House Convenes

House come to order. I am by the member staff pressing gas in the galleries to standing committee led in prayer by Dr Jody Smotherman elder and pastor of the cycle at compass south church in Batesville Arkansas. OR is a guest of representive peers. and to remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Thank you to privilege to be with you today would you join me in prayer. Our heavenly father we thank you for this day we thank you for each and everyone the audible representatives here today I pray that you'll bless all the sacrifices they make for this great state god I pray that you will watch over their families as they're away and each other endeavors back home I pray that you'll equip them today with wisdom and discernment I pray that you'll offer them and provide for them encouragement day by day in their work father I ask that you will guide the proceedings today by your word by your spirit I pray that you'll watch over every deliberation and every decision and that you'll do so for your glory and for the good of the state of Arkansas in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yell presents button. Per the machine member. Casts up the ballot Mendler. Yes of the ballot madam Clerk. With ninety nine members present chair sees a quorum. Other any request for leave. Representative Brooks for a reason leave. Is look leave represent Furman as we ran for represented Fuhrman. Representative Jeff Wardlaw moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal no objections so ordered. Are there any Reports from select committees. Are there any Reports from standing committees. Read reports madam Clark Mr Speaker your committee on education to whom was referred house bill thirteen eighty three Senate bill one O. one thank you leave for the same skin and there's the same consideration here concern same recommendation that a do pass respectfully submitted Brian Evans chair Mister Speaker your committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred house bill ten twenty six Bentley report that we have in the same consideration here the time the same recommendation that it do pass concurring Senate Amendment number one Mr Speaker we are committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred house bill ten twenty seven Bagley report we having the same consideration here concerns I'm recognition that it do pass thankfully submitted last use chair Mister Speaker we your committee on public health welfare and labor to whom was referred house bill eleven twenty eight basically report we have in the same consideration here which time the same recommendation that a do pass as amended for everyone Mr Speaker your committee on public health welfare and labor committee to whom was referred house bill thirty six the Senate bill one eighty seven Senate bill one eighty eight they can report that we have in the same considered rationing here's the time the same recognition that do pass respectfully submitted Lee Johnson chair Mr Speaker we are committee on Judiciary Committee to whom was referred house bill thirty fifty five day report we have the same consideration here the same same recommendation that a do pass as amended number one Mr Speaker you Committee on Judiciary house bill to whom was referred house bill twelve seventy nine house bill seventy three house bill twelve eighty four house bill twelve eighty five house bill seventy seven house bill seventy nine house bill twelve ninety house bill to committee one house bill twelve ninety four house bill twelve ninety five house bill thirteen twenty seven Senate bill one eighteen Begley report that we have in the same consideration here concerning the same recognition to do pass thankfully submitted Carol Dalby chair. Is there any unfinished business. Are there any Executive communications. Members we have with us today Dr the bean. Patel from Little Rock in is the guest of representative Brooks in our nurse of the day is Brenda you it. Our Arkansas state troopers today is. Corporal Kevin grounds corporal when the cart right. We have a guest with us today. In the east gallery the leadership Hot Springs yes the representative Warren. They're not here yet they will be here later. Also in the east gallery we have John Newman. And he is the sponsor of the active citizens organization of the academies at Jonesboro high school he's he's my guest today members of the active citizens group are paging for both the house and the Senate today would recognize him. Also in the east gallery the foundation for social impact yes the representative Scott. So Hey we also have Stephanie garner the CEO of our back in the seller. I need to finish that sentence so we also have reside woods the publicity director of our back and they are gassed up represented Richmond Bentley and death. In the north gallery we have Sandra done severe county judge guest representative bought. We also have in north gallery bill James Van Buren County judge guest of representative back in representative Stan Berry. Also in the north gallery we have Jeff Gilkey Yale county judge yes the representative Bentley and representive Richmond. Madam park please read House resolution. Ten eighteen. House resolution ten eighteen representative Lundstrum to remember the remember Mr Marion Edward Johnson is recognized his contributions to the state of Arkansas. Representative lines for you're recognized to present H. R. ten eighteen thank you Mr Speaker with your indulgence would you also join me