House Convenes

I'm by the member staff press and guests in the gallery substandard led in prayer by the house chaplain Dr rex one retired pastor Emmanuel Baptist church in Little Rock and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Let's pray. Father I'm thankful today for these friends who serve our state and serve their communities. I pray you bless the lord we we have so much that we hold in common we're meeting and our wonderful state capital we live in the same state. And our people across our state have a kinship in many different ways. Yet lord were also individuals you've made us as individuals no two alike. We are products of our hopes and our hurts. Of things that are disappointed us of things that we see and feel so helpless so large to always be a group. It reaches out not only in the hour of need but just reaches out because we're in this journey together. Help us so lord to be able to respect in a way that would honor you but also honor the office that we hold in the state that we love. And give patience and endurance this body as they look toward the end of their work sometime in the near future. Just help them to finish will. It is my prayer in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepared machine Mr Clerk. Cast about Mr Clark. With ninety nine members present the chair sees a quorum or the request for leave represents speaks for what purpose leave you're recognized representative firm them is leave granted for representative Furman. Some noted represent Fredrick Love moves we dispense the reading of the previous day's Journal without objection so ordered are the Reports from select committees are the Reports from standing committees reports Mister Clark Mister Speaker we're Committee on state agencies to whom was referred house bill seventeen twenty six house bill seventeen eighty nine house bill seventeen ninety three House Bill eighteen sixty six and a bill for fifteen senate four eighty six and before any sensible for NEA medley report we've had the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition do pass as amended like Tosh chair Mister Speaker we're Committee on state agencies and government affairs to whom was referred Senate bill six fourteen beg leave to report that we have the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition I do pass as amended number one respectfully submitted white Tosh chair Mister Speaker we're Committee on insurance and commerce to whom was referred Senate bill six oh three beg leave to report we've had the same under consideration he was trying to sing the recognition do pass respectfully submitted Mark Lowery chair. Is there any unfinished business are there any Executive communications read the letters from the governor. April seventh twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house you Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on April seventh twenty twenty one I reviewed and approved the following measure from the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly house bill twelve fifteen is ACT six oh seven sincerely Asa Hutchinson. Mr Clark please read House resolution ten twenty seven. House resolution ten twenty seven by representative McNair to recognize the here's the lady goblins basketball team is the class four A. state champions seminary recognized to explain resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker I like representatives like come on please that's okay. I'd also like representative Porter was going to be down there but we want to be sure and tell her how proud he was that he had to take them to the hospital just a little bit ago so but he did want to tell them we were waiting to see if we could bring the girls down but it didn't fit the scheduling so they are watching online but we just came with the resolution to. Congratulate and recognize them is for a the lady. Thank champions of their like a lot of the other schools that had a challenging year due to covid. But they kept their focus on or go. I was able to attend three of their four state tournament games including the final game and you could just say their drive and determination to achieve the goals of state champions and July twenty thing representative flight. Just congratulate them and being alone not from Harrison it's a legacy the goblins own tall spruce one of these girls is granddaughter one of my deputies of passed on so we're really proud. Mister Speaker if you have a part read resolution please Mr Clark please read the resolution whereas they hear somebody goblins best to the Farmington lady cardinals to take the class four A. state basketball title with a score of sixty eight to fifty four at the bank as a catering in hot springs Arkansas on Saturday March twenty twenty twenty one and whereas following eighteen and season the winner earned the lady goblins the fifth state championship the team has taken the sentry with the last date when seventeen years ago in two thousand four and we're as coach Kristen Williams had faith in this team telling them in the final stage of the game quote relax it's our game we're not going to let the come back happen in quote and indeed they did not and whereas the team MVP Alex hill scored thirty points got ten rebounds and hit thirteen of seventeen free throws and whereas B. in the P. hill said quote and through it all through all the hard stuff this year we've come together and it worked out great end quote and whereas the team includes Alex Health clear Barker clear seasonal Sydney strum Brent Olson to militate Madison bill Bryan Hudson Merion keen to very of white horse Maggie Sullivan Shaylee ward Jenna may Jones and restrict its and the team is led by head coach Kristin Williams assistant coaches Stacey clot and converse years and team manager shall be Oswald now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the house of representatives congratulate and recognize the Harrison lady goblins basketball team is the class four A. state champions. Thank you again we with the girls were here but I couldn't make it so with that I'd like for all of the help we congratulate them on our state championship. Represent McNair is explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution representive McNair is closed for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house resolution twenty ten twenty seven all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution is adopted. Members for a Passover House resolution ten thirty one Mr Clark please read House resolution ten thirty three House resolution ten thirty three by representative Brooks to congratulate the university of Arkansas Fayetteville's men's Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team