Senate Convenes

Request for leave at this time. C. nine Madam Secretary please call the roll Boyd Brown Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Crowell Davis these dismaying Dobson English Flippo flowers Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King Leding Love McKee Murdock Payton Penzo Petty rice stem Stubblefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Thank you madam secretary of everyone in the chamber galleries would please rise for a prayer led by senator Mickey followed by the pledge of allegiance. Please pray with me. Our own father in heaven we are so grateful to be able to come together today to represent our friends and families and great people people of the State of Arkansas where we pray that you would. Grant us wisdom and knowledge today lord that we would love one another as you loved us we pray that everything that we do here would be in accordance with your will and would be pleasing in your sight we pray that you would keep our first responders and those who go into harm's way in our behalf the you keep them safe return to their families this evening we're just so grateful for the freedom that we enjoy and all the ways that you love us and in an a plus this mask all these things in Jesus name amen. In. Ladies and gentleman in the gallery I want to the Arkansas state Senate it's our expectation that each of you will exercise proper decorum and govern yourselves accordingly during today's proceedings without objection the rules are suspended the Senate will dispense of the reading of the Journal morning hour has now been done are there any announcements or introductions at this time Senator Johnson you are recognized Senator Mark Johnson your. Thank you madam president it is my honor to recognize in the if you'll stand in the west gallery. My friend former senator Tim Wooldridge from Paragould a member of this body a dear friend and a great R. Kansas. Please you have. Thank you senator Johnson there any other announcements at this time. C. nine Madam Secretary or other items at the desk. Yes ma'am where your committee on city county local who is to whom was referred house bill ten ninety by representative Watson recommend due pass counted Committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill eleven hundred by representative Collins recommend due pass counted. Are you Committee on joint budget to whom was referred Senate bill thirteen by joint budget recommend due pass counted for you Committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill fourteen my joint budget recommend due pass counted. Are you Committee on joint budget was first Senate bill nineteen by joint budget recommend due pass counted Committee on joint budget to whom was referred Senate bill twenty one by joint budget recommend due pass counted Committee on joint budget to whom was referred Senate bill twenty eight by joint budget recommend due pass counted Committee on joint budget to whom was referred Senate bill sixty three by joint budget recommend due pass counted where you Committee on joint budget to whom was referred Senate bill sixty four by joint budget recommend to pass calendar. your committee on rules. Resolutions and memorials to whom was referred Senate concurrent resolution one by Senator Penzo recommended do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Where your committee on state agencies to whom was referred. House Bill. Ten twenty three by representative Fortner recommend due pass counted. Senate bill one hundred. By Senator Boyd to amend the law permitting a law enforcement officer to transport a person in crisis to a sobering center Senate bill one hundred. The shares Senate bill one hundred and one by Senator Johnson to amend various provisions of the Arkansas Code as they pertain to the University of Arkansas Senate bill one O. one education Senate bill one O. two by joint budget and I for the Arkansas State University Three Rivers appropriation twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth fiscal year Senate bill one O. two. Joint budget Senate bill one O. three by joint budget and I for the immersive Arkansas community college at Batesville appropriations for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth fiscal year Senate bill one O. three by joint budget Senate bill one O. four by joint budget and I'm for the Arkansas state university Newport appropriation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty five fiscal year Senate bill one O. four by joint budget Senate bill one O. five by joint budget and I for the Arkansas state university Beebe appropriation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty four first December one oh five joint budget senate one O. six by joint budget and I'm for the University of Arkansas pine bluff preparation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth fiscal year Senate bill one O. six by joint budget Senate bill one O. seven by joint budget and I'm from the university of Arkansas community college at Morrilton the preparation of the twenty twenty three twenty twenty four fiscal year Senate bill one O. seven by joint budget Senate bill one oh eight by joint budget Act making appropriations for the southeast Arkansas college for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty for fiscal Senate bill one oh eight Joint Budget. Seven one oh nine by joint budget Axford south Arkansas community college appropriation is twenty twenty three twenty twenty fourth this year Senate bill one O. nine by joint budget senate one ten by joint budget an act for the essay you tech appropriation for the twenty twenty three twenty twenty for fiscal year Senate bill one ten joint budget senate one eleven by Senator Irvin to allow certain insurers to offer family leave insurance Senate bill one eleven. Insurance and Commerce symbol one twelve by Senator board authorized physician assistants to be up to be identified as a current trading off provider for insurance billing and claims and the bill and receive payment for provider healthcare services Senate bill one twelve public health. Thank you are there any further business to come before the body in the morning hour. C. nine the morning hour has expired we will now start the business agenda. Mattis secretary please read Senate bill forty. Senate bill forty three bass center Stubblefield et al to classify a drag performance as an adult oriented business and to add additional location restrictions to adult oriented business. Senator Stubblefield you're recognized. Thank you madam president. Colleagues of a I've been here twelve years. And every day every Thursday when we leave usually on Thursdays. I get