Senate Convenes

Senate Gilmore. Senator. Senate. Senate will come before. Madam secretary. Please call. Your announce their. Leave it's been requested for Senator Bledsoe one Senator Clark. Well Jack. Thank. Ballinger. Beckham. Bledsoe's only Caldwell. Chesterfield. Clark only Davis Dismang Eads Elliott. English Flippo flowers Garner. No more Hammer Hendren. Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace. Everyone please stand those in the gallery for the prayer. What we for a man asked for special prayer and consideration for a captain Bryce of the State Police who is dealing with some very substantial health issues and he's got the same for very long time I would ask that the members keep his family in your prayers thank you thank you for bringing that to our check tension I would also like to bring Bledsoe family doctor Bledsoe is with Cecile's Senator Bledsoe at the hospital this time I believe if you keep Bledsoe family in your prayers Senator Garner you lead us in prayer. Absolutely if I can take a few minutes personal privilege as want to say how much we appreciate all the cap the police and the police force here in the state capital to keep a safe every single day and their actions that they take to do that let us pray dear god we pray to you. To send his only son to save us who threw his blood in redemption god we know we have an important duty and responsibility appear for all or Kansas we are blessed and honored that you have instilled in us the ability to come up here to go back on the people's behalf in to do your will as need to be shall we play for pray for the Bledsoe and the captain's family as they go through these trigger trying time we may not know the circumstances but we know you know one and we know you can heal it and you know you can make it better god we ask all these great things in your great name in Jesus name amen. I pledge. We just remind Joe with a gallery welcome you all here and we just ask that you take a look at the policy that has now been posted up there just ask that you comply with with that thank you so much any. Announcements call center sample after Senator Tucker. Thank you others want to recognize today's doctor of the day Dr Gloria Richard Davis is an OBGYN here in Little Rock and of course our nurses sherry Bernard thank you. Welcome welcome to the Senate. Just wanna recognize the Harding academy. What. Get all Harding university class were you. Well. For the admin center. Members of the hot springs leadership reviews here today I'd love for you to welcome I hope to during the in the. Gallery so and if they are make them welcome. Members on your desk you have an invitation to the Arkansas game and fish commission and the Arkansas legislative sportsmen's caucus catfish dinner it's gonna be next Tuesday night at the Arkansas association of counties at six o'clock hope to see their. Centering. I'd like to invite everybody tomorrow at ten AM to the rotunda the salt tanna exhibit is going to be unveiled of committee bill no it's the largest maritime disaster in the history of the United States it took place on a boat ride and merry in Arkansas in fact there are descendants that will be here tomorrow in the that are from here in Arkansas that up there great great grandparents help rescue up many of the soldiers that were injured on the boat so ten o'clock tomorrow the rotunda. Thank you senator any other announcements any items at the desk. Yes Sir will your committee on joint budget to whom was referred Senate bill two Senate bill three Senate bill four Senate bill five Senate bill six Senate bill eight Senate bill nine Senate bill ten Senate bill eleven Senate bill fourteen Senate bill nineteen Senate bill twenty one Senate bill twenty two Senate bill twenty five Senate bill twenty seven Senate bill twenty eight twenty Senate bill twenty nine Senate bill thirty Senate bill thirty one Senate bill thirty two Senate bill thirty seven Senate bill thirty nine Senate bill forty Senate bill forty two Senate bill forty four Senate bill fifty two Senate bill fifty five Senate bill fifty six Senate bill sixty five Senate bill sixty eight all by joint budget recommend that they do pass. Calendar. You're recognized with the. This man you're recognized Senate is my. I need to re refer Senate bill forty back to joint budget for possible amendments when we passed out this morning it's the liquefied pentru gas coal and gas questions all those favor say aye. I have a motion is carried Bills referred. Any any other items Senate resolution twenty one by Senator Hickey to provide for an extension and sine die adjournment of the fiscal session of the ninety third General Assembly Senate resolution twenty one. Senate bill resolution twenty two by Senator Hickey to authorize recesses of either or both chambers for periods of four day four consecutive consecutive days or longer Senate resolution twenty two counted. Senate concurrent resolution one by Senator Ingram to show support for the ratification of the region smart prostate compact between Arkansas Mississippi and Tennessee Senate concurrent resolution one. Counted. Okay related to the give me the else at the desk. I move to the business end of Passover S. B. one moved out of the resolutions so here's a general in the land get S. or two three four five six seven eight nine we're gonna run through those with roll call votes. They've each got to get twenty four we get through nine. ten through eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen there are House equivalents has failed. so we'll move on through the less you do not want to question what what what's the less you don't wanna have them heard and then I know that. Twelve and thirteen Senator Rapert past moved to the bombs have you governor actually not all of resolutions have failed okay. So there is a live resolution still in the house the representative Bentley has. She did not run yesterday okay so actually you do have live resolutions in the house there there are identical resolutions we have what we're going to the walls if their bills but that's. One two three nine four disk of start what is going to hit those marks Senator Garner yes Sir for clarification just because the bill bill to committee in the house doesn't actually mean it's dead thank you still pull that bill I committee yeah I did say it was data said if you want to pull it because of that you need to let me know okay I miss occurs to settle you said they were dead there were no long lines. We're good Senator Hickey as are to. Senate resolution two by Senator Hickey to authorize the introduction of a nonappropriation bill to establish a funding mechanism to ensure solvency of the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance program. Senator Hickey thank you for members I'm not sure about the order that these all these are going to come in so some level may dovetail together and they have to kind of. flip flop around some because again some of these tie in with maybe another bill that center for Senator or written has so. This first bill is is it's a what is a funding mechanism that's going to ensure the solvency of the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance programs. And I will try to explain this however the way that I like to refer to this is this is the bill which forces the conversation. Of the BT APD. Which is our employee benefits division financial support snapshot annually with the latest with the legislature a B. D. and all other stakeholders. The way we have done this is due to require it be the domain of certain reserve balances and report those to the legislature to a see hold annual basis the legislature will have certain options available to you at that time. In setting this up we work with the Segal which is a consultant you hired to arrive at what type of reserves would be deems sufficient and if you're interested in this circle probably have to listen close what we did is we come up that that a sufficient reserve would be a range which is between twelve and sixteen percent with fourteen percent being what we what we define as optimal. It's also supposed to say words no less than twelve percent. but if it's above twelve percent that's acceptable but it requires an action plan on how we get back to the optimal level. If it's below twelve percent this requires the B. D. to notify you'll see of the need for additional funding. I you'll see will review as you can see on page three line seventeen to twenty six. What we can do is we can recommend that the governor call us in for a special session to address. We can take further action or we can not acted all. Whatever we put in or we can take further action what that means is is we would not know what we would need to get it back up to that amount so the possibility could exist that we would not have to come in the session to possibly draw it out of one of our accounts that requires the full legislature to do we could possibly draw it out of a restricted reserve account it would just depend on that amount so that's why we structured it in that fashion. If the legislature fails to act at all which that is an option in the way this bill is set up in the B. D. the director is then required to initiate a process to collect the needed funds. Through employee premium increases reducing benefits or both. We also a revision in the bill that it preserves. If they ever exceed sixteen percent the director may may is important apply the extra to actually lower premium rates for the next year. If the B. D. W. director doesn't offer to lower the rates that I must report Dale C. with what that reasoning is. Solvers any questions on the this funding mechanism I'll be happy to try to answer. Thank you so we're not actually vote on the bill. Senate resolution which would open this fiscal session a non appropriation bills which is something bill to my record. President resolution isn't actually. My response. Yes yes Sir the of course what we do that we we always have like appropriation bills as you'll see like the budget that's going to come down there before so I don't know what you mean really by the opening up for this special session the special session of course the way that's done if if there's a one that's passes here in one house of it passes in the other than it could what these do is they require to be they are required to be. To be passed on both ends of the house. And from the E. B. D. perspective. You all if you remember if you all remember correctly. During the regular session what we did is we actually does all the board that was doing this because of a the extreme physical death difficulties that they were having you all made those votes at that time you know what we did is we said well we're going to try to go in and corrected because we had actually resolution for. So we actually. Yeah we've actually I'm sorry there's been some feedback in here we've actually hired a consultant to do all this and we've actually had to put in like seventy million dollars this last year extra because of the way the program was I think everybody understands that this was something that we had said that we were going to fix if we don't fix this By fixing it Arkansas Tennessee has showed us that on annual top basis we should be saving about seventy million dollars so if we don't do it then there will be a. You know the calls that come with this. Are