Senate Convenes

All. The Senate will be called to order. Are there any request for leave at this time. Madam secretary please call the roll Brandt Boyd Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Crowell Davis dis dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Everyone in the chamber the galleries please rise and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance. In. The Senate will be led in prayer by Senator Justin Boyd. There have been the father thank you for this day thank you for this opportunity to be here and serve our Kansans in this chamber I pray that your will that will be done in our work and I pray for safe travels as we go home today in Jesus name we pray amen. Ladies and gentleman in the galleries working the Arkansas Senate his or full expectation each of you will exercise proper decorum govern yourselves accordingly during today's proceedings. Without objection the rules we suspended in the Senate will dispense with the reading of the Journal. Okay the morning hour has begun. Are there any announcements introductions at this time. Okay Senator flowers you're recognized. I have an introduction. But. I don't see a minute here representative Wardlaw. The minister with him today. Supposed to be over a year. And I would ask for lease for. Both representatives Wardlaw. And his. Past Dixon. When they come. Okay do you wanna request leave for them thank you. Introduce them. When they come okay we'll recognize you when they come so we have to leave all those in favor for leave. Madam secretary other items at the desk. Yes Sir will your committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate bill six by Senator hill compare the engrossed copy with the original find same correctly engrossed. Calendar. No. Which one is. Senate bill one thirty two by Senator Flippo to reduce the license application deadline for. For applicants to practice chiropractic in the state Senate bill thirty one thirty two public health. Would like to request leave for the governor to be on the floor at this time. Okay. At this time we're gonna have a special recognition for senator Wallace to come down and talk about the his experience in his service to the country and during a special time that the was example so senator Wallace you're now recognized. Thank you Mr president. And I'm just present I would lead to to ask for permission to bring Mister Frank Witherspoon on the floor with us he's one of our Brown codes. You senator outside the door okay Wesley for Mr Witherspoon. Frankenstein next to me. But. In our nation overlooked. The tomorrow. The twenty seventh of January fifty years ago. The ceasefire was signed. In the war ended. For Americans in. But not. Those are last day of fighting. My platoon fought up until five minutes before the six four. Been like. Charger free with a spoon. Served in her first airborne. First off I will first infantry. As if German. In our infrastructure in that war. Had a rule to for. They will go out on patrol. Fifteen twenty days. I into the jungle. Leach's clinging for their body. Crossing. Rivers and. Streams up to the next holding their weapons above their head. Never knowing when the next tree lined. They might run to the enemy. It when they came back. There you know forces so beat up that they live a portraits and they pull them off and they would be giving new jungle fatigues I'm sure you remember that phrase. So that's what our infantry did in Vietnam. Men like. Colonel English Jane English as husband. Let those men this battalion commander at he's special. Because he assumed command of a battalion. Which full strength is about a hundred men. It will far fight. Because most of the time staff had been loaded. It would any replaced and he say that battalion that day from being dismayed. Folks like that let us. I want to talk just a little bit about one of my soldiers. Specialist Robert E. Franks. He was a good man. was a scout. Of. Flu shot gun basically in our scout aircraft. He had big plans after the war. We had the opportunity to. I have a short. Respond will back to re arm reset one afternoon late. It was found of an old rusty basketball room an old half elated basketball and he and I played make it take it. at that time. President Nixon had announced that the war would be over with in five days the cease fire was on a current five days so we knew at that time we had. Two days left in a war. He talked about what we want to do it afterwards he said that he wanted to go back to Indiana he was from Markham illinois' and he wanted to go to the university of Indiana. And he was on this visit major. Physical education. And he told me that. He was gonna have ten girlfriends for every day of the week and I kinda added that up I thought well he's discount they don't do math very well and. In in but I said to my said you all. Sarge you too damn ugly to have ten girlfriends. This. If the civility because lieutenants recall L. T. he said you get one and you other than I am. Good. Next day we locked out early always at first light. During a reconnaissance because we recovery unit. And at the winning days of the war. There was agreement that ten towns in South Vietnam would be towns for the P. O. W.'s were exchanged in South Vietnam. Fancy it was one of those. The south Vietnamese and U. S. forces controlled all of those ten pounds. In we didn't know at the time but the. North Vietnamese were desperate to have. One of those houses they paid fantasy yes. Then they want to catch offense the. So at that point in time we were kind of at the center of of the fight. And every day you can see the enemy drawing closer and in the fighting to survive. We're out. Recalling in that. Ten thirty five we got a Fraggle Franco is a fragmentary order. It's basically like a football audible. You're doing one mission you get a call transmission school do this we got a transmission. To go rescue what was left of a south Vietnamese ranger patrol that had been over in in they were they were fleeing in trying to get away from a larger north Vietnamese force. And we linked up with them. On a little bluff. In there were two of them left. I changed formations I put my scalp of aircraft out front I was about a hundred yards behind him in my wing man was to her yours behind him and that was a formation we ran when we were going to make concessions and pull people in or put on the bottom out put him in or pulling out. First time we try to go in. Aircraft can go interest to have the farmers to heavy. my women and I were able to suppress as far the second time. It aircraft landed. Both of the Rangers were voted. Maybe walking wounded but just barely. And they were about from here that wall which an aircraft. In this is for Frank's became a hero. You just to the aircraft he ran to those Rangers. We have one own. Both arms. It was not a big men numbers were big in those days I I was the the big in those days But he grabbed both of them. In he literally threw them into the aircraft. The client in. In aircraft took off. Mission successful. And if the story in a right there it would be a really good movie. But wars are not like movies. There for a few and other fifty yards fifty meters. You can see is far from a live side. We try to suppress it. They took numerous hits. Aircraft call for. Spun into the ride and crashed in the valley below. Crashed on the side. Make sure she was appalled that he was my roommate may get out he was loaded with a broken arm. But he got out. While the Rangers was dead the long got out. Price was up ten of the aircraft from the waist