for qualifying for the elite eight tournament for the first time since nineteen ninety five and for an incredible season. Represent Brooks you're recognized to explain resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues and I'd like to thank the thirty six other representatives who joined us on this resolution I do want to mention representative Beatty who did have a chance to have his name added this but I'd like to recognize him as well when I first members in life when I was five years old in March of nineteen eighty one I remember being huddled around our families thirteen inch black and white television as US read it is half court shot to defeat the defending champion will cardinals in the NC double a tournament I vividly remember my dad basically losing his mind as he was so excited the fact that this happened on the home court of the Texas Longhorns made it that much sweeter for him fast forward to my opportunity to develop a similar passion with bill Richardson's teams of the late eighties and nineties and they are unforgettable rent run that culminated in nineteen ninety four national championship this year's version of hog ball led by coach Eric Musselman is open the door to new era of success we witnessed the entire state get behind the team to accomplish things not seen in a generation as a father myself now I get so much joy out of watching my kids engage in something that brings our Kansans together in otherwise chaotic year it's entirely possible that my kids may see their dad show the same enthusiasm that I saw as a child and my father I thank you for the example set by this team both on and off the court these young men the coaching staff and the men and women who support them are all deserving of honor Mr Speaker please have a Clerk read the resolution in its entirety I believe hold on just a second representative will win for what purpose. Let's hear your question I think that it would be good for now I'm going to phrase this in wouldn't you agree question that one of our members here in this body was underneath the basket when US reads shot was made representative less foreign from hot. Maybe represent represent wing are you suggesting that represent Warren had some part of that success he may have some knowledge about where that ball ended up that's all I'll say. Mr Speaker please apart read the resolution Mr Clark please read the resolution whereas for the first time since nineteen ninety five the university of Arkansas Fayetteville men's Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team qualified for the elite eight in the NCAA division one men's basketball tournament tournament held this year in Indianapolis Indiana and whereas in the second round of the tournament on Sunday March twenty first twenty twenty one the number three seed Arkansas Razorbacks best of the number six seed Texas tech red raiders by two points for a final score of sixty eight to sixty six and a place in the Sweet Sixteen and whereas with sixteen was held on Saturday March twenty seventh and put in the Arkansas Razorbacks against oral Roberts golden eagles a team of the Arkansas Razorbacks B. two by two points for a final score of seventy two to seventy and whereas the one qualified the team for the elite eight in the match up on Monday March twenty ninth. With the number one seed and eventual national champion the Baylor bears in the Arkansas Razorbacks played a hard fought an excellent game putting Baylor through their toughest competition in the entire tournament and we're as coach Eric Musselman and staff have done an outstanding job bringing together the team primarily composed of newcomers and persevering through perhaps the most challenging year in college basketball history and whereas the team has reignited the fanbase instilled a sense of pride throughout Arkansas by the tremendous effort and success in securing a spot in the elite eight twenty six years after the team's last appearance and whereas our homegrown talent on the team includes Moses meeting the vontade Davis Jaylin Williams desi sills isn't Henderson Connor Vanover and Kaelin Robinson and we're transplant our Kansans have come from Arkansas Razorbacks are Justin Smith JD NO today Vance Jackson junior Jaylon Tate Amiga of a question Kamani Johnson baby eighty one and Brycen Moore had and now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the house of representatives congratulate coach Eric Musselman and the university of Arkansas Fayetteville men's basketball team for their incredible season and success in the NCAA tournament. President Brooks is explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Represent Brooks is close for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house resolution ten thirty three all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution is adopted. Mr Clark please read House resolution ten thirty four. House resolution ten thirty four by representative Clowney to congratulate the Arkansas Razorbacks women's basketball team won an incredible season and qualifying for the NCAA tournament president Clowney recognized explained resolution thank you Mr Speaker with their permission can I have representatives Maddox and Johnson joining the well please. Collins is excited as I am to have Daniel Musselman's husband with us today in the end gallery the celebrations don't stop with the men's team the Razorbacks women's basketball team deserve our appreciation for one heck of a season as well. Whether it's being the first team in program history to post back to back winning seasons in the SEC for taking us to the big dance with the highest seed since nineteen ninety one for our team there is so much to celebrate these women have brought our state such pride and under the leadership of coach neighbors he's with us in the gallery today also with us today are some lifelong friends of coach neighbors who I think would like or. I lex members you have we're talking about where people were when the US reach out happen I remember where Mike and I were we're in the rock jamming Greenwood high school the old GM we were we were in the back room watching a black and white version that shot he made that shot we were out shot half court shots that we would turn blue in the face and to this day he still make more than most people in the country she from half court so I I guarantee one thing without a lot of things back at that time what we might be or what we might do but I guarantee you there's no way we ever thought would be staying in this room this far apart him up there me down here so much greater was having here and I'm proud of him and everything they've done. Colleagues frankly I didn't know if I was