effective so my question so this is a Senate resolution not a bill. That is correct solution by the constitution we are not appropriation bills choirs two thirds that resolution to come for porting Health Services bill this is voting whether we allow a fiscal session to hear nonappropriation bill something I've never seen doing about five years of being here my incorrect about that. I don't know about the five years that you've been here but but your concept is is correct I thought that the Resented explain that whenever we started that this is what those was this is the resolution. The way that we have filed the resolution is the bill in its entirety is attached so that's the reason that I'm up here doing this I'm presenting the resolution. The resolution is the bill and I'm explaining what's in it. Yes. Service center or this is some of the Germaneness discussion we've had in the past that's not what this is This Is pursuant to the constitutional provision that basically says. We're going to meet every we're gonna have fiscal sessions and if you're going to get outside of appropriations bills appreciate appropriation bills you have to get a two thirds of both chambers we do that the resolution process to get approval for that. In order so there's always for between the resolution and the final bill bills inserted into the resolution so that takes away any any issue as to what we're talking about. Absolutely so this is my procedural question are we voting on the substance of the bill voting on the resolution weatherproof. Chambers to pass these resolution in order for the subset bills to start. Be taken up. Yes. Yes this allows bill to be filed this is not the Bill. Okay so okay. Senator Hammer. Thank you just a point of clarification the bill in its full entirety is in part is in the solution the passage of the solution referred the resolution resolution sorry incorporating the bill if it passes out of here today will be then assigned to a Committee where or is this will not be file actually get sent to get as a more arduous way filing a bill. Right that's the way to think about right to normal you just filing right and nobody. Says anything about there's a hole in a fiscal session to filing certain sort to bills that are covered by the fiscal session and that's what we're doing right and for the benefit that makes sense for me it does but for the benefit of those that may not understand what's going on I just wanna make clarity that we passes resolution not here is not the last time for this or anything coming behind it they're going to get sent to committee for full discussion correct it's analogous to the filing of the bill okay thank you it is not the final passage of the bill okay. Just may go one step further just you got the floor maybe I shouldn't but in in talking with us Steve cook right here you know he's looked at all these things and the way that we would do it they're they're all one. I mean they're all separate resolutions because of the way that you know they. They're different they're different items but we all know that they're all the same so. The way that we're going to do it is I would go through one committee so that all the members could be there so that you know we could all hear this so whenever we're discussing it it would be like an even flow so everybody would know. From bill one through bill nine what that would be how that all ties together yeah and it's really important a little later this is really important that we get is now because we have a whole may be good if we get understanding what we're doing here so we don't have to do it every time we come up on the same thing it's the same thing over and over more wrong I'm not. Thank you any other questions. Speaking again. Only. Senator is recognized. Thank you I was trying to clarify that because there is a distinction constitutionally an otherwise and the reason why I think this is important is very simple. I think we just had a very vicious debate about opening the call of the special session of the things that weren't on the call even if the file so that was kind of germane to the call but not really on there and how that's a violation of this untold principle that we can't do that I think we had an extended debate about the extent regular session. And how we had a letter. A letter. A letter that said how we have to handle that. That letter was awesome. So we're sitting here today I just wanna make sure because I've been here for five years to refuse to fiscal sessions and I've never seen a non appropriation bill come through to rescind resolution ever shall I talk Steve cook he said in the twelve plus year history here there may be in two or three two came through so I understand you're setting a precedent today. After over and over again we spoke about how we can't violate some president of the Senate by doing this. So I mean I just wanna make sure everybody aware that that you know I've heard the argument ma'am we have a regular session every two years here substance Bills we have a regular session for doing this yeah we're doing it today. Hey we don't need to be a full time legislator gods I'm a part time legislator. We're here in additional bills today. I just think it's funny that the second the shoe's on the other foot those involved all rules suddenly get violated and we have a Senate resolution to put it on there to hear a substantive bill. Just want to point that out so we all knew clarifying clarity exactly what's happening today thank you. Senate. Anyone else for against all. Senate rates close on the resolution yeah I just the. I want to comment as far as a what we just heard I want to make sure that everybody here understands at least two distinctions the first is is a fiscal session this is the process that's in place that if we bring these up with two thirds votes and the phone both ends they get it then we hear it also want to make the distinction that you all fully understand this this is the fiscal situation session. This is a fiscal matters I thank you all know this we didn't dissolve the the board that was in place because it was just for just for fun and again if I believe memory serves me correctly through a L. C. and possibly what the Department of it is done they've had to we had to put in an additional seventy million dollars a year and again these are going to create those savings the reason for doing it and doing it now would be this. We had the way some of these bills are structured we have to put have and we're going to have it or if the process to go out to get these vendors who are going to do this type of work with the way that we're doing it we have to have time for that to put that or if the process in in place for all that to come in together for those people to respond. Then we have an open enrollment period for a public school employees and our state employees on that October on October one. And then this plan would go into in the place owned phone January one of twenty twenty three so that's the that's the whole reason and reason for doing it this way. I'm asking everyone of these. If you want to roll call vote. Because we have if you to just say you don't want to we are going to try to go quickly and expeditiously as possible okay. We're good center okay. Please call. I think I saw objection objection on the boat. Roll. Please Ballinger Beckham Caldwell Chesterfield Davis Dismang Elliott English Flippo flowers Garner Gilmore hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace you always change their vote. Cast a ballot thirty two yeah zero days. The bill the resolution is passed. Adopted Senator Rice as four three. Senate resolution three by Senator Rice to authorize a non appropriation bill to require a fiscal impact statement for any proposed legislation imposing a new or increased cost obligation for health benefit plans including pharmacy benefits on an entity of the state have thank you Mr president. Members to go along with a Senator Hickey said I know most your informed on this some of this is spent almost a year on this one something that was very desires to do that had to be done I would remind you this is a three quarter of a billion dollar program that has to be addressed for state employee insurance. The teacher insurance so there has been is Senator Hickey described the need to move this along S. R. three. requires fiscal impact statement. As it says in the title. One thing that the B. D. didn't require is what the legislature requires for fiscal impact statements is one thing that can lead to the site getting off course one thing you remembers the insulin bill which we all. Wanted are the public to have affordable insulin and we passed a bill to help that but I actually found out later there was something like a nine million dollar hit in that had to be we had repealed last and and come back in and try to find another way to do that that's one reason for this bill is to require in the impact statement I'd be glad to answer any questions again if not I'll try to get your answer Sir Garfield thank you I think definition impact statement what what practical reality with that look like what would be an impact. This. B. B. summer two fiscal impact statement to the FNA does not to to tell you what what we change changes in the day and and something that had been say that's in this legislation again the nine bills. There's going to be a governing board set up there's going to be the board of finance is going to continue to be over and the Legislative Council will be involved so there's more safeguards that but the integration of the fiscal impact as assigned by that that insulin bill would that would have shown there could be up to a nine million dollars. the the CBD program with us passing that bill but that's the reason for that. Okay any other questions Senator flowers. Call for. Is this. It The law. In. It is my understanding that that's what it is physically packages to see any of the liability for or negatives it that are there just to just revealing be transparent we can make an informed decision. The lead. Thank. Senator garner which again. Thank you Mr president I generally disagree with any kind of thing that limits our legislative property you know we got this new center here and I'm talking about follow man who's running for this hopefully gets the and try to explain to him all the different restriction we have in front of the bill I tried thinking law can't remember mall I know that the retirement you have to have a fall by a certain time if it's going to tax and rate of fiscal impact from the up in a are you can't hear it I know that I think public health you have to follow later license Bills beforehand I mean this probably doesn't morning forgot about that and limit your ability to be a legislator. And that's all that is you can say about this and that but it's nothing wrong with any of the bill like we do it through the normal legislative process. So I would normally not vote against all these things here's my kind of key point of this I think if you're I think we need fiscal impact statements. What we write the law to do that. What we just passed Senate rules or to the committee process like we do with the number so the rules. Can the committee chairman not handle it. Create Senator flowers comment about fiscal impact statement the law we're writing doesn't say that says a written