House Rules

Ms you for your premiums in the spring to come out in the summer before the fall open enrollment we don't ever drop that money into late summer sometimes first did you live so those premium dollars are never figured on time to be put out to the teachers so that they can see those premiums before open enrollment with this going to do is put it all into budgeting process is also going to put a mechanism in the adequacy committee which is our Education Committee that they will be able to raise that on a medical CPI which is usually a higher percentage than inflation so bill to take that out of the matrix every year analyze and analyze that CPI bill replied it's ranges anywhere from eight to ten percent annually so we'll build it put an increase on it we're not put increase on the whole matrix just on this portion Mr chairman I'll be happy to answer any questions on this bill all right. From any questions by the committee. Or resolution I'm sorry thank you. Are seen as anyone in the audience like to speak for against this resolution. seeing none we have no other questions I have a motion do pass I need to close Mr. My phone call right now it's my fault my so there was some questions and concerns from one of the agencies and I want to make sure I promised him I'd hit the high points of those concerns in this committee to have it on record they were worried about some of the funding decisions by the EBT director so later in a package we're going to get to where we set up the governing board and we set up all the controls for each one of those pieces of the pie and how those decisions are made in this bill it says the director has a little bit of control later you're going to see that we're going to remove that control and put it to a sub Board to the board of finance which is where it is today and then ultimately to Legislative Council which is the US the legislature so we're not given the B. director anymore control actually probably taken some control away from the B. D. director so I just want to make that clear that was one of the concerns on this particular resolution. Thank you for closing for you by apologize jumping the gun on there are members you've heard the bill on the bill is now closed we have a motion do pass all those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed the ayes have it the resolution is passed. Members room down to house resolution one thousand four representative or law you're recognized. Thank you Mr is part one the easier bills it's quite a few pages but it's really multiplies or goes down to basically a one Senate what that sentence is a lot of states around us require participation when you're any working employee before you can be eligible for retiree benefits always build us as if you had to be on the plan for five Committee of years means not five consecutive but five Committee of years before you qualify for retirement benefits this bill doesn't do anything today so what it does is when it goes into effect when it's passed in is actual law anybody hired from that point forward this bill will be effective on them so any of our current employees are current teachers or current administrators this bill doesn't do anything form the impact of this bill is about a fifteen to twenty years from now impact we need to be a very positive impact because the people will be supplying retired benefits had paid into the system when they were working and healthy that's all this bill does Mister and I'll be glad to take any questions and I did answer their concerns in my presentation. Thank representative members any questions. Martinez anyone in the audience like to speak for against the bill. All right. All right sing I'm just close for your bill. Resolution I'll close thank you all right members which is the committee. Okay we'll motion do pass all in favor say aye. Posed as having the bills resolutions could miss past we're going to house resolution one thousand five. Thank you Mr chair in the last session we outlaw of bariatric surgeries we were told over the last eight years I've been here twelve and I am the member then and acted the pilot program for battery surgeries twelve years ago in two thousand eleven session we've cut it off we went through with the consultants they let us know that actual bariatric surgeries if done correctly and done with the right diagnoses there is a savings by thirty five to forty five percent savings per member if done correctly we also heard from doctor Bledsoe who is a surgeon out the heart hospital that he can cure diabetes about sixty percent of the time with certain buyer bariatric surgeries so what we were doing in the past with a three million dollar cap we open it up at midnight on June to January first and by twelve ten PM it was full so in ten minutes we would fill up at three million dollar cap and it was just anybody thought they want to bear I trick surgery so what we've done with this resolution is where taking away that capped removing it and put it in some rules and rags around it that will come around different diagnoses such as diabetes numbers three or four other diagnosis of heart disease diagnoses and we're saying that those people get preference most people go through a stringent program that were that will ensure that they follow the procedures after the surgery that's part of the reasons and and hopefully we'll see a savings in years to come with the program I'll be happy they had no opposition to this bill so I'll be happy to take any questions all right members any questions. see no questions anyone any ideas like to speak for against this resolution. Nursing homes are to close for your resolution. Apparently he is closer is as loose after in an action no worries. The motion do pass although say aye all those in favor say aye. Oppose the eyes have it. Resolution is passed and our house resolution one thousand six so House Bill one thousand six during the last session I ran a bill that raised him the contribution cap to five hundred fifty dollars what we learned during the listening to the consultant over the last year is we are way behind and what we put in on insurance from the state side we're behind on the public school side and we're behind on the state side if you remember the first resolution I introduce to you was raising that contribution of three hundred we raise the state back during the session so there's no need to raise it but we want to remove that cap that way going forward as we said look at that CPI that health index CPI mentioned earlier we'll be able to apply that to the state side by coming through council by coming through the board of directors and not having to actually change statute every year so that's all this bill does removes caps allows didn't next bill or one of the next bill's office talk about the controls over the budgeting of the cap solace does remove that cap there's no opposition this bill and I am closed hi thank you members any questions. sing NO questions anyone in the audience like to speak for or against the resolution. All right saying none representative or laws close was the wish of the committee. We motion to pass all those in favor say aye. Closed the eyes have it. House resolution one thousand seven. So house bill one thousand seven thank you Mr sets up the legislative oversight. So one of the things that we've probably failed on the last few years as we have it kept a close eye on this program it it's about three quarters of a billion dollars that we spend there is program and we we haven't we haven't gotten any reports from other than when they come and ask us for more money so what this does it takes a Committee and in council renames it to the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance program subcommittee. And L.. It calls for a series of reports it follows the legislative oversight on marijuana the legislative oversight on on Gamelin my mind went blank lottery and we use those same report mechanisms put it in here so they come to council every months give the reports S. some of fellow council members said is real heavy on the front and we can come back later and relax somebody's reports but the shape the DVD was and we think that they should report pretty heavy on the front and we get it right so this this bill just sets up the oversight sets up to committee and sets up the mechanism for them to report to Legislative Council in years to come Mr closed. All right thank you members any questions. Nursing on anyone in the audience like to speak for against this resolution. See non represented Wardlaw closures bill one of the wishes of the committee we motion do pass all those in favor signify by saying aye. Posed the eyes have it resolution has passed we're going to house resolution one thousand eight thank you Mr so this is probably the largest bill that we have in a package largest resolution I keep saying bill just used to say and I want down here up when when we did away with the board last session I student will and said I promise that we put record representation back on there from the employees and from retirement this bill for feels that promise that was made so what we did here is we looked at some other states around we seen how they did it we saw how they required their members what they required to members to have as far as of competency and and jobs and where they'd been experience. We set up to so boards we set up a sub Board for public school employees in the service of border for Arkansas state employees NO so boards the governor will appoint three members that have to have insurance actuary are accounting background. We also left two slots for the pro tem and the Speaker to appoint one is an active employee from teachers an active employee from state employees and and a retired from each for those two so boards does too so boards will meet monthly we will pay those people five hundred dollars a month and you think why would we pay these people they're overseeing three quarters of a billion dollars and to get people that are qualifying to get people that want to put their mind and do it right you probably should pay so we put in some pay and the other states around us do pay on by the way we look at their pay schedules we're not going to pay him per diem Senate get five hundred dollars a month and they will get mileage to and from Little Rock every month for those meetings. So we're requiring the sub boards to meet monthly does so Board's rules will as I said to the day to day functions their report to the board of finance the board of finance will make the final decision and then send that recommendation the Legislative Council to