House Convenes

And by the member staff press and guests in the gallery sustained to be led in prayer by pastor Derek Easter of new saying hurricane Baptist church in pine bluff against the representative flowers and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance be led by representative Lane Jean. Let us pray. Almighty god we come today to pray for these our state officials. Would you grant them grace to face the unique challenges. Of our state with empathy. We pray I'm believe that by your miraculous power. You will continue to remove personal agendas. That they will give way to the good of everyone in our state. Grant them the wisdom to continue to legislate wisely. In these dramatic days when nations range and the world in our communities seem to be in a fragile state. We call on you today with all mobile hearts. That you would speak into our conflicts. And bring order to our chaos. We pray that each and every member will give careful and thoughtful stewardship of their influence. Would you bless. Would you keep. And what you cover each of them with your grace. We only pray this in your sovereign name a man. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepared machine Mr Clerk. Cast about Mister Clark with nineteen nine members present the chair sees a quorum of the request for leave representative gene for what purpose leave you're recognized representative Deffenbaugh is leave granted for representative Devin ball. So noted representative Fredrick Love moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal without objections so ordered are there Reports from select committees are their Reports from standing committees is there any unfinished business are there any executive communication. Read the letter from the government Clerk. March seventh twenty twenty two to the Speaker of the house do Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on March seventh twenty twenty two are reviewed and approved the following measures from the fiscal session of the ninety third General Assembly. House bill one thousand one is at one thirty six house bill one ten thirty one is at one thirty seven house bill ten forty three is at one thirty eight house bill ten forty five at one thirty nine house bill ten fifty fours at one forty house bill ten sixty one this act one forty one house bill ten sixty two was at one forty two house bill ten sixty three is at one forty three house bill ten sixty five ACT one forty four house bill ten sixty six that one forty five house bill ten sixty nine ACT one forty six house bill ten seventy one is at one forty seven house bill ten seventy two was at one forty eight helpful ten seventy five ACT one forty nine house bill ten seventy six ACT one fifty helpful ten ninety six ACT one fifty one and thirty eight Senate bill sincerely Asa. Members before we move to the red calendar the doctor of the day is doctor Shane in swift of he per springs in the north nurse the day is miss Britney here. Mr Clark please read House resolution. Ten thirty eight. House resolution ten thirty eight by representative Fortner to congratulate the Yellville summit high school girls track team for winning the twenty twenty one class two A. overall state championship in class two A. state championship in the four by four hundred meter relay. President Fortner you're recognized explain the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker I've had this resolution on for a couple weeks hoping that the girls could join me here but when you have a small school such as Yellville summit the same girls that were on this track team are on the basketball team that was eligible and participated in the state finals so I am going to go ahead and honor those girls because Yellville summit doesn't get a state championship everyday. Their coach April Martin and our superintendent Wes Hendricks Henderson could not be more supportive of those girls and what I want you to know about this team not our only are they excellent athletes they are a vital part of our community they do volunteer work. They belong to organizations and they're excellent students. Two of the four girls on the relay team the four by four hundred relay team. I have a special relationship with them as a matter of fact there's stuff is still in a little club house they built in the attic of my tool shed. It would have embarrassed them to know that since this is being recorded and I'm gonna take it back to him they'll know now they can't get their long legs up in there any longer but they are still. Part of my family. They won the state championship. Because of the four by four hundred relay team they went into that event. Trailing by one point. It was dependent on them winning that relate to the. And the four girls on that relay team. K. J. more Kaylee Martin J. C. Davenport and adding Method Man. Drew down inside themselves and one that relay. Won the state championship for the relay and cost their team to be the state track champions and I'm just extremely proud of them Mr Speaker would you have the Clerk read the resolution in its entirety Mr Clark please read the resolution whereas a may twenty twenty one the Yellville summit high school girls track team won the class two A. overall state championship and whereas during the state tournament the oval summit high school girls track team was trailing the Bigelow high school girls track team by one point going into the final event which was the four by four hundred meter relay and whereas the Yellville summit high school girls four by