Senate Convenes

All all all. The Senate will be called to order are there any questions for leave at this time Senator Leding you're recognized. Leave you Senator flowers. Senator Hill. Senator Stubblefield for request leave Senator Stubblefield. Please. And Senator Solomon. Any other members have someone committee to request leave for. Seeing none madam secretary please call the roll. Boyd Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis DES dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stones Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. What everyone in the chamber in the galleries please rise and remain standing the Senate will be led in prayer by Senator. Davis. Hi Senator Hickey. Okay members are you would please bear head are kinda Gration the particle we just thank you for allowing us all to be part of such a fine institution in your god we do just ask that you take your hand you put it on all of us got us our staff and just help us all to be the the top people that you want us to be their god we just thank you for your lord our lord Jesus Christ for being our state save your and just continue to help us thank you a man. What. You for all. Ladies and gentleman the gallery's welcome the Arkansas Senate it is our expectation each of you will exercise property corpsman govern yourselves accordingly during today's proceedings without objection the rules will be suspended the Senate will dispense with the reading of the Journal. The morning hour has now begin are there any announcements or introductions at this time. Senator Wallace you are recognized for announcmenet. Mr president this is a. Introductions. Okay your members for introduction recognized members Dan Sullivan who is in the a meeting has for. pages with him today I'd like to introduce them the first is are required. Or if you stand up. There she is from Jones for Arkansas she's been a member of the future business lenders American women in business by the club and she plans on attending the university of Arkansas. And Anna Carter. In a car there she is high and. And has been class president founders of women in business and isn't interested in going to I'm not sure we're and I missed. The welcome welcome to Senate. Two more real real quick two more minute young. Bill is been the varsity cheer captain. She's been national debate. In the. To speak to the big question debate in president of the young Democrats Bennett. The last one. This man a clear born. She's on the debate. This means troops. And active citizens club welcome to all of you all. Are there any other announcements to recognize Senator Hill you're recognized. Thank you Mr president that's not impressive group of young ladies it is introduced very impressive very impressive. I also want to announce update tomorrow at eleven thirty AM second floor in the rotunda all time association invites you to join them for special ceremony honoring the thousands of our Kansans families impacted by dementia and other other all timers. I really encourage if you haven't ever to this We'll get together they have please try to temper there's every family. If you have been impacted yet you will be this is such a degrading disease for the family if you get an opportunity please go there to show your support and Wednesday is also purple date so I would encourage you to do that thank you. Thank you Sir hello Sir Clark Tucker you're recognized. Thank you Mr president I have two announcements today what it it's not his first time to join us but I still want to make sure we give a warm welcome to Dr Naveen Patil and also it's not her first time to join us either but I also want to welcome nurse Brenda he would make sure we we both welcome the our doctor nurse of the day today. Secondly I just want to recognize a group of folks up here in the west gallery from the foundation for social impact they had over one million dollars in pledges for funds that are gonna be using reinvested back into Arkansas specifically that focused on communities that are historically under represented and disenfranchised to make sure they're fully enfranchised and can move to economic prosperity so those of who have not been as successful from an economic standpoint they're trying to lift them up to make sure everyone has that opportunity so they're doing good work and I want to welcome them today to the Arkansas state Senate. Senator Alan Clark you're recognized. Thank you Mr president. The I want to recognized today my first page of the session of. the mobile stand Emma Eubanks who home schools lows in the western part of Hot Spring County it is very successful in that. The also have her parents her proud parents here today Terry and Jennifer. Of and of we had something unique happened some of you may have seen that I got to give Glen Campbell's daughter one of his albums this week but the Eubanks have a gospel singing group very good gospel singing group of talented called the Eubanks and Emma got like a lot of young people in a lot of older people got a turntable for Christmas and we've invested about music and Jennifer told me how that they'd come out shopping vintage records that come across an album by a group that her dad was in and it just so happened when she told me about that that I had bought some records the not before. And out of the whole group records the one I had put on was by that same group I'd never previously heard of so I got to give the daughter and granddaughter Hey Mister training by the Tennessee gentleman is Jennifer's that is radi we're on the cake **** I hope I'm saying that right. Of runny K. tron and of we're glad to have all of them here and their talent and the and especially we like people that like records but make them welcome. For the any other announcements for introductions at this time. Senior madam secretary or other items at the desk yes Mr President this is to inform you that on February ninth two thousand twenty three I reviewed approved the following measures from the legislative session of the ninety fourth General Assembly Senate bill fifty eight ACT forty five Senate bill ninety three ACT forty two Senate bill forty eight ACT forty seven Senate bill