insanely thing today I wasn't planning on it so you know we'll go with it but I do want to I want to congratulate the lady back basketball team in a historic season they went to an NCAA tournament they beat UConn they beat Baylor and for those of you who follow women's college athletics you know that's a huge deal so I do want to say thank you to I can't name them all actually I can Chelsea Jaylen Taito Hammer thank you for what you did helping coach neighbors build what's going to be a juggernaut of a program up there so I wouldn't impress upon all of you to start following the program there are a lot of fun to watch and I do have to one person was signed about coach neighbors he is the. Most innovative most. Well respected offense of mind in all of college basketball in my opinion I'm a little biased because he's one of my best friends so thank you for being here. I was a little research on codes before I came down here today and I learned that he is an extreme devour of books apparently he wanted to learn so much so quickly that when he was in his thirties he taught himself how to speed read that kind of curiosity and determination to improve oneself. Combined with coach neighbors in during commitment to Arkansas to home represents the best of my district district eighty six and the best of our state as a whole we are so proud of what the women's team has accomplished it may take the Clerk just a little longer to read the resolution and it would take you coach but hopefully bear with us Mr Speaker please have occurred Mr Clark please read the resolution. Whereas for the first time since twenty fifteen the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville women's razorback Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team qualified for the NCAA division one women's basketball tournament earning a number four seed in the big dance and the highest C. for the team since nineteen ninety one and we're as during the regular season the team became the first women's team in program history to post back to back winning seasons in the Southeastern Conference as well as the first post to top five wins in the same season. Meeting both number four Baylor University with a score of eighty three to seventy eight number three university of Connecticut with a score of ninety to eighty seven and whereas with this the end season win against the university of Connecticut the Arkansas Razorbacks women are just one of nineteen since twenty twelve to be what many consider to be the gold standard in women's college basketball in the win against Baylor University was the Arkansas Razorbacks first victory against defending national champion since nineteen ninety six and whereas coach Mike neighbors in his fourth season with the team has won an amazing talented group of players to these accomplishments and we're as the Arkansas Razorbacks women's basketball team has ignited a fanbase and set a world record for the two most well attended games in all of women's college basketball this season now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the house of representatives congratulate coach Mike neighbors in the university of Arkansas Fayetteville women's basketball team for their incredible season and success in the NCAA tournament. President counties explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution would anyone like to speak for the resolution represent Clowney is close for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house resolution ten thirty four all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution is adopted. Members just briefly before the U. of a delegation leaves there's one individual that also needs to be recognized he's the individual that has assembled all the talent and that is the athletic director hunter Yurachek. The morning hour is indeed. Represent Gazaway recommends that we can current Senate amendment number one to House Bill fifteen ninety three Mister Clark please read Senate Amendment number one Senate Amendment or one to House Bill fifteen ninety three. Person Gazaway you're recognized explain a member number one. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues very simple Senate amendment may by representative Ballinger or Senator Ballinger just adds up for good cause shown about when a prosecuting attorney can deny deputy the ability to Kerry in that that decision can't be arbitrary or capricious and then added some cleanup language to the definition of who qualifies including a prosecuting attorney deputy prosecuting attorney bill passed overwhelmingly on the Senate we passed overwhelmingly here to simple amendment we appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Gazaway has explained the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment. Representative Gazaway is close for the amendment the question before the House is concurrence with Senate amendment one to House Bill fifteen ninety three prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Members if you give us just a moment we're having some technical difficulties. We're going to stand in recess until we can get the voting machine up and running thank you. The House will come to order. All right members. The question before the House when we left off was the concurrence was Senate amendment one to House Bill fifteen ninety three prepare the machine Mr Clerk. House Abbas Senate Amendment one to House Bill fifteen ninety three. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast of the ballot Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty one Yeas three nays and one president you have concurred in Senate amendment one to House Bill fifty ninety three. Representative Gazaway recommends that we can current Senate amendment one to House Bill thirteen twenty one Mr Clark please read Senate Amendment one Senate amendment one to House Bill thirteen twenty one. Representative Gazaway you are recognized to explain amendment one thank you madam chair colleagues this is a simple Senate amendment the really had to do with numbering when we got to the Senate we realize that the number and was off there was also distinction one change in the wording of distinction between Local Electrical facilities and nonlocal electrical facilities as the only changes that passed the Senate with thirty four votes. Happy to answer any questions we appreciate a good vote. Representative Gazaway has explained amendment one would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment. Representative Gazaway is closed for the amendment the question before the House is concurrence was Senate amendment one to House Bill thirteen twenty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety eight zero nays