House Convenes

The House come to order and by the member staff press and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer. By. Doctor Johnson Kelly First Baptist Churchill the radio. And to remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Bruce Cozart. But it's for a. Almighty god an everlasting father. On this date we are grateful to call Arkansas their home. We are grateful to live in a land that has been so blessed by you and so we thank you for all the citizens of this state young and old those who live in the mountains and those who live in the delta and urban areas and the rule countryside god. We believe that each one is created by you and for you. And so god we ask that in this room. As legislation is discussed and voted on his ideas are shared that we would have those we represent first and foremost in our mind. Yeah all that is pass through this place be pleasing to you maybe promote the good the flourishing and the future of those who call Arkansas home we pray this in Christ's name I'm in. Members please indicate your presence by pushing the Ulloa present button. The machine madam Clerk. Cast a ballot mental Clark. Ninety seven members present The chair sees a quorum. Are there any request relieve. Representative Karl what purpose a request for leave you're recognized leave for represent McElroy. Is leave granted for representative McElroy. A representative Warren for what you were purpose request for leave you're recognized representative Jon Eubanks. Is leave representative for. Is leave granted for representative Jon Eubanks. Representative Jeff Wardlaw moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal no objection so ordered. Are there any Reports from select committees. Read the reports Madam park. Mr Speaker we are committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill ten fifty nine house bill ten sixty house bill ten sixty one house bill ten sixty six house bill ten sixty eight house bill ten sixty nine house bill ten seventy house bill eleven thirty nine beg leave to report that we have had under the same consideration here's return with the same recommendation that a do pass respectfully submitted Lane Jean chair. Are there any Reports from standing committees. Read read the reports madam Clerk Mr Speaker your committee on education to whom was referred house bill twelve fifty four day report that we have in the same consideration here if it turns the same recommendation that a do pass as amended number one respectfully submitted representative events chair Mister Speaker we are committee on education to whom was referred house bill eleven sixty one house bill eleven eighty five Begley reported he was. That we have in the same consideration here which are the same recommendation that do pass respectfully submitted representive eleven chair person Speaker we are committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred house bill twelve ten beg leave to report that we have in the same consideration here turn the same recommendation that a do pass thankfully submitted lessees chair Mister Speaker your committee on public health and welfare and labor to whom was referred house bill eleven ninety seven house bill thirteen forty Senate bill six beg leave to report that we have in the same consideration in here first time with the same information that it do pass respectfully submitted Lee Johnson chair. Is there any unfinished business. Are there any executive communication. Our doctor the day is doctor James hunt junior from North Little Rock. against a representative Mark Perry. Nurse of the. Our nurse the days here in our. Our state troopers are with us today. Corporal Kevin grounds highway patrol Administration corporal when the cart right regulatory division. We have a number of guests with us today I'll start in the west gallery. we have a group here. From Mississippi County and I will I will list all of the people that are here. mayor Joe Harris from Osceola you would please stand as I say your name Steve Jones of Osceola. Mayor Lee brown looks OR and his wife Judy brown. May begin only in south Mississippi County chamber director. Laura Wilson representive big river steel. Dave Strickler chief executive officer of hi bar steel. In mayor Michelle Williams and Joyner. These are all guests representative Julie Carr. We also have in the west gallery. Pastor Chris lamb from the highland assembly of god. Church guest of Barker stilts. We also have Laramie and I apologize if I butcher your name here alarm me luck who. Senior pastor harvest Baptist guest of representative Gazaway and Wooldridge. Also on west gallery. Then was the I think they're in the West Valley a new vision Newport leadership class guest representative long. In the north gallery we have sure of John Montgomery from Baxter County yes a representative Fortner. Incessant rain. We also have in the north gallery judge Matt Bromley from Salim County guest let me finish Lanny Fite Brooks hall Bentley Maclear Mayberry and Furman. We also have Mister and miss Lin cotton. Parents of senator Tom cotton yes the representatives met Delfin and Marcus Richmond. We also have in the north gallery judge rusty McMillon from Greene County yes the representative. Gazaway and what. And we're gonna move to the salary. In the east gallery we have coach Brad Bolden's and the park view high high state champion football team. The little rock Parkview football team made history with their first title since nineteen seventy eight with the thirty one twenty one win over Shiloh Christian in the five A. state championship game this was the first state championship win for coach Brad Bolden's they also against the R. J. Haak enjoys Springer please give another round of. About not a promise we have one more guest only reduce Suzanne Holton. In the back Suzanne's within CSF. She's the liaison for the Arkansas Allegis legislature and she will be meeting with some of us today and tomorrow so if you want to talk about and see a sale see her in the back. Madam Clerk res please read Senate concurrent resolution number five. Senate concurrent resolution number five by representative Richeson celebrating black history month during the month of February twenty twenty three. Representative