the subcommittee that we mentioned earlier that's subcommittee them will either adopt or not those recommendations and they will have the final approval. So we did it that way so that we had controls controls that I mentioned earlier we never had in the past those controls to keep it we're we're not dumping millions and millions of dollars into this program as we go we want these boards and we want the agency to govern and act in work within the budget they have we set up to where they can get CPI indexes as the years go that way they do have increases we've set it up to where to be budgeted we expect them to stay within those budgets and that's why these controls are in place Mr I'm close and I'm happy to take any questions on the governing body. Thank you representative members any questions. single questions is there anyone in the audience I would like to speak for against this resolution. Arcing unrepresented Wardlaw as close for his bill but will of committee the motion to pass all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed the ayes have it the resolution is passed all right represent Wardlaw house resolution one thousand nine. You get my head wrapped around it give me a second. So. Looks like. Sure brought my counsel down here. You want to text your your help and we skip to the next while they come. So it no I'm good so one thousand nine actually sets up and changes the formula in the In the matrix so it goes back to that first resolution I passed as the second resolution I'm sorry I forgot there was too so I read it really confuse me they just change that matrix payment from one sixty one three hundred Mister chairman I think I've already kind of talked about that so I'm close any questions I'll be happy to answer. Members any questions. Seeing none anyone in the audience like to speak for against this resolution. Seeing none represented what are you closing this I'm close our members what's will the committee with a motion to pass all those in favor signify by saying aye. Posed guys have it. So that opposition ten ten can I have a latitude first yeah so in the first bill I explained the public school a change in the matrix first bill is actually the reserved bill so it's my fault and I was read too fast also read the reserved bill did I explain it real quick just so everybody has a an insight. In the past a B. D. has set up the reserves at around twenty percent we hired a consultant it came in they said the reserves need to be between twelve and sixteen percent what we can't set a reserve account up in a range so what we did is a exact exact counsel and counsel we adopted that the the perfect target range is going to be fourteen percent so then we set up triggers on the bottom triggers on the top senators on the bottom increase premiums and and take away planned benefits triggers on the top actually decrease premiums and give more planned benefits so give those options for the boards to make to make once the board takes those options into account they still had come to council to enact them so any increase in premium or decrease in premium or any increase in planned benefits or decreasing plans is was still calm the Legislative Council for approval so that was the first bill and I'll my apologies for not seeing that I was reading an email from a group and then I was reading of bills and got confused I'm sorry I have a quick question on that one you so we can establish a range is that something that legislative we have decided we can't do. It was just almost impossible according to A. B. D. to govern between a range and they would like to send trigger so that's reason we set up the triggers on the outside six sets we still use the exact range that the that the consultants gave us the Rangers just are triggers in the centre was adopted okay thanks now you gonna present ten House resolution ten ten yes Sir okay thank you. So House resolution sentence probably my most proud one So the legislature of the last few years the look back some of the biggest problems with the plan was us legislature members we would file bills that would increase our demand that the plan would pay for certain things and we did that without knowing in good conscience what are bills would cost the system. So when it comes to retirement we require those bills to go through an actuary require the committee to get to see that actuary and we look at that so we get to see what that cost is today ten years from now twenty years now so long. We we have not done that with employee benefits and we should have you guys remember insulin bill I was very supportive that build your legislative process because our people need good affordable insulin. But we repealed that bill this fall because the cost that it was going to hit this single system alone was a reason repealed it but when we looked at it the cost what is yet other insurance systems was was very hot. So with this resolution when it passes it required the health healthcare benefits to have to have an actuary look and economic impact statement to every single bill is filed it would impact it so it it sets up deadlines bill deadlines filing deadlines and so forth for that for that mechanism so with that this puts a little bit handicaps on ourselves but I think it does it in a good way and it doesn't to where we can make good sound decisions so with that I I'm closing I appreciate a good motion all right thank you members any questions on this resolution the thing on anyone in the audience like to speak for or against this resolution. Are seeing on representative for law has signified is close for his resolution was or will of the committee with a motion do pass all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed no ayes have it congratulations have all of your resolutions thank you Mr all right members next up on the agendas House resolution ten eleven representative Payton there will be a hand out headed your way shortly. This gives about thirty seconds representative Payton will have that on the desks. Thank you Mr chairman committee members. The handout is simply a. Two and a half page letter from the attorney that drafted the Texas. abortion ban bill that become kind of famous here lately our. It gives some of his Counterpoints to an email you might you probably received earlier this week. Give me a minute to look that over but I'm sure we're probably gonna have some discussion I'll be happy to answer questions as they come. But members are I want to talk to you from the heart right now for just a second I have a problem. I believe. And I know that there are other people that believe the opposite yes but I believe that ending the life of that child an abortion. Is shedding innocent blood okay. I know that many of you believe that the same as I do and we may have disagreements on how to try to limit or regulate it or stop it. But I want to understand that. My heart. Is just as if there was a burning building down the street and I knew that there were kids in it and I want to stop it okay. and I know many of you all believe the same thing. I'm reminded of the movie I watched called independence day where they were fighting space aliens. And throughout the whole movie they're trying to figure out a way to to stop the space aliens from taking over earth and finally near the end of the movie movie they discover a way to bring down the the ship. And I get on you know they get on the communicator. As I say spread the word and people all over the world start using that method to bring down the ship not just a fictional movie folks abortions not fiction it's happening on a daily basis it's happening in Arkansas. In Texas has found a way to stop it in September the first month that the Texas bill when in fact sixty seven percent decline in abortion and we don't have the records for October November and December. This bill works. It stops abortion. It was fought and challenged and went to the Supreme Court the Supreme Court upheld it. All except for the licensing entity for those people that provide abortions and that's still going to be litigated had no effect on the fact that it stopped abortion now. We I know the heart of this body. Has been revealed an act that we passed in two thousand nineteen two thousand twenty one even before that you know we passed an act in two thousand nineteen that if roe versus Wade is overturned. Arkansas defaults to no abortion. We again we passed ACT three oh nine I think it is in two thousand twenty one. The limits abortion. So why would I come to you and ask you to another one because those are not saving any lives today. Neither one of those active saved one life. Children are still being aborted in Arkansas today and I was taught on the farm the bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and Texas is shown us that we have a bird in the hand if we want to use it. We can pass this law and and it'll go into effect almost immediately and I'm convinced at this point. And I'll get to the reason why qualified that just a minute I'm convinced at this point that this bill will save lives regardless of whether roe versus Wade is ever overturned and Rovers's weight gets overturned and one of the previous bills we've passed. Needs to be revisited I think you all have the heart and the will to do that based on the numbers that passed those previous bills I'm is overwhelming majorities in both chambers to pass those bills. So I come to you today with the resolution. During the fiscal session. You're the rules committee and you get to decide with your colleagues are going to hear the arguments about this bill. If you pass this resolution from this committee it goes to the house floor in it it of it demands a two thirds vote of your colleagues before the bill can be introduced. We're not deciding on whether or not this is a perfect bill in here this morning or this afternoon. We're deciding whether or not the rest of our colleagues get to consider. Then they'll go to the house floor as a resolution. And if they want to stop there years ago done alone and not hear it then they don't vote for the resolution it takes two thirds to hear. But why would we stop I'm plug our ears instead a hearing the arguments. I know you got an email maybe multiple emails I got emails from some of the pregnancy centers is a please do something we want to stop abortion you know. I've got a letter from the guy that drafted the Texas bill and I spent an hour on the zoom meeting with them and I'm convinced at this point. That this is the right thing to do you don't have to take my word for it. If we passed a resolution to hear the bill the bill will be filed and the bill