House Convenes

I am by the member staff press and guests in the galleries to stand to be led in prayer by pastor don Hutchings of the Evangel temple assembly of god against of representative Ryan rose and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Let's pray together. Our father we humble ourselves before you. And repentance saying we've said or done that has offended you. We thank you for this great organization and the wonderful wonderful guidance from your Holy Spirit. We praise you because you are such a mighty sovereign god. And now we pray that you would give us direction wisdom. And father help us to do something today to help someone who cannot repay us. I pray this in Christ's holy name. A man. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepared machine Mr Clerk. Cast about Mr Clark. With ninety six members present the chair sees a quorum of there any request for leave. Representing the for purpose leave for regular recognize ours is leave granted for representative Deborah Ferguson a sum not a representative group for what purpose. Is leave granted for representative area. So noted. Representative Cavenaugh for what purpose leave you're recognized leave a representative Sonya Barker is leave granted represent Barker. So noted represent Vaught for what purpose even. You're recognized leave for my a representative John Maddox is leave granted representative Maddox. Representative. Jeff Wardlaw most we dispense the reading of the previous day's Journal without objections so ordered are there Reports from select committees read the Reports from select committees Mr Clark. Mr Speaker we're Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred house bill ten eighteen Bentley to report that we have the same consideration here to try the same with recognition recognition that do pass respectfully submit Carol Dalby chair Speaker we Committee on Public Transportation to whom was referred house bill ten eighty six beg leave to report that we had the same under consideration here the transit with recommendation that a do pass respectfully submitted Mike Holcomb chair. Any reports from select committees. Read the reports fiscal. The Speaker we're Committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill ten fifty to ten P. sixteen fifty seventeen fifty eight beg leave to report that we had the same consideration here they're trying the same recommendation that do pass offense we submitted a claim Jean Kerr. Three and finish business any other Reports from standing committees. Are there any executive communication. Members are Dr the days Dr Jennifer Doyle of North Little Rock. In our nursing days miss Jerry Bernard. Additionally our Arkansas state troopers with this this week Lieutenant correct E. and serjeant pinpoint and both are in the training division of the Arkansas state police. Mr Clark please read house concurrent resolution one thousand two. House Speaker resolution one thousand to a representative Eubanks to encourage the United States Congress and national security counsel to review the status of forces agreement between the United States and Japan and to review the investigation and trial of navy lieutenant rich outcomes represent Eubanks you're recognized explained resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker. members I didn't want to take up a lot of time to explain this resolution but there's certain things that I feel that you need to know state agencies Committee heard it last week. I filed this resolution so that I could hopefully shed some light on the case the lieutenant reach out coming as who is currently was imprisoned in Japan. On may twenty nine twenty twenty one the tenant. Red navy lieutenant rich Alkhan as an ex wife written the and their three children went up on Mount Fuji for a family outing. When they came down off the mountain. The tenant outcome is blacked out and slumped over and from what I've been told the that happened mid sentence he was having a conversation with his daughter. There was in instilling accident. And which to Japanese nationals died as a result of their injuries. Before I go any further I don't want anything that I say today to take away from the fact that that was a tragedy for that those those two individuals and their families. That they're going to deal with that loss and that grief and that sorrow. But there there's more to the story that I feel like I need to share with you. lieutenant out conus was arrested and charged with negligence he was held in solitary confinement for twenty six days he was denied medical treatment even at the scene he was denied legal counsel. Finally bail. Was a. Granite and Lieutenant Alkhan is was able to get out of the prison a course he was not allowed to leave the country. It is the custom. From what I've been told in Japan that one a case like this happens that restitution is made to the families. And it was and the amount of one point six million dollars half from insurance. Half from the family. It has been reported that this is if not the largest one of the largest type settlements that is ever taken place with regard to a case like this. Also normally when restitution is made the family will write a letter to the judge asking for leniency. That the not happen. But I can understand if I was in that situation I think I would probably want justice as well or not my view of justice. They are. The sentence was appealed. I went to an appellate three percent appellate court and the sentence was upheld. Now during this whole process there was not any public criticism of the Japanese culture the Japanese people their government. Or our government or the navy. But after the sentence was upheld. The family really had no other choice but to go public. And we had a lot of help with regard to this with members of Congress. Our own congressman Westerman Senators Bozeman and cotton had been involved in this from the very beginning. Senator Mike Lee of Utah took the lead in the Senate. He wrote a letter to the prime minister of Japan and nineteen other US senators signed onto it including and I'm proud to say senator Bozeman senator cotton. The tenant opponents is from California. His congressman Mike Levin. Read a letter to the president asking him to intervene in that was thirty plus congressman the signed on to that letter. I'm also proud to say that all four of our congressmen signed on to that letter. The The department of defense officials have in private correspondent said that they were so for violations and sofa is status of forces agreement with her as an agreement between allies on how situations you deal with with regard to our military men and women and representative Marian Richmond can probably speak to that a lot better than I can. But even though they had that private private correspondence the Department offenses continue to mislead Congress and say there