up with aircraft on far. And they could not get him out. And so. We were able to get aircraft over. Max. We get those two bodies out and we spent the next. Fires fighting over little four acre piece of ground because Americans do not leave Americans behind. That's what the strengths of our American army. In the financially weak at. Franks out and we get him back to his family. The next day we fought. We were met with anger. We fought till. Five minutes before this is for. We pull back to rearm refuel in an old. The left it'll lieutenant colonel. Who is probably all of thirty three years old. Came running up to us and said. The war is over stand down we look at it and we went back to re arming aircraft and he said and I. As for a commission he says god that I sit stand on the war is over it was like a strain cut and we all just collapsed. And so are were ended. The rest of that story. Because this is far in certain agree agreements have been made. We were immediately disarmed. They took their weapons away from us. Three days. Later I flew out country. When I flew out. North Vietnamese officers counted us as we went out. The country. We were military. That never lost a major battle. We won every major conflict. Yes. I ring that up as a loss. The point I'm making to this and the point I make. Frank said I go visit him about every five years. We have this bill Terry. In the world. We are the best trained we have the best equipment. We have the. This young men and women and we are the best live. We can make any enemy. Surrender to us unconditionally. If our nation has the will to do that. Here's a point I want to make. First point. That was one story of one man. Franken those many more. I have fifteen other names on the wall. Fifty eight thousand three hundred men and seven women. Or on the wall. Washington DC. Fifty eight thousand more stores. Just to say that is right. Some of you. Our governor governor thank you for being here some of you will be governors some of you will be leaders at the national level. Our political leaders. Must have the same courage. That our young soldiers exhibit that Frank's exhibited that day. Don't commit our nation to a war. Alicia going with. We are not. We don't make good policemen. We can't rebuild nations. But we can win the war. For our nation. In the end thank you for allowing me the time to talk about this in tomorrow. Remember our military thank you. Senate Chesterville you're recognized. Thank you Mr Chief Mr president I would like to ask for leave to allow a few guests to join us on the Senate floor obviously the honorable Sarah Huckabee Sanders is here let's see. Is canali cope Arkansas day of freight with this moon is a nineteen sixty six graduate of Henry Clay or a high school in hope Arkansas. And just recently this is a point of personal privilege I provided the funds to have another Vietnam veterans in name added to the Arkansas Vietnam memorial he was my classmate and. Anyway. He deserved to be there he's on the national but since he went into the military in Washington he was not on the Arkansas one so he is now where he belongs on the Arkansas Vietnam memorial. Name was Leonard grains Mr president I would like to pass believe to allow a few guests to join us on the Senate floor. It shall join me please. Colleagues please join me in welcoming some of Arkansas's greatest resources to the Senate chamber today students and teachers from the little rock school district I would ask that the legislature was who represent parts of little rock he they would join me at the podium governor I would ask that you do as well if you feel comfortable doing so come on down. No I I ask believe and they said yes Let me start with a new idea I knew would you show them who you are that is a new a new is a student at Central High School and has been named a Regeneron science talent search scholar this is the oldest most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors in the United States give her a round of applause. The following. It is a teacher at Central High School and was a state finalist in the Sam song stem competition give him a round of a. Merrie show much. Mary is a teacher at park the arts and science magnet high school and was named the region to choral director of the year by the Arkansas cool directors association give her designee there over a hundred thirty thousand national board certified teachers in the United States as of January twenty twenty two Arkansas was ranked tenth in the nation with over three thousand four hundred nationally certified teachers we have four outstanding educators would receive their national certification from the national board for professional teaching standards Sandra could wa Lawrence. Our creek elementary school Nancy givens chemical view middle school submarine all you've done. Well done Washington elementary and Lori Martin from cherry elementary please give them a round of of. This was important because the governor has made education the center of our agenda. And you have to have a great leaders in order to do this so the superintendent of the Little Rock School District is doctor Jimmy all right. Eric Henderson is the principle of park view elementary and she is a legend in our own time the iconic one principal Nancy Russo principal of Little Rock Central High School. And. The governor the governor and Senator Clarke Tucker attended little rock Central High we're just so proud of them ladies and gentleman I would ask that we be in recess since the chair for three minutes so senators can greet our guest and we may take pictures. As for three minutes. Thank you. Let's take a picture. All. Okay members were back in session. It there any further business to come before the body in the morning hour. Other items at the desk. Yes Sir Senate bill one thirty three by Senator hang that out to increase the sales and use tax exemption and use motor vehicles and repair of a special rate of tax for certain used motor vehicles trailers and semi trailers Senate bill one thirty three. Revenue and Tax similar one thirty four by Senator Payton at al to increase the sales and use tax exemption for used motor vehicles and to amend the reduced sales and use tax rate also purchases of used motor vehicles Senate bill one thirty four. Revenue tax. Okay there's no more other business the morning. We were more. Okay. Senate bill one thirty five by Senator Kroll to amend the law concerning participation in the deferred retirement option plan of a public employee retirement system Senate bill one thirty five. Retirement center one thirty six by Senator crawl to amend the law concerning service credit for elected officials participating in a public employee retirement plan Sanborn thirty six retirement. Is there any further business to come before the body in the morning hour. If not the morning hour has expired. We now start the business agenda. Better secretary please read the Senate bills. Amendment one to Senate bill sixty eight. What. Senator Dotson you're recognized. This is just amendment adding co sponsors moved that we placed on second reading for purpose of amendment. All those in favor say aye. He opposed. They are all in favor the amendment. Say aye. The oppose. Amendment is started. Senator gross. Senator boy you're recognized. Amendment to the Senate bill seventy four. Thank you this bill are this amendment adds language that clarifies the intent of the legislation it was provided to us by DHS has been reviewed by all the parties and everybody thinks it makes it a better bill appreciate a good