will go to committee like every other law we've ever considered. And it'll have to pass that committee with a do pass it'll have to go to the house floor and be considered and argued. But you know thus far the public hasn't had a chance to come before you and give their arguments the experts the lawyers. How many of you have talked to a lawyer how many of you have read this a bring your decision. It doesn't really take that long I mean about thirty minutes with the reading for the Supreme Court decision. Little hard to understand and took it took me thirty minutes it might take you fifteen but the bottom line is have you talked to lawyers. We are the people's representatives. And I promise you this topic. Is a hot topic it's important to the people everywhere we go they're asking us why we haven't done it yet and I can't come down here and sit on my hands the fiscal session. And not here why we shouldn't do it. If we go to health committee or Judiciary Committee or whatever committee with the bill and those experts come in there and convince me that we shouldn't do it I can go home and tell my people why we shouldn't do. But at this point there is nothing I can tell the people back home as to why we didn't adopt a Texas style abortion ban in Arkansas. I'm asking you I'm begging you. Allow this resolution to hit the house floor and then I'm going to try to convince two thirds of our colleagues to allow the bill to be filed. And if it goes the health committee I'll be sitting there. With a open mind. I mean some of the people who say we shouldn't do anything right now or people of trusted for years. And you can bet that when I received that email it got my attention. And in the email he says he spoke. The experts I want to hear from those expert I want to hear from attorneys it tell me why we can't pass this law without affecting the others we pass laws all the time the have paragraphs in on this so you know it's not changing this well this this bill that I I'm asking you to let me file as a paragraph in this specifically says it's not going to change three oh nine. It also removes the language in that that the the language in the Texas bill this survived the challenge survive the Supreme Court is not in this bill that portion of the Texas bill. That deals with the licensing entities of abortion providers is not in this bill. And that's the only part of the injunction that that survived and it's meaningless. It doesn't matter where they have a license or not if they're not going perform abortions right. Folks I know you don't have all the answers I don't have all the answers. The process by which we live our lives down here is state representative is is the folks back home have a concern. We bring it up we apologize lotion. And we hear from both sides and we modify the legislation. And we the passenger we fail. This resolution says I can follow bill. Takes two thirds of our colleagues to pass it. Once the build quality can be amended when it goes to committee. If bill are tells us there's something in here that's going to negatively affect our intentions we can amend it or we can not pass. But why would you want to plug your ears. And not here. Why would you want to reach over there and plug your colleague to ears and say they can't hear. At least you get to vote on it in here in a minute. The rest of us over there in House don't get vote on the less you let Alice Committee. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable I have to address this issue during the fiscal session. Folks. I believe their children dying while I'm sitting right here. How can I not try to do something. How can you not be willing to hear the arguments on both sides we have seen a sixty seven percent reduction in abortion in Texas in the month of September that's a fact you can argue with. Give us a chance with your the merits. And I don't know how this goes but I assume there's some people for against it do I get to close a little while thank you thank you Committee hang on to second absent members are there any questions or representative paid. All right single questions we do have someone signed up to speak against the bill we're on house resolution ten eleven river Jerry ****. Thank you would you state your name and organization for the record will let you begin your testimony yes thank you Mr chair Members of the committee on Jerry **** I'm the director of family council here in Little Rock and. It it's very difficult as you might imagine for me to sit here and talk about this bill and what's being discussed here with additional legislation that pertains to abortion. And so I'm gonna do my best to speak about kind of the environment they were in and then I'll try to answer any questions that you may have regarding specific legislation. First of all. I have said on numerous occasions that I believe this Arkansas General Assembly. Is the most pro life General Assembly that has ever been in the history of Arkansas. I really believe you all very well may be the pro most pro life legislature in the nation. And quite possibly the most pro life legislature that is ever sat anywhere in the nation. You guys have done amazing work. You passed a strong the law S. you could pass. This year ago when you pass the the bill that it's ACT three oh nine. That that bill says that all abortions in Arkansas or illegal except to save the life of the mother. You can't get any stronger than that bill and so I would say well done you've you have I would say you have done your part. You all have done your part. Now that brings us to where we are right now. I really believe that by this summer. Roe versus Wade may be overturned. By the US Supreme Court. And I never thought when I started lobbying on pro life issues thirty two years thirty three years ago that I would ever be able to sit in front of anybody and say I believe roe V. Wade is about to fall. But I believe it very well may. And we will know by summer. If road if the US Supreme Court river verses roll be weighed in this Dobbs case out of Mississippi. All the good laws that you have passed are going to come to life. And they will be in play. Including the total ban on abortions. And so rest assured. That on that day if that happens. Planned Parenthood the ACLU all the other pro abortion groups are gonna be the path right down to the courts. And they're going to do their best to muddy the water and say well the legislature said that abortion was illegal but no we got these of the laws here that would say otherwise and they will try to tangle this up in court and prolong it and try to nullify the good work that you have done. I helped. With this effort back in December. When the bill was proposed to pass the Texas style abortion law I have spoken at length with the attorney in Texas he is convinced that it's a good law and I don't blame him for being convinced of that. But here's what I'm convinced of at this point. We need to wait until summer. When the supreme court issues its ruling before we do any more pro life legislation. So I'm not saying as far as what might you ask me my opinion. My opinion is. That we so we wait until summer to do anymore and people might say well why wait till summer. You all know that the most recently passed bill many times will take precedent over bills that have been passed before it. So the attorneys that I've spoken with at the national groups I was in a meeting on Thursday with a bunch of attorneys here whose opinions I highly respect and they said they all said even if you write it into the bill that this will not conflict with any other laws a shrewd judge could interpret it differently and I'm afraid that if we do any more abortion related legislation at this time. You run the risk of a pending the good laws that you've already passed and I know that's not your intent that's not representative Payton's intent. I know that and I highly respect all the represent Bentley and all the other people to put so much into this. But I think patience and prudence would be the wise course at this time because if you file more bills and pass them you give the opposition more things to buy the the water with between now and then. And I think that's serious enough that I came and I sat in this chair because I've been deliberating on this really since last fall in my opinions on it have have moved over time is I've talked to people that I consider much more knowledgeable than I am on it. And so I would like to make one correction and I know represent Payton did not intend it this way the US Supreme Court did not uphold the Texas law. They sent it back down to Texas and said you guys work this out. And so the fate of the Texas law is unknown at this time. But the lawyers that I have spoken with pro life attorneys around the country. Have said just because Texas stopped abortions with their low. Does that mean that any other state would have the same results because the courts are different in every state. And the people that I have spoken with here in Arkansas I believe in their heart of hearts that. Not just the Texas law but any abortion related law you pass right now. It's going to be challenged in federal court. It will be enjoined. It will be appealed to the eighth circuit. And then what the eighth circuit is doing. They said we're not hearing anymore we're not dealing with anymore abortion laws until when until after the Mississippi cases decided. So I would I would submit to you that the likelihood of any law you pass right now stopping abortions is very very very slim maybe almost Neal. Because of that. And so. I think you know if you were to ask me what's the summation. It's just not now. Just don't do it now. In in June we may be right back out here and I may be beating the drum and saying we need to taxes abortion law or we need some other kind a law I'm maybe doing that. But I'm not doing it right now because there is so much to lose. I've dedicated thirty something years to try to pass pro life bills out here I don't want to throw it away. And that's what I'm concerned about and I know you all are in a bind because people expect you to vote for a Texas type bill they think it's a good idea and it sounds really good and you will be misunderstood. Probably yes I'm going to be misunderstood but that's just the nature of being a grown up and stepping up and doing what's right rather than what may be popular. So Mister chair sorry about going so long but but if if I did make good sense I hope somebody will ask me a question to help me clarify what I'm trying to say thank you Mr **** any members of the questions of Mr ****. Are saying and thank you for thank you Mr