because it doesn't exempt them from the pool it would just allow them on the form to indicate that they elect not to serve on that jury thank you thank you Mr chairman. Review tomorrow very of a question and the question you're recognized thank you Mr chairman so this is my concern. Let's say I beat my wife. And I have a trial she's not still I think she left so of. So I would much rather have a jury that makes this made up of my peers like representative wouldn't know somebody is close to my age and state of a bunch of twenty year olds because we just you know we're older some of us are a lot wiser and I would ask you how do you mitigate some of the challenges that you might have with younger jury's. The way I would address that question general is to say that your attorney is going to have certain exemptions and help to select the jury that will see it on your trial and I would think that if you hire that that attorney would have confidence in his or her ability to select a proper jury to render a fair and just verdict. No more questions so I. In closing I would say there are a lot of things that are present if you have a chance to clover F. we have form against all. Would anybody like to speak against this bill. Rented Gazaway you're recognized. Colleagues I hate to do this I rarely ever speak against the bill on the house floor representative Beatty is my good friend and specially hate to do that I have was. Especially hate to do that on a bill that that he has but I will say that I think that this is not a great idea jury the jury service is a fundamental obligation of our democracy it's a fundamental duty of citizens I think when they have the opportunity to serve on a jury. And the purpose of a jury is to have a cross section of the community. As a on the jury to hear the case and as representative very pointed out sometimes if you're the defendant you know you certainly want to have at least a pool of people who could be a jury of your peers but it's not just if you're a defendant in a criminal case if you have a civil case for instance regardless of what type of case that may be it could be an age discrimination case for instance where the one of the one of the litigants in that case the very issue is about their agents of course in order to have a jury of your peers you need folks who are part of the jury pool who would be of age seventy or older and so if you just let people exempt themselves out by checking a box I think that that's a bad idea and then beyond that you have victims in criminal cases who you know once again you may want need jurors on a case to who could identify with the concerns of the victim in a case and sometimes those victims are seventy or older so we need to keep all of those things in mind when we consider a bill like this again I hate to do this I just think that to preserve our jury system the integrity of it and make sure that we have a True Cross section of the community and a jury of our peers like the system is designed to function that this would this would hurt that and so I'm gonna be voting against the bill and would encourage you to do the same thank you. Reprimands your question he has left the well. Anybody like to speak for this bill. Against the bill. Riveted eighty you're allowed to close for your bill. Thank you I'm I'm sorry I will early last time what I would say is I agree with representative Gazaway on his concerns I have it is a it is an obligation and it's a serious obligation that we all take seriously and so does my constituents on jury service but also pose the question to everyone in this room if you were on trial would you want someone on your jury that had that wanted to be there they wanted to serve would you have someone that they didn't want to be there and they were selected for the jury and they didn't want to be there so they had a negative attitude they just wanted out of there so I would think giving the option to the to the Arkansas seventy years old to opt out of jury service is still a good bill it allows them to to put on the record that they don't want to be there and I would much rather sit in Senate in trial and be judged by a jury that wanted to be there that wanted to hear the case and someone that felt like they were forced to be there so based on that argument I ask that you you you support this bill and vote yes and thank you for your remarks and questions. Representative Beatty is close to the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill thirteen fifty five madam Clerk prepared machines. Is everybody voted. Is everybody voted. After the ballot madam Clerk. Thirty ninety eight fourteen days ten present than eleven nonvoting. Your bill is failed. The members were all step back for just a minute. We're going to introduce the doctor and nurse today our doctor today's doctor Carol Reeves of Centerton Arkansas against the of representative Grant Hodges and our nurse is Brenda who it. In members also today in our east gallery we have the hot springs county leadership group gas of representative Rick McClure Rick Richard Womack and Justin Gonzales used please give them a round of applause. Medford read house bill eleven twenty eight. Eleven twenty eight by representative Johnson to allow emergency service emergency medical responders to be licensed and to authorized emergency medical response to be reimbursed by insurance companies in the Arkansas Medicaid program we will pass over that bill we're going to go to House Bill twelve forty two Matt Barkley read the bill. House Bill twelve forty two by representative where lots allow certain retired public school employees to obtain pharmacy benefits even rolled in the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance program. Wardlaw you're recognized. Thank your Speaker. This bill just