vote. All those in favor of adopting the amendment say aye. Any opposed. Amendment is adopted sent to engrossing. Senator Penzo you're recognized for resolution Senate concurrent resolution one by Senator Penzo the representative thought to adopt the joint rules of the house of representatives and the Senate of the ninety fourth General Assembly. You're recognized thank you Mr president. The Senate concurrent resolution one post addresses the a joint rules for the house in the Senate I kind of went over information yesterday if there's not any questions as for good vote. Are there any questions. He wanted to speak for against. All those in favor the resolution say aye. Any oppose. Resolutions adopted Senator Hester you're recognized. transmitter Hester Senator Hester you're recognized. Senate concurrent resolution two by Senator Hester providing the Senate and the house of representatives of the ninety fourth General Assembly by recess on Thursday March sixteenth twenty twenty three and reconvene on Monday March twenty seven twenty twenty three. Senator Hester you're recognized. Thanks to president members we have to do this we're going to ever adjourn for more than three consecutive days us in House have to agree to it this upcoming sides of spring break for all of our students and children and grandkids I think it's just important time especially during that time of session that we might need to take a break for a week or so in that regard from each other come back and finish up but anyway I appreciate a good vote. Further any questions. All those in favor of the resolution say aye. Anything any opposed say no. Graduations you've passed transmit to the House. After the Senate bills for a third reading passage. Senate bill forty forty seven by Senator void to repeal the law that prohibits leaving a running vehicle unattended. Centreboard you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you Mr president and. Members of the Senate this bill is very simple it strikes language from code twenty seven dash fifty one thirteen oh six about leaving an unattended vehicle basically started so in and I had in the nineteen thirties this statute was written it was last amended in nineteen fifty seven cars trucks vehicles have come a long way there's a lot of new technology you have remote starts you have lots of reasons why this law is causes confusion and just. Isn't doesn't seem to be necessary so it's been filed since I think the first day I've not had anybody reach out to me with anything but positive things to say and so there any questions I'm happy to do my my best to answer them. Senate center boys explain this bill is there anybody that has any questions. Senator Stubblefield you're recognized. One question. And use. That is at the center for the driver. For that for okay I'm not. Child that that's just like an unattended vehicle so so Senator Chesterfield had this question had a similar question in committee and that's dealt with leaving a child unattended is dealt elsewhere in the statute whether it's a car or anything else you there's other ways we deal with unattended children and so in that case I asked the DHS to reach out to Senator chip Chesterfield and and visit with her about that what I was getting there. You got a car for five. Shall the. Your car. For the year the war. The suspect. So what this does so. This law as it's written today which were this language strikes the law and takes it away would say that when you have a car spouse is says state highway but when you follow back in the statute it most likely applies to city streets okay so it's not a problem it probably doesn't apply to private property okay but if you're parked I'll just say Fort Smith garrison Avenue the State Highway if you left your car unattended and started on garrison Avenue the laws it is today if if you just left it unattended that means no one Senate kids or anybody then it would be in violation of the the law today is my interpretation to clarify I'm not an attorney but. Thank. Senator Hammer you're recognized. Thank you representable in the Senator says my Carson out there thirty degree morning I want to all star or why you know letter about finish up there to get in it in between maybe an officer comes by and sees that car running unattended all started is that going to put me in any violation where I would be ticketed because of that Senator hammer The way the way I interpret this again I want to clarify I am not an attorney okay but as I've talked to the bill are drafting attorney about this situation if you have a a car on city streets on on you know definitely state highways but most likely city streets if you did remote start in it were left unattended based on the language as it is I interpret that as someone could come along and give you a ticket so what I've done is I've district in the language so the because the world is modernize we have better emergency brakes now than we used to we we have remote starts we have a a different world and I just don't think that this out of the I think this language is outdated and I think it just needs to go away or thank. I see no further questions ahead Senator you're recognized. Thank you Mr president I didn't know if you have done the source study as to how much fuel is burned and and those people leave their cars running how much this would save could could you sort of explain four o'clock process on that and if you have a study or would be willing to do some sort of study on that determine fuel savings center Gilmore I don't know about you but I believe in personal responsibility and if I want to start my car and leave it running and I can afford to do that that's on me so I am not willing to do a study but you certainly in your constitutional capacity could come along and do a study I'm just not going to do it for you. Are there any more further questions. Does anybody want to speak for against the bill. Senator border you close for your bill. The center is closed. Senator Johnson I'm sorry recognized. Are you speak for against the bill thank you for the. I will be brief Mr president of. These are good questions that Raskin center Chesterfield specially about children in committee extremes good question we're make sure that's all covered elsewhere in the code of. This was a nineteen thirties law that is obsolete maybe you know I have an electric car you can't leave it running does it have an engine he says electric motor if you want warmed up from my app right here I can turn the heat or air conditioning on and some of those hot summers we're over in big mac getting out it's a hundred degrees is pretty nice to have that car cool the time you get out but this is a new technology that car could bridge air conditioner with the doors locked with security going of I did get a after committee yesterday I did get a text from folks a common corporation in my district and you know we've we've kind of laughed about some of the things that when this bill was passed cars had a current on the front of them to start it but I do want to read you from from my folks up in Conway corporation they said we support Senate bill forty seven many times we have service trucks that need to run wild employee is on a service call sometimes there's a quick but that needs to be maintained at a constant temperature if trucks do not need to remain on we wanted we offers or fuel usage but many cases we do need to have the running so this would basically decriminalize what they're doing as a matter of practicality and let modern technology take care