and one president you have concurred in Senate amendment one to House Bill thirteen twenty one. We're going to pass over house bill seventeen twenty four Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen sixteen. House Bill eighteen sixteen by representative Pilkington to specify the types of flags that may be flown on public school campuses. Representative Pilkington you are recognized to present your bill. Thank you colleagues today I present to you house bill eighteen sixteen is a very simple bill all it doesn't specify that on school campuses high school campuses that you can not prohibit cannot prohibit the fun of the American Arkansas county or school district flag and that there is allowed to fly for delegation flags to well being points in this is all about since the time the hands of school officials from banning those flag there is an issue in my district we're just trying to provide an update to the flag code to provide them with some clarity that's it thank you wish for good vote. Representative Pilkington has explained this bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Pilkington is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen sixteen prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty seven Yeas one day and to present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill seventeen twenty one house bill seventeen twenty one by representative Gazaway to be known as the Arkansas Phoenix active twenty twenty one concerning the statue limitations for certain offenses and concerning the training given to law enforcement officers for situations in which domestic violence expected representative Gazaway you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker colleagues this bill is aimed at providing some additional protection to victims of domestic violence what this bill does is it extends the statute of limitations for a couple of classes of offenses involving domestic violence specifically first degree battery first degree domestic battery and second degree domestic battery which are both felony offense domestic battery will allow the statute of limitations to be extended for five years if there is certain undisputable hard evidence that that is produced and the reason for this to the rationale the justification is because many times. Victims of domestic violence are hesitant to come forward because they're trapped in a situation with the abuser and they don't feel comfortable reporting it to law enforcement I personally have seen this in my experiences when I was prosecutor we would have many times victims of domestic violence which would be discovered not because the victim was a comfortable coming forward because there was a neighbor who reported something going on next door to the police the police showed up and they discovered that you know there's a really bad incident of domestic violence. And even after that oftentimes victims would not cooperate with the prosecution even some of the worst cases that I had seen broken bones teeth missing teeth and those victims would not cooperate with law enforcement until. They left that abusive situation and then they would come back to law enforcement they would come back to the prosecuting attorney's office and they would say you know what. I'm I'm out from that situation now and I'd like to cooperate in what we would have to tell me as well I'm sorry I can't help you the statute of limitations has expired on your case and so what this says is for in felony cases of domestic abuse if there is certain types of evidence and that type of it those types of evidence are DNA evidence sufficient to charge the defendant. if the state becomes aware of the existence of audio or video or photographs were written or electronic communications officials charged with the defendant if the defendant confesses to the offense or if there are three other victims who were victimized by this defendant who come forward that allows for the extension of the statute of limitations it does not mean that a person will be charged and so I think that's an important distinction but it would allow the statute of limitations to be extended for the consideration involving this particular offense and so it does it for five years for felony domestic battery it does it for three years for a misdemeanor domestic battery and then the second part of the bill imposes some training requirements for law enforcement this is not any new or additional training it doesn't increase the hours it just and it just incorporates a specific type of training involving how to deal with domestic violence victims we talk with Jamie cook at the commission for law enforcement standards and training they're already doing most of this training and they don't have any objection to this being included in the bill and so with that I'm happy to answer any questions. C. nine I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Gazaway is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Gazaway is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill seventeen twenty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety seventy eight zero nine zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen thirty five. House Bill eighteen thirty five a representative Payton to amend the law concerning a residential contractors lien notice requirements. Representative Payton you are recognized to present the bill. Thank you madam chair I hope I can explain this better than I did in committee so currently if your contractor you're doing work for people and they don't pay you there's a provision in Arkansas Code allows you to put a lien on that property or that building to get paid in order to do that Code requires that you have you inform them you do a disclosure on the front end that if they don't pay you you have the power to do that and there's a form that has to be signed. Arkansas law says if you don't disclose it and you don't get the form signed then you can't take advantage of that lien process which is a short cut to legal action but it goes one step too far beyond that and it says if you don't get the form signed on the front and then you lose all your remedies by law not just the ability to attach the lien but the ability to sue to get paid later so this bill just simply take that last step out to where of a contractor does not make the disclosure does not get this is the signature. They are prohibited from attacking the lien automatically but they still retain their other protections in law where they can prove that you own and collect so with that I'll take questions. The nine thank you I appreciate a good vote. Representative Payton has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Payton