home and the first thing I do is go in help my wife and my name because my wife come with me if the trip and I have my voicemail. Which is always full. Well this last week. What I have a voice mail. some of the most. VOL we're. Obscene languages I do name didn't didn't even know exist. I really didn't I never heard the Ford put together before. By a group of people. The wall other people to bring their children put them in front of them so they can read a book. And I thought you know. I can't think of any redeeming quality. Anything good. They can come from taking children. And putting them in front of a bunch of grown men were dressed like women I thought and I thought and I thought I could come up with anything. This bill really very simple. Three classifies. What a drag performances let me just go through it will bring food with you. By the way I have also. The testimony of a. Mister Kitty D. Moore who is a drag queen. Let me read to you what she says. I have absolutely no idea why you would want to influence your child. Would you want a stripper or porn star to influence your child it makes no sense at all. I have no idea why you would want to drag queens to read books to children. I have no idea what in the heck is a drag queen ever done to have you have so much respect for them and admire them so much that put on putting on make up jumping up on the floor writhing around on stage is going to help your child. And I understand that you want to look. You want to look like with you or with that you're cool that you will that you're not and not see that you're not a homophobe whatever whatever it may be but you can raise your child to be a normal regular everyday child without including them. M. J.. Sexual things that was that would remind me that was written by a drag queen. We live in one of we live. In a world today that to someone like the world that I grew up in. They just hard for me to even taken him. We're seeing things today that. No one could have predicted forty fifty years ago. Morally we're going down. The final. It's like Thomas Jefferson said he said. America will never be taken over from the outside. Will be taking over from the inside. Like what what happened Rome and many other countries from moral decay. From the inside California currently has sixty seven deferred you can identify in California your child sixty seven different genders. That when you take for these kids and put it in front put them in front of trackpoint. There are men dressed up like women. Do you think that helps them or confuses them. In regard to their their own agenda. We have a lot of kids today they're so confused about their own agenda. This summer having to go to a psychologist. And get help. Yes that's exactly what second place all of this country. So if you keep your kids home. Drug going again. Take them to Disney land taken to Chucky cheese. But if you need your child to be entertained by big human in a costume and take them to a circus or something. To me this is putting our children situations it really is a violation of the personal boundaries. Confuses child about their own identity their own body. And on top of this we have these individuals to tell us trivializes old thing and say this is a. Family. The oriented. Entertaiment wholesome entertainment. Our youth of today which have seen more of experience more of the ugliness. By society. And of sex. That it did become a secret burden to many of them. Go around the queue to talk to him today. The district where the joy of their innocence and their childhood. This world is never been a safe place for kids in the first place. And it's becoming less all the time. I also believe that those of us parents and grandparents. Have been so desensitized by what we saying sometimes we've lowered our standards when it comes to standing up and calling these things out. I had one email me and serve that I hated drag queens that's a lie. I don't hate anybody. I don't hate anybody. I do hate center. Because that's what I was raised. I think that I know are wrong in god's eyes because that's what I was raised and I believe the Bible. But I don't hate any drag queens. Know what I hate anybody period. Under Arkansas law. It generally. State law generally prohibits adult businesses near places where children commonly or present Arkansas law does not clearly prohibit adult performers is. On public property. Arkansas law does not clearly prohibit adult performances from being conducted were children might see them. Please see the ambiguity. In what this bill does this this takes away that ambiguity it clarifies. That current law defines what the bill. For any business is doing. This bill simply as drag queen performances to that list of businesses. It finds an order under the warning and. Oriented business to include drag performance. This bill would prohibit adult oriented businesses on public property. It also prohibits an adult for any business or activity from being conducted if you of minors. It clarifies a bill performances cannot take place where children can see them. You ever wonder why drag queen performers. Always gonna have kids around. I don't think I've ever seen want to go to a nursing home. Our assisted living facility for football. Turn on page two of the bill. Most of it is original language in the code. There's three things listed. That have to be met before this bill would even affect anyone criteria in the the third thanks. Line one line five line eight does have to be met. Before the bill affecting any one. So that's a lot of leeway I got a text of the days to. Are you telling me we can't have our. Are women just like men it's fair programs. There's a word in this bill call purion. The last time I've seen a farmer. At a fair who is a woman was beauty pageant I don't think I've ever seen one jump off the stage or on the stage and exhibited purion. Activity. So no this would not cause that from happening Norwood Stoppard's Shakespeare and. Drama there's a lot of things being made up to this will not affect. That that's all scare tactics. So those things that we met before this bill would even go into effect. I'm not gonna spend anymore time I've had a spat sinus infection for the last three days because the doctor yesterday. This bill is pretty self explanatory. Of. I know there's gonna be some come speak against it. As for the sex may I don't know how. A I hope that you will ask yourself. One question for you vote. We've got approval this. Just ask yourself what what questions. Five percent good vote. Thank you Senator Stubblefield you've now heard Senator Stubblefield explained his bill are there any questions there will be time