sixty eight ACT forty seven. Senate bill seventy four ACT forty nine Senate bill forty seven ACT fifty S. C. R. one S. C. R. two U. S. C. R. five sincerely Sarah Sanders governor of Arkansas. Your madam president we your committee on enrol Bills to whom was referred the following Senate bill forty two by Senator Solomon Senate bill fifty seven by Senator Irvin Senate bill eighty seven by Senator Dotson Senate bill ninety eight by Senator Wallace Senate bill ninety nine by Senator Wallace Senate bill one hundred by Senator Boyd Senate bill one eleven by Senator Irvin Senate bill one fourteen by Senator Tucker Senate bill one thirty two by Senator Flippo Senate bill one forty one by Senator Irvin Senate bill one eighty by Senator Dotson beg leave report that we have carefully compared the enrolled copies with the original and find the same correctly enrolled and have at ten thirty AM delivered them to the governor for approval respectfully submitted senator mark Johnson. Follows. We are committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate bill one twelve by Senator point report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed public health we are committee on engrossed bills to whom is referred senate bill two seventeen by Senator Boyd report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Insurance. We are committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate bill one forty three by Senator English report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the same and find the same correctly engrossed. We are a committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate bill two forty eight by Senator English report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed Education we are committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate bill one fifty by Senator Johnson. For that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed joint public retirement we are committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred house bill eleven ninety six by representative under would report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed city county local. We are committee on aggravated was referred Senate bill two forty six by Senator stone recommend due pass counted we are committee on agro I two was referred house bill eleven eighty two by representative I'd recommend to pass as amended number one calendar. We are committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill ten O. five by representative Pilkington rep Committee pass calendar for your committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill ten eighteen by representative Meeks reference then to pass calendar we are committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill eleven seventy five a representative under would recommend due pass counted we are a committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill twelve fifty eight by representative Lundstrum recommend due pass counted we are committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill thirteen eighteen by representative Cavenaugh recommend due pass counted we are committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill thirteen thirty five by representative Haak we're committed to pass calendar. We are committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill thirteen forty four by representative McKenzie recommend due pass counted. We are committee on state agencies to whom was referred Senate bill two forty seven by Senator Datsun recommend due pass counted we are committee on state agencies to whom was referred house bill thirteen seventeen by representative in very recommend to pass. Thirteen nineteen. House bill thirteen nineteen by representative Embury recommend to pass calendar. We are a committee on state agencies to whom was referred house bill thirteen twenty two by representative Cavenaugh recommend due pass counted we are committee on state agencies and was referred house bill thirteen thirty three by representative Pilkington recommend to pass. Thirteen thirty one by representative Pilkington recommend due pass counted. Senate bill two sixty by Senator Dotson to create the ensuring access for all our Kansans and voter protection act of two thousand twenty three ten in the procedure for the filing of a ballot initiative petition and referendum petition and to amend the law concerning statewide petition Senate bill two sixty state agencies Senate bill two sixty one by Senator Pitsch to provide for an income tax credit for an unborn child and to provide that the dependent includes an unborn child for purposes of the personal income tax credit Senate bill two sixty one Revenue and Tax Senate bill two sixty two by senators Payton at al to amend the public education reorganization act and to remove the authority of the state board of education to require an administrative consolidation for certain school districts Senate bill two sixty two education Senate bill two sixty three by Senator Hester to amend the law concerning the procedure for the sale of property possessed by certain lien holder Senate bill two sixty three. Judiciary. Is there further business to come before the body in the morning hour. If not the morning hour has expired we will now start with the business agenda. Senate concurrent resolution six by Senator Rice to recognize one hundred years of Arkansas state parks and proclaim two thousand twenty three as Arkansas state parks centennial year. Senator Rapert you're recognized. Thank you Mr president colleagues this is a Senate concurrent resolution that sometimes I might not read all of the I think it would be good for history in those live streaming to hear it and uh we don't have a long agenda today so if you'll bear with me I'll leave out somewhere as but he's got some some good history and it. This is to recognize one hundred years of Arkansas state parks in proclaimed twenty twenty three AS Arkansas state park centennial year. Whereas one hundred years ago governor Thomas Chipman McRae signed into law enacted authorized authorizing the acceptance of land for parks in St reservations in Arkansas and through the founding vision of Dr T. W. Hardison