Richardson you're recognized to present the resolution thank you Mr chair. Good morning or good afternoon colleagues of I bring to you today Senate resolution number five which is a knowledge Jean in celebrating black history month here in in in the month of February we do this since I've been in the in the role or in office we've done this every session and is nothing different now we just want to take some time to acknowledge the the achievements of African Americans not only in our state but across our great nation just a couple to identify and highlight. Dorothy McFadden of hope Arkansas my Angelos of stamps. John Johnson Arkansas city. Hannibal B. Johnson from Fort Smith Arkansas. In one that's near and dear to me. The late John Walker. Was a civil rights. Master. So with that I'd appreciate a good vote and asked that the Clerk read the resolution in its entirety. please read resolution in its entirety. Elevating black history month during the month of February twenty twenty three west throughout the history of the United States really significant African American contributions to social growth economy the military the sciences and the arts of this great nation have all too often been ignored and where's the recognition of this oversight Americans began recognizing Negro history week in nineteen twenty six the predecessors of black history month which has been celebrated annually since nineteen seventy six and was inspired by the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass and where the celebration of black history month in the study of African American history as part of the legacy of Dr Carter G. Woodson and where as the progress of African Americans in the nation and in the state of Arkansas have been marked with the tragedy of social inequalities in the triumph the group achievements and we ask all those African Americans to participate in every United States war the battle for integration for the recognition of the accomplishments of African American soldiers have been a slow process and where is not until after World War two the United States Armed Forces became become integrated under a nineteen forty eight executive order by president Harry S. Truman and we're as like history month. Recognizes commonly celebrated individuals that is not Dr Martin Luther king junior George Washington carver Thurgood Marshall Rosa Parks Jackie Robinson and the Little Rock Nine just to name a few there are lesser known but equally impactful individuals who we should educate ourselves on such as crispus Attucks William Harvey Carney the greens borough for Constance Baker motley and the plethora of other historical giants and we're as Dorothy McFadden over of hope Arkansas was one of the national aeronautics and space administration's human computers as a physicist and mathematician. One of her greatest achievements in aeronautical research with the development of the thin slip tapered wing which revolutionized flight and where with my Angelou grew up in stamps Arkansas and is renowned are there impose it ms at Angelou was one of the first African American woman to have a screenplay produced and featured failed ms Angelou's point on the pulse of the morning was delivered if president Clinton I creation and she are that the distinguished but I know why the caged bird sings and we're S. remota Frierson is a native of hope Arkansas she grew to fame as Kitty Lester a singer and actress misfire since recording love letters achieve number five on the top on the pop charts and she is the best known for her role is Hester on little house on the prairie and whereas Johnny Johnson was a native of the Arkansas city Arkansas Mr Johnson family moved to Chicago because there was no high school for African Americans in his hometown Mr Johnson was regarded as the most influential African American publisher in American history and his publications included ebony magazine's It magazine and the Negro digest and we're as ray Montague was a native of Little Rock Arkansas miss money you worked revolutionize the way the United States navy designs ships by developing a computer program that creates represents of ship specifications which allow the navy to cut the time it took to build ships draft design from two years to eighteen hours and twenty six minutes now therefore be it resolved by the Senate of the ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas the House representative concurring therein. Representative Richardson has explained the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representative Richardson the wish to close for the resolution. Representative richness close for the resolution questions for the house's passage of S. C. R. five compare the machine and. All in favor say aye. All opposed nay the ayes have it motions carried. Representative wing you're recognized for presentation. Thank you Mr Speaker. Amendment seventy to the Arkansas constitution authorizes members of the General Assembly to be reimbursed for certain expenses related to the performance of their duties these reimbursements are made within the limitations provided by law not to guarantee compliance with the Arkansas constitution and IRS regulations the Arkansas house of representatives of each new General Assembly adopts an accountable plan for the purpose of reimbursing members for substantiated expenses incurred in the performance of their duties we have distributed and are distributing on your desk the accountable plan for the ninety fourth General Assembly it has been reviewed and approved by our tax counsel with that Mister Speaker the proper time I request recognition for a motion for the house of representatives to adopt this accountable plan for the ninety fourth General Assembly. There being no question representative **** you're recognized make a formal motion Mister Speaker I move that the accountable reimbursement plan for the ninety fourth General Assembly be adopted by the house of representatives. That is proper motion the question before the House adoption of the accountable reimbursement plan for the ninety fourth General Assembly all in favor say aye. All opposed nay nay. The ayes have it be accountable reimbursement plan is adopted. The morning hour resented. Represent Springer