for a seat against and for any questions for Senator Stubblefield. And again this is a time for questions we will have time to speak against the bill as well as support center flowers you're recognized for a question thank you and thank you for taking my questions Senator Stubblefield. And the. That. And I want. Local. By the end. So far I'm having apologized time and trouble hearing. Okay. All right down there. I watched the debate. In city county local last Thursday. And I was concerned you brought up god here today. I'm a god fearing person. In the committee the device itself as a Christian. The side. Scripture in the Bible from Deuteronomy. The fifty first. I guess you know that's part of the core of the Old Testament the date will. Questions. We were more to the New Testament. What me more about this bill. The New Testament law of all regard. What about this. It appears target. All people. That are not. According to you know all. People of dresses. What. These. Thanks. what we. Do you agree with. We believe in the New Testament do you if you read Romans one senator flowers do you. One is in the New Testament. Your whole lawfully Senator flowers you have a specific question about. The bill and a and. What is your question what would. This. And this is CNN you know. You start by. He is about six. And for that community of the L.. You are. The site. To cross. We wear our clothing that is not a tool during the Cold War born as male of whatever. This is because we all laws. That the Senate behavior. One of the. To get national. Media attention I'm not looking for days to media attention senator flowers. Let me first clarify your first question. You talked about the Torah in the Old Testament. Roman speaks more about this particular sailing in the New Testament then the court did in the Old Testament and as far as dressing. Anyone can still put on a robe second restricted to going where they want to go. What for no I'm not targeting anyone. But I'm. Question so often down to by the. Thank. Anyone else wish to ask a question. C. nine those who wish to speak in opposition Senator Leding you're recognized column by Senator Tucker. Thank you Mr president of I feel the first measure of every piece of legislation should be how many people does this help and hurt his or her and I don't think this bill is going to help anybody but I do know it's going to hurt people and I know that's not my colleagues intent I believe he is sincere when he says he wants to protect kids everybody in this room wants to protect kids but I don't believe this bill does that even if you do think drag performances or anything other than fun entertaining and I hope everybody in here said the privilege of being at one How many kids do we think in Arkansas are unintentionally witnessing drag performances how often do we think this is happening. What do you think Arkansas ranks in children who have seen a drag show I know we're number two in child food insecurity were fifth in child mortality were seventeen child deaths by firearm they were sixteenth in teen suicide where do we think we rank in the number of children who have seen the direction. Our daughter has seen one my wife and I both Christians took our daughter to want the momentary and didn't feel she had a great time the room was full of families all anybody saw were people who clearly put a lot of work and time expense into performing for people it was loud music is dancing all anybody experienced with the joy of watching people do what they love in a room full of people who support them and maybe live music and dancing is not your thing I'm an introvert who likes a quiet room all to myself but I really can't say that this bill is going to do anything to protect kids it will hurt kids particularly kids who struggle to feel welcome and safe and accepted it so they belong in Arkansas and they do belong in Arkansas regardless of who they love how they identify what they where they have every much right to feel welcome and safe accepted and loved as the rest of us. I can't imagine how they feel when they see their legislature demonized their community and make them feel as though they are somehow threat to their peers just by being who they are. So who does this help who does it hurt it's going to hurt a lot of people including kids and anyone of us who is wants to improve kids lives in Arkansas in a meaningful way there's a long list of real issues I will sit down with any of you today to see what we can do about them but I would ask you to vote against this bill thank you. I think Senator Leding anyone wish to speak in favor. Senator days you're recognized Thank you members I am in favor of this bill I'm in favor of this bill for a few reasons many of which we've kind of already talked about today but I'm gonna bring another perspective as a as a father of young children with three kids of my own and I I am compelled to vote for this and and to encourage others to support this as well because. We are in a battle ground we taste meant about some emails I've got on this this bill some things about some some of the statistics that that Senator Leding mentioned that we are we have so many areas that we need to be focusing on why we focus on this area and into some point that is correct we are behind in our education goals are prisoner form goals but my responses we can walk and chew gum at the same time and I would also say that we've got we have an issue that is a cultural battleground right now in our children are at the forefront of that. And so for for myself and I know for many of you others that this is very important for us to take seriously I believe when I see when I see drag queen story hours when I sing correct directly from performances nationally or in in our area I think about what do I want my children exposed to one of the things that that that I want to be encouraging them to be a part of and and I think what is pure what is Hollywood is noble what is inspiring. And and I don't I don't fall into I don't push them into those areas and so for me I think these this gives the correct categorization for these activities it still gives the rights and privileges for people to be involved with whatever they'd like to be involved in but I believe we are at a cultural standpoint of a line in the sand and the battleground for our families and our kids and so that's why I'm urging you to vote for this thank you. Thank you senator. Speaking opposition. Senator Clarke Tucker you're recognized. Thank you madam president. Colleagues two weeks ago today as a matter of fact we had a new governor sworn in sure you all remember we went down to the House chamber for a