of that so it's a great bill appreciate to vice chairman board bringing it and I appreciate a good vote thank you Chris. Want to speak for against the bill. Senator void your clothes for your bill is any objection to rowing the boat. Well the vote. Boyd Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark cruel Davis these dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love the key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stun Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Do any Senators desire to vote who have not voted or change their vote at this time. Senator flowers. Madam secretary cast of the. All right Senator flowers was president or president president. Send the ballot or cast about. Okay all right it's been four years since I've done this so. By a vote of thirty four to yes a zero day one present you pass the bill. Transmitters. Read read okay senator mark Johnson you're recognized Senate bill forty eight by Senator Mark Johnson and senator Tucker to amend the good Samaritan law to include to certain persons and nonprofit organization to provide suicide prevention in prevention interventions Senator Johnson you're recognized explained a bill thank you Mr president of. It is appropriate after senator Wallace is presentation about our veterans that we take a look at this bill this is brought to me by my long time friend and friend maybe y'all Sam sellers Sam is executive director of the state we are the twenty two which is a veteran service organization that to summarize what they do they literally go out and and talk. Veterans that are dealing with all kinds of problems from not offing themselves and that obviously is a critical need yesterday in committee or okay for sure who never came through Committee Sam told a story that I did not know and have known stamped by about thirty years. in nineteen. In two thousand three Sam who was a officer in the army Reserve was called up and deployed on fairly short notice to Iraq and I was hired as consultant to fill in for him in his job we got to be closer friends than. he came back and he had changed from a a civil affairs company that it worked in western Iraq assigned to a hundred first airborne he came back and changed specialties he went to work for the psyops psychological operations company in Northwest Arkansas and and then he found out they were going to be deployed to Afghanistan and I I told him I said. Sam you don't have to do that I know the law you can't be back to back deployed like that and Sam said. This is these are young kids and I'm this the CEOs about to retire and I'm the excel and I got to go. And I said Sam generally said that duty. Is a sublime is stored in the English language. So Sam one again so it was tough on his family imagine two deployments back to back it up that such a short period of time. but Sam came back and send everything okay he told us in committee that of his soldiers that he cared about very much he said we had lots of purple hearts were pinned down but he said. We all came back. And then he said within three years of coming back. To a woman committed suicide. So they survived. What happened in Afghanistan or Iraq but they didn't survive what was still inside their minds People like Sam and senator Wallace have made me very. Aware of veterans dealing with PTSD and related issues Sam came to Senator Tucker nine and mention that they just want to make sure that when they're going out as volunteers and and intervening with these. Veterans as peers they're not doctors are not care givers are not police officers their peers as a Hey buddy I've been there with you I know what it I know what it is and they the city city that literally it's coming down to keeping them away from the the pistol on the table next to the bottle of Jack Daniels. So would he be brought this to Senator Tucker and I we were thrilled to sponsor the bill what it simply does is extend the what we call good Samaritan protections for someone that is performing in good faith and that's very important good faith this is doesn't protect anybody from from any bad action but if in good faith they're trying to assist to keep a veteran from offing themselves then if the gives them some of. Protection from liability in in civil actions they tried to get insurance for this can't get insurance for so what we're doing is it with this bill as simply extending the protection we didn't have many other types of good Samaritan situations. And exempting them from the threat of a lawsuit when they're out trying to save someone's life so I'll be happy to answer any questions for. Senator Johnson explained the bill does any Senator have any questions. Okay see no further questions would anybody like to speak for against the bill. Senator Johnson you're recognized close for your bill I'm closer to present for sure good vote. This any senators have any objection to roll in the vote. Madam secretary please roll the vote. Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Crowell Davis the Dismang Dobson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love the key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty Ron stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. By a vote of thirty five Yeas zero nine a you have to pass the bill transmitters. Senator Irvin you're recognized. Thank you I need to make a motion to refer SB fifty seven back to committee for purpose of amendment. I'm sorry. Okay yeah you for the motion all those in favor say aye aye we have center paid you have a question. Senate bill fifty seven if I I know that. That's my bill I'm sending the bill back to committee asking for permission to do so. All those in favor sending center eleven bill back to committee say aye. Many opposed no. Motion carried. Senator Irvin you're recognized president Senate bill fifty eight Senate bill fifty eight by Senator Irvin to create a student and apprentice level of licensing in the massage therapy profession profession. Senator Irvin you're recognized explain your bill thank you Mr chairman and members what this bill does it's a recommendation from two different massage therapy ad hoc committees that were are made up of industry professionals and the sauce there be technical advisory committee members I'm under the current law students and apprentices are performing hands on techniques with clients in various stages of undress as part of their instruction prior to completing a criminal background check and so what this bill would do would be better able to provide the ability to run those background checks prior to new students or apprentices touching any members of the public during that apprenticeships we wanna get him checked with a background check before they begin in us in a student setting or apprenticeship so what that does is protect the public and potentially might identify a issues of human trafficking situations this also helps Arkansas students and at premises economically because they would be allowed to work in massage therapy under supervision for up to six months after graduation while they complete their final licensure requirements and the current law does not allow for that there's no additional fees associated with this and the licensing fee and it shifted to the learning permit stage and. I'll be happy to answer any questions Senator Irvin as explain your bill are there any senators have any questions. With the center like to speak for or against the bill. Senator Irvin you're recognized close for your bill thank you I appreciate a good vote. Senior projection rowing