thank you members of the committee and I thank you for dealing with this difficult issue. We have another person signed up to speak on the bill it doesn't say whether you're speak for or against the bill doesn't even say which a resolution you're speaking I'm it's look like Vicky Parker. Well if you couldn't tell it's my first time here so I don't didn't have a sign that you speak for or against resolute for okay yeah thank you would you state your name for the record and you can begin your testimony and who you're with also the Parker and I am with the options pregnancy centers Arkansas pregnancy centers. And our center our particular centers are in capital BPN Jacksonville are thank you go right ahead all right thank you all for listening and you've had some testimony before U. mine will probably be very different I believe everyone ended up with Mr Mitchell's summation in his rebuttal of a family councils accusations on the bill and actually put actual legal tenure to it and showed what it actually is and what it actually means you know we carry in the state of Arkansas the title being the number one pro last state in the union. And that something to be very proud of if you have actually stopped a portion and god knows you all have sent a lot of laws over there Dave ended up on the desk of the judges but they've been sent. But this is one law that can be sent and today we can make a difference do we have to worry about is something going to happen we're going to be sued or this kind of open up all these different things everybody so concerned about will that come in any way look at look at California look at some of the other states good marker. It you may not know is the actual research arm for Planned Parenthood and good marker I just read on their article this week said there are twenty six states with a Texas style bill set and ready to go and when they'd send that abortion will be no longer in half the states. Half the states. They're worried they're scared to death you're going to pass this bill. All we're asking you to do as pregnancy center directors we're asking you to hear it you know I said earlier if you just go if any if in your businesses back home someone came and brought a proposal to you that could possibly change the outcome of your business then the reality is what you would do. If you would listen to it because you don't wanna miss a great opportunity right. So that's what which has been brought to us Texas stepped out ahead of us they jumped in with all feet they took it to the finish line. That the a Supreme Court handed it back to Texas but the truth the estate they could probably stop them right there kidney. But they didn't because it's a really good indication of what really is going to happen we can walk in fear or we can step out and the ball like we have in the state of Arkansas for all of these years we can be Bolden we can stand up and go we're gonna make a run for the finish line with this we're gonna make this thing happen we're gonna stop abortion you know there's a story about it as hi and I'm. A starfish in the story goes as many of you probably heard about the child who was walking along the beach and there's hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of starfish throwing that stuff just washed up on the beach in this man walks into this kid keeps throwing the backing in and they're like you know I don't know why the kid thinks they're gonna save all these starfish and so then he asked the kid what are you doing that you're not you can't save them on said well I can say this when. So could it be that that we save sixty seven percent. Of unborn babies and Mamas in the state of Arkansas yeah but it's going to take a bold unto people to do it it's going to take more years. And unfortunately you guys are on the frontline. And you are done some really bold may use before. You've released trusting your gut. Even if you were fearful in like is this the right thing to do. And there's never never a wrong time to save the unborn our state with child it's out there this can be seen get ran over by a car. You would jump out you would do something I would to. I'm done it before not trust that you'll do it again all we're asking you to do. Is listen. What's it gonna hurt to hear it and on its merits you make your decision. And we don't and we let what happens in Jean what happens in June. But people I hear people throwing out the but what if what if what if we're not allowed to more than keep us from living today. So let's leave it with everything that we have in Arkansas the live it with and let's take it across the finish line. I'm asking you to allow this to be heard I thank everyone of you for the services that you do I would not want to sit in your position for one second. And I know how the ruling that can be. But I just got it thank you that you would be willing to listen that the S. and I'm praying that you will vote to listen to it on the floor. Thank you. Thank you for that ma'am members any questions. With. You have a question that says C. one nineteen I don't know who that is at this point. Just one second. I'm right now we're doing hang on just a representative McKenzie or if if if you're not a member of the committee just hold tight for one second me at the committee members are there any questions with this with this gas. All right cinema going ally this questions and you're not a member of this committee but general that's not the practices committee but go ahead. just my question is and you're up there I know that there's been discussion and in confusion with regard to. maybe that pregnancy centers wanted funding in exchange can you speak to that do you all want funding I know now where you're standing and someone on this bill here so where did that come about I'm I know I can do is I think other may not come for months. It did not come from us we all we care about all that we care about. Is that abortion is overturned in state of Arkansas that lives are saved and used a tool that's been given to us right now god is taking care of us he will continue to take care of us state funding could mean state ties that would cause us great trouble and could possibly in some of her pregnancy centers in the long run thank you so much for the opportunity. All right thank you ma'am. we have another guest signed up to speak I can't really make out your name or your organization or whether you're speak for against the bill what it first name is Dana. I'm assuming you are speak for or against this resolution for and nobody wants to try that lasting no we'd all not me okay it's a Danish we doll I'm with loving choices I have an office in Rogers in another office in Fayetteville okay go right on you've heard people's talking here about lawyer this in lawyer that lawyer this lawyer that I'm not gonna lie to you I'm not a lawyer and I'm not gonna speak to you about that. I'm builds on the ground. I'm in the center every day with these girls that's what we do we're in their faces every day listening to their stories and helping save lives of babies we're the ones that are seen the ultrasounds and seeing that heart beat and knowing that right now I have a nine week I have a heart beat she's she can go to have an abortion now we're asking you to help us save these babies. I know that there's talk of roe versus Wade and that's June. But so many babies are gonna die between now and June and Texas is already laid the groundwork for us. So what I'm asking is that you realize that we are the boots on the ground we are the ones that are in the centers day in and day out in front of these girls talking to them and speak life into their lives and I'm asking you to give this bill a chance to hear it. To hear. What can be done today to save babies today. Because that's what we're here about I know you've heard lots of rumors because we've heard them that you know we're big bad meaning pregnancy centers if you don't vote what we want we're going to go out smear your names that did not come from us and I want you to know I know that you're pro life you've proven yourself over and over and over again I'm not questioning if you're pro life and if this bill doesn't go the way we want we're not going to go out and say you're not pro life because that's not what we're here to do all I'm here to do is today to save a baby one baby saved is worth it to us because that's what we do it day in and day out so that's what we're asking from you today. All right thank you members any questions of this guest. Ninety nine thank you we have one more signed up again I'm assuming it's on the same resolution Wendy curry. Are you speaking for or against this resolution for okay and who are you with I'm I'm with hope place warned I'm the director okay my testimony is a little bit different and what I'm going to tell you is I've been the rape victim I've been the. The little girl that was raised in politics with my mom and when your child comes and tells you and I I can me and mention the position that I put my family in but it was out of my control right and so twenty two years ago twenty three on November the thirteenth of this year I aborted My Baby at a place called hope and Louisiana. And. My parents thought it was a quick fix because with my mom's political job. She would probably get fired are not get her position back right and so they thought that was their only option and the only option for me and so. We went up there and you know my more had and it was ridiculous thinking back and look and at what we went through that day but we thought this was on our only option right and so we go and we're met at the car and by a guard he walks the sandwich go into the lobbying he buzzes they buzz us through into the main thing I fill out paperwork the first day that was on Tuesday they went through all the stipulations and you know put the little pro life manual for counselors and said now it's kind of like what what doctors do with the hip of paper you know this is your hip or rules but you don't have to take it that's basically what the lady did she send them here's your list of counselors for after the pro lifers make as supplied this but you don't have to take it is totally up to you one my mind I knew better than to bring in the piece of paper home because of what was going on in my family I don't need to bring that home I mean what what what they say and so I declined the the paper and so you know on Thursday are returned paid to murder My Baby. I went behind a door where three locks were locked and I panicked. And I tell the lady I can't do this and she says ready already back here come on. And I just kept