for what purpose point of personal privilege you're recognized for point of personal privilege. Thank you Mr Speaker members of the House I too would like to recognize a person who has done great things besides the park view teen that you welcome here today his name is Horace ales Springer the third my husband he let the Parkview patriots in nineteen seventy five to their championship football team as their quarterback he's in the west gallery please help me with a recognized him today for his account Smith as well as coach Sam Goodwin who was a hall of fame member coach Kelly called **** and Cole to Ripley thank you. Thank you Mr Speaker. Madam Clerk please read H. bill eleven ninety one. House bill eleven ninety one by representative Richmond to amend the law concerning management and sales tax delinquent lands by the commissioner of state lands and to standardize the use of the term parcel. Representative Richmond you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues at first glance when you look at H. B. eleven ninety one you think will what's the difference between that and the bill that are run yesterday. And there are some differences and I'm gonna go ahead and highlight that for you right now. In section one. The changes gives the Commissioner state lands the option to invest in T. bills or savings bonds in the event the interest rates are higher than CD rates right now the stock was CD's so of treasury bills are better or savings bonds better he's got the option now to go ahead and best something that will you I yield a higher level of percentage back to the state. Section two will help clean up the problem with this commissioner state land does not have the ability to return back to the county a single incorrectly certified partial when Parcells a certified his commissioner state lands the county system in a batch if we find a partial what the problem. Nonexistent incorrect name incorrect legal description the C. O. S. C. the Commissioner state land has to either keep the partial and sell it dealing with the fallout later on or return the entire certification back to the county now you may ask what do you mean if if there's no longer a partial somehow under that person's gone away well there's a couple things that cause that happened one is referee Rosen may completely remove something a parcel of land or building a highway or some other kind of construction like that make the you know there's something under there but it's not the partial land that they have so that's some of the things that can impact this. Section three five six seven eight nine thirteen and fourteen or simply replacing the word land or the word property with the word partial. Standardize the the communication that we have in our laws section four removes the requirement to publish the assessed value of the partial with notification of the sales may assessed value has played no role in selling tax delinquent parcels since two thousand thirteen just not used anymore I think there was legislation passed back in two thousand thirteen the change that. Section ten delete obsolete language referring to the changes in the code made in two thousand five and two thousand eighteen section eleven clarifies how long excess excess proceeds shall remain in escrow there's been some misunderstanding regarding how long the period is and this language clarifies that. It basically states that if I recall correctly read in the bill I've got here if I have to go back to the basically two years and two years if it goes past that then that money is going to be returned to the county. Section twelve specifies that when someone who is not the owner reading someone else's TAXDELINQUENT partial the rejection deed goes to the owner and the redeemer receives a redemption receipt if the owner is the redeemer the owner would receive both the deed and the receipt there's been this belief and I know I used to think this a long time ago that if somebody is delinquent on their property goes up for auction then I go in and I paid the delinquent taxes that land belongs to me. Well it's not true it's not true and and and it still goes on even though they've got it on websites and everywhere else saying this is not true. People are still making a mistake and still going in and redeeming the taxes thinking that they're going to take ownership of the property so it's just one more place we're trying to clarify that for. And section fifteen repeals obsolete language since assessment values are no longer part of the process the tax delinquent parcels at the commissioner of state lands. That's the changes. Any questions. Again I appreciate it appreciate a good vote thank you very much. Representative Richmond has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Or the bill. Representative Richmond you wish to close for your bill represent Richmond close for his bill question before the house of the passage of H. B. eleven ninety one prepare the machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot madam Clerk. With ninety three As one a and one present the bill is passed. Madam Clerk read H. B. bill number H. B. eleven eighty three. House bill eleven eight three by representative matic to man and have the provisions for the outsourcing under the Arkansas teacher retirement system it's a clear anybody. Represent Maddox you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker calling so this is a very simple bill this bill is just regarding the treatment of outsource services to school districts oftentimes outsource services like cafeteria you've probably seen that the outsource that to a third party vendor let them handle that well the school district still pay four percent of that employee's salary into the teacher retirement system however the code says that they can choose to pay if they want to all the way up to the maximum fee or the standard fee but obviously no school district has ever done that or whatever do that because it makes no sense source removing that language which is obsolete removing some other obsolete language and that's really all that this bill does I would be glad to take any questions. Saying nine thanks. Representative Maddox as explained the bill is would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Maddox