fits in a little gap a retired teachers that did not receive the pharmacy benefits on January first when we put in the new Medicare advantage plans those folks did receive the pharmacy benefit it did not go across to the Blue Cross blue shield folks of the folks and opted out this just fills that gap I appreciate a good vote thank you. If you were laws that well we had a bad week speak against this bill. For the bill. Review Wardlaw is closed for the bill. Question before the House is house bill twelve forty two prepare and clean machines Clerk. Is everybody voted. Everybody voted. Cast a ballot madam Clerk. With ninety five Yeas no Yeas no Nays no president and five not voting your bill is passed. Metamerge read house bill thirteen oh seven. House bill thirteen oh seven by representative for law concerning the regulation of environmental social justice or governance scores and I into our the rest the treasure of State to derive divest certain investments are obligations due to certain factors. Well you're recognized thank you Mr Speaker this low bill here to do much. It's not true This bill we've been working on for some time now and proud to say that we met with most of the stakeholders and that this bill follows and we were able to work through a number of amendments and number of language changes and able to to gain neutrality between all the stakeholders renter Committee yesterday nobody spoke against the bill I think we have one question that question was about the retired benefits impact of if you read through the bill you can find it under indirect holdings we exempted all the retirement plans there and that's because in those indirect holding holding you can't always look at the policies of every company into that mutual fund so we all we only exempted those in that indirect holding spot for the retirement plans now any other funds that the treasurer deposits in our any. They are not exempted and you'll find in the back that they still have to divest from those in three hundred sixty five days so with that Mister Speaker I'll be glad to take any questions. C. N. nine appreciate a good vote. President Wardlaw spoken as president bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Wardlaw is close for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen oh seven per machine madam Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast a ballot madam Clark by a vote of seventy nine Yeas twelve nays and zero present the bill is passed. Man Clark please read house bill thirteen eighty one thirteen eighty one by representative for law to amend the law concerning Arkansas contribution to the national statuary hall collection in the United States capitol president Wardlaw you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker few years ago we passed a bill to change our statutes and statutes all to Johnny Cash and daisy Bates we left out a very key component of that and we didn't put a mechanism in there to bring our statues home all this does is bring them home places him in a cemetery so they stay on display for the great people of Arkansas appreciate a good vote. The board laws explain the building would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. President Wardlaw is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor house bill thirteen eighty one prepared machine man Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Manafort level ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Please read House Bill Fortino to. The fourteen I see represented one lots amend the law concerning complaints filed with the Arkansas ethics commission it's allowable online electronic complaints into amend the portions of initiated act one of nineteen ninety. President Wardlaw you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Speaker I swear this the last one is probably close the last one I have for the session. This bill amends the ethics commission in a way that makes it easier for people to file complaints don't let that scare you it's just really difficult today to file a complaint And we want to make it to where it's a lot easier and it's online it just makes it more sunshine everybody needs a little sunshine and that's what this bill does I'd be happy to answer any questions. Did not appreciate a good vote. Represent Wardlaw has explained the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Wardlaw is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill Fortino to prepare the machine madam Clark. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Ask the ballot Manafort by a vote of ninety six C. A. zero nine zero president bill is passed. Members we have with us in the west gallery the national association of social work Arkansas chapter again there in the west gallery. Please read house bill eleven sixty two. House eleven sixty two by representative right to amend the law regarding microbrewery restaurant center I have microbrewery restaurants to manufacture and sell ready to drink products percent rate you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this bill would authorize Arkansas microbrewery restaurants to manufacture and sell what are known as ready to drink products that's all the bill does there are no other substantive changes in the bill but the bills designed to correct for what is currently on a level playing field all Arkansas microbrewery restaurants their competitors the large out of state national brewers are already allowed to make these products and sell them in our state as are the midsize breweries they can sell them as well but Arkansas microbreweries our smallest breweries can and so they just want the same opportunity that their competitors have. Not only would this legislation be good for our small micro breweries but it would be good it would be a win win for consumers