the boat. Better secretary please please role of a board Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark coral Davis these dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love the key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice Stein Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. To do any senators are to vote to have not voted or wish to change their vote at this time. Sabri. I don't. Okay Senator Penzo is present. Is there anybody else. Seeing none cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty four U. a zero day and everyone present you have to pass the bill transmitter hours. Senator English isn't requested that we pass over Senate bill eighty nine. So Senator Hammer you're recognized to present your bill. Senate bill ninety three by Senator Hammer in Senator Irvin to amend the Arkansas code regarding a college of dentistry and to clarify that the commission on dental accreditation is the accrediting entity for college of dentistry. Senator Hammer you're recognized explain your bill thank you Mr chairman first phone thank Senator Irvin she ran the bill from yesterday in committee got it through successfully without any opposition and so I want to express public committee publicly appreciation Senator Irvin for doing that the talking points on this bill is first of all there's no objection to this the dental association is good with the bill and so to my knowledge there's no opposition to the bill simply put this bill updates laws relates to a dental school in Arkansas is currently in law the statute specifically related to a dental school in Arkansas in the Arkansas dental practice that is outdated and immaterial the current statue was written long before the establishment of the Commission dental association dental accreditation otherwise referred to as Kota Kota was established in nineteen seventy five and is a nationally recognized by the United States Department of Education as the sole agency due credit dental and dental related education programs conducted at post secondary level what is his help any higher education institution public or private nonprofit that can satisfy the rigorous multi year accreditation criteria and process through code up will be able to be credited this bill does not create or fund a dental school be glad taking questions. The senators that have any questions. Is there any senator would like to speak for against the bill. Senator Hammer you're recognized close for your bill I'll close for should give both members. Is interjection to rolling the vote. Madam secretary please roll the vote so it Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark chrome Davis dis dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore hammer Hester Hickey Hill. Irving Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love Me key Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice Stein Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. DO any senators are to vote to vote who have not voted or change their vote at this time. Seeing none Senator Hammer by a vote of thirty five yes A. zero may okay stuff the ballot I'm sorry ma'am secretary please cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty five Yeas zero nine a you have to pass the bill transmitted the House. Senator Rapert you're now recognized to present your bill passed bill ten seventeen by representative Berrien center Bryant to amend the law allowing certain employees to tackle of absence for emergency and rescue services. Thank you Mr president. Colleagues I'd like to to from thank you for miglior with a little bit with Civil Air Patrol I'm not sure if you have one of these in your community but there are all across state at your local airports. Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the United States Air Force the nonprofit organization with sixty thousand members nationwide their patrol performs ninety percent of Connell United States and in search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force rescue coordination center and was a credit by the center with saving a hundred eight lives in the fiscal year twenty twenty one. It's volunteers also perform homeland security disaster relief counter drug missions at the request of federal state and local agencies the members plays a leading role in aerospace education and served as mentors to more than twenty five thousand five hundred young people currently participating in the cadet programs. The CHP is before admissions for America for over eighty years. So what what this says to me is we need to encourage enrollment and activity in Civil Air Patrol. Currently our law allows for. Our our service to the state in the cities in the county and the state employees fifteen days of paid leave to be able to at the at the request of local command be able to serve on those missions or training related to the safety of future potential missions with this bill allows for those that serve it so we're patrol that also work for school system to request that same advantage to be able to participate in the programs that they train for all year long. So with that I will take any questions from the model. Center Brian S. explain this bill Senator Rice you you're recognized for a question thank you right right is that. A number Civil Air Patrol people in particular they do something you mentioned in this is that uh they were also fine I know creation. But they are also. Thank you on call for drug interaction. and then you're liable for me anymore I'm not I'm not already. Question I'm always concerned. For. The federal government the on. Maybe where we're at now using the Asians For expanded. Is there anything that I be honest whatever was any questions. There is not I'm not and in talking with general berry whose bill of our state operations he never mentioned anything with federal jurisdiction enforcement it's more for patrolling the rivers during flooding and getting those members involved for just search and rescue for. Thank you. The other senators have any questions. See no further questions is anybody wants to speak for against the bill. Senator Rapert you're recognized close for your bill. Your prize closed. Does anybody have any objections to rowing the boat. Better secretary please role of a board Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark cruel Davis these dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stand Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. DO any senators wish to change their vote at this time. Madam secretary cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty five Yeas zero days you have passed the bill transmitted the House return is past. Senator Patty your now recognized to present your bill has fourteen twenty eight by representative finds center Petty replace the term child **** with the term child sexual abuse material in the Arkansas K.. Thank you Mr president. Members of the Senate Senator Hickey first of all after question yesterday to Mr call I did make sure that the person responsible for this district was consulted with it just happened to be me so I'm I'm at least got that one covered of at least got that one covered but most of you saw my. And Mr Senator Kroll is a crier so I apologize if I get emotional as well he did not cry yesterday I'm not implying that. You may have wanted to but but most of you saw that I had my. Granddaughter miss Penelope Jane with me at the swearing in ceremony. Precious little girl would do anything for her she's the primary reason I'm here today is is my my love for the