saying I can't do this I can't do this but I followed her and they gave me my paint down as everybody else is wearing a gray socks in the hardest in like cattle and they went and they took an ultrasound well. I thought I would be able to see My Baby on that after sound I asked to see my baby on that Tristan and the lady said nobody you don't need to say it it'll only make it harder. And so I ask again and she said you don't want to say this just the masses just a blob of tissue. And so I look at our models better in the center that we use when we talk to our or abortion minded girls and and the Daddies when I come in and and I see. The week. M. and the size of my baby was My Baby it was a baby he was a baby his name is David I've name give me some have been waiting on. And so I got out there they brought us across the hall ma'am the nurse that we went across all. And went into the room and they had me get up on the operation table and for some reason there was a unicorn poster above it on the sale and we don't know why they said focus on the unicorn it'll all be over soon and I tried to get up. And I said two more times I don't want to do this please let me go and then I was given something and I could hear suction and crunching. I cannot go to the tennis today without being medicated due to this section sound. I'm sorry. So I've been a little girl that thought she didn't have an option other than abortion. Yesterday twenty two years later my Daddy apologize to me. For forcing me to abort My Baby. Because if you listen to what I've told them and I've said that a please pray now do I believe that he's a believer yes does he live the life of a bloomer he does not so this was major for my dad to apologize. My mom apologize five years ago because they saw that they were just an educated and how I was uneducated and so places like hope place will we give them all the options knowing that. We run might not save them all but when they leave their they know if they choose to abort they have a place to come back and talk to people that understand. Where they're at. And another thing I had a horrible infection to where the doctor told me I would never conceive again. God said different so now I have four children one and have been waiting for me to get there and three beautiful children waited on me to get home the statement. So I just wanted to speak to you and just tell you like. Everybody that works at a at a a center. Is a broken individual. There they all have stories we're not judging them where their cheerleaders. Our center starts working with little girls that eight eight on self worth and we follow those same children of four if there don't move we follow them through their adulthood until the permit to become a mommy we're building relationships we're loving on them with their mentors and that's that's what you need in life we all looked up to somebody. You think right now who is your hero who did you look up to well I'm praying that one day a little girl comes back and says means windy. I I'm pro life because I watched you. Our ms twenty I chose to keep My Baby after hearing your testimony. And just I want to thank you for what you all do yeah I would never want to sit in our job position I'm sure the boots on the ground it gets muddy it gets thick as I know being raised in politics same goes for you all to. So thank you for your time. Thank you member any questions. Thirty nine thank you testimony thank you. No one else signed up to speak for or against the bill or the resolution rather representative Payton got close for you resolution. Thank you Mr so colleagues I know it's been an hour to. You're tired. Maybe you're fed up with dealing with this I remember in twenty nineteen. Walking the halls of the house of representatives. And running into more than one person who made the comment I'm sick and tired of these pro life bills. We've passed a lot of I really appreciate Jerry **** in the years he spent. Helping to get this legislation across the threshold. And I know he didn't want to hear that the twenty nineteen or twenty twenty one when we were hearing that from some of our colleagues over pro life pro life colleagues just we're just tired of another pro life bill you know what never came up. Was it anybody was worried that it was going D. bunker previous when we passed. This first time I've been. I've been faced with the idea that somehow. We pass this and I'm like all the other pro life bills we passed in the past this one's going to unseat all the others. What do we have to lose. ACT one eighty of twenty nineteen has not saved one life. It's been enjoined by the courts. We were told we were passing it is going to be enjoined by the courts is not going to be good and we passed it anyway so we can Pat ourselves on the back and say how pro life we were and I really appreciate to whoever was it ranked as number one is pro life state I really didn't. But you know how many lives ACT three oh nine twenty twenty one is saved. Zero. What do we have to lose. If this bill somehow interferes with one of those two I don't know that the Supreme Court to overturn roe versus Wade do you. Maybe June's gonna be like Christmas and I overturn roe versus Wade and maybe if we pass this bill. Somebody starts an argument about how it somehow affects the previous bills that we passed how many of you are going to serve. Past June. Far as I know the next assembly done convene until January of twenty twenty three. If we've messed up one of the other bills by passing this when we come right we're the most pro life legislature in the nation. And we'll still be sitting in the seats in June and July and August and September and October. If we screwed something up. And they overturn roe versus Wade. We can come right back in here and fix it because we passed a bill in this last session that says we can call ourselves back into session if we have to. Now why would we deny. Ourselves and our colleagues the opportunity to hear this bill on the merits in committee. Allow it to be heard folks we have nothing to lose. You know I was informed this morning that there's another abortion bill there's a resolution to introduce another abortion bill. And I guess somebody want me to get worried about that. Because the only to face I skimmed over for a couple of minutes if it bothers me some of the things I think it says but I have no fear of you all passing that resolution. We'll hear in committee if it's a bad bill where the most pro life legislature in the nation all it takes is those experts to come to committee and convince us like to have Mr **** and I know he's pro life. But I'm entitled to hear what he heard that convinced him of that your colleagues are entitled to hear what he heard that convinced him that this is a bad bill. Don't plug your ears and don't plug the ears of your colleagues. Let's hear it. The focus of Arkansas are paying our salaries and you know how many committees are not meeting down here during the fiscal session of a budget committees meeting of course. But there's many of our colleagues that are just walking the halls with nothing to do it's not like our workload prevents us from taking this up in here. Our workload is very light in a fiscal session unless you're sitting on the budget committee and to be honest. The budget hearings that all that last month. Everything's pretty much done might be a tweak here and there. We have the be the bills coming up. Because there's some serious. Business that the people in this to take care of any B. D.. There's some serious business we have the opportunity to do. In the abortion feel. For the most pro life legislature in the nation thank god help this nation if we can at least hear this bill. Thank you. Our members represented pages close for his bill. For the wishes of the committee. Seeing no motion resolutions failed representation would you like to present resolution one thousand twelve. You're recognized president House resolution ten twelve. Thank you members. This is a resolution to allow. Senator Stubblefield. To introduce the bill that we were talking about on the presence president resolution. I'm not mistaken on may be ugly. Maybe you don't want me to present the bill here's your opportunity let Senator Stubblefield present the bill. I'm very disappointed at this time the previous result. But that doesn't change the fact that I want this done and I don't need my name on it. So I'm asking you to pass a resolution. Allow Senator Stubblefield to file the bill. Not thank you representative Payton members are the questions. Right thing no questions we do have a Jerry **** signed up to speak against the House resolution ten twelve. Share a. I've already spoken nothing more to add to that okay with no one else signed up to speak for against this bill president Payton you like to close any resolution just to close for this resolution. Representative Payton is close to this resolution one of the wishes of the committee. All right seeing no motion the represent the resolution has failed. House resolution ten thirteen representative Bentley. You're recognized to resent House resolution ten thirteen. Thank you chairman thank you colleagues I want to thank you all for voting for the bills I brought forth in twenty nineteen an act one eighty and I wanted to clarify some this represent pate said It is is not been sued on is sitting right there was a bill that we passed that when roe versus Wade gets overturned that the abortion I'm immediately stops in Arkansas and so ACT one it is sitting there perfectly clear it's nothing's going to muddy the waters on ACT one eighty that would pass because it's not been suit against it sitting right there. Ready to go and nothing smattering that without the bill the resolution I bring before you today is exactly one the John Payton brought forth because we want to have a back up another chance for you guys to hear how important this is what it is our constituents who are every day ask me mer why we not stopping abortions in Arkansas. Every day today ten babies are going to die and tomorrow ten were babies are going to die and when that Planned Parenthood opens up in favor we can double those numbers don't have twenty babies in Arkansas died today. In twenty babies dying tomorrow. Because as much as we wanted to stop abortion because of the court system that we have it's been stopped by judge Baker but this bill if you allow lawyers to hit let you hear it it stops. The usual track because it goes to a civil court and judge Baker can't in joint with the other ones is impossible or because the Supreme Court has ruled that those abortion providers