in Arkansas package stores because it'll give them more choice and more brands more variety of brands to sell from specifically Arkansas made brands. And of course there's positive economic benefits for it as well I've spoken with many microbrewery restaurants who would have told me they will increase employment and hire new workers if this bill is to pass will lead to improved production and efficiency obviously anytime there's a bill that touches on this particular subject matter people want to know does this expand alcohol anyway the answer to that is no these products are already made and sold on the shelves of package stores all throughout the state this just simply allows our small Arkansas microbreweries to make this make and sell the same products be happy to take any questions. Being non would appreciate a good vote represent raise explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President ray is closed for the bill the question before the House passage of house bill eleven sixty two per machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about madam Clerk mother sixty five Yeas thirteen nays and fifteen present the bill is passed. President Maddox for what purpose. Mister Speaker I move we place house bill ten twenty one back on second reading for the purpose of amendment that's a proper motion it is debatable represent Maddox you're recognized to explain your motion. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues at all this is doing is that I'm amending this that senator Boyd as the Senate co sponsor that's all this is doing thank you. President Maddox has explained the resident the motion we would like to speak against the motion. We would like to speak for the motion. President Max close for the motion the question before the House is place house bill ten twenty one back on second reading for the purpose of amendment all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it. Remember to madam Clark. Amendment number two to house bill ten twenty one. President Maddox recognized to explain the amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues. this amendment doesn't do a lot but it does that my friend senator Justin Boyd as the Senate co sponsor the guy to take any questions. President Maddox's explain the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment. Represent Maddox is close for the amendment the question before the House is the passage of amendment number two to House Bill ten twenty one all in favor say aye. He opposed. The ayes have it. Than the Building grossing madam Clerk. Manford please read Senate bill one ninety one. Senate bill one ninety one by representative Eads to amend the method of how board members are selected to the State Plant Board and to declare an emergency. Representative you're recognized explain the bill. There you. This is Senate bill one ninety one. For senator Dave Wallace. Veteran. Because every member in twenty twenty one we passed ACT three sixty one which required agriculture industry trade groups to nominate two candidates speech to the plant board one of whom could be chosen by the governor and then subject to confirmation by the Senate this was found to be an unconstitutional delegation of public power to private interest in violation of the state constitution so this bill just aligned the selection process to the recent Supreme Court ruling in the governor will appoint these members directly again with subject to Senate confirmation be happy to answer any questions. Representatives explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent eves is closed for the bill the question before the House is passive Senate bill one ninety one the machine madam Clerk. Bring on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about madam Clark. I have a ninety five Yeas one nine zero present the bill emergency clause the past many please read senate bill two ten. Senate bill two ten by representative Gazaway to amend the underground storage of gas law to include certain other gas. Ferguson Gazaway you're recognized. Mister Speaker colleagues is the bill that comes to us from the oil and gas commission simply amends the definition of gas for purposes of the underground storage law so that and other types of gases other than natural gas can be stored in the naturally occurring aquifer's is something that's happening on in south Arkansas in connection with the oil mining process particularly ammonia and other gases that are kind of a by product of that process they're capturing and it can have a carbon impact of capturing and storing underground and so this brings us in compliance with the practice it's already happening again this is supported by the oil and gas commission it's supported by the American petroleum institute and those in the industry passed out of the Senate with thirty five to nothing and a committee yesterday with no no votes I'm not aware of any opposition but I'm happy to answer any questions. Saying not appreciate a good vote thank you represent Gazaway is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. When you would like to speak for the bill. Please close for the bill the question before the House is passed Senate bill two ten prepared machine madam Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot madam Clark by a vote of ninety five Yeas one nine zero president. Bill is passed by a park please read Senate bill one ninety two. Number one ninety two by representative acre to amend the law concerning coverage of by similar medical products under step therapy protocols into many sessions to step therapy protocols. Careful careful careful based on how winded somebody got the basketball game last night young. See that RJ just want to the micro. Mister Speaker. Thank you Mr Speaker calling so I'm excited to