and would represent a very also. I have a feeling this is may be other members that may want to join me and that is quite alright. Today's a special day Mr Merion Johnson touched many people in Arkansas and actually there's a piece of him actually in the capital. And you can see it every day on the fourth floor and that's the Arkansas fiddle violin that's on the fourth floor he was instrumental in getting the Arkansas as a state instrument a violin as the State instrument in nineteen eighty five Mr Johnson and the Arkansas old time fiddlers association are still having an impact today they inspire young artists like today Fleener who is now the fourth time country music award winner musician of the year and she is from Springdale and she got her start with the old time fiddlers and Mister Johnson running around while they were playing they encourage her to play the violin and put that energy to good use and she has. The old time fiddlers are actually meeting this weekend for their fiftieth anniversary of being an organization there meeting in Springdale Arkansas and they will be watching this video. And if I can get everybody to turn and face the camera they're going to watch the video and all of us waving and looking at them and they will get a chance to see us so this camera right here if everybody could just turn around and let them see your faces for just a second wave. Thank you. This is a special we can for them they will be on Sir honoring Mr Johnson as he has passed and they will also be meeting to fiddle with lots of engines and strings and a lot of good times and a few tears I'm sure turns out we also have a relative Mr Johnson here and that is. Thank you represent once for yeah I can talk a long time about Merion Merion is my wife's uncle. And he and his brothers and his dad had a band they would play they pray that Branson Branson every year for a long time and that he made fiddles in his garage. And he was quite the artist he really was and that he he is definitely a asset to be remembered in the State of Arkansas so I just wanna let you all know a little bit about the family so thank you. Again one of his bills is on display upstairs in the fourth floor you walk by it probably a hundred times but now you know who that Arkansan is and why it's important. with that mental Clark if you would read the resolution in its entirety thank you. Madam Clark read the resolution in its entirety to remember Mr Merion ever Johnson and to recognise boundaries this state of Arkansas where is Mr Marion Edward Johnson was born on December third nineteen thirty and that on December eighteenth twenty twenty two and whereas Mr Johnson will be remembered for his level guide family music he was remembered also as woodworking craftsmen who was made a lasting impact in Arkansas where is Mr Johnson's love of the fiddle led to serving as the president of the Arkansas old time fiddlers association Mr Johnson was instrumental in getting the federal name the official music musical instrument for the state of Arkansas in nineteen eighty five and where is Mr Johnson's level the fiddle and his craftsmanship. In work woodworking resulted in Mister Johnson creating the case for his fiddle that is on display at the state capitol and where's Mr Johnson's definite hand in the woodworking was known among so many Arkansans that in twenty twenty two he was selected to craft the mockingbird ornament out of wood for White House state Christmas tree and whereas Mr Johnson probably served in the Korean War and receive the Purple Heart award among many other awards and whereas Mr Johnson was a man of god it was a long standing member deacon and board member of the harmony Baptist church in Huntsville and whereas Mr Johnson leaves behind his wife of sixty nine years Betty Carlene children syndicalists be Cheryl Porter Randel Johnson and Rebekah size more in numerous live ones family and friends who left with the band with and benefited from the joy of knowing Mr johnsonap for now therefore be it resolved by the House represents ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas. Representative Lundstrum has explained the resolution would anyone like to speak against the rebel to the resolution. For the resolution representive Lundstrum are you close to your resolution. All in favor say aye. Opposed say no. The resolution passes. Members we earlier recognized leadership hot springs but they had not arrived yet they are in the east gallery gaster representative Warren would you please stand. The morning hour is in the. Members were gonna pass over bill H. B. thirteen forty nine. Manafort please read House Bill H. B. eleven fifteen. Eleven fifteen by representative medics amend the definition requirements of a master's of science there is within them besides their the acts. Representative Maxine recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker calling this is a very simple bill this bill just provides another pathway for a person to become a master massage therapist so right now you can only become a master massage therapist if you're a registered massage therapist and then you take a hundred twenty five continuing education hours so this will provide an alternate pathway where you can if you are a registered massage therapist you can take three hundred hours in past three hundred hours at an accredited institution of higher learning and if you do that you can't become a master massage therapist so we're not closing any pathway to become a master massage therapist we're just providing another the department of education is is on board with this bill the department health and there's no known opposition but I'll be glad to take any questions. Saying not appreciate a good vote. Representative Maddox has presented the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Representative Maddox used clothes for your bill representative Maddox has closed for his bill. The question before the House is passage of H. B. eleven fifteen prepare the machine madam Clark. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot madam Clerk. By a vote of ninety seven Yeas one a and zero present the bill is passed. Madam Clerk read please read bill H. B. thirteen thirty four. Thirteen thirty four by representative Shepherd to create the restroom access act insularis from access to customers with certain eligibility eligible medical conditions. Representive terra Shepherd you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you Mr chair. Good morning Collins I come to you this morning as a champion I come to you as a champion for my son that deals with a chronic illness my son has problems I come to you as a champion for the mother they reached out to me or expecting mother that was nine months pregnant and has called and was denied access to a restroom unless she paid in house she paid was that she had to purchase something I come to you as a champion for the father they reached out to me that was on a hunting trip with his adult son and he had an embarrassing accident and they had to take that long ride home with his son with the some overall state a pool at the back of the truck I also come to you as a champion for all our cans that are dealing with chronic illnesses Collins is something that has had a major impact on my life my family's life and he has a major impact on others lives according to the data. At least one in one hundred Americans suffer from Crohn's ulcerative colitis or any other type of IBD issue with that being the case in those numbers there could possibly be one of our colleagues in here today that is suffering from exactly what I'm at the podium talking about. Kraals puts individuals in a position where they cannot control their urges to go to the restroom many have had conversations with me that I have value and I have appreciated in regards to do should not be something that we should have to legislate and individuals would do the right thing but it is simply not happening and I ask of you colleagues let's do the right thing by our Kansans with chronic illnesses and it gives them the right to be able to use the bathroom and with that I would appreciate a good vote. Representative shepherd has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Shepherd you wish to close for your bill represent seven is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of H. B. thirteen thirty four. The machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. With sixty three As fourteen days and six present the bill is passed. Sorry. Of the hot springs leadership group that is here is also a guest representative McGrew and representative Cozart. Madam Clerk please read H. B. eleven ninety three. House bill eleven eighty. Representative Warren you're recognized to present HB eleven ninety three. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is a an Arkansas State Highway employee retirement system bill. We're seeking to make two changes with this bill. There are now two chief engineers at the Arkansas department of transportation the code calls for the chief engineer to be on the board of trustees this lesson this legislation clarifies that it will be the chief engineer of operations senses person has more people under his his or her supervision. This bill does not change the practice or amount of the death benefits paid but it reorganizes the information into one section of the code for non vested member the beneficiary gets a refund of the members contributions the survivor of a married vested member has three options for the benefits and unmarried vested members beneficiary has two options for their benefits there's no fiscal impact with this I would appreciate a good vote. One is explain the bill we would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent worn is close for the bill the question before the House is passed house bill eleven ninety three prepared machine man Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Cast out man Clark. I have a ninety sixty eight zero Nays zero present the bill is passed. Represent Vaught for what purpose Mr Speaker having given notice on house bill thirteen thirty two I moved for reconsideration. That's proper motion is debatable representative Vaught your. I'm a good friend representative Cozart wants a second chance to get these bill across the finish line I got a little bit more information about it yesterday so I thought maybe I'd give him another chance to be able to get the votes that he needs to get it off the floor with that I'd appreciate a good vote. President Vaught is explained the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. We would like to speak for the motion Rep represent Cozart you're recognized speak for the motion. No I can't say a lot about the bill but I know there's a lot of things people did understand yesterday hopefully you've got a cleared up a little bit and I can help you on this because I can only speak about the motion so I appreciate a good vote. Cozart spoken for the motion when he would like to speak against the motion. We would like to speak for the motion. President Vaught is close for the motion. The question before the House. Is the reconsideration. Of house bill thirteen thirty two. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it. Question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen thirty two prepared machine madam Clark. Everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Casts up the ballot madam Clerk. By a vote of sixty seven yes twenty three nice three present the bill is passed. Madam Clark please read house bill twelve a one. House bill twelve oh one by representative Warren. To an act the Arkansas teacher retirement system's general obvious acted to declare an emergency. someone you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues several of you may remember Jennifer Lee well Jennifer used to work in BLR she used to draft all the retirement Bills after this last year she was hired by Arkansas teacher retirement system to come over and be their legal counsel. The bill that I'm presenting to you today is basically their omnibus bill she went through all of the code that pertains to Arkansas teacher retirement system and what she's done is basically a cleanup bill I'll give you the three high points the bill has over sixty sections with mostly wording changes for consistency and clarity purposes for example retirement is now referred to as retiree there were changes made on reference to deadlines to allow for full calendar months as opposed to a middle of the month to the middle of next month. they also addressed alternate retirement system's the second item is the federal law changed with respect to required minimum retirement or distribution age in two thousand twenty three that will go to age seventy three and by two thousand thirty three it will increase to age seventy five lastly NO benefit enhancement is allowed if it results in causing the crude actuarial liability to exceed an eighteen year amortization the bill includes a definition of benefit enhancement that does not allow it to increase the amortization period by more than a one year period which gives some time to work on getting it back down to the eighteen year amortization there's no fiscal impact and I would appreciate a good vote. Represent Warren has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Warren is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve oh one prepared machine madam Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about madam Clerk. By a vote of ninety eight zero nine zero present the bill an emergency clause or pass. I am Clark please read house bill eleven eighty eight eleven eighty eight by representative Collins to amend and update the law concerning the final average salary under the Arkansas teacher retirement system and to declare an emergency president Collins recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this is another teacher retirement bill for the teacher retirement system it just makes clarifying amendments with no substantive changes to law does three things first changes some words to use the term anti spiking which is just a more descriptive term that they use within the system does not change any substance anything it's just what the that section does already second it allows rulemaking around personal years being reported the service credit as they have that authority in other sections other places within the section and finally it sets forth that when a member made in a partial year or year immediately following is excluded from the anti spiking cap which is their current practice already so again with no substantive change here there's no fiscal impact to this and appreciate a good vote thank you. President concepts by the bill we would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. President Collins is closed for the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill eleven eighty eight per machine madam Clark. You voting on the bill and the emergency clause says everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about madam Clerk. By a vote of ninety five Yeas zero Nays zero present the bill emergency clause or pass madam Clark please read house bill thirteen twenty eight thirteen twenty eight by representative makes to repeal the annual reporting requirement by the Arkansas geographic information systems board concerning the Arkansas battle data infrastructure. President. All right colleagues I think just because this bill is pretty simple back in two thousand three a law was passed in Arkansas that the geographic information system would set up the Arkansas spatial data infrastructure as part of that a report was required to be sent to the technology committee once a year to give an update on the progress that was made on getting that database implemented that database was finished over ten years ago it's matured and so because of that this law and report or no longer needed and so we're just. Making things will December for the folks over at the geographic information office I'll answer any questions if anybody has a. Okay saying none on this Valentine's day I would ask that you show the GIS folks a little up and vote yes. Person makes as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. When you would like to speak for the bill. A person makes as close for the bill the question before the House the passage of house bill thirteen twenty eight prepare the machine madam Clark. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about my report by a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Members per Passover house bill eleven eighty one removed the yellow budget calendar represent Jeanne moos we place house bill ten seventy seven on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read Amendment number one madam Clerk. House bill ten seventy seven Amendment number one to Jean you're recognized to explain the amendment. English Speaker. Calling this amendment one house bill ten seventy seven department of labor lives all this does is of. Is a amended by sponsor representative Wardlaw department of labor has many accounts that it pays different boards and committees commissions it just cut it down to one paying account and in this is kind of the part of transformation that didn't get caught up in it but it just makes everyone pay an account that increase any funds the same money will go forward with that have won by an account any questions on the amendment. Appreciate a good vote on amendment president Jean is explain the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. We would like to speak for the amendment represent Jean is closed for the amendment the question before the House is the adoption of amendment number one to House Bill ten seventy seven all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendments adopted. Jeanne moos we place house bill eleven sixty eight on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read Amendment number one madam Clark house bill eleven sixty eight Amendment number one. President Jean you're recognized to explain the amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker is gone from representative Cavenaugh office is amended one on house bill eleven sixty eight. Labor licensing what this does is takes month there's about a two point three million dollar balance in the motor vehicle what it does it just increases the grant line to two hundred fifty thousand dollars and this money could be used by technical schools are trade schools to buy equipment to help of train automotive mechanics many questions. Appreciate a good vote on the amendment seventeen is explain the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment represent Jean is closed for the amendment the question before the House the adoption of house amendment one house bill eleven sixty eight all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendments adopted. President Jean you're recognized present the budget counter. Thank you Mr Speaker calling we're going to pass over. House bill eleven thirty nine. The Arkansas employment retirement put it on the calendar also Senate bill sixty five the teacher retirement will put it on another calendar we'll pass over today. Of our first two bills are House bills house bill ten fifty the Arkansas court of appeals this has no general revenue of no increase other than of salaries adjustment and retirement benefits also house bill ten sixty four Legarda. NO increases only at. These are two appropriations for next year. do I need to pull any of these to have a batch. You have any questions on these two bills. Your one vote for the bill and the bills emergency clause Mister Speaker the Clerk read the bill third time madam Clark please read bills for a third time House Bill ten fifty house bill ten sixty four she. Voting on the bills and the emergency clauses. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted cast a ballot madam Clark with ninety eight zero nine zero present the bills emergency clauses are passed represent gene you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker calling we have to supplemental budgets as of budgets are going to finish out this year the the current year that we're in right now. One of his house bill thirteen sixty two department of corrections in that house bill thirteen sixty three the FNA of the first one is a five million dollar appropriation the money is already in the account this page for the overtime for all our correctional officers in all our nineteen correction facilities helps pay for the overtime for them for the rest of the year any questions. And also the other one on the back badge is also the FNA this is an increase in appropriation we already have the federal money of seven hundred fifty million all this federal money coming down we've got any increase the appropriation to spend it is not state money it's the federal money and that's what that supplemental does any questions on these two ninety to pull any of these other two. Seeing none your one vote is for the bill emergency clause fifty acre the park read the bill third time I don't park please for the bills for the third time I still ten fifty house bill ten sixty four repair the machine. House bill thirteen sixty two house bill thirteen sixty three clarify we're voting on house bill thirteen sixty two and house bill thirteen sixty three. Has everyone voted. Voting on the bills and the emergency clause says everyone voted. Cast about Manafort. By a vote of ninety sixty eight zero nine zero present the bills emergency clauses are passed representing you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker we'll get to the Senate bills. We're going to vote Senate bill thirty four. Of Legislative Council Senate bill thirty seven Supreme Court Senate bill sixty nine of the office support administrative courses the personnel budget and also Senate bill seventy which is the opposite budget from the the Binford of office of the courts of none of these