the children and and that special girls she and Senator. we had a a discussion a minute ago we had a discussion about that that scene with that Millie and my granddaughter that was such an innocent us to such a beautiful picture of innocence with our children. But unfortunately we have to deal with things that are there are not quite so much did you know that according to the national center for missing and exploited children and twenty twenty one which is the latest information that we have that there were more than twenty nine million reports of suspected child sexual abuse in our country today and for on online platforms But the thing that will really make you sick is that studies have shown that the vast majority of those that are possessing or distributing this material will actually commit a hands on abuse of of one of these precious children and and that that just that that breaks my heart and and I'm sure it does says everyone in here as well this bill will not stop that. this bill isn't as much as I would like to think that this bill would stop that it won't and it won't stop the pain that those children in those families experience because of that but what this bill will do we believe as do the national organizations that we have I had information contact with we believe that it will help prosecutors with additional abilities to prosecute these cases and and and put these folks where they are several months ago representative fight after she had a meeting with a local organization that deals and and matters of of missing children and exploited children the Morgan Nick foundation they had a meeting she asked me if I would be the co sponsored she talked with several attorneys with the Morgan Nick foundation attorney and and and other what other organizations and and so they asked me to be the the Senate sponsor on on this this bill. And so basically this this bill is amending a a number of sections in Arkansas Code but but currently we use in our code the definition of child **** and we believe as do the national advocates for children and in this area and and and other organizations working on behalf of children including prosecutors that it is much more accurate to define this is child sexual abuse material than **** it seems that in prosecuting these bills juries were getting confused on the definition of **** as opposed to calling it what it is which is a crime against a a child sexual abuse the material is evidence of the crime and so child sexual abuse material is or see Sam as they call it on the national is used by the national center for missing and exploited children rain which is rape abuse incest national network and other national groups in other states are beginning to move to follow this. As well this broadens the term to be more applicable to criminal activities and it was submitted by representative five for an interim study by the house Judiciary Judiciary Committee last fall and passed overwhelmingly it was pre filed the session a past the house with a hundred percent ninety six four and zero against and has no known opposition at this point I would entertain any questions or. Hazing that might to occur. Senator Petty explained is built is there any centers have any questions. This Senator Rapert you're recognized question. Everybody I notice in the code instructing the work computer a law because we're going to report are being a lot of sections of code we're changing that would just Johnson who set. Is that going to hamper any prosecution with the Peters used I don't think so because this again is not one particular section of the code it It addresses and makes the change and and several sections within our code and that is is defined I. I I have the the code here the references although it's not working on my I pad here for for for some reason right now but when I looks at everyone of them each night each one of them going to a lot more detail as to what child **** now being called a child sexual abuse material includes and it does include some references to computer or other digital matters so I do not believe in and the prosecutors we talked to believe that this will help them not hinder them. Is there any other senators have a question this is just one Senator Hickey recognized. Great great. Five of this I just have one question I thought I heard the to say that we did do an independent study here the bureau with that was that what you said no I said that representative fight had a Hey she had presented it to the house Judiciary Committee for an interim study okay just just one question just as far as language goes kind of goes along with what the Senator prices have do you know we we've dealt with the cost Kasson other child protective agencies to make sure that they were one hundred percent okay with the way the language was to make sure that we weren't leaving anything out have we done that so I have not personally had any conversations with costs the court appointed child after that which is foreign to I have not in that regard but I assumed and I know you're not supposed to assume that in our conversations with the prosecutors and and one of the attorneys actually works with costs at that those were were considered okay so so the attorneys were involved death tourney's and prosecutors thank you Sir. Are there any other centers have any further questions. Is there any Senator like to speak for against the bill. Senator Petty recognized close for your bill. I would just ask you to join me and and senator lovers we protect all of that Millie's and and Penelope's at their in our great state of Arkansas and I would appreciate a good vote the center is close for his bill is there any objection to rolling the vote. And secondary please roll the vote Boyd Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark parole Davis the Dismang Johnson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stone Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. But I'm secretary please call the roll are you written and it is anybody wish to cine center wish to change their vote at this time. Okay see none Madam Secretary cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty five U. A. zero nine A. zero present you have passed the bill transmitted the House. Senator Hammer you're recognized to present your bill. House bill eleven twenty two by representative vault Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning the dates for the beginning and end of the school year and declaring an emergency. Senator Hammer you're recognized. Thank you a first of all members there's no objection or opposition to this bill when it went through committee passed out of the house without objection was a ninety five zero vote out of the house came out of our Senate had without any objection and what the bill does is sometimes down here we'll pass the bill that after awhile we realize your might have been a little bit of an unintended consequence what this bill does is it sets it back to where the start date for the schools would be built around the August nineteenth which is the way originally was the problem is as we found out over the last couple years is that schools under the old existing law when they started their when they start their session it was pushing them past Christmas in order to finish the semester which subsequently push them into June before they could finish school and so superintendents have brought this asking that it be restored to whatever originally was so that they would have that flexibility it does not touch anything with