present to you Senate bill one nine two this bill is a small amendment made to the stepped therapy acts to introduce a definition that was currently unavailable at the time that stepped therapy act was originally introduced. that definition is for biosimilars for all intents and purposes generics and biosimilars can be considered contextually the same the difference being that the complexity that's required for a biosimilar drug to make it to the market means that the current definition of generics can't be applied so in committee I use this analogy that often times insurance companies for going to apply an analogy of vehicles before the allow the patient to move onto a semi truck they'll require them to drive a Ford F. one fifty certain patients will come to the insurance company and say I failed therapy driving a Chevy truck do I really need to make a lateral move to fail therapy that has no clinical benefit to me this will allow insurance companies to honor failed therapy that is equivalent as regards to safety efficacy and potency by the FDA in regards to biosimilars allow that patient to be considered for the next step in their. And with that I welcome all questions. Represent very for purpose question you're recognized I have two issues with this bill one much opposed to bills that have words in that the marines can understand for one. And In number two is our former colleague Justin Boyd. Killed one of my bills standing committee. And I didn't I didn't get a motion after everybody in this body as well as the committee voted for it so can you tell me why I should vote for Senator boy it's bill. yes Sir I appreciate all of the words that you just said to me. And I would say most importantly remember that you and I are colleagues and I'm now the pharmacist of the House. Any other questions. I appreciate a good vote. The Baker explained 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 a pastor Senate bill one ninety two per machine made a part. Is everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Manafort. By a vote of ninety three yeas to nays zero present the bill is passed by a court please read Senate bill seventy two. Senate bill seventy two by representative very to amend the law concerning reimbursement of county costs for housing state inmates probationers and parolees and to declare an emergency person very recognized to explain the bill. The commission that's kind of a hard that to follow will try of. Senate bill seventy four our state skews me seventy two hopefully will make it easier and faster to four counties jails to be reimbursed from the state Bob from holding their state inmates. this is been night Joe problem and hopefully this will help clear it up I know you County sheriff will be proud of you for supporting this and I appreciate a good vote. President berries explain the bill would you would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. President berries close for the bill the question before the House is a pastor Senate bill seventy two prepared machine madam Clark. Voting on the bill in the emergency clause has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Casts up the ballot madam Clark by a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause are past members removed to the budget calendar represent gene you're recognized president budget calendar. Thank you Mr Speaker we passed over this these two bills we got a House bill or Senate bill will voted separately house bill eleven thirty nine is the Arkansas Public reform employee retirement system this is only paid out of funds that come out of people retirement in this state matching. Cash funds in a trust fund no general revenue any questions. Your one voted for the bill number two calls per Speaker the Clerk read the bill third time. House eleven thirty nine president Jean is explain the building would like to speak against the bill we would like to speak for the bill president Jean is close for the bill the question before the house passed house bill eleven thirty nine per machine network. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Is everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Clark. I have a ninety seventy eight zero nine zero present the bill is passed. I miss Baker this is Senate bill sixty five is the Arkansas teacher retirement. Of no no general revenue funds taken out of cash and also the trust fund of each respective retirement many questions. Your one voted for the bill merger calls the Speaker had to read the bill third time I'm Clark was read the bill for the third time in about sixty five. Jean is explain the building would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. President Jean is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor Senate bill sixty five per machine mental Clark. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted has everyone voted. Cast about madam Clark by a vote of ninety eight zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause or past present evidence for what purpose motion. You're recognized Mister Speaker after the announcements reading of the bills transferring the bill's place in 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 Monday afternoon that's a proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed the motion passes. There any announcements. Represent warrant for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized public retirement will meet Monday morning in big mac a at nine AM not eight thirty nine AM president Tosh purpose announcmenet you're recognized state agencies will meet Monday fifteen minutes after German. The other announcements. The desk for main open is needed for the reading of the bills upon completion The Addams named in the intern resolution the house to be adjourned until one thirty PM Monday.