are general revenue impact for from St central services they're all flat. in expenditures. Do I need to pull any of these four out of the back. You have a question on any of these for. Your one vote is for the bills emergency clause the Speaker the Clerk read the bill third time and Clark please recalls for third time Senate bill thirty four Senate bill thirty seven Senate bill sixty nine Senate bill seventy prepared machine. Voting on the bills and the emergency clauses. Cast a ballot madam Clark by a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero president. Surpassed Jean you're recognized thank you for the last bill or Senate bill two fourteen it is another supplemental. Of appropriation and now it does increase the appropriation by four hundred and fifty million this is the Medicaid budget I thank this came from the governor's letter the governor supports this I think there's additional two hundred seventeen thousand people on Medicaid about a seventeen per cent increase the federal funds are there all this does is give the appropriation to spend the money. Any questions on this. Seeing none your one vote is for the bill emergency clause the Speaker the Clerk read the bill third time I don't Clark please read the bill for the third time Senate bill two fourteen per machine. Voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot madam Clark. By a vote of ninety eight three days and for president. This past. An emergency clause represent makes for what purpose motion place that's here motion after announcing reading of the bill transferring the bill's place on the counters on the desk members amending their own bills own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalizing resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move we adjourn until one thirty tomorrow afternoon that's a proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed the ayes have it any announcements represent Lanny Fite for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized city county local media ten AM tomorrow morning in McAfee president Barker for purpose you're recognized aging children youth will meet tomorrow at ten AM in room one thirty percent for what purpose. Announcmenet you're recognized acclimate tomorrow morning at ten o'clock at one thirty eight. You're recognized. Happy Valentine's day everyone and even if you don't have your own Valentine if you go to your mailbox you likely will have a Valentine's card from Arkansas kids count and a lot of preschoolers around the state so make sure you get that and may I have a second announcmenet. tomorrow Wednesday February fifteenth at eleven thirty in the second floor rotunda the Alzheimer's association invites you to join us for a special ceremony honoring the thousands or Arkansas families impacted by Alzheimer's and other dementias so again tomorrow we're purple thank you president Richmond for purpose announcmenet you're recognized deviates management is hosting a legislative reception for Valentine's day it will begin at five PM and into seven PM at the next level events it's just another opportunity for us to go hold hands and sing we are the world. President back for what purpose. Announcmenet you're recognized I don't know how to follow that up with the joint energy committee will be meeting and mac Hey at three PM tomorrow president fought for what purpose you're recognized first announcmenet is per coppice in the morning seven AM old spring court room and the other announcmenet is rules tomorrow at noon. Tosh purpose announcmenet you're recognized to announce measures Baker state agencies will meet in the morning at ten AM room one fifty one reminder will be taken the committee pitcher in the morning second announcmenet is as that immediately opponent German a issue the change or will be in room one fifty one given a briefing on the new vet school there and Jones for. Represent Maddox what purpose announcmenet you're recognized insurance and commerce to meet tomorrow to be there at nine forty five for a picture. Vaught for what purpose sorry Mr Speaker announcmenet you're recognized and also rules will have pictures tomorrow at eleven forty five represent Crawford what purpose. You're recognized at Morrow again there's a lot going on but we have the pregnancy resource centers coming to the capitol for those who have signed up with me we have lunch at the RPA beginning at eleven thirty if you want to come and didn't call me just text and we'll make it happen thanks represent rock for what purpose pressure you're recognized I wish we could give a prayer tonight to twenty four representative Tony Furman he. If it fell out on us today and we need to remember Sir thank you thank you. President Jean for purpose you're recognized claim subcommittee meets tomorrow morning at seven thirty in big mac a. Members at one other announcmenet I know there's been some I have I've been asked the question about will we meet on Monday we will we please do plan on meeting on Monday as has been past practice in years past so just want to give everybody a heads up on that represent hawk for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized tomorrow at Capitol Hill at eleven thirty the boys and girls club of Arkansas will be having a luncheon for everybody and of eleven thirty Capitol Hill. The other announced. Not the best remain open as need for the reading of bills upon completion The Addams named in the joint resolution house to be adjourned until one thirty PM tomorrow.