House Convenes

I am by the member staff pressing guests in the gallery sustained to be led in prayer by representative wing and to remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Our dear heavenly father we are grateful to the for the blessings of this day we are grateful to be together we're grateful for the opportunity to represent our friends and neighbors and constituents and we pray for the aspirant to bless us and be with this. In the work that we do here and service of our fellow man. We are grateful for the lives that we lead and for the country in which we live in the freedoms that we enjoy we pray that will ever continue we ask you to bless these proceedings in the name of Jesus Christ amen. With all. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Cast about Mr Clark. With ninety five members present the chair sees a quorum are there any request for leave. Represent Maddox for what purpose leave a representative Johnson please grant representative Johnson. President million for purpose. Is leave grant represent Brandt Smith. So noted for represent Kenneth Ferguson for what purpose leave you're recognized leave the representative David Whitaker is leave grant represent Whitaker. Though noted. Representative speaks for what purpose leave for a representative Payton is leave granted for representation. So noted. President Fredrick Love moves we dispense the reading of the previous day's Journal without objections so ordered are there Reports from select committees read the reports Mister Clark Mister Speaker we Committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill ten ninety six beg leave to report that we have at the same under consideration here with trying the same the recommendation I do pass respectfully submitted Lane Jean chair. Any reports from standing committees. Any unfinished business there Executive communications. Read letter from the governor. There were seventeen twenty twenty two to the Speaker of the house you Mr Speaker This is to inform you that on February seventeenth twenty twenty two are reviewed and approved the following measure from the night fiscal session of the ninety third General Assembly act house bill eleven thirteen this act one sincerely Asa Hutchinson. Members we have few guests with this today first we have our United States senator senator Tom cotton. Members I believe in the north gallery we have mislead the Bennett Mister Brian Miller miss Bennet is director of nursing it with hospital and Mr Miller is the CEO of the with hospital there the guests of represent Hillman. Mr Clark please read House resolution ten twenty eight. House resolution ten twenty eight a representative Hillman to recognize the contributions of the deal with hospital staff to the state of Arkansas. Hillman you're recognized to explain the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker. All of us have been affected in one way or another by this COVID pandemic. Some more than others. A number any number of us in this building in this room today have handed themselves but no one has been more effective than our health care workers in Arkansas. Back in the middle of January I got a call one morning from the do it city hospital. Lisa Thomas you said David. We've got patients in the hall the need ventilators we've got patients in the ICU rooms we've called every hospital in the state of Arkansas none of them can take a these people are gonna that we've all also called outside the state if we don't do something you're going to. They're gonna that. Want to the governor's office. And I talked to amend their and immediately as soon as I talked bill Gossage his eyes got big and he said we're on it. That was about eleven thirty that morning by three o'clock this afternoon they had patients transferred out of the hospital to other hospitals and they had three more ventilators air it was because of their caring. For the lives of the people and with Arkansas that we have people live there today and I think that they deserve this resolution that I prepared for today. Representive Hillman is explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Represent Hillman. Buy clothes for the resolution would you read. Clerk read the resolution whereas on January twenty six twenty twenty two the deal with a hospital faced a challenging emergency and whereas the hospital had three patients who needed ventilators however there were no additional ventilators available on site and whereas additionally after checking with all the hospitals in the state of Arkansas and the surrounding states no beds were found for the patients and whereas in the midst of the emergency the do what hospital staff is determined to find the proper medical care for the three patients and did not stop working to the beds were found the transfers took place and whereas the deal with hospital staff worked tirelessly to help the three patients then there were when there were no beds or ventilators available and whereas without any options and what hospital staff decided to have their director of nursing Lisa Bennett contact someone in the government who might be of assistance and whereas by that afternoon the staff in the office of the governor had looking at three ventilators Ford with hospitals and assisted in the transfer of these three patients to other hospitals and whereas because of the deal with hospitals staff's quick thinking actions lives were saved on January twenty six twenty twenty two making the do what hospital staff true heroes for the do it area and the entire state of Arkansas 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 contributions of the what hospital staff to the state of Arkansas. We would like to speak against the resolution for the resolution I guess represent him or he sees close for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house resolution twenty ten twenty eight all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Resolution is adopted. Members we have one other guest with us today we have Suzanne whole team from in CSL she's our NCSL liaison to the Arkansas General Assembly. Mr Clark please read House resolution ten thirty. House resolution ten thirty by representative Tosh to congratulate the marked tree school district on as many successes during the past year president Tosh you're recognized to explain the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker college it's good to stand before you again today and recognize a the other outstanding school in the in my area there were several representatives here earlier from the marked tree high school obviously they had to leave and try to make their way back home but I wanted to go ahead and stand here today and. Read this resolution an honor them for their academic accomplishments recently the Marjory elementary school was recognized by the U. S. news and World Report as one of the best elementary schools in Arkansas and this is the first time that the US news and World Report has ever recognized in the elementary school here in Arkansas for that accomplishment on the other hand the Marjory high school has received this honor is being one of the best high schools in the state the US navy news and World Report fifteen of the last seventeen years there were several of the educators