joint address and we happen to stand at least two or three times during the course of her address right. That was more like twenty five or thirty I don't know I lost count believe it or not there were a number of things that governor Senator said that I was happy to stand for and and I applaud it there are few things that wasn't as excited to stand for and that's okay you know that's part of democracy but one of the things she said. I'm paraphrasing but one of the things she said that I jumped out of my seat to applaud was if you send me a bill that grows government at the expense of freedom I will veto. Now if you my colleagues give me a little bit of a sarcastic part time about standing I know you find this hard to believe but I probably gave a sarcastic response. The truth is I was happy to stand and applaud because I'm not convinced that this legislature actually stands for limited government. And let me explain what I mean. When it comes to our lives. And our people's lives I believe wholeheartedly that this legislature stands for limited government. But when it comes to other people's lives. I believe this legislature. It's for big government to control those lives that's not unique to the ninety fourth General Assembly. That happened in general assemblies one through ninety three as far as I can tell I know for certain in the last few. And over the course of our history we we've had bills come through here that targeted black our Kansans or other racial minorities or try to control the lives of women in recent years we've had bills and I'm sure we'll have in the session already on file to try to control the conduct of business is that we disagree with when I first came to the house they were bills trying to control the lives of gay and lesbian Arkansans in recent years that focus has been more directly on trans gender or cans the the most vulnerable people. In our state. Now my question for this body is when are we going to learn from our history. We've been trying to control other people's lives for almost two hundred years now. And where has it gotten us as Senator Leding mentioned you know we rank near the bottom and a lot of categories more than he mentioned. That's not hard to figure out what. Twenty five percent of the kids in our state don't know how they're going to eat dinner tonight. And this is the first bill of consequence on the floor of the state Senate this legislative session. The people of Arkansas sent us down here to get better laws than this to serve them. The truth is that this bill is not about governing. It's about bowling. And if you don't believe me or agree all you have to do is look at the language in the bill. That if this bill was about protecting children from undue sexual influence that is a conversation we could have absolutely one hundred percent there's a lot of activity out in the state but I think. Could arguably be undue sexual influence on children fiato to west little rock and go to Twin Peaks. Are you go to Hooters. There's activity there that is one hundred percent designed to appeal to the prurient interest. And their kids running around everywhere. That's not in this bill. This bill focuses exclusively on people. Who dress differently than the gender they were assigned at birth and that's how you know what targets them. We talked and senator flowers made reference to this I pay attention to the entire Bible the most attention to Matthew mark Luke and John. And they're Jesus says the first and greatest commandment to love the lord your god with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind. The second like it is to love your neighbor as yourself on these two commandments hang all the law and all the profits. I'll transition from theology to a topic where I may have a little more credibility in here and that is the law. This bill is not only mean spirited. It's also one constitutional. And what makes it mean spirited is the very thing that makes it unconstitutional. Because it targets transgender Kansans in the bill. That on its face violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment the United States constitution. Because we're targeting people based specifically on their agenda beyond the Fourteenth Amendment there are first amendment concerns there was another line of applause for the governor's address two weeks ago for the first amendment the freedom of expression freedom of speech the Supreme Court United States work for twenty years to define obscenity and ****. These are very smart people with a whole lot of help. The word prurient is one piece of what one factor of many factors that the Supreme Court uses now we could have borrowed their language totally but that's not what's in this bill it takes one piece of one factor the word prurient and that word is not defined in this bill. I know for certain that Senator Stubblefield I have different definitions of the word program. At what is a core going to use this definition mine or someone else's we don't know because it's not in the bill and because what's prohibited is not fleshed out. So will apply to a dragon queen show probably I'm sure that will what apply to a gay pride parade. Probably so. Because the loss to to vague to know for sure. Will apply to Tootsie. Which is a parent right now the Walmart Center in St will be in Little Rock soon maybe if our their lawyer. I would be very nervous about the advice I would be giving them if this becomes law. But beyond that this law also explicitly controls people's conduct and their own private homes. There's no exception for that is included in the bill so I'll finish where I started by saying this. Is a big government bill. It grows government at the expense of freedom and we're going to see over the course of the session. How many bills we passed like that I hope the answer is zero starting with this one which is why I'll vote against it and ask you to do the same. and now to speak for. Senator Johnson you're recognized first. Senator Blake Johnson. Members. Easy to remind. Silent. Intolerant. In the in and what we're facing in this society today. I don't come down here very often. But today I'm not going to be silent. Newcome intolerant if you want to. But this bill is not. Just say you can't dress like a woman. You can't sexual as your production. Is what this bill is about. Is not about to have an having me in dressed as women in a parade. Is it's it would include that if those actions are sexualized. Not if they're just merely dressed. As other agenda. If they have pasties on and they're walking down the street that's actualization. There's a difference. And our children do not need to be sexualized. To