statement that shows a realistic from the proposition of what the boy bill will cost that's important me because I have one those from BLR during the special session that was rejected by committee. This is my point. This is a law that says you can't legislatively act and lessen executive branch agency gives you the authority through a fiscal impact statement. Now what would happen. If that fiscal impact statement didn't come. Don't know next covers will be I know I think it's going to be but I don't know that ten years down the road we have another governor. What is the fiscal impact never came. Could you ask. Religious questions think about that because this is not the Senate rule over the majority rule this is a law that we have to meet in order to do it. How about this. We are putting into law our legislative power which means a court can come and decide whether we legislatively acted correctly. Three what your lawyer about the past says anything affecting these programs so far I'm a lawyer and say like you know teacher retirement insurance seems to be fairly contentious issue and I want to sue a lawyer affecting this we're not just have the perfect opportunity to go through this law find something affecting it that didn't pull the exact requirements of law and get it thrown out by Little Rock judge. Did not have the. I don't see why we can pass the Senate resolution RCVS Senate rules are committee chairmen oral I don't know what we're putting in the law that we allow the FNA to give us a fiscal impact before rule at thank you. Senator Hendren. Yeah question Garner I think he's. I think he's done anybody else wish to speak for against on Senator rated close Senator Rice. The rights record Senator Hendren one second. Yeah I have a question Senate. Yes yes thanks. I just want to clarify that the law does provide for number one there has to be an objection raised and number two two thirds of the membership can overrule the objection here the legislation anyway correct. Thank you. Okay. I am enclosing this levy of IT folks online Page two line seven days a special impact statement means a realistic written statement of the purpose of the proposed law and estimated financial cost to an entity of the state for implementing implementing or complying with a proposed law so that can mean different things I'm at five city if I'm not a it it may not be used for that may not be required to so I I'm I'm I have let you down the wrong road there we might have to hire an actuary to to come up thanks there is the safeguard we put a lock or built in here to to allow us to do that. Senate closes this about his clothing go ahead. Okay thank you Mr president Senator Rice we've alluded to who makes the impact statement did we not the last regular session created position within the bill are that will do a economic analysis and things like this on behalf of the legislative branch branch Versace's as depending on the executive branch is it I I read that I understand that correctly I don't know that I can substantiate what I'm getting a nod from the budget you're I'm on take that is yes I have one thing is not as we get in as we get into the committee in these questions can be done and we requires amendments you know we can address that Committee thank you Sir have for. C. rice you may have said it Mrs what what what was the incident or issue that prompted this legislation prompted the EBT no problem it will prompt of this particular legislation something probably occurred and so I just want to make sure that we are talking about the whole nine bills known as or three okay discussed so much a it's part of the whole the package is is required it's a massive change of again about three quarter billion dollar program so too right now A. B. D. did not have anything in the rules that required a financial impact for them to make planning. And as we know since twenty thirteen to program got upside down. Because people didn't make tough decisions that were were needed and that's what we tried to do along with our consultant is put in the safeguards in other states and other I have to allow that to happen. We'll. Absolutely don't object to anything that is more credible evidence on a piece of legislation about what we need to do it I just was trying to think back I remember that something did happen it was trying to be and and I thought maybe this was the way to prevent that when all these bodies going in the future. There there has been a lot of long term planning in this proof beyond just this body Richard senator thank you. Law. Senate will take centre you will take your questions Senator Hammer. I'm not sure it looks like it's going to Senator thank you senator I should buy remember right correct me if I'm wrong is is related to the Diaby this bill that was passed that ended up on what we can be potentially nine million dollars to even a and this is this bill is going to correct that from happening again and again that that's what I brought up on the on that insulin they'll nine nine million dollars to to this program that thanks to head that off from finding out later we had come back read repealed or changed right thank you thank you centers close any objection on the vote. There's objection please call the roll. We have a pair at the desk Senator Bledsoe yes Senator Garner no. Ballinger. Ballinger. Beckham. Bledsoe's yes Caldwell. Chesterfield. Clarkson leave Davis. DISMANG. Elliott. English. Flippo. Flowers. Garner. Gilmore. Gilmore. Yes Hammer. Hendren. Hester. Hickey Hill. Ingram. Irvine. Blake Johnson. Smith. Thank you said I do say I sent Johnson you say aye. Mark Johnson. Leding. Page. Rapert. Rice. Sample. Stubblefield. Sturch. Sullivan. Teague. Teague Tucker. Wallace. Mollis game always change their vote. Cast a ballot thirty eight just one day. Two not voting the resolution is adopted Senator rights. Thank you Mr president. As our for one second. She's going to read it for you. Senate resolution four by Senator Rice to authorize the nonappropriation bill to provide for legislative oversight of the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance program and establish the employee benefits division oversight subcommittee to have. Thank you gonna serve for directs the Arkansas Legislative Council to create the employee benefits division oversight subcommittee we will have review or approval authority of matters related to the health benefits program including without limitation contracts appropriation transfers rules changes to plans issues related to the reserve balance it requires EBD to submit quarterly reports to the subcommittee related to the State and Public School hail the scope Public School Life and Health Insurance program and it requires a subcommittee to conduct a study regarding regarding the vibe bility of the General not be dis management program for the health benefits plans looking Toward the possibility of legislation for twenty twenty five regular session. I'd be glad to take any questions any questions. Wish to speak. Gather for server closed. These role. Ballinger Beckham Caldwell Chesterfield Davis Dismang Eads Elliott English Flippo flowers Garner Gilmore hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace if you wish to change their vote cast a ballot three D. eight zero nays resolutions adopted serving as our fall. Senate resolution five by Senator Irvin to authorize the introduction of the nonappropriation bill to clarify the definition of eligible in active retiree and tomato modifying the eligibility of retirees to participate in the life and health insurance program but. Thank you members this is a resolution to allow us to introduce this legislation to define what is going on what will be an eligible in active retiree and just to modify as that definition for eligibility qualifications for retirees. Your Speaker again for centers close I have injection on the vote. The robot Ballinger Beckham Caldwell Chesterfield Clark Davis Dismang Eads Elliott English Flippo flowers Garner Gilmore hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace you will wish injured wrote. Cast a ballot thirty two yeah zero nays resolution is adopted Senator Hickey S. R. six Senate resolution six by Senator Hickey to authorize the introduction of a nonappropriation bill to establish a governing body for the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance program and to create an advisory committee. Thank you Sir okay members as we've been discussing as you all know you dissolve the governing board of a VD due to the extreme physical issues that we're having with the program you all transfer to the those duties to the state board of finance basically what was what was what was supposed to be the short term until we could figure out a better Avenue to do this. what this bill does it. it expands the scope of governance and helps ensure the solvency over the long term. So first this bill establishes that the state board of finances the permanent governing entity it also adds the Insurance Commissioner to the state board of finance only that's important only for the purpose of doing with these health benefit plans as we feel like that'll be a great fit with their added experience in the subject matter. The building sets up two distinct health benefit visor committees one for the hot one for the public school employees and one for the state employees both advisory committees will have their own separate five members. For the public school employees the governor appoints three members with a professional or physical experience in the industry of health insurance actuarial services financial bank or banking services confirmation of the Senate is also required with that. One member will be also be a public school employee with a minimum of five years consecutive participation in the plan and one member You will have a member who is would have a member of a minimum of two years as a retired public school employee with five. Here's a minimum of sixteen sixty participation of plants or amount of money that confusing both of the members of a both of these members are approved by the lives legislature and the pro tem and the House the Speaker of the house they will alternate in those assignments are on every three years. The bill has it the commission shall meet monthly and they'll have a have a minimum of twelve meetings annually. their requirements for the members to attend the meetings the commission members will also receive a staff and a five hundred dollars a month plus mileage. This state employees Commission is structured with the same identical concept. Our ten days can answer any questions on this. A question anyone would speak against the poor centers close yes Senator Elliot. My question. Thank you would you repeat again please about the appointments. Yes ma'am. The of course the state the state board of finance we'll call that your main governing entity of this. Going to at the end Insurance Commissioner. As a as a member of that of that particular larger board the the overall board but then underneath it we're going to have these two The commission boards that are going to be they're going to operate separately and there's going to be three members three members each on each one of those that are appointed by the governor those are the ones that have the. the experience in professional health insurance actuarial services