house bill eight seventy three passed without a seat a dissenting vote and was signed in to laws act two seventy six of nineteen twenty three. Act two seventy six of nineteen twenty three designated land for the establishment of Haiti Jean state park in included Arkansas as a party to the state park movement in America and later legislation would provide for creation of the initial state park commission now known as the state parks recreation travel commission in charge the the commission with the duties to select a choir and oversee lands in trusted to its care the the passionate pursuit of doctor to W. Hardison the State Parks idea originating in the nineteen twenties is a legacy that Arkansas our Kansans appreciated enjoyed today and in the words of Dr partition state parks. Our first and primary conservation areas that concept is not in conflict with their use for recreation and properly administered state parks can provide the best recreation for the population without impairing their natural beauty whereas president Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the civilian council conservation corps workers and the work of the CCC began in nineteen thirty three in Arkansas with the goal of providing access for all to nature in the investment by the CCC created the following state parks in Arkansas Petty Jean state park mount Nebo State Park Crowley's ridge state park devil's den state park lake Catherine state park in buffalo river state park in the end during words at the CCC again during works of the CCC built with dedication to get dedicated labor and detailed craftsmanship using timber and stone that blend perfectly with our surrounding landscapes are still a part of Arkansas state parks essential experience in these legacies can be seen in our parks roads trails lakes beaches and facilities governor Dale bumpers invested more in Arkansas state parks in a number of state parks doubled the importance of Arkansas state parks and it's this citizens was displayed in nineteen ninety six when voters approved an amendment to the state constitution for the collection of a one night stay on. Thanks to support state parks Arkansas game and fish Arkansas heritage and keep Arkansas beautiful in this measure was strongly supported by governor Mike Huckabee in First Lady Janet Huckabee and fifty two state parks in fifty five thousand acres the various landscape found in parks in forty nine counties are the perfect setting for trails campsites cabins lodges recreation areas where citizens and gas connect with our stage beauty and history. Each state park is significant part of the fabric of Arkansas in the State Parks heritage and tourism is charged with an important role in interpreting maintaining and protecting some of the most cherished national historical and cultural resources found in Arkansas the state park of Arkansas have impacted and enhance the quality of life of our cans and serve guests from around the world and collectively the Arkansas state park system is one of the state's largest tourism and economic drivers heading over one billion dollars each year to the state's economy last year over eight million guest visited Arkansas state parks and museums and support for the Arkansas state parks is at an all time high. Now therefore be it resolved by the state of the ninety fourth General Assembly of the State of Arkansas the Senate in the house of representatives concurring to recognize and commemorate the one hundredth anniversary with Arkansas state parks and proclaim twenty twenty three is Arkansas state park centennial year and it is my privilege from the new district that I was wrong that I have PT Jean state park and with that I would appreciate a good vote thank you Mr president members like to speak against this resolution it was like to speak for this resolution Senator Mark Johnson you're recognized. Thank you Mr president is. Senator Rapert said he was thrilled to redistricting to gain Petty Jean state park of course the lord giveth and the lord taketh away I was sad to lose Page Jean state park but I was honored to get to speak at the dedication of the new visitor centre named after Dr T. W. harnesses that Senator Rice mentioned. This is a man that should be given even more recognition in our history can you imagine what Arkansas tourism our second biggest industry and some people say maybe even but to be our first biggest would be if it weren't for the version of doctor Hardison to save Petty gene and create our first state park he was someone that died in nineteen fifty eight but he is still beloved in his home Conway County and I learned that when there was a move to name the new visitor centre after someone else and the people in common K. literally rose up and call their senator and representative and fortunately good sense prevail but but I ask all of you to learn about this wonderful individual if you have never had the opportunity to visit Petty Jean state park and all of our parks are wonderful but this is the crown jewel. So god bless our state god bless the fifty people that take care of our beautiful parks and thank you for letting me say that about my friend I've never met Dr Hardison Mr president thank you. Any other numbers like to speak for or against seeing none all those in favor say concurrent resolution sixteen or six by Senator Rice signify by saying aye. Opposed say no. Resolution center ice Senate concurrent resolution six has passed. Transmitted aus. Senate bills for the third reading passage Senate bill one sixteen by Senator Hammer to allow the purchase of permissive service credit under the Arkansas teacher retirement system and to declare an emergency. Sir can Hammer you're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman. Senate bill one sixteen is a gap service purchased this bill does not reduce any benefits for the A. T. R. S. member or beneficiary this bill creates a new type of service that can be purchased at actuarial value if a member leaves active employment for a period of time and then returns back to employment the gap years are available for purchase at actuarial value this type purchases limited to five years the system's actuary