the other genders. And and this is a common sense to me and I appreciate a good vote. Thank you senator Johnson to speak in opposition recognize Senator Chesterfield. Thank you so much madam chair my experiences are not those of. Senator Leding is nor is my. The legal sense that of senator Clark I'm just a country girl from hope Arkansas. And I say that when people make us uncomfortable and they do on occasion no reason to have a law against them. We are talking all the time there was a conference there was a big rally about choice. Choice. Parents have the choice of where they take their children. Parents have a choice as to where they take their children nobody is making any parents take their children to see anything on toward. So why do we need the legislation. We are all about choice in this chamber except a few of. But we keep saying it yes parents aren't making good choices as far as our kids are concerned. This isn't about the people in drag this is about the people taking their kids to see the drag. And if parents don't want this to happen guess what if they don't show up. This will go away I appreciate a no vote. Thank you senator speaking for. Senator Alan Clark you're recognized. Going to remember. All the scripture quoting. As we go through the session and I will remember how much we hate big government as we go through the session I'm sure I'll have chances to bring it up. Epona's. Would cause you to think that they're pushing for a neutral playing ground. But I challenge you. To ask for a Bible story our. At your local library and I'm not saying that you should. I'm just saying. If you want neutrality. There will be hell in. M. protest. Way beyond what you've heard here. This is not about neutral this is about pushing a point of view. People free to. Take their children what they want to do not not at a government owned people owned venue. And we on one hand we say clearly. No religion. On the other hand we say. And and I'm not asking you to agree with central field we we all disagree on all kinds of things including religion. But this idea that we can push. Over here and then be quiet on the other side is insane. And that's all this is. Not this bill what this bill is preventing is pushing a point of view. When we're already so the other point of you can't can't be pushed. It's a public venue there's no place for it if people want to do it do it somewhere else. Thank you senator Senator flowers you're recognized. In opposition. Thank you governor. Have to catch my breath. You know. Like I suggested S. the Senator Stubblefield. I really believe this is. Brought for attention. people. Have been. A different. Throughout history. Man have been putting on dresses. Wearing make up. Making their faces. Wider Europeans did that read rule which. It would have really little sure some callers. That's been going on long time. Sixteen seventeen eighteen center. Founding fathers what we aegs I might mention Jefferson what we ate. Wardlaw frilly collars. Judges did that. You know in an the idea that this is about. No pasties and sexualizing. At the as my. Seatmate. I don't know what I'm. I'm not a whole lot down here. Silly stuff. But. I wanted to relate to you all a story. When I first started practicing law down in Houston Texas. You know I didn't know much about Okay community. And I lived in this apartment complex. I had a neighbor. It's all white guy he's from Mississippi looks like a few you all in here. But. He wanted me to get is divorce for here. And so as I talked to him about the circumstances and. What. Drove him to want to divorce I knew he didn't live with is with the law in our life. And so I asked him what what's up he said he got married a long time ago. Because that's how he felt. People. I thought he should do. Get married. But he told me Stephanie. I knew for a long time. That I was different. That I was gay. Any talk to me about. The history. Of homosexuality. And how those pendulum swings. So throughout history. It's been accepted. This going back. Is done away with and people have to run to the process. Let me tell you something. Things that happen in the dark. They're gonna come to the light. You can try all you want to protect your children. You cannot protect children you have to explain things to children. And when you do not have children the opportunity. To see different things things that you may not accept it as a good and wholesome for them. You have to explain that to them. To me. Drag performances I want to show up do you Tyler Perry. Let that. A lot of these things that come on television that's funny to me. I actually thought the city county local that was funny. I really did the lady that came up for that he or she whatever. I thought she was pretty good. But. At all they're human beings whether you're straight. Human. Just like you all think. I guess you're human that. Yeah human. But. All in with this. That client of mine back then. You want to get married because he felt pressure felt like that was the thing to do. Really felt like he needed to have a child. So you have a tally at the sun. He didn't want to be the wife had to walk. He said he didn't want that but he stayed married until those children will grow only took care of them. The separated from them the children would come and see him he had a good relationship bonded with his children. As children okay I met as children. The thing that struck me about John. Invited me over to his apartment one evening in. Who had a couple of drinks in. Does it you want to see me and direct. Any pull that is we would is weighing on digital make up it was. It was really. Like. What he was saying to me. Was that you had been suppressed. For a very long time. And purpose a person to have to suppress who they all are. Hide. Go in a closet. Review all the. Accept the idea. That this is just come up in the last. Below the decades that's not true. The R. places here in Arkansas. That have hosted drag shows and events. Discovery nightclub here in Little Rock established in nineteen seventy nine. You recall live. In Eureka Springs. Two thousand seven three two thousand seven. Maxine's live springs open nineteen fifty. Hot Springs central PA to open nineteen ten. You a fed bill. Open eighteen seventy one. University of central Arkansas. Opener nineteen oh seven. Arkansas tech. Nineteen oh nine. Fennville public library opened nineteen sixteen. And your school Senator Chesterfield Hendrix College eighteen seventy six. There have been many other productions since that time. Want to point out to you. Well this bill may be trying to attack. Drag performances it is not just about pasties. Because this is. U. K.. Seeing