financial services things of that nature. Then both of those will also have to other members. And those members one will be a moment will be a member. One member will be a public school employee. With a minimum of five years consecutive participation in the plan. K.. And one member who is a who has a minimum of two years as a and is a retired public school employee but they will also have to have five years consecutive experience in the plan although they're retired they have of course had been employed in part of this in their fat at least in their last five years of the of the retirement or before retirement and those appointments now or those appointments going to be done but they do say the Speaker and the president pro tem that's correct at that time they will be. Of course the way that we structured it was is the alternate so one three years the over the pro to me is that I will I will appoint the house Speaker the other then after three they'll just rotate. Will there be a process for for the folks who were participants in the plan and also those who retired to make recommendations about those appointments or is it just straight ahead the Speaker the president from ten point no there are recommendations echo failed to say the. Give me just a moment. At. Yes I know use the of a public school thing. This will be selected from a list of three names that are going to be submitted by the executive director of the Arkansas education association to the appointing authority. No whatever I say I'm sorry that's all I needed okay that might be out of the bill so that that's all I need yes ma'am no which is still there thank you so much for your response centers close Page. My quick question is fairly quick I've attended a couple of these DFA. The board gonna get my terms right. And they are upset Board that deals with the math multitude of issues and I think if I read this right you're going to bring this one issue in front of them and then put another voting member in the room at that time do I have that right. Just as it relates to the subject matter matter of the Employee benefits division so in other words you're going to you're going to have these two smaller commission board set. As for lack of a better word they're gonna be meeting monthly watching over the plan seeing what needs to be done and then they're going to bring it to the larger board and at that point we'll bring the insurance commissioner in mainly because of their you know their knowledge and experience in this type of subject matter so it'll be just for that I like what we're doing at this of local I think that's good and needed I just I'm not sure how. Rules running a meeting halls or whatever is going to allow for a non voting member on eight of nine issues on the agenda and then you're going to have one issue that relates to this somebody coming in as long as we got that figured out the bill I'll be fine we are concerned they will they'll only still only step forward during those discussions. Okay. Because if there. They're dealing with some other subject matter that is totally separate from the employee benefits division. And whenever they get to that particular agenda item whatever they get to that particular agenda item is where they'll step in. Senator Hammer. Thank you just for clarity because the executive order they're going to be able to override the special the board that would bring the recommendations to them. My understanding that right they would have the ability of a certain age it's more of a recommendation as more recommendation is going to come to them in the and as far as from that standpoint they have the full and final authority on what to send over to the legislature so yes Sir my answer your question would be yes but it's probably even more so I mean they're going to be the they are going to be the ones that are actually in charge from the executive branch are from that side to see into AOC. And so what's the process in the event that there's disagreement between the recommendation what the executive board decides if it should given the fact that the support is going to have experts in the field related to it. What's what's the corrective action if if the Finance board decides no we don't like that it takes us back in the wrong direction what we what we change from where we are now we'll of course everything we coming through the. Some of this stuff is coming with the To the smaller boards if you want to call the roll call on the board you know we're going to have this new Committee set up an A. O. C. so this is going to be a process that the legislatures involved in as far as hearing all this stuff and no one were at multiple times you know throughout the year. It's to be expected of course city B. D. director that they're going to be in the room also in the end though I mean so we'll know what all the discussions are words that in the end it will be what to the state board of finance since the us you know for us to review or approve. Sir could ultimately end up in their life as far as if it if it doesn't go right they would own it if it doesn't go right other than a L. C. would have some approval process over is that correct they would but I also think that we have to look at it this way not say that anything could happen but the The the other bill that we just heard. If you remember right within that bill I said that you know if there's a problem or those reserve balances were to get to below twelve percent if they get below twelve percent and we have enacted then the premiums are going to increase so again I don't see the see what what I under I appreciate to the question but there would be at an automatic thing that would happen which would keep keep our financial situation from getting in the way that has been previously or leased by the radar screen where we'll have the conversations later well again again now what I don't I don't know misleading buddy because it would be automatic that if we don't act we don't put money in the legislature did meet premiums would either go up on the employee side or benefits would have to be reduced because that's going to be a statute or thank you yes Sir just clarifies something sure you already know. If this resolution passes and in the Senate you're going to have the committee process. You're gonna have the Florida debated again. I know that's what surviving was gonna point out. This is just to see whether we even get you to get the following bill. Just clarifies. Thank you want to vote. Please roll. Ballinger Beckham Caldwell Chesterfield Davis Dismang Eads Elliott English Flippo flowers Garner Gilmore hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace if you wish to change their vote. Cast a ballot thirty two yeah eight zero days the resolution is adopted Senator Rice as to road S. R. seven and then S. or Senate resolution seven by Senator Rice to authorize the introduction of a rear non appropriation bill to modify the state contribution to the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance program. Service thank you this R. seven the simple removes the cap the other bills it's in this package set controls allows us to look at the health and Dixie P. Senator Hickey described it goes through the governing board board of finance Nailsea saves having to change statute every year. Try to answer any questions any questions that arise. Speaking against centers close any objection on the vote please roll Ballenger Beckham Caldwell Chesterfield Davis Dismang Eads Elliott in. English Garner. They're going. Garnishment. Okay. Flippo flowers. Gilmore hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace in Westchester vote. Cast a ballot thirty one days one day the resolution is adopted before we go to S. R. eight Senator Clarke Tucker of Little Rock had something very important to talk about you senator. I wish you would come down here. Not get into that debate. Down here you want me to do this with the other. I'm a troublemaker. Since announce the doctor to doctor of the day I learned two important things number one Dr Richard Davis was not with us in the chamber when I recognized her but I also have since learned that she that her husband. Is a very important person in my life when I had a real urgent need for a doctor he was there for me as far as I'm concerned he saved my life so I just want to take a moment we have doctor Richard Davis here with us today and and both both of these she and her husband are very valued members not just of UAMS in central Arkansas but tires. Thank you and welcome Dr Richard. It may be the distance but it looks like Paul McCartney dead documentary you'll just. But I know you love a lot cleaner. A. Senate resolution eight by Senator Rice to authorize the introduction of a nonappropriation bill to establish coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of morbid obesity and the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance program. Thank you and this is the last one that I have members this is what I have more commonality with than anything else because it is a very serious thing we talk about the diagnosis treatment of of morbid obesity what this does the original program that expired December thirty first twenty one this bill reinstates the program offering coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of morbid obesity and include bariatric surgery it allows the state board of finance subject to approval of the Arkansas Legislative Council to discontinue the program and its to an annual expenditure caps on the program if needed to ensure the financial status of the program and allow for promulgation of rules to implement the provisions of the bill something that we had in our study that we had that on from other states that the data showed is correct diagnosis in the history shows that thirty five to forty five percent savings if this is done correctly. It is a great help for diabetics and those with certain heart disease shows the help we had testimony from a doctor that said he can cure diabetes about sixty percent of the time. With this so it is while I remember when we first discussed the the morbid obesity coverage it was a fight with a reservoir lady in OP one of the just losing weight and then sometimes you know they're just trying to gain by. What if we were shown is the pilot program we had it had the three million dollars that all got used up people signed up for the first ten minutes when it opened up I think it did not and and that was used up it wasn't getting the the people that needed the treatment that can get the best hello in the best position she's out of it in this program has shown in other states that it is a money saver. And the main day it is a health and life saver so I would appreciate a good vote on any questions Senator Garner as questions yes Sir correct this is expanding that covers to is currently not allowed under state law is that correct this is. Reinstituting. The the coverage do we have a fiscal impact statement on this. We've probably got semester that I know of no. Okay just wanna make sure we we have one and I can find one okay. Why should they when we speak against four centers close any objectionable a vote. The role. Ballinger Beckham Caldwell Chesterfield Davis Dismang Eads Elliott English Flippo flowers Garner. More hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace anyone