four hundred meter relay team consisted of J. C. Davenport Abby methane K. J. Moore and Kaylee Martin and whereas the Yellville summit high school girls four by four hundred meter relay team won the four by four hundred meter race giving the four by four hundred meter race team the state championship in that event and giving the entire Yellville summit high school girls track team the overall state championship and whereas the Yellville summit high school girls track team has been supported by in these many successes by an excellent team of coaches and other staff members now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas at the house of representatives congratulate the Yellville summit high school girls track team for winning the twenty twenty one class two eight overall state championship in the twenty twenty one class two A. state championship in the four by four hundred meter relay. Robson Fortner has explained the resolution we would like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution represent Fortner you're recognized to close for the resolution. I would so appreciate it if you would acknowledge that team as if they were here with us today and I thank you for your good vote. Supporters close for the resolution the question before the House is the passage of house resolution ten thirty eight all in favor say aye. He opposed the resolution is adopted. Clerk please read House resolution ten forty four. House resolution ten forty four by representative Bentley to congratulate the Bigelow junior boys basketball team on its many accomplishments person Bentley you're recognized to explain the resolute. Speaking with your mates not to represent a pop and Special Olympics join me up here please. Calling we are blessed today to have a team that not only is the two eighty district champions but they are an undefeated teams I won these two guys to recognize them with me representive a fox and representative back both represent Perry County with me and we'll have some of our constituents that get to go to school and Bigelow a great school this doing amazing things with basketball so today we want to recognize the voice team and a great job they've done coach Wilson coach name and all that they've done for the boys there and Bigelow I can tell you this ninth grade team is going to be a force to be reckoned with next year because not only have they been undefeated this year by the past three seasons they've only lost two games I can tell you that the rest of this district to be in fear of these boys as they take up to the high school age so if you guys a recognized the same with me I would greatly appreciate it if you read the resolution force. Mr Clark please read the resolution. Whereas on February tenth and twelfth twenty twenty two the Bigelow junior boys basketball team capped off a perfect season by winning the class two A. five district tournament at Marshall high school and whereas the first for the first time in more than thirty years the Bigelow junior boys basketball team finished the season with an undefeated record and whereas the twenty twenty to be diligent your boys basketball team won the Bigelow invitational tournament and whereas the Bigelow junior boys basketball team has only lost two games of the course the last three seasons and whereas the twenty twenty two Bigelow junior boys basketball team as well led by head coach Chad Wilson and supported by coach Craig knew Meyer and Anna Act grids and whereas in twenty twenty to the Bigelow junior boys basketball team has also been supported by additional staff and other members of the Bigelow school district and their community now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the house of representatives congratulated Bigelow junior boys basketball team on their many accomplishments. Represent Bentley has explained the resolution when you would like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution represent Bentley recognized to close for the resolution. As if this team is not distinguished enough they also in their membership have banks Johnson whose dad Bob Johnson was Speaker of the house in nineteen ninety nine so they're very distinguished team with that I would appreciate a good vote from all the thank you. President Bentley is closed for the resolution the question before the House the passage of house resolution ten forty four all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Resolution is adopted. Mr Clark please read House resolution ten forty five. House resolution ten forty five a representative ray to congratulate Julia Gaffney for earning two bronze medals in swimming at the Tokyo twenty twenty Paralympic Games. Represent rate you're recognized explain resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I'm excited to bring this resolution to you today I think you'll all agree with me when I say that our state is blessed with many many natural resources but our greatest asset is our people and the spirit of our people there's a lot of incredible individuals in our state but the one that I'm honoring today just so happens to be from House District forty. Julia Gaffney is a swimmer from Mayflower. She also happens to be a double amputee. Shortly after birth she had one amputation above the knee and another amputation below the name. She was adopted as a young child. And only began swimming competitively in twenty fifteen. Less than seven years ago but to say that she made a big splash when she jumped into the pool would be quite an understatement. at