found that this bill would have no material financial impact on the A. T. R. system from time to time I run into people that were in the petition profession that have gotten out one of the comments they make is man I wish I'd go back and buy those one or two years that I could add back into my retirement system and that's exactly what this bill does it creates the mechanism for them to be able to purchase back those years that maybe they laid out at actuarial value not sure how they would use it but it's a tool that would be available for those to hopefully get back in the profession that they realize that they can get two or three years or up to five years purchase back I'll be glad to answer any questions. Are there any questions for Senator Stubblefield. Sing number eighty members like to speak for or against this bill. Cenovus sorry center any questions Senator Hammer. You would like to speak for against the ninety Senator Hammer you're recognized close for your bill thank you madam governor Close your bill appreciate a good vote thank you. Were there any objection rolling a vote. C. number of secretary please role of a void Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis dis dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson came Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. What a member like a vote that has not or change their vote. C. number of secretary please cast a ballot hold by a vote of thirty two U. A. zero maze three I believe bill has passed. Please transmit to the House. Emergency clause adopted. Senate bill one ninety six by Senator Tucker to amend the law concerning a vacancy on a County Board of election commissioners. Senator Tucker you're recognized thank you Mr president this bill has to do with filling a vacancy on the County Board of election commissioners was brought to my attention by a constituent who had to resign from the Election Commission shortly before the primary election last year because of a health issue and it the with the way that vacancies are filled currently under the law is that they have to be filled by an election by the county party the concern is that if a person has to resign for unexpected reasons whether they mover they have a health issue or or god forbid somebody passes away there may not be enough time until the election. Before the vacancy can be filled and that was a concern here so what this bill is doing is ensuring that we have a full County Board of election commissioners for every election that takes place in Arkansas what it does is the vacancy is still filled by of an election by the county party but a temporary replacement can be appointed by the county party chair if there's no County party chair for that county there can be an appointment by the state party chair that's what it is every county has in case you're unaware three election commissioners to from majority party one from the minority party so there's a hundred fifty Republican election commissioners in Arkansas and this benefits to them just as much as it benefits the seventy five democratic county commissioners in the state so so that's what the bill does And I'd be happy to answer any questions. For senator Chuck senator Ben Gilmore you're recognized. Senator Tucker would you agree that my name on this bill makes a good bill. It was it was an okay bill until the minute we understand committee when we when we added your name and those of representatives Beatty and ray he went to an a bill thank you and and I thank you for that senator senator Wallace you're recognized for a question. Senator Clark we say temporary doesn't mean is different to the next committee meeting yes Sir and that's exactly what it is as soon as the this is the county committee can make an elector replacement and then that's what will take place. You for the questions. C. nobody member like to speak against for for this bill. Seeing none Senator you're recognized close for the bill thank you Mr president I'm close will appreciate a good vote. Are they objections to rolling the vote. Seeing madam secretary please role of a. Boyd Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis dis dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. We will rock the vote that has not or change their vote. Seeing none Madam Secretary passed up the ballot. By a vote of thirty two U. A. zero nine eight three on leave the bill has passed transmit to the House. House bills for the third reading passage house bill eleven seventy one by representative Jack and senator Bryant to amend the law the requirements for religious denominations to qualify as self insurers Senator Rapert you're recognized thank you Mr president. Members this bill is is to allow self insured religious domination that use a self insured to to break out of self insurance if the liability of the plan does not want to be accommodated so most self insurance plans they they pool their liabilities they go to a third party to kind of administer the plan and what we're currently the state will allow religious denominations to participate in that self insured but there's a member inside that set that wants to ensure different portion. The language currently losses they're prohibited from doing that what this language those that move that work for prohibits to discourages at them to do that but allows that member to get other insurance outside the the plant. with that'll take any questions the members have any questions Senator Blake Johnson you're recognized. Hello the original bill us but. Twenty five seems pretty loaded be a selfinsured full of money. I don't I mean I don't know when that was passed but. I I don't know the history from from my understanding is actually fairly recent minute community brought this up with represent Hawkins within her district to make sure that the state will will honor their self insured plan. So I think I think once the assets are met and the third party will administer that planet that's the result take within the plant. Thank you. The question is. See nobody members like to speak against the bill or for the bill. Seeing none Izard objection to rolling the vote. Seeing none madam secretary please