wish to change their vote. Cast up the ballot thirty two Hey zero nine as well as solutions dot center or. Senate resolution nine by Senator Irvin to authorize introduction of a nonappropriation bill to amend the public school employees health insurance program funding center. Members this resolution allows and legislation to be introduced which would help us in correcting the funding mechanism for public school employees it's important that we do pass this resolution and this law this time because this funding mechanism has to be done during our current adequacy study which we are in the process of doing now which has to be completed by November so I would appreciate a good vote only answer any questions any questions they always speak against or for centers close any objection or the vote please remember. Ballinger Beckham Caldwell Chesterfield Davis Dismang Eads Elliott English Flippo flowers Garner Gilmore hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace was injured. Cast a ballot thirty two A. zero nine is the resolutions adopted Senator Dismang first of the two started. Senate resolution ten by Senator Dismang authorize the introduction of a nonappropriation bill to amend the revenue stabilization law create funds and make transfers to and from funds and fund accounts. Thank you members this just allow us to to file and start on RSA we have to take any questions are going to be two of them because we have to RSA's when the house one Senate questions. What we speak against poor service close close injection. Please roll. Ballinger Beckham Caldwell Chesterfield Davis Dismang Eads Elliott English Flippo flowers Garner Gilmore hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace you wish to change their vote. Cast a ballot thirty two yeah zero nice resolutions adopted Senator Dismang yes or or send resolution eleven by Senator Dismang to authorize the introduction of a nonappropriation bill to revise the revenue stabilization law create fun to make transfers to and from funds and fund accounts. That is what I'm closed Senate is minus close any objection on the vote the role of. Ballinger Beckham Caldwell Chesterfield Davis Dismang Eads Elliott English Flippo flowers Garner Gilmore hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Leding Pitsch Rapert Rice sample Stubblefield Sturch Sullivan Teague Tucker Wallace was injured by a. Cast a ballot thirty two yeah As You NA's resolutions adopted Senator Rapert has asked that as our twelve SR thirteen he put it at the bottom of the calendar or do pass over for now and go to S. R. fourteen Senator Stubblefield. Senate resolution fourteen by Senator Stubblefield to authorize the introduction of a nonappropriation bill to establish the Arkansas human heart beat and human life civil justice inside the lives of unborn children and protect the health of women through civil liability. Senator so. Thank you governor. I'm not going to blame for this for a long time because I know you've heard this before but I do want to say some things that some of these things will be personal for me because I think it's important for you know them first of all. You've heard it said before the Supreme Court will be ruling in June that will render a decision on the dog the Mississippi case first of all no one knows what the Supreme Court will decide they don't know what that decision will be in June. But what we do know. Is that this is the only abortion bill. The Senate bill fifteen if we can just get this to committee to discuss the only portion bill in the United States. That will save lives right now if we pass this resolution an Supreme Court does not overturn roe versus Wade we will save anywhere from six to eight hundred babies. Here in Arkansas between now and the time the Supreme Court rules on roadworks is way six to eight hundred babies. The language of Senate bill resolution fifteen will immediately into portion in Arkansas and upon enactment regardless of what the Supreme Court decides to do in the case versus stop. That's a fact. Want to read to you so the rebuttals of some of the same some of the claims that have come out. Against. Of this resolution first of all let me give you let me give you just a little testimony. Back in December the twentieth. Some of you know that some of you don't. I had a very close call of in fact I was in the hospital here in Little Rock and almost died I had a blood clot. In my portal vein I had to potential aneurysms in some hepatic arteries and they didn't know if I would make it through the night. And one four doctors come in and tell you that there might objective is keeping the love alive through the night I can promise you. That you will have a whole new perspective on life. The things that you do because I laid there after those four doctors last. And I thought about all the things I've done I'm seventy year old. All the things I've done and during my lifetime. Regarding war. The horses that we have and we raise even the Senate. All those things all of a sudden became meaningless. And I promise you if the doctor tells you that you feel the same way. It's only those things that you've done. For your family for your friends for the lord those are the only things the joint account. I have a picture in my office. Some little girls two little girls standing standing in the middle of a thousand little white wooden crosses. And above the heading of those two little girls it says I am your voice. Because none of those little babies that are buried under this crosses have had a voice they had no one to speak for them. You have a chance to speak for them. Let me look at some of the let's look at some of these things in a bit Senate. About this case. First of all. Senate bill. Senate bill fifteen could jeopardize the criminal prohibitions on abortion in act three of nine. And there were two groups like Planned Parenthood and the A. C. O. you will argue in federal court in Newark laws regarding abortion take precedence over three oh nine and make abortions illegal. That's not true. Let me tell you why it's not true section two Senate bill fifteen makes unmistakably clear that the bill could not be construed to take precedence over three oh nine section two says this. It is the specific intent of this act that the president the provisions of this act are the supplemental to cumulative to. In addition to existing laws civil and criminal and shall not be construed to amend repeal or otherwise is set those existing laws including without limitation the Arkansas unborn child protection act. That means there's no reason that a bill that tracks Senate bill fifteen we can or interfere with the enforcement previous enacted enacted abortion restrictions and the and the bill was carefully crafted to prevent that from happening. The second just just to clarify what world fourteen I think you just said it at a very early vote thank you referred to fifteen a few times. Sorry. But just make sure we're tracking over fourteen got to. Thank you second claim there's no law that we could pass right now that was saving the lives of the unborn between now and the summer when the US Supreme Court issues its decision adopt case which will likely come in June the Texas heartbeat Act. Has shown that states can ban abortions now without waiting for jobs factors twenty six states getting ready to pass this law now. We don't have to wait until spring court rules on jobs they need only to enacted abortion ban like Senate bill fifty. Fourteen. That is enforced exclusively for private civil enforcement lawsuits to Texas heartbeat Act has been in effect for over five months and it saves countless lives and none of the lawsuits brought against the Texas RB to have succeeded. If Arkansas an act Senate bill fourteen which uses the same enforcement mechanism as a Texas heartbeat that the law will take immediate effect cannot be blocked in court. Number four. There's a claim that we pass this. It will go to judge Baker. Which that she will enjoin. Judge Baker's bound by the Supreme Court ruling in the whole women's Act which prevents abortion providers from challenging abortion restrictions that aren't for solely through the private civil enforcement lawsuits the whole women's health truly. Is a ruling of the Supreme Court which buys every circuit in every district judge in the country more importantly the law of the eighth circuit already makes clear that statue center and for so only through the private civil lawsuit cannot be challenged pre enforcement in federal court. By the way there is no right. In the constitution for abortion. Well let me read you just a few personals. That. I was sitting there last night and I thought. You know there's got to be more this we just got to be more this. So I looked at. Correct six nineteen. Redo your committee on six nineteen to. Says that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Who is in the US. Whom we have from who is in us whom we have from god therefore we are not our own. In the first six twenty it also says that you have been bought with a price therefore glorify god in your body and in your spirit which are god's. So if your child of god your body belongs to god. We belong to god in our bodies are he is that are actually part of him. If you're born again believer in the holy spirit lives in you. That he actually is part of your body. Henceforth the taking of the life of the merging of a child is not right in god's eyes or any Bible believing believer in Jesus Christ. That's why the shedding of innocent babies blood. Is an abomination to the lord which he says he had aids and if god had something. I can assure you that you and I should have you. It also make sure that we knew and understood. The person. Of an unborn child. What we talked about you know. The girl testified yesterday he was going to get an abortion. He said what you want in the clinic the lady wouldn't let her see the ultrasound. Because it was nothing but a blob. Let me tell you what god says about that. Got it got said he made sure that we knew and understood the person to come in on board child in psalms one thirty nine. This is what it says. This is a baby talking. You saw who you created me to be before I became a. Before I'd ever seen the light of day the number of days you plan for me. We're already records. Finally. Every person. Every person on this planet. Has a god given destiny. And a purpose to fulfill on the server. Even in rape and incest. You know what the Bible says about rape and incest. I looked it up last time. In Ezekiel eighteen twenty. It says it is the person who committed this crime that should be killed not the child. And finally. There are a number of us in here. Who have dealt with disabled. And the form children. You know what the lord says about that. He said this to Moses. It It who makes a person's mouth who decides who speaks. Our does not speak. To hear are not here. To see or not see. It is it is it not I the lord. Do you question what I do for my children. These are all things I think we need to consider. When we talk about life. If the Texas heartbeat bill. Save only one baby. I would be in favor of it. Because I have six grandkids. One bright orange kid. When I hold them. I see more than just a child. Because god reduce breed them to them the life. They are part of the R.. All we're asking is that. You let us take this bill to