weren't any so for violations. Now you. May wonder what brought me to file this resolution. I know he's been to my home I've taking to a razorback game. He graduated from the US Naval Academy with my son. Ridge went navy surface warfare my son went marines aviation he's my son's best friend. And he has worked census took place to get him home. Hence my involvement. But the I want to thank. Our congratulations for everything that they've done. But it's not enough because he's still in prison. He began serving his term last summer. And that insult to injury the navy was going to terminate pay and benefits to the family as of December thirty first. Senator Mike Lee following amendment. To the honest bill at pass at the end of last year it passed the Senate unanimously and the House concur. So the navy is compelled to continue the pay and benefits to the family. I have flown to DC on several occasions. Dealing with this issue and on one trip I was I flew into Reagan and I was in the line waiting to get a rental car and there was a lady standing there and. I sorry conversation around out that she was. Terry police station in Okinawa. So I started telling this story issues at all I know about it everybody knows about anybody in the military knows about it. They can't believe this is happening. Senator Ricky Hill who is the Senate sponsor on this resolution contact a last year because he'd seen one of my many tweets or retweets and say Hey what's the deal here. You see his son is a navy helicopter pilot. And my son is a marine helicopter pilot and his son station in Japan and his son is well aware of what was taking place. I thank our service men and women deserve to know that their military and civilian leaders support them and have their back. And that we will all go to the mat for. So I I would I would hope. That you would the. Adopt this resolution. And that the. It will be sent to the proper authorities in DC and maybe it will maybe encourage somebody to do the right thing. So with that a Mister Speaker would would you instruct the Clerk to read the resolution in in its entirety Mr Clark please read the resolution. Where there were one hundred thousand Americans service members independent station in Japan more than any other place in the world the other than the United States whereas active duty Arkansans are and will continue to be stationed abroad in Japan while serving in the United States Armed Forces and whereas state status of forces agreement are designed to ensure adequate and fair legal treatment of American service members stationed abroad and whereas in practice the United States Japan status of forces agreements does not appear to provide adequate legal protection for Americans. American service members as their reports today that Japan regular regularly violates the status of forces agreement by detaining American service members without adequate because of this is that's that's to be prior to charges. Whereas the airports that Japanese authorities consistently deny legal counsel to service members during police interrogations appellate provide adequate translation assistance during interrogations in trials which violate department of defense policy regarding the legal rights of service members overseas as outlined in second and secretary of the navy instruction fifty eight twenty period for G. and are regulation twenty seven that's fifty and whereas the case of the navy lieutenant ridge a code of somebody's the reported issues running the United States Japan status of forces agreement as lieutenant Acronis experience project prejudicial treatment during Japanese police attainment trial and whereas there are numerous reports of the tuning of coatis receiving extremely suspect legal advice and an adequate support from the United States Navy personnel during legal proceedings and whereas there is evidence of the United States Navy knowingly misleading members of the United States Congress regarding lieutenant I come this case and whereas there is sufficient evidence to reasonably suspected like tentacles is wrought wrongfully detained and resonate states Congress the United States House Committee on on armed services responsible for conducting oversight of the United States Navy in answering the internal international agreements are in the best interest of the American people invited by the parties entered their. Now therefore be resolve the house of representatives of the ninety first General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that Senate concurring with their within the House represented the ninety fourth the General Assembly state of Arkansas. Conduct a formal review of the status of forces agreement between United States and Japan to insure that agreement is the best interests of the United States exotically protects American service members in accordance with constitutional rights United States Department of Defense policy conduct an official investigation into the circumstances in dealing surrounding the investigation trial and conviction a new utility net reductions to ensure the lieutenant Collins was treated fairly by Japan and the United States Navy provided fair and adequate support and referred the tune up reduction this case to the special presidential envoy to hostage appears to be the designated as a wrongfully detained case. Resent Eubanks is explain the resolution we would like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Represent the banks you're recognized to close for the rest. Thank you Mr Speaker I forgot one key element in this when Lieutenant opponents was finally examined by navy doctor they determine that the reason he blacked out what's the change in altitude from being up on Mount Fuji so he's not guilty of negligence he he's guilty of nothing other than having a medical episode which caused an accident so I appreciate a good vote. Eubanks is closed for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house concurrent resolution one thousand two all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution is adopted. Miss Clark please read House resolution one thousand two. House resolution one thousand to represent a pot to recognize the bright when it's football team is a Class As seven eight state champions. President fox you're recognized to explain your rest. Thank you Mr Speaker at this time last the members that represent disallowing County come to the well as well as Brian high school graduate of nineteen eighty seven representative Joey car to the well. Members today's a special day for me and and my colleagues here because as a new member to this house I have a I came to Arkansas almost twenty years ago when one of my at my biggest things I want to do when I came to Arkansas was just to promote high school athletics in the state when I moved to Bryant's Bryant was a was a good football team they won a great football