are you ready to close for your bill. Representative Max's clothes for the bill question before the House is passage of H. B. eleven eighty three. Repair the machine madam Clark. You're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot madam Clerk. With ninety seven Yeas zero nays and zero present the bill and the emergency clause has passed. Representative Maddox. Clark. Please read H. bill eleven eighty two. I'm sorry I'm sorry eleven eighty four. At eleven eighty four by representative Madison in the law concerning the membership status of certain members of the Arkansas teacher retirement system and declare emergency. Represent Max you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker another real simple bill I've Sir try to explain it somewhat this bill basically ensures equal treatment of all full time employees and school districts so right now current law could be interpreted to say that a part time that a full time employee whose heart subsequent to the start of the school year could choose to be non contributory but a full time employee who starred prior to or at the time the school commences does not have that option so this removes that for the employee whose heart subsequent to the beginning of school treat everyone the same in equalizes that this is another thing that's not used very often or at all there is no fiscal impact that's all that this bill does And this was brought to me by teacher retirement so how do I take it. Sing nine thank you. Representative Maddox has explained the bill we would like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent macs are you closing your bill. Representative Maddox is close for his bill. Question before the House is passage of. H. B. eleven eighty four prepare the machine madam Clerk. You voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Cast up the ballot Medford. With ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed. And the emergency clause has passed. Manafort read bill number H. B. eleven ninety nine. House bill eleven ninety nine by representative Perry to permit a refund of unused purchase service credit under the Arkansas teacher retirement system and to declare an emergency. Representative Perry recognized to present your bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this is teacher retirement day. Maddox said two of my bat clean up on the last two. This is a this bill is a codifying the existing practice for refunding payments for purchase to service in all cases of purchase service credit at the member's request payment for the service credit shall be refunded if the member ceases to be an active member before the service credit is established in the system where the service credit is not otherwise used established used to establish eligibility under the system effectively canceling the transaction in there is not a any material financial impact to the system. Appreciate a good vote. Representative Perry has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Perry has are you closing your bill. There's a pair is closed for the bill question before the House is passage of H. B. eleven ninety nine. President xi man Clark. You're voting on the bill in the emergency clause as everyone voted. The vote of ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill and the emergency clause has passed. Madam Clark please read H. bill twelve H. B. twelve hundred. House bill five hundred by representative Terry concerning an active members eligibility for free military service credit and ability to practice military contributory and federal service credit in the Arkansas teacher retirement system and to declare an emergency representative Peter you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this is the last number for teacher retirement. This bill provides for members to serve in the United States armed forces during the period that a military draft was in effect to receive up to five years of free service credit before retirement regardless of the current ATR S. active status this bill also allows for members to purchase federal service credit and to convert non contributory service to contribute towards service before retirement regardless of the current ATR S. status. They're in the actuary found there's no material impact to the. Representative Perry has presented the bill we would like to speak against the bill. Or the bill. Are you close for you bill representative parent representative pairs close for the bill. Question before the House is passage of H. B. twelve hundred Manafort prepare the machine. Your vote you're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Casts up the ballot madam Clerk. With ninety seventy eight zero nine zero present the bill and the emergency clause has passed. Madam Clark please read eight bill H. B. twelve oh two. To my representative Warren to amend the law concerning the multiplier used to calculate a life annuity under the Arkansas teacher retirement system is declared emergency. Represented one recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues is to be the last of the retirement bills today H. B. twelve two is actually clarifying what the actual teacher retirement system practices with respect to the multiplier which is a component used in calculating the actual retirement pay for the first ten years of the system the multiplier can be lower. After you get in the ten years in the system the board can increase the multiplier for those ten years and future years the way the law is currently written could be seen as redundant this bill will take care of that in order to make this effective with the next fiscal year which begins July first two thousand twenty three we're asking for an emergency clause I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Warren has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Are you closing your bill representative Warren is closed for the bill question before the House is passage of H. B. twelve to repair the machine madam Clerk. You voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Cast up the ballot madam Clerk. With ninety seven Yeas zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. We're going to move on to the regular Senate bills. Madam Clerk