regards to schools and the number of hours if a school wanted to go to a four day week is still allows for them to do that one question that was raised to me awhile ago was on the back page on line nine and ten that being stricken out that is necessarily necessary in order to get it back to where it was before there is another separate law that is for an exception to districts who want to have a year round calendar this does not in any way shape or form what this does is allowed to have that flexibility built around the August nineteen I'll be glad to take any questions again there was no opposition this is a request that was brought up by the schools. Senator Hammer is explained a bill to committee senator seventy questions Senator Irvin you're recognized. Thank you. Previously you know the hospitality as well as pretty opposed to the creek of starting at the the school year and I think that it's important for us to understand or recognize all the people that do have businesses that are around the summer months and how you know maybe this state. It It impact their businesses you know particularly those that are marinas and that are on the lakes and and those kinds of things so I have you all had any conversations with with those people that are particularly in our some of our rural parts of the state of Arkansas in their small businesses and the the more we shrink I summer it impacts their ability to to make enough income to stay in business sure I understand that and the there's been nobody is approach me nobody's approached on the house and nobody came to the Education Committee expressing a concern I will say just for my own personal observation and just listening I think that what it actually inadvertently did is it pushed schools further into the beginning of summer which made it more difficult for them to you know get out begin to enjoy the outdoor activities so as that is just kind of what I've picked up in what I've heard. Do any other senators have any questions at this time. This any other Senator wish to speak for against the bill Senator Hammer you're recognized clothes reveal the one thing I'd like to point out is it does have an emergency clause on it. So the reason emergency clause is on there is because we have school districts that are anxiously waiting for this bill to get out so they can set their calendars in fact some school boards of past with two options of calendars this is going to help bring clarity to the situation so please note it does have emergency clause and the basis for that is so schools can get about getting their calendars pushed out so our constituents can plan thank you appreciate a good vote. Senator Hammer is closed for the bill is there any objection supermini Senator rolling about this stuff does have an emergency clause to require twenty four votes. Okay secretary please roll the vote Boyd Bragg Caldwell Chesterfield Clark pro Davis these dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill. Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice system Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. This any senators wish to change their vote at this time. Senator Irvin. Senator votes present. Any other senators wish to change their vote. Madam secretary please call the roll. Okay some sort Bend secretary please cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty four U. a zero day and everyone present you have to pass the bill. Transmitter house with emergency clause adopted. Okay. Senator Johnson you're recognized to present house bill eleven thirty seven eleven thirty seven by representative Cavenaugh and senator Johnson. To amend the Arkansas water and air pollution control act and to create an exemption for vegetation disposal burning mass. Members as simple one goes back to the time even whenever I was on the city council the we had the we we would pick up Leones and leaves and from the residents and. We had the stockpile those till after storm and apply for a waiver and if you got me on so many times you can get a ten thousand dollar a day fine in the small community or any community that's that is not a good way to do it this would allow the cities to be able to to dispose of these by burning AS in small quantities the along the way I appreciate a good vote. Senator Johnson is President is built there any questions Senator Clarke Tucker you're recognized. Thank you Mr president my question is just about the location of the fire what's in the code right now it's there's a fire hazard or weed abatement and those locations are basically preset by whatever is happening in that particular location. Burning off vegetation like this could happen anywhere the city chooses right and so I'm just really kind of concerned about homeowners there was a thought about putting something into legislation to say yes you you can authorize these Bernal speak it can only be at a place where it's not bothering of residential or commercial district. That's my that's my question they all those. Those are ran by elected officials and if if they burn amend the place of the residents don't lack or as harmful than residents can take care of that by their vote on the local level so. Thank you senator. To any other senators have any questions. The city centre wish to speak for against the bill. Senator Johnson are you close for your bill senator Johnson is closed for the bill is there any objection to rolling the vote. Better secretary please roll the vote no it Brent Caldwell Chesterfield Clark cruel Davis these dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice done Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Do any other senators wish to change their vote at this time. Seeing none Madam Secretary cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty five U. a zero nine a you have passed the bill transmitted House. A return to the House. Senator love you're now recognized to present your bill. House bill eleven forty five by Senator center live in representative Scott to create lupus awareness day. Good morning colleagues happy to bring before you house bill eleven forty five to establish a reverse where disdain lupus foundation estimates that one point five million Americans have a form of lupus lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age have a median teenagers and children also develop lupus. Ninety percent of women. Are they curious of lupus or actually have one of this most develop lupus between the ages of fifteen and forty four. Best estimates by the CDC states that there are sixteen thousand new cases of lupus every year. People with lupus clinic can experience significant symptoms such as pain extreme fatigue hair loss cognitive issues and physical impairment that affects every every facet of their lives. Many suffer from cardiovascular diseases strokes disfiguring rashes and painful joints. Four others there are visibility no symptoms. The fact remains that this is a devastating and life changing disease that currently has no cure. So what house bill eleven forty five. Well look this is a widespread disease awareness of the disease lags behind many other illnesses. Sixty three percent of Americans surveyed have never heard of lupus or know very little about lupus with house bill eleven forty five or one to change this this bill would designate April twenty third as lupus awareness day but the public building awareness of this debilitating disease. And also I will like to say this is a Memorial Day this is not a paste a holiday so for those who who want to paste a holiday I'm sorry but