committee let the expert. Come in and it'll and let's discuss it like we do any other bill. Let the doctors Committee. But those who make the policy the lawyers could be in love to sit down don't these children deserve at least a two hour committee meeting. I think that. Sturch Senator Stubblefield as president is still there any questions for centers to. Seven has left the well that are there any senators who wish to speak for against the bill. The resolution center right here to see. For. Yes Sir I just going to speak briefly at. I know some time ago vocabulary fails me I know some great portals and this place here I've heard some great words from you. But I gotta say something and I just got a laid out plan. This idea that if we pass this is cool get rid of all or portion laws in Arkansas it's stupid. During a better word for. No I know that they also on the life news and this article that we have passed forty two new with abortion laws in Arkansas's from two thousand eleven two thousand twenty one and I have a whole list I mean most of the Senate whose own no the pro life side is ran a bill Senate bill more my sales Senator Rapert some other folks. Last time I checked whenever we ran those bills and pass them I don't remember them automatically superseding the other ones unless the code itself was doing with that in fact I think we have multiple or abortion restrictions which has happened under this law the land has not been an issue. Which is the case you don't wanna use Arkansas example how about in Texas. Thank you pass this law did automatically get rid of all of those legal laws have been there. What about from the Planned Parenthood website which deals with some restrictions you have in Texas on abortions with notification requirement with having getting to visit before the abortion how about the Gupta Meyer marker institution which is a pro abortion group they listen more full laws that are still in effect from January first two thousand twenty two that you have to follow this concept that if we pass this this somehow supersedes the dozens of other laws we have is stupid. So that I mean you can have a debate about the what you won't do this or not. But this is that it will not happen how will this other idea that will open the slippery slope and allow people on the other side of the aisle that we disagree politically in other states do this. Mandaue heard argument that they may come for our second amendment right signal you civil action to come for our second amendment rights. They may come allow your neighbor to go to a court. Thank you to order against you use in a civil action. If we allow this to happen. Okay minute that's already allowed it's called a red flag law. And that's happened since nineteen ninety nine when the first one pass to Connecticut. Don't you get a first member right. Government can come you got free speech but if you liable me slander me or do anything else I can sue you in court all day about property rights we allow private actions against other people all the time. This idea that we're going to open this floodgates is silly the gates already open job to stand in the way of the flood which should be protecting unborn babies go to judge Baker let her turn down. OKS because you know what happened in Texas it went to a federal judge they blocked it and then went up the circuit. In the circuit next level said Hey we're gonna allow this is a pre import basically stepped in so we're not going to stop this it's always been saving babies lives ever since then. So we're going to do the same thing we can allow to go to a federal judge if they want to block it that's a provocative and then it goes up the circuit and the president from the fifth circuit will have a strong influence on the eighth circuit especially with the Supreme Court making the decision it did so this is I'm gonna finish up very simple with this. If we start today. We will save babies lives. There is no if and but. When I came up here to be pro life did not mean I was going to start playing games this in that it me if I have a chance to save babies lives and we have a precedent set by the fifth circuit confirmed by the Supreme Court and I'm going to do that you won't know how no this will affect them because yesterday when the House resolutions went down the pro abortion side cheered. What I remember from our overwhelming Republican majority was a parole which abortion person saying. Abortion is safe in Arkansas today. I said this on Facebook and I'll say it again something I learned in the military when your enemy is happy you anyone in. Senator Garner spoken on resolutions anyone else to speak on the resolution Senator Rapert you're recognized. Thank you Mr president. All members on sorry I thought I was recognized actually. One of the. It appears that you have a individuals going to we all speak. And the people build not before the vote the resolution and I ask here to remind the world that the will this be for our again they're not speak for or against the bill. For or against the resolution so. Senate. Yes. And I. Resolution is. In. And we're. In a separate. Thank you Mr president. Well members I will first will say that I appreciate senator Stubblefield courage in and bring the resolution also thank the members of the House there's many of you either talk with me this state. Earned a reputation of being the most pro life state in the country not once but twice we worked hard. I believe. To be real honest with you there's a lot of issues going on here that aren't necessarily about the bill we all know that. But don't let other issues cloud the fact that we're voting on life. And that is the issue. We've said here and we've authorized resolutions. Some of them without any dissent opening up the session very soon Senator issues that we want to deal with that's the process that actually was the process in December. And that's something that we get to do. I think we do need to address the things that my colleagues who brought up here today there are things that are important. But I want to tell you. There's nothing any more important than the lives of of babies in our country. I was looking today and I stand what the country saying about. Frankly Arkansas and Texas and all of these heartbeat bills. This is students for life these are young people who by the way thank god or more pro life than the older generations. Because they've grown ups in ultrasounds on their refrigerator doors and saying their babies and talk about their little brother little sister before the baby is even born heartbeat actis is it headline heartbeat actor still saving lives in Texas every day other states are following suit. This is for life news Joe Biden says one point four million to Texas abortion businesses after have part B. law save thousands of babies. Texas Army law saving so many babies from abortion that Planned Parenthood calls it devastating. Devastating. Yeah we heard somebody actually say yesterday. The U. stepping forward passing this bill would be devastating to our pro life laws when the left in the a pro abortion people are the ones out here saying that the Texas law is what's devastating. Daily wire abortions plunge staggering sixty percent in Texas after the first month first month of the heart beat Act. In other news headline abortions in Texas again fell approximately sixty percent during the first month following the implementation of the state's new law which bans most procedures once a fetal heartbeat can be detected breaking news yesterday Wisconsin. Wisconsin. Passing the heartbeat bill with the Texas Civil cause of action. in national right to life which is been misquoted so many times Vaid tweeted out this nearly thirty two hundred children were saved in just one month following enactment of the Texas heart beat Act and more have been protected in the months since said Carol to bias the president of the national right to life I have never seen the amount of misinformation on the issue of life as I've seen in the last six to nine months in our country and you know why. This because abortion is the absolute strongest faults god erected in our nation in the history of the country. Sixty three million little babies have been killed and. We're right here at the cusp what's in Texas say babies and we're not doing anything about this resolution is about this fact. Every single day March for life's is seventy five precious lives were saved from abortion thanks to the Texas heart be law you've heard the resolution from Senator Stubblefield. So I'm not gonna go through all of it. But I will tell you that what it does. It takes the strongest pro life bill that you all passed. In twenty one ACT three oh nine is simply says we see a way for it to be enforced to switch not stopped. That is all it's doing. And you know why that we know that it has the U. S. supreme court is actually listen to this four times and refused to stop the bill. And by the way I can go around all day telling you that I've talked to fourteen lawyers are fifty lawyers are a hundred lawyers we all know how that Trickey is but you know what we did we put it in black and white. And we put somebody that actually stepped up and showed you and by the way lest you dismiss Jonathan Mitchell he is the man that crafted this particular approach which is absolutely stop to the left in this saving babies and he'll have a crown in heaven for that I'll guarantee. So here's where we're at. I saw this. Planned Parenthood of greater Texas reports that Planned Parenthood clinics in neighboring states including Arkansas saw one thousand and eighty two percent increase in Texas addresses in their abortion clinics. This resolution is meant for us to do what we've done all our all our careers are what most of us have a look I'm not talking to those of you that never vote for these bills I'm not talking to you you you make your point clear but I'm I'm call and hold my colleagues that are Republicans in the sanctity of life is the second principle of our platform. Hey by the way the the Texas heartbeat bill July of twenty one legislators from all over America came together in Dallas Texas in the meeting of the national association of Christian lawmakers they debated and vetted the Texas heartbeat bill senator Bryan Hughes of Texas was there to present that particular bill and they passed their very first model law was the Texas heartbeat bill with this Civil cause of action. It's so let's just be real simple here. We we say we want to save lives. We keep saying black group judges down the street stop what we do. But guess what's happening in Texas they're saving lives. Four times the US Supreme Court has said your bills okay four times and you can Markham you can throw up these false flags in these ghosts about what they're doing and guess what. They're saving lives so I did a little calculating myself since December the ninth when this session was forced to German. To right now approximately sixty six days. Pregnancy resource center ladies from all over this state say they think approximately ten babies today. Are dying in Arkansas. That's six hundred. In sixty babies. That's nearly six times the size of the hundred and thirty five Arkansas legislators the server down here. So I thought about looking a little further if Arkansas weights IT ten today. Approximately three hundred babies. Why is it