did not have any standing in the case because a civil liability you can't bring everybody on the planet. Before the so this is no way that you can enjoy this earlier this bill completely stops abortions Wharton Texas is going to work in Arkansas. You just received an email I know you haven't had time today to even look at it many of you have not but I'm telling you. We can stop abortions in Arkansas if you guys will listen to this bill in here it we've not been able to stop one. I think you know that your constituents would want you to have the opportunity here this bill and abortions in Arkansas we can stop killing babies everyday. Every day ten more babies are gonna die and we can stop raised merry I don't know how you're saying it I'm sorry to say the jury is been misled us somehow Jerry **** has been misled on this I've read this this report the hyper the whole Supreme Court hearing. The whole case was thrown out that and send it back to Texas to work it out if you read the report from a P. put out a liberal AP report came out on that bill and said abortions are ended and Texas for the unforeseeable future because the case was thrown out not for the ticket back to Texas and work it out the case was thrown out. It was thrown out the bush providers had no standing. And judge Baker can't because it was a Supreme Court ruling she can't stop this bill from going into effect. I'm asking you guys to trust me I would do anything if I thought it was not true what I'm telling you we would have not brought up for us but I believe. The Supreme Court ruling if you read it through them all out to the portion providers do not have standing the same thing will happen here. The same thing will happen here. And we can stop babies get chopped up in Arkansas can actually do something this time will make in effect and not just get another another a ribbon. Our pro life status I want us to really do something this time we can do it. I appreciate all of the and I think our colleagues have the right to hear this bill to hear both sides under bus in the sky is not falling and you're stopping a constitution you're stopping account you're setting a bad precedent but let civil liability stop a constitutional right you know what no where the constitution is there a right for an abortion. No where. There's not a right for abortion that that's where for forty three years been fighting as we know there's not a right in the constitution for abortion. The sky hasn't fallen. In Texas is already open the door for anything that we think negative might happen it's not going to should close if we don't pass this bill still wide open. We're gonna stop abortions here in Arkansas and we're stuck with the Texas abortions we're doing here now because you know what and state surrounding Texas. The rates of abortion have skyrocketed here just read the reports our numbers here gone right because we have in Texas people come here in Arkansas to get their portions. Is that really what we want to be doing. And if you want to do I appreciate respect each one of you. And I was asking you for college to be able to hear this bill. And with that I'll close I know you guys of hearing her double size exact same bills represent pains I just think our colleagues have a right to hear it we have a right to go to the regular natural process in the committee meeting. We testimony from both sides thank you. Thank you representative Bentley members are there any questions represent the Bentley. All right. Seeing no questions of Mr **** you are also signed up on this resolution. Okay all right no one signed up to speak for or against this bill representative Bentley are you close for your resolution rather. I would just say search deep in your heart. All right thank you Bentley are where the wishes of the committee. Seeing no motion resolution is failed represented Bentley did you wanna present House resolution ten fourteen I think it's a waste of my time. Take that is unknown we're gonna go down House resolution ten fifteen representative Wardlaw. Wardlaw. we're gonna skip over House resolution. Our. You represent what you want present House resolution ten fifteen. Mr in light of what we've heard from Mr J. **** I'll hold my resolution at this time I feel like I can agree with him that doing nothing is a proper stance okay. I thank you represented Wardlaw representative Ryan House resolution ten sixteen. You're recognized in the right. Thank you Mr chairman yes Sir are recognized to present your resolution issues thank you what this bill basically is doing. Up until now we have been paying thirty two dollars a prisoner for all of our inmates. The work looking at a plan that would come up to forty but no one really knows the accuracy of for that said I would like to see and I know that we don't have it finished as of yet today because we need to impact on on this okay. But I'd like to know how much it's going to cost to overall pay our local jails of what it calls to House of pressure. I mean it's pretty simple you can say thirty five or forty it may be forty seven but I'd like to come back I know today that I can't do it because we don't have the proper figures yet but far far I impatiently but I'd like to come back and and do that Mr chairman whenever we come up with the figures. All right thank you representative right members or any questions FOR representative Brian this resolution. All right scene anyone in the audience liked is signed up to speak for against this resolution. Axing number absent in Iraq are you closing the resolution yes Sir I'll come back representative fees I'll come back if you don't mind can I do that if you wanna go alerting what's that what's the impact is is out and we know accurately how much is cost in the House prisoners yes this might be something you want to consider filing in the interim to do the study on that is weird we're gonna be doing something very similar to what you're talking about in a joint budget to increase that appropriation so this might be a good interim study okay sure but let me ask you this and the time frame that we're here these two three four weeks. We'll if I get past today with it and I don't will I get a chance to come back in the that's. Yeah. Right. Representative gene you're recognized. Richard Reid what we're trying to do is is. We're hoping that we're not here for weeks so I think what we need to you probably put this an interim study and the and the counties and in what will go ahead and get eight dollars beginning July first if that's something you want to study that when we're back in the full session you'll have more time and attempted to to get the survey is out and study this what the real cost is because it's going very from county to county and and you're going to find a happy medium somewhere between but I think this would be better served in an interim study have time to get all the data and information and go ahead let us pass the eight dollars for the counties which will help them beginning July first it's just a time time bill in the in the governor's agree to this so this is something that'll happen then I think we've got a study down the road if representative Jean knowing your knowledge of the situation I accepted fully and we'll come back later in this session but down the line and your non work together but you can still put an interim study with before you get this study on it that's exactly what we just need to know cervical right need to be paid in an action figure create your service thank you thank you Mr chairman all right members we go ahead and skip over House resolution ten sixteen removing House resolution ten twenty representative McKenzie you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair been here before I wish people Bentley because I've got a something I'd like to say. You know there's a verse in the Bible says being grants and not. No committee. Challenges my ability. Quite like this one. When I was your last time. I walked away and I thought. About a number things this is how I started off we talked about my rocky beginning. I know enough didn't know much but I know enough to know some of the concerns about the power structure the concentration of power. In the Speaker of the house position I know enough I've watched enough grew up around it enough to know I didn't like it I knew was giving the people back home the short end of the stick. And before I was. After I was elected before I came down here speaking to the Qantas club that famous corny I don't know whatever happened doing but it got me all kinds of trouble when he stood up to me with S. Meeks explained what what committee I was gonna be on I start talking about the structure. And the more I talk the more they asked and the more they didn't like it and the very and he stood up and he said my question for you is what are you going to do about it. He pointed at me and said what are you going to do about it. So I sat there that first day. When we discuss the rules and beforehand my dead who most of you know. He also has life been and I all his life all his time serving up here in the House with I knew he was frustrated I'd seen the stuff. But he knew what I was walking into. And he called me. And he said don't do it. That is total opposite of the way he handles his own life he said don't do it they will put you on a shelf the way they put me on a shelf. Well I would rather be on a shelf I under the being a door then sitting here with a bunch of power that does not serve my constituents I'll take that shelf any day. Now I care deeply about this people and if the people here on this committee some of you will when you go up to the well certain ones I know they're gonna have something of value to say. I respect your opinions I respect your friendships I do not respect this process. I have a suspicion and this goes with this resolution here I have a suspicion that if I were to go back and look and see how many roll call votes has happened. Because I have to come to this committee here to get these changes. It's a Speaker select committee I'm trying to change the Speaker concentration of power. But I have to go here. I suspect there haven't been any roll call votes in this committee. And if so that's a shame. Because ever the committee I serve on. It's common there's differing opinions. It serves the constituents. But my experience here. And experience I watched of folks to come here. Is that too many things are set in stone. Now rise this doesn't make friends and I don't want to be that way. But my disposed to come forward one time for that constituent trying to make a change that go a well. the times people would