role of a. Boyd Brian Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis DES dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson keen Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Remember like to vote that has not or change their vote. Seeing none madam secretary please cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty two yeas zero Mason three on leave the bill has passed. Return to return to the House. House bill eleven ninety eight by representative Gramley consider void to amend the law concerning early voting on council holidays. Centreboard you're recognized. Thank you Mr president house bill eleven ninety eight ensures consistent application of holidays across the state is the holidays would affect statewide and district elections that said be happy to try to answer any questions are there any questions for senator Boyd. The number you would like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Senate bill you're recognized close for the bill depreciate a good vote. Are there any objections to rolling of a. Seeing none madam secretary please role of a Boyd Brian Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis DES dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson keen Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Remember like to vote that has not or change their vote. Sena madam secretary please cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty two U. A. zero days and three on the bill has passed returned to the house. House bill thirteen twenty one by representative Holcomb and senator Boyd to amend the law concerning truck platooning systems centre Boyd you're recognized. Thank you Mr president house bill thirteen twenty one this is an Arkansas trucking association supported bill which updates two thousand seventeen platooning legislation to match the two thousand twenty one autonomous vehicle legislation it's permissive language which lease final approval of specific routes times it said direct R. dot Texas and Oklahoma have already adopted this language which makes approximately thirty states with this language Missouri Tennessee and Mississippi have this language introduced that said I'd be happy to attempt to answering questions are there any questions for senator Boyd. Senior center Boyd you're recognized to what would anyone like to speak for or against the bill. See noticeable you're recognized because we will I really appreciate a good vote thank you. Are there any objections to rolling the vote. Seeing none madam secretary please role of a. Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis DES dismay Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson keen Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Would anyone like to vote that has not or change their vote. Single madam secretary please cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty two U. A. zero Mason three on the bill has passed return to the House. Members I want to clarify that we will be in session on Monday presidents day so Monday just so we're all clear we will be here session on Monday senator Clint Penzo from Tontitown you're recognized. Thank you Mr president the Senate rules committee met yesterday afternoon to discuss gubernatorial appointments you'll find the list for today February fourteenth twenty twenty three on your desk the rules committee approve this list in one batch is any Senator wish to pull any of the appointments to be voted on separate from the batch. The member have anyone they want to remove from the bash. Thank you Mr president I move the Senate confirm the February fourteenth twenty twenty three list of appointments that were approved by the Senate rules committee all those in favor signify signify by saying aye. Opposed say no motion carries thank you members. Are there any announcements at this time uh. Senator Dismang you're recognized just announcmenet on claims claims because it's going to be tomorrow morning at seven thirty so and there will be no budget tomorrow morning. Sir you're better you're recognized. Members I know we have a lot of these but these are two that are kind of near and dear to my heart to tomorrow morning for breakfast to Capitol Hill the Arkansas society of CPA's obviously we get a lot of asks but they are very much supportive of your constituents and really don't ask for a lot and so I would encourage you to participate in that one and then tomorrow at lunch the Arkansas alliance of boys and girls clubs will be there and we as as members and and as volunteers we get a chance to save lives by by participating and and and helping the use through the boys and girls club. A few years ago the boys and girls club did a survey of their past members their alumni and said fifty seven percent of the members of the boys and girls club said that that clubs literally save their lives so you can take your Cape often be a superhero by supporting them so thank you. Thank you senator you Senator Ricky Hill you're recognized. For for those of you who were not listening earlier and who were not in here tomorrow at eleven thirty all time associations having a a get together on the image of Arkansas so please try to attend. Senator Jimmy Hickey you're recognized. Thank you Sir members we're going to have a a J. B. C. employee benefit Division tomorrow so if you're on that committee would appreciate if you attend because we have a contract that we need to look at within their thank you. Senator Ben Gilmore you're recognized. Members we have a Joint Energy meeting scheduled for tomorrow at three so if you're on joint energy please attend that meeting if you can't thank you. Senator Kim Hammer you're recognized. Members just wanna remind you tomorrow morning seven o'clock in the old Supreme Court room prayer breakfast let me not breakfast Sturch bring your own prayer the time it lasts about twenty minutes we do little devotion take prayer requests staff is there and would love for you to be there if you can make time for seven o'clock in the morning thank. Are there any other announcements at this time. Seeing none of the Senate will stand adjournment subject to clearing the destin till one o'clock to Morrow. We are.