this ninety. But is a very important day thank you hi and training questions. Senator love is explained a bill to committee centers have any questions. Senator Rapert you're recognized. What what day it was going to be recognized at four twenty third April twenty third I was just doing the research on on lupus assaults come up if we may tenth is the world lupus day is a reason we don't want to coincide with that I'll have no idea I have no idea to be honest with you and this is brought to you by representative Scott Saunders right is it was read thank you. To any other senators have any questions. See no questions as any Senator want to speak for or against the bill. Senator love you're recognized close for your bill is close for his bill is there any objection to rowing the boat. Seeing none Madam Secretary please call the roll. Okay. What always or no objection rolling the vote okay please wrote about. Boyd Ryan Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Crowell Davis the Dismang Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvine Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stuff Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Would any member like to vote or change that has not or change their vote. Seeing them I'm secretary cast about. By a vote of thirty five Yeas zero Nays you have passed your bill. Return to the House. Senator hill you're recognized for the budget calendar. Members prepare your questions. Ten fifty five by joint budget I'm not for the Arkansas state claims commission preparation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth fiscal year. House Bill. Mrs ten sixty three. By all Joint Budget an act making appropriations for personal services operating expenses for the department of commerce Arkansas waterways Commission for the fiscal year ending June thirty twenty twenty for another purpose. House bill ten seventy three by joint budget an act for the department of health Health Services department agency preparation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth this year house bill ten eighty three by joint budget I'm not for the for the state department for for service is care to administration disability determination preparation with twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth fiscal year. House bill eleven thirty eight. By joint budget an act for the department of energy and environment oil and gas commission preparation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty for fiscal year Senator who you're recognized members are gonna group all these together unless you have a any questions or concerns it will pull out. Would any member like to pull a bill out of the bash. Senator Blake Johnson you're recognized. Yeah. Pull ten sixty three. H. B. ten sixty three out of the match any other members. Senate how these you're recognized. I just have a question for all the specially for all the new senators here. we ask the question why why is this appropriate level of the standing in is this proper time to ask questions about this yes Sir sure yes okay could you could you explain it is this do you feel like this is really the right amount of level spending across all all of these on these yes okay thank you. It's and Senator these what goes around comes around and I don't get so thank you to the new members. Any other member in any other member like to pull back. We're gonna vote ten sixty three first. Is it any objection rolling vote. There's objection madam secretary call the roll. VOL eight. Right. Caldwell. Chesterfield. Clark. Clark. Kroll. Kroll. Davis. Davis. These. DISMANG. DISMANG. Johnson. English. Flippo. Flowers. Gilmore. Hammer. Hester. Hickey Hill. Irvine. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. King. Leding. Love. Mickey. Murdock. Page. Penzo. Petty. Ryse son. Stubblefield. Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace. We would like to vote that has not or change their vote Senator Kroll hi. Senator Clark hi. Anyone else Singerman secretary please casts up the ballot. By a vote of thirty four Yeas zero nays and one nonvoting bill has passed. Emergency clause adopted. To return to the House. Senator here you're recognized. I appreciate a good vote on the bill Dressel batch. Is there any objection rolling a vote on the batch sing number of sectors please role of the and Bryant Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Kroll Davis these dismaying Dotson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stun Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. What a member like the vote that has not or change their vote. Sing number of secretary cast up the ballot. By a vote of thirty five Yeas zero days the bill has passed emergency clause adopted transmit to the House or return to the House. Are there other items at the desk. We are committee on engrossed bills to what. Should have. Where your committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate bill sixty eight by Senator Dawson compare the engrossed copy with the original find same correctly engrossed Education. The just just. A calendar. Okay. Calendar. Senate bill one thirty seven by Senator Irvin to mandate coverage for non necessary L. facial services Senate bill one thirty seven Insurance and Commerce similar one thirty eight by Senator Irvin for the licensing requirements of clinics and health centers in which a pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant is willfully terminated or aborted Senate bill one thirty eight public health center one thirty nine by Senator center Bryant to require that the Arkansas Medicaid programs cover authorized prescription digital therapeutics Senate bill one thirty nine public health Senate bill one forty by Senator Bryant to amend the definition of health care provider under the patient protection act of nineteen ninety five and to modify the definition of health care provider is used under the any willing provider law Senate bill one forty Insurance and Commerce. Chiles. Okay. Members if you come in on Sunday night there will be to be at a dinner Capitol Hill apartments on Sunday night bit chili dinner if you come in on Sunday night. With their anyone that needs to be recognized for announcmenet said center Chesterfield you're recognized thank you Mister chair I think lunch is being served across the street by the Nursing home association they say fried chicken will be there so great at and our very own Benita has launched in the back forces will. anyone else like you're recognized center Clint Penzo you're recognized with the rules meeting of Monday upon adjournment. Rules meeting Monday upon adjournment any other center when we recognize Senator Ricky Hill you're recognized. Remember for public health insurance and commerce if you have any bills that affect the EBT. Very compiled for March to late. Any other officer Ben Gilmore you're recognized. Thank you members we're looking to call in a organizational meeting of joint energy for Monday tentatively scheduled around ten o'clock stay tuned for that look at the look at the calendar make sure you don't miss that but we're looking at ten o'clock tentatively right now for on Monday thank you. Secretary you're recognized for your committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate bill seventy four by Senator bored compare the engrossed copy with the original find same correctly and all engrossed calendar. Are there any other announcements. Anyone need to be recognized. Seeing none we are adjourned until one AM till one PM Monday subject to a review process.