team member name but James came to Bryant's about six years seven years ago and he changed the culture he changed fan support he got people engage with the football team and I'm proud to say that this year the Bryant Hornets won their fifth consecutive state championship after beating Bentonville thirty six to seven at one Memorial Stadium. This team is not only won five straight state championship games but they have not lost to an in state Arkansas team in the last five years. M. Bryant the team and the community of adopted the hashtag B. two twelve a lot of people vast what's it mean to me awhile to figure it out I wasn't a science major. But after talking with coach James and and many of his staff of the boiling point of water it's an effort thing it's a it's getting each one of these players to give maximum effort if you go over to twelve you've been given maximum effort to build my goal. I can honestly say watching practice and watching the state championship games everyone of these players whether they're a starter whether reserve whether a manager they give to twelve. What was really inspirational about that day this last state championship game with the hashtag to twelve it was also coach James is two hundred twelve all time win. I I noticed as I came into the the House today I looked at my colleague from Bentonville and he said you know what I was so moved by this championship is I really want to do something to support the Hornets and so we got a brand new Jersey to wear on the house floor. I believe law Keith Brooks who will also representative Brian for sometime had a few words for the Hornets. Thank you representative Hawkins I just to want to add my congratulations as I guess I have the option to run this resolution last time some glad someone had chance taking over I think that would be probably renamed war Memorial Stadium the the Shane Broadway memorial or not more of the same probably in its own sweet there because the he's there all the time it seems supported run or so just wanna say coach James Mike all you guys that is just an outstanding job you've honored to honor us by being hearing you representing your community well so congratulations to. With that being said Mr Speaker please have the Clerk read resolution by title. Mr Clark please read resolution by title only. Turn right when it's football team as a class seven A. state champions. President fox explained the resolution I will represent wing for what purpose. Let's hear your question. President of hawk I know that success on the football field is not a solo act. And I think that the north little rock charging wildcat should be commemorated for their contributions to your string of state championships. And and members not only is representive wing of very worthy I appreciate the congratulations but between North Little Rock as well as representive Evans who had cabinets and representative brown had Conway those three teams would not it would this would not have been possible without those wins over those teams to this to this point. I appreciate a good vote. President fox has explained the resolution when you would like to speak against the resolution would anyone like to speak for the resolution represent van roost you're recognized to speak for the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker I'm not from Ryan but but James wasn't came to preview one thousand high school I don't play football but his wife Jennifer was mag teacher and to twelve squad up started community so I will say that okay go cochairs thank. The vendors spoken for the resolution when he would like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution represent Hawkins close for the resolution the question before the House the adoption of house resolution one thousand two all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution is adopted. Morning hour is ended. Mr Clark please read Senate bill one. Senate bill one by representative wing enacted for the expenses of a Arkansas Senate of the ninety fourth General Assembly appropriation for the twenty twenty three fiscal year represent when you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is the same version of what the Senate is doing we passed our house expenses just for the session we passed that last week the Senate has passed there's and we need to approve it so it kind of mirrors what we did is just a little bit less cool because of the Senate bill would still appreciate a good vote. Represent wing as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent wing is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one prepared machine Mr Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast a ballot Mr Clark with the vote of ninety two yeah zero nine to present the bill emergency clause are passed. Represent makes for what purpose. Motion place let's hear your motion after the announcmenet free of the bills transferring the bill's place on the counters on the desk members amending their own bills their own amendments. Follows resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move we adjourn until one thirty tomorrow afternoon. That's a proper motion that's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed the motion is adopted are there any announcements. Representive Eubanks for what purpose. You're recognized just wanna remind everybody that the chambers that they can event is that from four thirty to six thirty I believe that they're building today. Percent pop for what purpose you're recognized all members I've been tasked with putting together our legislative basketball team of for the chip for the charity basketball game so if you would like to play we're going to do this the first week of February I believe and so if you'd like to play please get with me after send me an email and I will put you on the roster if you don't email you will be on the roster so we're just trying to get a head count of who wants to play. Represent Bentley for purpose. You're recognized I will be celebrating religious freedom day tomorrow in the rotunda at noon everyone's welcome hope that you'll join us thank you representantes for what purpose. You're recognized state agencies will meet room one fifty one at ten AM in the morning. Represent Vaught for what purpose announcmenet to announcements recognized at tomorrow at noon will be rules committee will meet and then tomorrow morning at seven AM will be our first caucus prayer and everybody's invited. Lanny Fite for what purpose. You're recognized city county local will meet at ten AM it might be tomorrow morning represent McKenzie for purpose thank you you're recognized tomorrow freshman caucus of the meeting at the RPA at eleven AM. Any other announcements. If not the desk for main open is needed for the reading of the bills upon completion The Addams named in the joint resolution house to be adjourned until one