important. Center I'm looking at you you're one of the few that the boards have been down here this whole time with me. We came in together. I'm second seniority only because of our draw she came here. I'm second seniority in the GOP down here. And you know what for those of you that have lied and to say that I'm only running this in the in December because of election guess what my name in on this bill. Senator Gary Stubblefield the only name on this resolution. And you know why because I absolutely care so much about this policy that it doesn't have doesn't have to have my name on it. Senator Gilmore I ran the first part of the bill of my career in twenty eleven when Democrats controlled this Senate. We got the. Every bill we ran and got beat. And I was so excited and proud when we won in twelve and guess what happened March the six twenty thirteen even though a Democrat governor vetoed that bill these Republicans stood up and we not only pass the first heartbeat bill in the country we overrode a veto. And now look what's happened since then. But you see senator. This is such a strong false god in our country that is leaving get friends to fight to get France. Be clouded with all this junk. But at the end of the day. If we see a decision at the end of June. On the Dobb's case from December the ninth until that date is two thousand twenty five babies in Arkansas. It's bigger than a lot of towns in your district. And I'm asking you to give Senator Stubblefield resolution an affirmative why would we be afraid here from these experts that are nameless. Go to committee. Sit down listen to it. You know it's a little bit like pilot stand in there when they were accusing people from a pilot and saying you know do something pilot he's like what what what should I do. And I'm appealing to you. At least give them a hearing to these two thousand twenty five little babies eserver hearing and some people say list unless you thank you you said what we do doesn't matter. Some of you know but not all of you know. Can we pass that bill twenty thirteen they had an injunction but part of our law stood. And when I was in that restaurant today that the mom was pushing her stroller across the floor to me. And she said wait wait I want to introduce you to my little boy. And I look at that little boy and he's sitting there it is over Motown about six months so with the pacifier in his mouth in this is a cute little guy as soon as I looked up at the mom she said senator he's alive because of the heartbeat bill you all passed. I couldn't speak I have now got to the point that I can get through the discussion. I couldn't speak. I said you gotta you gotta you gotta explain this to me I don't understand how is he alive. She said senator his mom was rate. And she took a day after bill. And he survived that was his first American. And then he went down here to Little Rock Arkansas this clinic over here in west little rock and she went in there and because of what the Republicans did. They gave her an ultrasound. Said ma'am you have a heartbeat in your womb. She knew it already. But they reminder they talked her through it she said I can't do this. I'm going to let the baby be born and they told Senator Sturch they told the mom and dad she did this whole story. Thank yes what I've met grandma's it told me that they've got a grand babies because of what you all did. Look. I was preaching the gospel before I ever came to the Senate. And it's tough to even have some of my own colleagues say. When you speak you mention scriptures is like shaking the Bible in our faces. It's not me you're upset with its the scripture we quote. We know what god wants us to do and we know why it's important to vote for these bills and just like I did back in December I told you I have that little stone in my pocket. In a told you about that stone. Well I won't say the same thing I did them but I'm telling you. A slow stone reminds me of David to. There's a glass of abortion. In America. In every single day at when I think about what I do Senator Tucker I heard a man say one time he said you should vote. Every time last the future of the nation depends upon you. Well. Two thousand twenty five babies features depend on all of you. It may be thousands and thousands of more and you know that the objections are Hollowell. Because today Texas is saving babies in Arkansas could begin to do it as soon as you enacted and I pray that you will vote for Senator Stubblefield resolution thank you. Senator flowers begin again Senator Hendren you have a question a question for Senator Rapert. You wish to. Follows the. Indicated that. I would not do such a thing. Senator Hendren looks like Senator Rapert I don't know if he wants to questions from senator. But I think Senator Rapert take any questions and. You know United been doing this for a long time in fact nineteen ninety seven I was a sponsor one of the first pro life bills passes roe versus Wade and I guess as I look at this today I would like you to kind of explain to me I have ever seen the pro life community communities split. Coming into the Legislative. I've never I've never seen the pro life community say we don't support this legislation because of X. Y. C.. And I guess one theory would be because. We have in fact banned all abortions criminalize all abortions as it works its way through the courts so I got two questions I guess the first one is. How do you explain to those of us that have been fighting this fight for two and a half decades why all of a sudden there's disagreement amongst the pro life community about the proper approach to take and would you agree that it's not fair to say because people disagree about the right approach does not mean that they're not supporting the second point of the platform are not pro life for that they just disagree on the approach to get to that that place. and I got one more after that we need to dress at one why is why is there this split that we've never seen before fair question and I want to thank you for the work that you guys senator hander because in twenty thirteen. When I ran that heartbeat bill. We try to do it is it the detection of a heartbeat was six weeks but you had you had at a bill which recognized fetal homicide at twelve weeks. And I got to argue why that are our law schizophrenic. You're going to present somebody for taking the life of the twelve week unborn child on this hand but you're not you're gonna allow abortions further than that so it was use it by the way we amended that bill you know down to conception. Conception. It's so. I first found out the division and and if they were all here and in in a seminar for you they could all speak very openly about the dissensions that they've all had in that community is just like churches with the first year First Baptist and second best Baptist etcetera. They all do that so here's what I will tell you when we first pass the heartbeat bill in twenty thirteen I like to fill out of my chair. When people I loved adored and supported came and said senator. Don't you think you're going to far. And I said what what I'm sorry. What. And they said don't you think you're going to force and what it meant I come down here and see and give money and send money to all these folks want to end abortion and you think I'm going too far. It's of senator that division is been there for a long time and here's here's the answer to that and there's no way to say it but sabre bluntly and you know this. And that we worked a lot together we've had disagree sometimes assented to hinder you know this. Some of these activists don't know what to do the day after they actually when. Because they can't go raise money anymore on the fight because we want. And that's the honest truth is so that is the that is the truth I and here's the one thing out today I will say this I only know part of the attorneys that have actually spoken on this this information was given to me and I spoke to some of the parties out here and I was pretty shocked when I found out that some of our legislators whose been getting their direction from the attorney general's staff of attorneys they never came to talk to Mary Bentley or Jason Rapert about that Gee I wonder why. That certainly. They would be out here giving support to somebody to oppose I don't know so senator I will tell you. You do see that but I actually. Have a lot of these voices are coming they supported this in fact there was one that supported us in December that suddenly changed. Well still saving babies today in Texas I appreciate that explanation in the comments that you made about again the the fetal homicide bill that we passed that beginning twelve weeks and was eventually moved to the course of time I guess what I'm frustrated today is now I see the pro life community at least saying if you don't do it the way we say you're not pro life anymore. And that's really frustrating to folks who've been working so hard on this issue to have us turn against each other and say because we may use that this approach for that approach is better we're going to start categorizing others as not a pro life because they don't agree with my approach and don't you think that's a little unfair to people who've been working on this issue for decades look. There's a Bible sitting there on my desk. Is the Bible I took the oath of office on when I came down here in the Senate. And I can't speak for everybody out here but a lot of my good friends out here. They put it on their paperwork they put it on their cards are pro life I I I except that they are I think a lot of them was pushed into some things they didn't want to do previously on some of these votes in the need to get free of that stand up and be their own person be honest. But I'll tell you here's the thing. You see words means something to me. Absolutely means something to me. Senator just to tell you how much it means you don't twenty thirteen. I've never been threatened in my life until I ran the heartbeat bill. I've been called everything is used for everything I've been cast I've been threatened to harm my family I just had a guy get out of jail in Faulkner County you came here twenty eighteen Senator falsely accuse me was arrested in just service thirty days in jail January two to the end of January I mean I've done everything you know a lot of this they've done everything to me. And then even have some of my own folks. But you see. It's bigger than me and you. It's about life so if I'm pro line how will take votes make votes and do things that support ending abortion now somebody says or not for ending all abortion that's up to them I'm doing my best indeed and I see the Texas is able to do that senator and here's what I mean your businessman you're an you were military gas. Troops. We can save our man if we do this well we just never done that we've ever done that we've lost sixty two million. Host what will Colonel they just say they're saving thousands right over here look what they're doing. That's what they're trying that's what we're trying to say to you about the Texas bill in the supreme court's appellate and since December the tenth one that the Supreme Court issued that decision and nobody stopped him in Texas okay and this is it I promise the final question because this to me is one of the biggest. Reasons this is a hard issue to do in a fiscal session is is very complex where