if you're in these clothes that are not appropriate to whatever you were born as if you are male born and pronounced a male at birth and you have a woman's clothes you cannot. But those close on. And you cannot sing let's sing. That. Are otherwise performed before an audience of at least two persons for entertain. Where the perform for payment or not. That is intended to appeal to the prurient interests. The reason is that as we get thinking about this bill intended to appeal. That is intended to appeal to the prurient interests and I agree with my colleagues Senator Tucker Senator Leding Senator Chesterfield. Whole. If it's the performers and the performance of the new team in that is dance on her dance or whatever he she is. Is not intended to appeal to the prurient or sexual injuries of a person. I don't think about that. A man. Senate on the corner. Hey. A. A woman walks in front of an. He thinks you look sexy. Is that president interest she's not intended she has all regular kind of close fully clothed. This like to perform at the the the city county local. How is that. Appealing. To rent. Entries. I don't understand that I don't understand with that excitement comes from I thought it was. When I would think that you think carefully. Because I'm telling you. In my practice. Of all the years. Children are going to be exposed to things when they're not around you then you do your best to guide them instruct them on what is do you want to keep the open relationship communication with your child so that they can talk to you about anything. And then you. Give them your view point. But they're gonna grow up. And maybe as a young child they may develop. Some sense that. They are not. What a word designated. At birth. Do you want to a child bullied do you want to stand up for your child. At the end of the month they had a problem. Thank you all to vote against this bill thank. Thank you senator flowers. Anyone wish to speak for. Or in opposition to if not Senator Stubblefield you're recognized lows. Well first of all colleagues. With all due respect Senator just feels parents can't take the kid for they want to go. You can take to casino K. taken to a strip joint there's several of the place you cannot kid we have child endangerment laws on the books in Arkansas. Second. Recommend this chamber welcome this capital. I don't leave my faith outside. It stays with me in here. In fact most of my votes are based on. What I believe. And how I was raised as a Christian. this bill has to do with children and unless. Your check if there's a child present. People are free to do what they want. As long as they don't do it for the children. That's basically what the bill does. I appreciate a good vote. Thank you senator madam secretary which call the roll. VOL eight. Bryant. Right. Caldwell. Chesterfield. Clark. Hello. Davis. These. DISMANG. Dotson. English. Flippo. Flowers. Gilmore. Hammer. Hester. Hickey. Hello. Irvine. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. Leding. Love. Mickey. Murdock. Payton. Penzo. Petty. Rice. Stanton. Stubblefield. Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace. Thank you any senators thank you senator Bryant voting yes. Any other centers to have not voted wish to vote or wish to change that scene nine. Cast a ballot. By a vote of the. Twenty ninety eighty six nine. It passes transmitted to the house. This time I recognize Senator Hester. And president I'd I'd like to take a ten minute recess and ask us all to go back to the quiet room I want to visit with everybody to make sure we're all on the same page on some appointments we've been looking to confirm or not confirm as soon as so so we can take a ten minute recess will go to back to hopefully get on the same page and come back out thanks B. recess ten minutes. Senate is back in session. Senator Hester you're recognized. Thank you Mr president so really what I want to start off and just confirm what what happened back to their that we didn't take any votes on anything we just kind of agreed on a process that we're all comfortable with when we come out and start taking votes but in case anybody was in the gallery or someone we did we did vote on anything in the back just just to kind of agreeing on the process so I will. And it back. What. Thank you senator. So you're recognized. Thank you Mr president. The Senate rules committee met yesterday afternoon to discuss gubernatorial appointments on your desk you will find two lists. Madam president I move the Senate confirm list one of appointments approved by the Senate rules committee. Thank. Any questions for the senator. That. Thank you senator Chesterfield I move the Senate confirm list one. Of appointments approved by the Senate rules committee. NO. No questions anyone speak in opposition or against. C. nine. All those in favor of independence those motion to. Approved list one of the first list please signify by saying aye. He opposed. Is had. Now if there's anybody that has a name that's on the list to that you think should be brought before the full body a few please come forward and. Make a case. Senator Chesterfield you're recognized thank you madam chair ladies and gentleman of the chamber senators English love and I wish to propose to you the name of Brian day. Ryan date is now the Port Authority director he has had a long history of public service in little rock and making sure that our young people have the tools that they need to be successful as a in Arkansas tech and I William Adams here to my colleague. I agree is exactly the kind of person that plasti tech needs to be with our board of trustees because they and this is the manufacturing center for little rock with all the jobs in the workforce needs that are out there. A of senator. We would appreciate a yes vote on Friday. Okay let me make a motion to yes I want to make the motion is sensed suspend the rules to consider prime day. for this appointment and also I would like to say that he is a senator Tuckers constituent so I want to keep that on the record. Thank you. All right hi motion to suspend the rules to take up prime day. Requires a two thirds vote. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Many opposed. The case. Well he is now on the list and we're going. Madam chair I move that brand a beacons be moved to the U. S. last. But this body to consider we suspended the rules now we got a vote on that. Senate bill I believe that you're going to want to move to. From Friday to the appointment that's exactly what I'm talking about. Madam chair. Everyone of you to. For the placement of Brian that I think he wants to do is since this is. Recognize Senator Clarke Tucker. Thank you madam president I'm being told that as my constituent that's what needs to work but I'm I'm all for Mr day he's a great man he'll be acts on this role so I move to confirm him to the board of visitors for the university of Arkansas Pulaski technical college. Thank you senator and no questions for the senator all those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. Any opposed. It is passed. Today women has been approved. Senator you're recognized yes I have a motion to suspend the rules to consider Jeremy Criner for the Arkansas fire protection board this is German Kreiner is the fire chief in silence springs in my district as a twenty year veteran of firefighter and it's been six and a half years as a fire chief and so make a motion to suspend the rules to consider. The motion has been made to suspend the rules so that way we may take that. Kreider's ointment we need a two thirds vote of all those in favor suspending the rules for doing so please signify by saying aye. Any opposed. Rules are suspended may make a motion might make a motion to confirm Jerry Trainor. Centerpieces made a motion to confirm Chief Jeremy crying to the Arkansas fire protection services board. All those in favor. Any opposed. Thanks center. You're recognized thank you hi. I make a motion to suspend suspend the rules and to allow merry Erdman to be on the army veterans I mean Arkansas veterans commission she has been with the American Legion four forty five fifty years she has been involved in almost everything that the veterans do across the state she was very involved in helping us make the decision about the veterans home not have her on this commission would be a shame so I move to have her accepted. Senator English has moved to suspend the rules so we may take up. I questions allowable but this is a non debatable motions so whatever questions Senator flowers. What was the board or commission it is on the list to the board down the Arkansas batters Commission merry men. Is the individual. The she is. The fourth. This. Merry. In center English has moved to suspend the rules first two thirds vote all those in favor suspending the rules to take is that please signify by saying aye. Any opposed. Senator you may make a motion make a motion to approve very Richmond to the Arkansas veteran's Commission. All those in favor of centers motion to approve the very argument to the Arkansas veteran's Commission police signify by saying aye opposed. It is for. Senator English as another. You are recognized thank you I move to suspend the rules to add shall not chaplain to the Arkansas workforce development board she is feeling agencies with the of volunteer commission our organization. And she has is filling a position that is called for in the bylaws of the workforce development board. Thank you senator center has moved to suspend the rules to stay at. Senate chaplain. Appointment. All those in favor of suspending the rules please signify by saying aye All opposed. Senator You may make a motion thank you I may have to accept Shannon chaplain for they to the Arkansas workforce development board. All those in favor of centers motion please signify by saying aye. Many opposed. Senator Hester you're recognized motion we suspend the rules to add the lane and Kreider to the state board of health he's the CEO of the of beaver water district of my area he's very cop in this area appreciate a good vote. Thank. Is requesting that we suspend the rules. To add length writer to the State Board help all those in favor of suspending the rules please signify by saying aye opposed. Senator please take a motion I make a motion that we confirm link credit for the state board of health. All those in favor of confirming Lane prior to the state board of health please signify by saying aye. Any opposed. Motion carries. Senator Tucker. Thank you Mr president. By Senator English up I've got more than one and I'll go one at a time first off moved to suspend the rules to add Leslie brand into the Arkansas state board of nursing I lost my place give me a moment. Leslie grew up in Arkansas she's been a nurse for more than twenty years she graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing she's a certified plastic surgery nurse certified aesthetic nurse specialist and she's currently the only double board a nurse in the state of Arkansas by the plastic surgery nurse certification board she's been a specialist in this area for over seventeen years she's one of the founding members of the aesthetics safety council which promotes compliance safety and profitability throughout the medical aesthetic and industry she's truly an expert in nursing this is the type of person that we want and need on the on the board of nursing so for that I would please ask that we suspend the rules to add her to the confirmation was. Thank you all those in favor of center checkers motion to suspend the rules to take at this very. The Arkansas state board of nursing please signify by saying aye any opposed. Your term that. Roll call in order. Parliamentarian suggest I have another voice vote all those in favor signify by saying aye hi. Well those opposed no. Is had. Please make a motion. Thank you madam president I'm I'm happy to to answer questions but I've already stated like I could go on through her credentials she's I have our entire resume but that would take up quite a bit of time clearly she's she's highly qualified nurse and again this is the type of perspective we need on the nursing board and so I would ask you to please vote to confirm misbranded to the nursing board. Right and I move for the confirmation. Leslie granted to the Arkansas state board of nursing. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Posed. Determination the chair nomination face. Five billions roll call we had. Madam secretary. Senator Mark Johnson you're recognized for a parliamentary inquiry I believe this will require a two thirds vote twenty four the Senate is that correct. Sophomore at Horace. Thank you members. Okay. Okay ready. Ninety. Secretary call the roll. Boyd. Boyd. Bright. Caldwell. Caldwell. Chesterfield. Clark. Clark. Kroll. Kroll. Davis. Davis. These. These. DISMANG. Dotson. English. English. Flippo. Flippo. Flowers. Gilmore. Gilmore. Hammer. Hammer. Hester. Hickey. Health. Hello. Irvine. Blake Johnson. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. Can. Leding. Love. Mickey. Mickey. Murdock. Murdock. Payton. Payton Penzo. Petty. Rice. Rice. Staffan. Staff. Stubblefield. Sullivan. Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace. There any senators who have not voted who wish to vote Senator Hill you're recognized voting yes. Senator Johnson your Blake Johnson you're recognized. Voting yes. Any other centers have not voted wish to vote any centers with voted was injured vote Senator Hammer you're recognized yes. Any others who wish to vote or change that C. nine madam secretary cast the ballot. That. Thirteen days five days seventy nonvoting. Motion fails. Senator Tucker you're recognized. Thank you madam president I move to suspend the rules for Alisha Curtis to be on. The state board of health I know there's a couple of questions about this I want to address this up front a lot of members specially the returning members know Alicia I know that she doesn't have a huge background and health on the board. It's stated specifically that you need a spot for a consumer and that's the position that she's being nominated to fill she's not being nominated for her medical or healthcare expertise she's nominated to fill the spot of a consumer so I wanted to make that clear on the front end of committee members know Alicia of course because she works for governor Hutchinson for five years that she worked in the Secretary excuse me for the department of commerce for three years she's got a heart for server she loves our state she's really excited about the possibility of doing this work she she wants to do it for those of you who've worked with her I know that you know as well as I do that shall be a dedicated member of the board and do a good job and I want to impress you I hope you all appreciate the richness of this Alicia was the finance director for the Republican Party of Arkansas for five years before she works for the governor and then she was treasurer for the state party for two years so here I am making my case for Lisa Curtis so with that I will moved to suspend the rules to add a Lisa Curtis is name to the State Board of Health. Senator. That question and I'm. I know there seems to be a lot of these appointments from Central Arkansas and and just for me it's a rule legislator that's a little concerning that there's such a concentration of people from Central Arkansas so I I you know. For those of us that represent very rural parts of the state of Arkansas sometimes we feel very under represented so I just wanted to. these these folks are all from your district is not correct this is the second one of the bill Brian day yes the third thank you Senator Tucker is made a motion to suspend the rules all those in favor suspending the rules to take up this nomination please signify by saying aye. Many opposed. Let's say that one more time all those in favor suspending the rules please signify by saying aye. All those opposed. Motion fails. Anyone else. Senator you're recognized. Thank you madam president. The appointments on list to the remaining on this too we're not approved in committee and are therefore not being submitted to the full Senate for confirmation as a result the appointments on this to or not approved and are considered make. Thank. You might have thank you senator and says that the three tries yes Senator Mark Johnson you have. No objection to senator Penzo technology with slash motion. That these. Appointments they will not feel that were left homeless to not that. For clarification. Senator Penzo is noting that those are now thank you if no objection yes Senator Clark. Is this an announcmenet for weeks on this. We have. There was no motion no vote motion. I have a motion Senator Mark Johnson you have a motion. This is a constitutional action. We did a lot of things in the rules committee we did some things this morning I think were proper and appropriate but because these have to do with constitutional actions of dealing with gubernatorial appointments we needed in the journal that we took an action on the people that are on the list to that we did not separately confirmed by suspension of the rules so I move that and again this is not anything against any of those individuals as governor Sanders wants to appoint them next week I think that be lovely that's her prerogative but I believe we need in the journal a motion that those particular plans to people who were not separately pulled out suspend the rules and voted on the team disapproved and that is my motion. Are there any questions for Senator Mark Johnson. C. none all those in favor Senator Mark Johnson motion. Signify by saying aye any imposed. Thank you Sir. Privilege. You're recognized thank you madam. Some of people listed good people I'm think it's great I hope the governor Sanders and her staff will consider them however they want to I compare this to. A a a motion to dismiss a lawsuit without prejudice it can be brought back at any time these people can be considered but it allows the process to have a clean slate and the new governor can come forward thank you on thank you body thank you madam chair. Members quick announcmenet Wednesday March first is the. The amazing charity basketball game between the house and Senate to be stretching it working out now we are working on some have time different events if you're not willing to play basketball for US but here's what I need from you everyone can order a T. shirt okay to be a part of the team so get your sizes and please get them to Sabrina when you can and we can talk more about the event later thank you. Thank you senator. Thank you. Members to Morris force today at the capitol they'll be lunch served at the issue offices across the street I hope you can be there from eleven to one look forward to seeing some of you in the rotunda will be some exhibits on display take a look at those but again tomorrow is for sure day at the capitol thank you. Senate bill more madam secretary items at the desk. Yes ma'am. House bill ten ninety eight by representative Mayberry Senator Irvin to clarify that a volunteer fire department may operate a newborn safety device under certain conditions under the safe haven ACT house bill ten ninety eight Judiciary. House bill eleven twenty three by representative fault and Senator Hammer. Two men laws concerning concealed carry permits and to authorize an individual who has sought voluntary mental health treatment to obtain a concealed carry permit after a certain time period house bill eleven twenty three. City county local house bill eleven fifty by representative Cavenaugh and Senator Blake Johnson to amend the law to extend the time period authorize for the registration of a motor vehicle and criminal law concerning temporary preprinted paper buyer's tag house bill eleven. Transportation. Are there any other announcements. C. nine. The Senate will be adjourned subject to the cleaning at the desk in till tomorrow January twenty fifth at one PM.