the twenty twenty Paralympic Games which were delayed because of COVID and held last August in Tokyo Julia one not one but two medals she won a bronze medal in the four hundred meter freestyle and bronze medal in the one hundred metre backstroke. Julia Gaffney has overcome tremendous odds in order to achieve this feat in order to do what she's done it takes grit courage determination and perseverance the courage to do something that most people thanks I thought she probably couldn't do the the hard work and determination to put in countless hours of training to become one of the best at what she does. I find Julia story to be inspiring. And a reminder that we're surrounded by all sorts of people who overcome incredible challenges to achieve success. And I hope that by bringing this resolution to you today. You will find the same inspiration and are in her achievements that I do. Julia is unable to be here with us today but I hope that you'll join me in passing this resolution to recognize her outstanding achievements Mister Speaker if you could please have the Clerk read the resolution court please read the resolution whereas Julia Gaffney is an American Paralympic swimmer who was born in Russia the raise the Mayflower Arkansas and began competing in para swimming in twenty fifteen and whereas when Gaffney was born she had her right leg amputated above the knee and her left leg amputated below the knee and whereas during the Paris swimming career Gaffney AS one five Silverman silver medals and a bronze medal at the twenty seventeen world para swimming championships in Mexico City and a gold medal at the women's two hundred meter individual medley at the twenty nineteen world para swimming championships in London and we're as Gaffney swam in the in five events at the Tokyo twenty twenty Paralympic Games winning a bronze medal in the women's one hundred metre backstroke in women's four hundred meter freestyle now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the house of representatives recognized Julian Gaffney for earning two bronze medals in swimming at the Tokyo twenty twenty Paralympic Games. Imprese explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Percent raise close for the resolution the question before the House the passage of house resolution ten forty five all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution is adopted. Mr Clark please read House resolution ten forty nine. House resolution ten forty nine by representative Vaught to congratulate the Ashdown high school boys and girls track teams on their many achievements. Represent Vaught you're recognized to explain the resolution thank you Mr Speaker I'm sad to say that are Ashdown Panthers and panther it couldn't be here today due to attract mates that they had today but I want to recognize them for their great accomplishments they are the two thousand twenty two state champions for indoor track the Panthers are paying for it so the runner up so I think that's a great achievement for for our area and. That worked hard throughout the last several years to to achieve this great achievement and so I wanted to make sure that we took time to recognize them for that there was several that actually won their individual competitions or events at the same time and it's in the resolution so Mister Speaker would you please have the Clerk read the resolution in its entirety Mr Clark please read the resolution whereas the twenty twenty to Ashdown high school Panthers boys track team won the class three A. indoor track championship and whereas in the twenty twenty to Ashdown high school Panthers girls track team for the runners up for the class three A. indoor track state championships and whereas several members of the twenty twenty two Ashdown high school Panthers boys track team won their individual events including forty young who won the two hundred meter and four hundred meter dashes of on a hard who won the sixteen hundred meter race and been at consent who won the pole vault and whereas the twenty twenty to Ashdown high school Panthers boys track team also won the four by four hundred and four by eight hundred meter relay races and whereas several members of the twenty twenty to Ashdown high school Panthers girls track team won their individual events including what can you Williams who won the sixty meter dash Jean apprentice who won the triple jump and pole vault and raven pounds to one the shot put and whereas the twenty twenty to Ashdown high school Panthers boys and tracks teen boys enter girls track teams were led by head coach just a Baker Matt Richardson Matt Leland and Chris Scarborough and whereas the twenty twenty two asked a high school Panthers track teams won't have been supported by their successes by an individual by an excellent team of teachers coaches and other staff members and their communities now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas at the house of representatives congratulate the twenty twenty to Ashdown high school Panthers boys and girls track teams on their many recent accomplishments. President Vaught has explain the resolution we would like to speak against resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution represent Vaught you're recognized close for the resolution thank you Mr Speaker with that I would like to wish both teams great like today as they are competing today and with that I'd appreciate a good vote. VOL is closed for the resolution the question before the House is the passage of house resolution ten forty