that were here as I said earlier obviously they're not here now but I would still like to recognize them by name to let him know how much we appreciate what they've accomplished their at the Marjory school they are the superintendent who was here like I said a great guy my friend superintendent Matt right. elementary prepared principales of Grady. District leadership team member Kelly peers Marjory high school principal Luke Goodrich and high school team member district leader how to play this Mitchell if you would colleagues of I know they're not here but less little know how much we appreciate them leading the way for our kids and these accomplishments that they've been able to reach the for the Marc train school I think it deserves a big round of applause thank you. Thank you would have the Clerk read the resolutions in its entirety thank you. Representantes his ex on the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. We would like to speak for the resolution Absent Tosh is close resolution Mr Clark please read the resolution in its entirety whereas the marked tree school district has had many successes over the past year and we're as Marjory high school in marked tree elementary school have both received highly effective schools accreditation from solution tree which recognizes schools and districts committed to achieving and maintaining the highest levels of educational quality and whereas mark trees elementary school was recognized by the US news and World Report as one of the best elementary schools in Arkansas on twenty twenty one which was the first time the US news and World Report has included elementary schools in its rankings and whereas mark tree high school was recognized by the US news and World Report as one of the best high schools in Arkansas on twenty twenty one and March three high school has obtained or that recognition in fifteen of the last seventeen years and whereas mark tree elementary school is well led by its principal Lisa grey it's elementary school L. it's elementary school teacher and district leadership team. Kelly peers and a number of other educators and whereas Marjorie high schools will lead Mets principal loop again rich in high school teacher and district leadership team members Octavius Mitchell and by a number of other educators 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 congratulate the Marjory school district on as many successes over the past year. Question before the House is in Dobson House resolution ten thirty all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution is adopted. Members of the Passover House resolution ten thirty. Morning hour is ended Mr Clark please read Senate bill eighty seven. Senate bill eighty seven by representative Dotson to establish coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of morbid obesity under the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance program into the clear emergency person Dotson you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members while Mike today so this is the first of the four Senate bills that are part of the employee health benefits division package that we've been working on this one in particular deals with morbid obesity and allowing for an expansion of the availability of services for folks that need things like bariatric surgery and that type of thing the study from the consultant that we hired to study all these things said the cap that we put on these was one in which we would save a lot more money if there's more availability folks who actually have these types of treatments actually end up costing the insurance plan less money over the long haul VOL so putting an arbitrary cap on there would not be it would be better and more cost savings for the overall program if we remove that cap and had more specific targeted rules in place and a lot more flexibility for the plan designed by the administrators of the plan so that all those rules will come before Legislative Council for approval once they have all those things written and can be flexible throughout the entire plan year to year to year so that that as as tweaks need to happen they can be they can be done more than happy to try to answer any questions. Seeing none particular person Dotson explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent Dotson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill eighty seven. Per machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. The Bill emergency clause of passed by a vote of ninety one yeas to nays and zero present. Mr Clark please read Senate bill eighty six. Senate bill eighty six by representative Wardlaw to establish a funding mechanism to ensure solvency of the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance programming to declare an emergency. President Wardlaw you're recognized explain the bill. Thank your Speaker so this is the bill that establishes the funding triggers for on the on reserves to view member I explained that the other day where we would go from twelve on the bottom sixteen on a top and are often reserved fourteen so for any questions in this bill has nothing to do with a Medicare advantage plan I'll say that again to appreciate a good vote. President board laws explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill president Wardlaw is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill eighty six prepared machine Mr Clerk. Voting on the bill in the emergency clause has everyone voted as everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause of past Mr Clark please read Senate bill eighty five. Senate bill eighty five a representative eleven to clarify the definition of eligible in active retiree to modify eligibility of retirees participate in the state and local school life and health insurance program into declared emergency represent eleven you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members bill three of the EBT package Although longer in content this what this bill does simply one thing it establishes the eligible an active retiree parameters which is five cumulative years within the program and just to clarify case you get ask any questions back home because I think it's very important to point out in the bill if you look at section three page eight it states that it does not apply to employees that are employed on the effective date of the accident we pass this bill and it becomes law anyone that is employed at that time will not be affected by this we appreciate a good vote. Represent eleven explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent evidence is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill eighty five prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted voting on the bill in the emergency clauses everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause or passed Mr Clark. Please read Senate bill eighty eight. Senate bill eighty eight by representative mark berry to modify the state contribution to the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance programming to declare an emergency person very you're recognized explain the bill. You Miss Speaker. Hello friends. I just had to say this is well thank. The only thing standing between you and the ice outside is me so hope for a good vote on this is fairly simple all it does is let the state cap of five hundred fifty dollars on the state employee health benefits is won't be raised right now if it does get raised will go before the A. L. C. for approval that's all it does and I appreciate a good vote. President berries explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent various close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill eighty eight per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted voting on the bill in the emergency clause has everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause are past members removed the yellow supplemental budget calendar representative Jeanne moos we re referred house bill ten sixty seven to committee that's a proper motion represent gene you're recognized explain The motion. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this these be sent back of the lot more work for staff any questions. Create a good vote president Jean is explain The motion when he would like to speak against the motion. We would like to speak for the motion. President Jean is close for the motion the question before the House is the re referral of house bill ten sixty seventy committee all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The motion is adopted. President Jean you're recognized. Being the fact that. The weather gets bad no you want to go home if you can. And we will not. We'll pass over house bill ten thirty one. I had a special member here they're going to speak for today but he's gone so. But I will if you look at it I'm a match the whole place at ten thirty one the truth the appropriations or the property tax of of the perpetrator which is not general revenue of your refund for local taxes not is not general revenue. A house bill ten thirty seven state turned back that's what we do every year of our cities and counties and then the state library but the rest of our supplemental. Of the they have additional funding that they need the appropriation to spend this year whether the federal funds or we've increased the of state turned back for the year for cities and counties. Of a look at it if not we're going back to this whole bunch. Without objection. So members we're gonna batch house bill ten twenty seven ten thirty three. Ten thirty seven. We'll do that okay. We're going to bat first part first because of they do not have emergency clause which should be house bill ten twenty seven. House bill ten thirty three house bill ten thirty seven house bill ten sixty eight. Any pull any of these other batch for any reason. Your one voted for the bill the Speaker the Clerk read bill third time Mr Clark please read the bills for the third time house bill ten twenty seven house bill ten thirty thirty house bill ten thirty seven house bill ten sixty eight. Per machine. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. I have a ninety one Yeas one nine zero present the bill to pass represent gene you're recognized. They were Speaker are we will pick up house bill eleven oh one these are all supplemental. Which means they're preparations from you from now till June thirtieth of this year and we're going down the house bill eleven sixteen. To enable any of these from the back for any reason. Your one voted for the bill emergency clause mixed the Clerk read the bill third tax. Sir Clark please read the bills for the third time house bill eleven a one house bill eleven oh two house bill eleven three house bill eleven oh four eleven oh five House eleven oh six house bill eleven oh seven house bill eleven oh eight house bill eleven oh nine house bill eleven ten house bill eleven eleven house bill eleven twelfth house bill eleven thirteen house bill eleven fourteen house bill eleven fifteen house bill eleven sixteen. The machine. You're voting on the bill in the emergency clause. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety one yeah zero nine zero present the bills emergency clauses have passed. Members before I recognize represent Meeks it in in consultation with the Senate leadership. We're going to we're not going to meet tomorrow I know everybody's here it but there's other considerations just in terms of staff nurse support services getting everybody here so we're gonna go ahead and and will end today I think there's two committees that briefly need to meet right afterwards and we'll hear from those and then the plan will be to come back Monday at noon and then we'll pick up with the I. think special language is going to meet upon adjournment of the house and Senate on Monday so hope everybody stay safe apologize that we couldn't make that make things happen a little quicker but you know we're trying to trying to the best we can understanding that we in a fiscal session we have a limited time frame to get our work done president makes you're recognized. So new not one noon okay. After the announcmenet reading of the bill stressing bills placing the counters on the desk members amending their own bills the own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalizing resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee report I move that we adjourn until noon on Monday that's a proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Motion is adopted any announcements representative wing for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized House Management will meet immediately upon adjournment let's get over to mac B. as quickly as possible because then we've got another one now we're changing that. one thirty eight okay now did now room one thirty eight even closer. Represent back for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized there's gonna be an informal meeting with the summit in energy come which is centerpoint energy the law you guys are seeing some concerns from her constituents concerning their gas bills are gonna talk to us answer some of those questions and answer any questions you might have a committee upon adjournment one forty nine. Represent Vaught for what purpose to announcmenet recognized one I know several of you had signed up to go to the prayer breakfast tomorrow at the governor's mansion that has been canceled it will now be on March the third your ticket is still good it will just be March third instead of in the morning also will have an active forestry economic development upon German thank you. Any other announcements. Like I said members will come back in Monday at noon and then I believe special language will meet upon adjournment and then we anticipate budget meeting tomorrow Tuesday morning. In terms of when we're going to get out of here we're we're hopeful that next week we can finish up all of our work in the budget committee honestly the thing that probably slows down the most right now are the number of holds that we have on various Budget bills and so if you do have a the hold on a bill please try and use the next several days to work through that and see if you can come to some resolution because honestly that's the biggest thing that price stands between us and being able to wrap this up okay. All right there's no other announcements the desk remain open as needed for the reading of bills and upon completion The Addams named in the joint resolution the house will be adjourned until Monday at noon.