come up to me afterward and saying walking behind me I agree with you. But they don't want to come out front. They don't want to come out from. Could it because my dad said the Pechora shall. We are not serving our constituents. With this concentration of power. And I will grant you that many people you just post about it talk about it it doesn't get there but when you I wonder before you all vote on the Senate we have the sitting on our hands have you will visit with your constituents have you come clean with them this is how it works represent McKenzie I have honestly no idea what you're talking about are you presenting your resolution yes Sir I am okay this resolution is same resolution I presented here three months ago what it does resolution H. H. R. ten twenty. It changes the Speaker that skews me the Speaker selected the chairs. And ten twenty deals with the ten standing committees. It also deals with the Joint Budget Committee House Budget Committee and it says it will be was it follows the Senate rules. They'll be picked by seniority. That's what it does. As opposed to right now. They are all. Chair and co chair. Chosen by the Speaker so that is one HR ten twenty does I presented this is this is not this is verbatim the reason why I went into just a little bit more why would hope that this would get a little bit more for hearing. A little bit more of a thought. Is because it affects how we run the show. It affects the voice our constituents have. When we take all the power and we put it up in one position I don't care how great that person is all that powers in one position and it is diluting the power to our constituents and it is changing our focus our loyalty and we have seen it play out time and time again as to how it doesn't work well and doesn't serve our constituents. And I think we've seen it play out in this committee today. So that was my point is far as I've already presented this. By at least. It's a matter of conviction and it may be lonely Commission by don't think it is. I'll take questions. All right members you've heard the presentation of this bill representative ray you're recognized for a question thank you Mr Speaker represent against I'm not sure why you're so mad when you when you come down to the well unless it's because of the bills that were hard prior no motion was made I want to be very clear with you hi no one told me how to vote on this bill I do not agree with the civil liability of those bills and I have been very clear that so for you to come to the whale and come to the table and almost act like I'm being told how I'm going to vote today. That's disrespectful and I disagree with that my question is this you say the selection we made on seniority. Is that in your bill because I don't see it. There are no instructions in your bill as to how committee select committee chaired by shared will be made. I apologize Representative great let me go through this I didn't bring my glasses here today this is the exact same bill that I had bill or draw up The representative for you before if it does not if we have somehow left that out. I assure you I would be happy to amend that because that is my intention is to follow the Senate rules and to respond to your comment I do appreciate I do know how used to it I know how that I've seen you comment out and so let me clarify just because everybody's unanimous doesn't mean it's not genuine. But I do think perhaps you might agree that every vote is unanimous. It's fair enough for some folks to wonder and the problem I have is the appearance and that's why I think it really ties your hand when when everyone is so and everyone on this committee as a member select committee I'm answering the question. Representative mackenzie high on the second representative Dali of a question one of our let's hear it. One call. Yeah represent is not speaking on the bill. His point of order Esther speaking stay on the bill. All right hang on to that ball just one second we need to focus on house resolution ten twenty representative gray you're recognized thank you and it's just a follow up and I appreciate your response to follow up and it seems the one committee that you're the most upset about is that this committee in the select committees do you plan to bring a bill for the select committees because you at this bill actually leaves out the committees that you seem to be so upset about thank you for that question and I apologize I would be upset but I do have strong feelings and I don't think that there's necessary a tyrant there's a time a place to share those strong feelings yes in fact I do believe we need to have one the reason why I did not hear is because there's only so many different things I think I can tackle but I do believe in fact I'll go ahead and share I'd. Well. I do believe it should be changed I believe. This this committees powerful. And as I pointed out if you want to make any changes to the structure it goes to the committee that is hand selected all one hundred percent the members by that structure. And that's that's not a good appearance Hey and so that's mine yes you're right I did not it's certainly on my and I hope that somebody I'll be going on property the applause of many people I hope somebody does not not gonna stop speaking out about it I don't think I understood the first day and and fumbled the way I did. If I didn't feel strongly thank you for the question. Our representative Wardlaw you're recognized for a question your Speaker Mr chairman I give you a promotion. representative McKenzie did you serve in the twenty nineteen session. Yes I did so do you remember in that session the Speaker appointed every single committee yes I did okay and this membership saw that they didn't like that power being one single person so we changed it back to seniority and congressional district you remember that yes I do okay thank you Mr thank you representative representative Ferguson you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair of agribusiness shall lie down the representative Brad don't see that you're saying seniority determines the chair and vice chair I guess do you not have any concerns about that in that maybe people with particular expertise for a committee that don't have a lot of seniority would never be able to chair or vice chair committee I mean you might be overlooking a lot of talent that people that have not served as a law I think that's a fair question I think there to actual models that you can I don't care which one at this point I don't care for pulling out of the. I agree with that and I'm the seniority is one option the other is that the committees themselves. They collect their chair that's what some states do I chose for the purposes of this to mirror what are Arkansas Senate does that's what they do I watch the process and you could choose you could and course that had the the distillations of on the majority party could be a chair and I agree that you're not going to get necessary results that you like but first of all all one hundred members percent here by thirty thousand people. And I also think I've gone back and look at the history I have seen some people appointed to chairs with much less seniority and experience. Then people ahead of them so we already have some of that going on thank you for the question there's a number of options my goal with this is to avoid what I mentioned was the appearance you don't have that appearance if you're either doing a by seniority. Or like I said the committees themselves could then appoint the chair as some states do. Thank you for the question. All right members seeing no other questions is anyone here a lot to do for against this resolution. In return can the would you like to close for your resolution and referred for this all right. Members you've heard the presentation of House resolution ten twenty what is will of committee. Nineteen no motion that resolution is failed representative McKenzie you are recognized to present House resolution ten twenty one thank you same thank for ten twenty one same thing I am. I presented previously exact same thing and I I believe in the bill are my think my guess is that this goes what they have changed and hearing that but let's put the underlying you're saying he has to do with just stripping out the portion of Speaker select and putting it in the everything else we choose is by seniority and therefore those chairs would be available as selection as all the other committee assignments are so that is what this does this deals with legislative audit and Legislative Council. and I. Did not to take a moment to respond to represent Wardlaw which I realize so if if he would like a response I would be happy to respond to his last comment. I don't I don't think he's on that resolution at this point. Thank you I am able to take any questions our members any questions on this resolution. All right saying on anyone in the audience like to speak for or against this resolution. Martina represented mackenzie would you like to close for that resolution yes and in my closing because these resolutions both addressed the exact same comment we did make those changes in twenty nineteen I supported them I recall standing up and actually asking representative Davis about these other selections these are the committees and the end and I think the answer is that time board we're working on these right now. obviously everyone has different opinions and that's great and I think they appreciate this. Discussion we've had. As opposed to the last time where I talk. And nothing I think the people benefit from these discussions open it up maybe the people say you know what she's wrong I can accept that. So. I present these today to continue to further discussion and I hope that as we go through the rest of this year before the new assembly comes back. They may decide they want to make some of these changes with input. I'm close all right thank you representative. Members you've heard presentation of resolution what will of committee. All right scene no motion the resolution has failed representative McKenzie House resolution ten twenty two. Thank you Mr chairman House resolution ten twenty two is a new one. What this calls for is a in an open transparent vote for the Speaker designate election which will be held at the end of the fiscal session right now we do this by secret ballot. The only reason I'm allowed to vote. For Speaker of the house. Is because I am the representative for what is currently District ninety two. I vote in that capacity. I didn't get a vote before then elected me and I won't have one when I'm no longer here. Since