nine all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution is adopted. Members removed the red supplemental calendar Mr Clark please read House Russell resolution ten fifty. House resolution ten fifty by representative flowers to recognize the University of Arkansas pine bluff for educating and training service leaders in local state and federal leadership public administration law and political science represent flowers you're recognized to explain the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker before I start can I ask representative Ferguson representative Holcomb to join me. So since we're meeting early today just like most of you my students are not. I told to be here until eleven they still have a full day we're going to act like they're here. like many of you I as well as my colleagues engage students not only here at the capitol during session but also through internships. representative Ferguson that as many of you know is a graduate of the U. APP I count myself an alumnus since I took four classes for classes one summer at UAPB. And as county judge represent Holcomb was an extreme supporter an advocate for you if you'd be so we all are very very passionate very very supportive and this connection com some students who are very focused and interested in training and exposure to the very thing that we do in not only policy making but advocacy of our districts and so we have learned more about what the political science department does to prepare students. And historically we've learned that that history is long and outpaces even the formal program itself it is you'll hear you know leadership and passion for services servant leaders doesn't just happen it happens in a very special place at UAPB in before then and then in college to grow these servant leaders in these students who love their communities and I love their alma mater so with that I would ask if either my colleagues have anything to say. I knew they were going to say that. There is. I'll just say it just my and my son was a graduate of you A. B. B. played there on a baseball scholarship so I just want to have that. And I think that as long as I'm here however long that is we'll just go ahead and make this a tradition for every last day of the session. And I'm just going to say this twice ask you would you can chat back who are you rooting for you APV. All. I'll give you two more chances you at the V.. U. S. TV. I am so glad those students are not here to see that. Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr Clark please read the resolution. Whereas the University of Arkansas pine bluff which was formerly known as Arkansas agricultural mechanical normal college has been educating and training servant leaders in local state and federal leadership public administration law and political science for over one hundred years and whereas notable alumni of the University of Arkansas pine bluff include civil rights activist and social worker Martha Lewis United States representative from Illinois Danny Davis and the late civil rights attorney in Arkansas state representative John Walker and we're as the University of Arkansas at pine bluff school of arts and sciences continues the legacy of stalwart and a change making leadership in its department of social behavioral sciences under the leadership of its department chair Dr Jerry G. Ingram and its political science program coordinator coordinator Henry book Brooks the fourth. And we're as the University of Arkansas at pine bluff social science program this a pre law graduate studies and international relations track as well as robust internship and study abroad partnerships including the congressional black caucus foundation Washington DC the wall family foundation the United States Army Reserve officers training corps and the project go air of language intensive study program in the United States Army judge advocate general corps internship in whereas the University of Arkansas pine bluff graduates have gone on to graduate from Yale Law School Washington university in St Louis school of law and numerous other law schools across the nation and whereas the University of Arkansas pine bluff has a pre law undergraduate scholars program that participates in the admission partnership with the university of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of law as well as semester long law school admission test preparation course with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of law professor under Cummings in whereas the University of Arkansas pine bluff pre law undergraduate scholars program graduates or graduates are currently enrolled in law schools at Washington university in St Louis the university of Chicago the University of Arkansas at little rock and Howard University and whereas the University of Arkansas pine bluff political science students will attend graduate programs at American University the university of southern California and Boston University in the fall of twenty twenty two now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the house of representatives recognize the University of Arkansas at pine bluff for educating and training service leaders and local state and federal leadership public administration law and political science. Person flowers is explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Represent flowers is closed for the resolution the question before the House the passage of house resolution ten fifty all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Resolution