I'm really confused here is we passed a bill to this body and to the to the House sign in the law that had no rape and incest exceptions for the first time in twenty five years which again gave many of us pause because that was a change in policy including policy that you supported two years previous. But now we're coming in with a new bill and putting a rape and incest exceptions back into the law am I reading it correctly that's not my resolution that's not Stubblefield resolution but what you have to be Frank with you is a bit of a false flag they went in and actually took language direct from ACT three oh nine which was meant to be a message to me we know that we're not fools it's kind of funny because it didn't even update the statistics Senator they they actually used to district from the bill without even updating national statistics of the statistics aren't even right but they did not want to finish my my answer to you so they did that and you know what that what that bill does Senator Flippo has that resolution. It repeals the strong this bill you've ever passed in Arkansas history. Replaces it with new language and expands abortion. To be allowable in other circumstances now that's the first time in the history since I've been here twenty eleven that any Republican is ever filed a bill that expands abortion okay but back to the question I guess I'm reading the billing correctly that right here Senate resolution fourteen by Senator Stubblefield line Page eight line thirty notwithstanding any other law a civil action under this section may not be brought by a person impregnated the woman to obtain an abortion to an act of rape sexual assault incest or any other activity in title five chapter fourteen that is dealing with somebody that did you said impregnate someone right you're talking about issues were somebody impregnates them and it has no it's dealing with that particular instance it's a rape and incest exceptions. That's not a rape and incest exception for the law it's if you go in the prohibitions it says except to save the life of the mother. But it what you're dealing with their Senator and this is actually something that should be debated is because you have some very unusual situations out here in this country. Think about. The situation where somebody's intentionally doing something there's criminal activity involved in it that's what I'm told we've got that in there dealing with that specific situation. But the prohibition says still at the beginning you'll see that it's except to save the life of the mother. Good good questions thank you. Senator Sturch you have I had a question Senator Rapert you're one there to any questions Senator Sturch have. I want to ask you do you have a specific you want me to look at well no not exactly I just don't want a general idea between Senate resolutions twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen what are the sensitive differences are sixteen years and Senate Stubblefield or what you have is you have sit there there actually are some differences it's a good question sixteen is not relevant to any bills that we support. That's the false flag in my opinion. So Senate bills that Senator Stubblefield has won authorizes him if you look in the other authorizes representative Payton in the House there's no substantive differences between those the bills that I have obviously you never go out into this particular environment Senator Sturch you know without having maybe a little back up have some funny business begins to occur so I have resolutions that are there that would authorize representative Bentley and myself and they are still the same substantive so those bills cured by Senator Stubblefield the resolutions to scan by me by Senator Stubblefield because again we had some people Senator Sturch believe it or not you know that they they they stopped have any excuses and I said well we just don't wanna supported of Senator Rapert as. And even had one of them. A friend of mine all he would never allow somebody else to do it. Well. I did it because it's more important for me to pass it then somebody to fool around just thinking people want to run something I've been running these bill since I've been down here the content wise both at the same yes Sir it should be should be. For. So close. Senator is now closing. Let me just close with this one thank you know sometimes we have the idea that. The Supreme Court. Of our land is always ride regardless of the ruling one nineteen seventy three there was forty eight states forty eight states representing two hundred seventy five million Americans who had anti abortion laws on their books when Jane roe took a group of liberal lawyers and they file suit to try to change the law. Those nine Supreme Court judges. Ruled in favor of roe versus Wade even though chain role backed out thanks to the case forward and they want it and they went against the will of two hundred and seventy five million Americans and they had to change the state laws in forty eight states in order to comply with the supreme court's ruling. That's all right. That is not right. I hope you will let us just at please take this resolution to committee letter sent out to discuss it. If we lose we lose. But let's at least just have a discussion and a debate on. So we can at least maybe find out more than what we you know give it to you today Senator not com all information under there's a lot of things absolutely not a lawyer I know very little admitted but I'd like to send in and listen to these guys debate the family council the other lawyers. And and let's let's learn the truth about it get to the truth the only we can do that is to pass. I'll close by Senator please call. Ballinger Beckham. Caldwell. Caldwell. Chesterfield. Chesterfield. Davis. Davis. DISMANG. DISMANG. Elliott. English. Flippo. Flowers. Garner. Gilmore. Hammer. Hendren. Hester. Hickey. Hello. Ingram. Irvine. Blake Johnson. Thank. Blake Johnson. Press. Mark Johnson. Leding. Page. Rapert. Rice. Sample. Stubblefield. Sturch. Sullivan. Teague Teague Tucker. Wallace Wallace. You wish to vote or change their vote. Senate Davis's NO. The correct answer Elliott now. Senate Chesterfield's NO anybody else. Cast of the ballot twelve a sixteen days or not voting one present the resolution is not adopt. Senator. Stubblefield SR fifteen. Senate resolution fifteen by Senator Stubblefield to authorize the introduction of a nonappropriation bill to implement the Arkansas human heart beating human lives civil justice act to save the lives of unborn children and protect the health of women through civil liability. Thank you under this resolution simply gives a representative Payton the authority to to run this bill in the house same resolution. Are there any questions for Senator Dismang erect recognized for a question what is the status of representative Payton's resolution for that bill in the house the trail yesterday Ifill yesterday. It would have to be approved by the. One of. Senator I was asking questions Senator. Questions Senator Dismang you're recognized so it failed in committee or on the floor were it did not get a motion it is not at this point have authorization to run this bill in the house with this with this would help is going to have the bill chambers this is just me have a. We have we have the other resolution the chamber. Thank. That. Senator Rapert you're recognized. Senator Stubblefield real quick. Senate to clarify on that I was actually present during the debate it actually didn't fail it fails to get a motion so the referring to vote in the house rules committee. So that resolution never actually got a vote Senator that's what I was trying to make a point of order clarify so that we don't get too far down the road I was advised that the house that they have intentions to actually vote on the floor of the House to pull those from committee and that is still there opportunity to do that and there is also one resolution that was not even heard all. So there is another resolution that is a live there that is never been heard at all even in the rules committee so you actually best posture and not because of the questions Senator Stubblefield with junior thank you that has that bill has possibility to be extracted correct Senator Dismang you're recognized for a question question chair if we vote with me this is a resolution the resolution it just failed if if this bill if this resolution fails is it something that can be revoked under would take an expungement to have the resolution revoked. Tucker. Could you repeat the question. They would have to be a fun so in essence just so everyone playing along and a stands the status of where we are if you run this today and it's building down just like your previous bill doesn't matter what representative Payton does on the other end thank. Thank you are there any other other any other questions from members of the committee. Any other questions anyone wish to speak for or against the resolution. The nine Senator Stubblefield you've close for your bill. Okay. Madam secretary please call the roll. Ballinger. Beckham. Davis. DISMANG. Elliott. English. Flippo. Flowers. Garner. Gilmore. Hammer. Hendren. Hester Hickey. Hello. Ingram. Irvine no Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. Leding. Page. Raper. Rice. Sample. Sample. Stubblefield. Sturch. Sullivan. Teague D.. Tucker. Wallace Wallace. Are there any members that wish to change their vote C. nine please cast a ballot vote of twelve yeas sixteen names the resolution failed. Senate resolution sixteen passed over. Senate resolution seventy. Senator Johnson you're recognized. Be allowed to hold a place on the calendar to I get further instructions from my representative Brian the disposition of the house bill okay. Thank you senator Johnson. Senator Rapert. Senate resolution twelve Senate resolution thirteen you're recognized senator. Three to put on the. Yeah I'm on the calendar for tomorrow. Out of the rent of the. Ninety. By House Management to make an appropriate an act for the House Arkansas house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly appropriation for the twenty twenty one twenty two twenty two fiscal year house bill ten oh one. Calendar. House bill ten thirteen. The House. Man of the Joint Budget the general appropriation act for the. Twenty twenty to twenty twenty three fifths your house bill ten thirteen calendar. You're a Senator Hester you have an announcmenet. Okay. Joint budget numbers announcmenet joint budget will be at nine AM tomorrow morning Joint Budget tomorrow morning at nine AM Senator Hester you're recognized for the announcmenet news we will have a Senate efficiency meeting in big mac be fifteen minutes following budget tomorrow morning. Thank you and they may be big mac okay Senator Hammer you're recognized for the announcmenet. Thank you per call because will meet in the morning at seven o'clock will meet for the next four Wednesday mornings at seven o'clock it'll last about twenty minutes we'll have hopefully a Speaker to give us a devotional challenge from outside the membership each morning tomorrow morning and they'll Supreme Court seven o'clock. Right are there any other announcements. Any other business to come before the body. All right. Senate is adjourned subject to clearing at the data we will reconvene at one PM tomorrow one PM tomorrow.