read Senate bill SB ninety three. Senate bill ninety three by representative rose to amend the Arkansas code regarding a college of dentistry and the clarify that the commission of dental X. radiation is the accrediting entity for college of dentistry. Representative rose your rep you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr chairman good afternoon colleagues Senate bill ninety three is pretty straightforward in a men's the code regarding a college of dentistry in Arkansas and how one of those can come into existence currently thank you very much the longer I'm up here the bigger offering you'll have to give so The way the the current statute reads is antiquated we no longer have an accrediting agency is listed in the law to approve a dental college being started what this does is changes it so we're the law can an axe or prove a dental college being started in Arkansas it updates the law and so who does this help it helps any higher education institution public or private or nonprofit that can satisfy the rigorous and multi year accreditation criteria that's approved through code at and separately this also go to the higher learning commission which is our regional institutional education she's me a cat educational accreditor here in Arkansas to clarify this bill does not create nor does it fund a dental school in Arkansas I'll be glad to answer any questions. All right I appreciate a good vote. Representative rose has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Rosie was close for your bill. Representive road has closed for the bill. Question before the House is passage of SB ninety three. Prepare the machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mendler. By a vote of ninety six Yeas zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. Madam Clark please read S. B. seventy four. Senate bill seventy four by representative press to mean the authority of this area under the Arkansas health care decisions that. N. road you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr chair colleagues SP seventy four relates to in twenty seventeen our legislature passed the healthcare decisions act in this laid out the framework to ensure the most ethical path forward to engages Serra get to make difficult health care decisions for another person who cannot make these decisions for his self or herself and they do not have a power of attorney the twenty seventeen legislation clarified who can and cannot be appointed by an attending physician as a circuit. In your email should you like to look at that I sent you the current code as it stands for who can and cannot be a Serra get what they can and cannot do this does not amend any of that except today's legislation makes the small amendment to address the challenge for incapacitated individuals in the healthcare setting in a hospital this allows the Serra get to apply for medical benefits on the individual's behalf so that they could qualify for Medicare Medicaid and be able to be placed in the best suited healthcare facility for them. Instances of individuals being in a hospital a hospital bed specifically for hundred seventy hundred eighty or two hundred days at a time has taken place and without this they have no pathway to go anywhere else so this is an opportunity for us to exercise compassion and care for people is a very small subset of people who most likely or indigent have nobody and have no things and this allows us to exercise compassion and care for them during what may be the most difficult and most lonely season of life any questions. I appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative rose has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative rose do you wish to close for your bill. Representative road is closed for the bill question before the house's passage of SB seventy four prepare the machine madam Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot madam Clerk. By a vote of eighty nine yeas to nays and for president the bill is passed. Representative makes for what reason motion place you're recognized after the announcmenet trading the bills transferring the bill's place of the counters on the desk members amending their own bills the own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalized resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move that we adjourn until one thirty tomorrow afternoon. The. The that is a valid motion non debatable. All in favor say aye. All opposed nay. The ayes have it motion is carried. Are there any announcements. Representative Lanny Fite for what reason announcmenet you're recognized city county local only ten AM in the morning and mac B.. Representative Cavenaugh for what reason announcmenet you're recognized special language will meet at eight AM and big mac B. tomorrow. Representative marker for what reason announcmenet you're recognized aging children youth will meet at ten AM tomorrow in room one thirty. Representative Lundstrum for what reason announcmenet you're recognized if all the members of the Washington County delegation could to meet just two minutes after closing right in the back of the quiet room just in the very back all members of Washington County. Representative Maddox what reason. You're recognized Insurance and Commerce meeting tomorrow at ten but we have a picture at nine forty five so be there nine forty five. Representative law for what reason two announcements you're recognized at tomorrow morning we will be having a per caucus seven AM hold a spring court room and rules will be meeting tomorrow at nine. Representative was for what reason announcmenet you're recognized state agencies will meet in the morning at ten AM room one five one. Representative Fortner for what purpose now you're recognized ACT will have our picture tomorrow morning at nine forty five. Senate representative Pilkington for what purpose request. Announcmenet I guess you're recognized for the announcmenet stop sending the tea bags I don't know why everyone's doing this but please stop sending me tea bags thank you. Other any. Are there any other announcements. This will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and up for consideration of the items named in the. German. Journ resolution the house would