is adopted. Morning hour is indeed represent Wooten for what purpose point of personal privilege. What a personal privilege you're you're recognized for your point thank you privilege thank you Mr Speaker. I regret to report to this body is mourning the passing of Mr Lee Hayes of the the. But it was a remarkable individual an outstanding citizen of the state of Arkansas in the city of B. B.. The general Barry what makes him most notable is he's one of the few remaining. Combat veterans for more war to the the state of Arkansas and I ask for your prayers for the Hayes family and for the nation of you crying since he spent a better part of his younger live in battle and your thank you very much thank you Mr Speaker. Members will observe a moment of silence in memory of Mr Hayes. Thank you representative gene you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues we've got the Senate bill one hundred one. This is the companion bill that we passed by the house this is Senate Berzins identical from what we passed yesterday any questions. You want voted for the bill emergency clause the Speaker the Clerk read the bill for the third time Mr Clark please read the bill for the third time Senate bill one O. one represent genes explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill representing is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passive Senate bill one O. one prepared machine Mr Clerk. Voting on the bill in the Emergency Clause cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety seven Yeas one nine zero present the bill emergency clause are passed represent gene you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues will take up. Senate bill one O. seven is Senate bill one ten. This provides this is for this current fiscal year that we're in this provides forty five up to forty five additional positions for on Senate bill one O. seven of death the prosecutors. And Senate bill one ten provides public defenders additional forty five positions the help of the backlog in the cases that we have in our courts this is been negotiated on both leadership in the house and the Senate. Of so it's not fair you care if forty five for public defenders and forty five prosecutors this will get the funding big through the end of the year that we have to other bills that will pick it up for the next fiscal year beginning July one coming right after this any questions on this ninety move any of these other batch for any reason. Okay we'll take up Senate bill one O. seven one ten. Of your one vote will be for the bills and the emergency clause misspeak or the Clerk read the bill for the third time Mr Clark please read the bills for the third time Senate bill one of seven Senate bill one ten repair the machine. Voting on the bills and the emergency clauses. Everyone voted. Everyone voted cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety eight zero nine zero president bills emergency clauses are passed represent gene you're recognized. Thank you Speaker colleagues this is Senate bill one await Senate bill one O. nine this is for the prosecutors in the public defender's as asked by under this picks up the extra help beginning July one and for the next fiscal year any questions. Create a good vote your one vote is for both bills miss Clark at speak read the bill third time. Sir Clark please read bills for the third time Senate bill one oh eight Senate bill one O. nine per machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety seven yeah zero nine zero president. The bills have passed. Mr parliamentarian you're recognized. Thank your Speaker members of the House if you moments representative makes will make of thee adjourned motion for the for today the motion will be standard procedure for wrapping up fiscal session it will allow the Speaker and the president pro tem by proclamation to reconvene the session. if needed to consider vetoes and correct errors or oversights or it would allow them again by proclamation to adjourn the fiscal session sine die again this is standard procedure for wrapping up fiscal session. As of now the the plan is for the session to adjourn sine die at noon on Tuesday March fifteenth that is based that is a as long as there are no errors or of the missions that need to be addressed through a reconvening of the legislature. As such. According to House rule ten. The election for Speaker designate would follow fifteen minutes after signing die adjournment. All noon March fifteenth Tuesday. Along those lines if any members are not gonna be able to be here for the Speaker designate election and you wish to vote. there is a process again and rule house rule ten allowing for absentee ballots and we encourage you to see amber pool by the speaker's office she has absentee ballots that she will process for you. And other than that that's the the the the plan and I'll be happy to entertain any questions. Thank you Mr Speaker members of house. Represent makes for what purpose motion place let's hear motion Mister Speaker I move that in accordance with House resolution ten twenty seven and Senate resolution twenty one that the House standards earned until such time as we by proclamation of the Speaker of the house and president pro tempore of the Senate our reconvene to consider vetoes are correct errors and oversights or the fiscal session of the ninety third General Assembly of Arkansas is adjourned sine die. That's a proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. He opposed. The ayes have it. The houses adjourn.