I am voting in my capacity. As representative the people who elected me. Deserve to know how I voted. So all this calls for. Is an open transparent the. That way the people may or may not like how I vote they can tell me. The way we have it right now. They will never know. I'd be happy to take any questions thank you representative representative Wardlaw has a question for you recognize represent Wardlaw thank you Mr can you tell me what you think the reason that the voter is a secret ballot now I Mister chairman I'll have a follow up on this. Well since I didn't vote for this secret ballot I am we gonna speculate on the reason I've I suppose there might be two number one it's always awkward to vote for or against your colleague and if this were any other thing homecoming. I think that should be anonymous the only reason I think this should be public is because I only am able to cast that vote because I'm a representative the other reason I've been told which I think goes back to these other resolutions some people will say I don't want to be open because I'm afraid of repercussions. If I vote for the losing side. President will your follow up. I will think about it for second but I probably do thank you Mr representative Deborah Ferguson you're recognized yes I have a question I I guess. For me I'm I'm grateful that it's secret ballot because it don't you think it helps prevent a lot of pressure from the the caucuses in the parties to vote in blog I mean I am grateful that. I am grateful that the democratic caucus doesn't know how voting because I don't want that pressure for them to vote in block in if it's if it's anonymous and I can vote however really feel like who the best person is sent to you don't you don't think that's a good reason to keep it well I think that reason to be applied to every but we have there's several those I might feel more comfortable. If I could do it secret but I think my constituents deserve to know how I'm voting since I'm casting that vote and the capacity as the representative. I know your followers yet but you know as you pointed out at the speaker's race very different from a regular bill and the repercussions for the caucus and the in the in general I think your are much less are much greater than just for regular bill but I guess you would agree with that. Representative Eubanks you're recognized. You Mr represent McKenzie you made the statement that your your constituents would not know how you voted are you not free to tell them how you voted that's a good point. I am free to tell them. I'm free to tell either Speaker anybody who runs however wouldn't but they'll never know. Well like I said follows There's usually not any doubt in anybody's mind where I am on a on on a particular speakers race Just because I don't want to mislead anybody I want people to know exactly where I stand and I'll deal with whatever repercussions there are I actually initial my ballot and take a picture of it so that I can share it with anybody that wants to see it so. Well I think in response to that. I think that's a good policy certainly but just as as represent a Ferguson pointed out there is a suspicion and that's the problem we do things secret or when we do things when it gives the appearance. That's not good there's a suspicion some people thanks that the thing that the Democrats all voting bloc along with a certain group of Republicans. Now they have every right to do that probably smart. And the Republicans I think should but the thing is if I am a constituent maybe I want to know. If my representative voted a block with the Democrats now I myself may decide I think that's the better person but I ought to be accountable for it and that's all this is asking. Is to give them accountability. And yes I can tell them. But I can tell both people that ran for Speaker that I voted for him. I wouldn't. But we avoid that appearance and again if this for homecoming. I'm not voting because I'm a representative for district ninety two this this vote is on a reason when I get to cast that vote representative Vaught you're recognized thank you Mr chair. So I want to go back to what you just said because I think we can all tell our constituents who we vote for I don't like I mean kinds anyway that we might live to our constituents and telling that we might vote for someone that we didn't vote for which I don't appreciate because I've been pretty forth coming with who I vote for the reason why votes for women and so forth and so on and I'm about as transparent as you can get because my transparency I even have somebody running against me because I was so transparent about how it's going to vote on something during a special session so I don't think it's right for anyone to come in here and tell us that we might not but that we're not transparent with our constituents for one thing because I think the majority of the people at this table are very very open with their constituency and telling how they vote The rules have been changed once or twice as representative Wardlaw said that they were changed but I think there's a lot of people I don't have a problem with that my vote on that board doesn't bother me one iota put my vote on that board because I'm going to support him going to sport not been very transparent about that but there are people in the chamber who think that it might hurt them and their friendship with one or the other candidates if it's put on the board another thing to think about is the Speaker might not want to be put on the board because he wanted to be or he can pick whoever he wants to be on the committee and not feel like he's putting people on a committee just because they voted for him have you ever thought about that. Yes thank you for the thank you for the comment the question to your first comment I believe I'm as transparent as can be. The most transparent I would submit is an open vote. That would be the most transparent and I think to to to say to somebody. Because you advocate for an open voting you don't trust a secret ballot that your son that I'm somehow including somebody's character. I think that goes against the fundamentals of what we believe we want in a democracy and our representative form of government I don't think I'm I'm challenging anybody here and saying I think you one of you is line I'm saying we avoid the appearance one hundred percent if it's up there and with regard to hurt people's feelings knowledge that it's awkward. But nobody made us run for this job nobody. And sometimes we have to take some hard votes and hard decisions and I think we plenty of times we have to vote and speak against folks bills. But I believe we all try to make the interest I understand that we differed on this does not impact our relationship. Representative all you're recognized thank you Mr chair so my follow up would be you talk about constituents asking you to do this I've been here this will be the beginning of my eighth year I've never had one constituent asked me who I voted for for Speaker or how we vote for Speaker or nothin they. Trust me to vote for the correct person to sit in that chair and to run our chamber but not one time in my eight years not one time a pad as anybody in my district ask me who I voted for how we vote for them or any of those kind of things so I it's odd to me that I've in eight years had no one to bring this to me and this is something so big and so You were pressing thank you representative Dalby pressing from your district I appreciate that question that common you know what that's true. But you might also found is people don't know. Into the town and I would invite you or anybody else here I'd be happy and I think would be great for the people let's go let's go out and visit with people and let's let's show how it's done let him answer questions because I've spoken to group after group after group after group and what I have found every time. Is the people come after means that you know we didn't know that was going on. I don't like it. That's what I found but I could be wrong and in fairness I think it's important to get both sides both sides if any of you have any position and I think it would be wonderful I would be happy to go to any group. And any member of this committee wants to come and present their side that's the way it should be. But I think in fairness this is somewhat inside baseball but when people hear about it they realize this impacts me but I could be wrong that's why would I would be happy to visit and and like I said you and I could go and speak to people not to make up their minds that be great thank you. Thank you a representative members any other questions. I see no other questions is there anyone in the audience on the speak for or would like to speak for against this resolution. All right thing on representative McKenzie would you like to close for this resolution. I would. And this was hard but I tell you I think this is probably the best discussion we've had about I think but I realized differing opinions. But I hope that we can always Speaker mind speak with conviction. The friends afterward. Thank you for that I'm closed thank you and what are the wishes of the committee motion represent representative Jean Seri motion I have a motion to table this for further study I think there was some pretty good dialogue and. Personally I've always been in favor putting the board were every member of the House representative voted for but it need to be on the board from the other four of the caucus of the whole but the let's have time to read your bill to see what if there's a consensus classmen motion to table member that is a proper motion not debatable all those in favor of that motion say aye. Closed all right the ayes have it that will be tabled that's the last item on the agenda but before we go represent mackenzie I just wanted to address something you said and defend the members of this committee these members. Can vote however they want to vote. The no one up here telling them how to vote no the more than any other committee. There have been times in in in the past session where I may have had a feeling one way the other by the bill so I try to convince them to vote the way that I feel that's no different from any other committee. So I'm I'm offended on some of your comments about the members of this committee because we deal with some very sensitive subjects we deal with some very uncomfortable subjects and they do the best they can and they are free to vote however they want to vote so I just wanna make that abundantly clear. All right. All right members that's all we have on the agenda we are adjourned.