is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen thirty five prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mister Clark with ninety seventy eight zero nine zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen seventy three also eighteen seventy three by representative Beatty to amend the requirements concerning the tax information that shall be provided to a city or county by the department of finance and administration. Representive baby you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you madam Speaker a House bill eighteen seventy three is to amend the requirements concerning tax information provided to a city or county government by the FNA basically this bill would provide a and a city or county an opportunity request electronically a report from the FNA that would basically contain the tax ID number of a vendor and the total amount amount of taxes collected this information would not be discloseable I would remain confidential information between the county and quorum court of the city and city council and with that I would request a good vote. Representative McKenzie. He's left the wealth representative Beatty has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Representative McKenzie you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you madam Speaker and I'm not sure from against I think I am so if you can answer this question your clothes my understanding. Is that this bill would allow cities and counties to see not just the figures. But the names of the businesses and how much what their individual sales our mom over here pop over here all these different businesses so if that's the case. Even if it is confidential then I don't support that and if we are removing. The blindness so to speak of its no longer number but the cities or counties can see the actual businesses and their sales figures. Representative McKenzie is spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Representive hawk you're recognized to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Good afternoon thank you madam Speaker I would like to speak against the bill because this is not information that is publicly disclosed at this time this is information that the cities and counties have requested so that they can do economic development however this bill takes that information to a new level which is a micro level it's individual tax ID number individual business name and the sales tax data of that business that includes large business and small business as representative McKenzie pointed out mom and pops if you're in a small town you have a small business it's confidential information that doesn't say it's not boy apple meaning it could be for ad by some citizens to get that information it could be weaponized against businesses many of you. We have a small business can be used to weaponize against a small business it could be used by someone looking for a loan from a bank that would say well my sales or this but this year of my sales are this it could be have just unintended consequences for the users of this information and I would just ask that you consider that this information is not public information now the cities and counties the information they get is not by individual business it's not identified by a tax ID number for each business and vendor specific to sales tax data and information thank you. Representative hawk is spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Representative Beatty would you like to close for the bill. In closing for the bill this information can already be requested three D. F. and a three the mayors and and the and the county this process just allows them to electronically request this information and have a report prepared as far as this information being used to weaponize against the business this this this information is just going to be another asset for the city to work on economic development issues it will also that I can't see where it's going you know compared to a bank loan or any of that information because we're getting tax returns and other information financial statements from these businesses to make that decision that information is not going to be discloseable to the public or the general public and this is just a good it's a good tool for the cities to utilize so with that I would ask that you would be a good vote and and pass this bill thank you. Representative Beatty is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen seventy three prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With thirty five Yeas forty two Nays and nine present the bill has failed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen eighty. House bill thirteen eighty representive ray to repeal the Arkansas legal insurance act. Representative ray you're recognized to present your bill. Afternoon colleagues house bill thirteen eighty repeals the Arkansas legal insurance act this is essentially licensing language that doesn't serve very much purpose these are licenses for folks who sell what's called legal insurance there's no training or testing or education requirements to go along with this license is strictly a fee so it's basically just a license for the sake of having a license others thirty three states in the country that never created a license like this in the first place and out of those states that did create one half of those have repealed their license within the last six years so we're one of only nine states is still has this license left on the books and I visited with Commissioner McLean at the Arkansas insurance department and he's informed me that they have no issues with doing away with this language some be happy to take any questions. Sing nine appreciate a good vote. Representative ray is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative raise close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen eighty prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety four Yeas zero Nays zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill seventeen seventy nine house bill seventeen seventy nine by representative wouldn't concerning the identification and elimination of unused and unnecessary positions from the budgets of state agencies and to declare an emergency representative letting you are recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker seventy seven and colleagues. Representative of all of the work of the budget joint budget committee of back during the fall we attempted to secure information relative to vacant positions over two years of. In the key here is or important point is this is not an attempt to penalize the agencies this is simply make a bill asking them through the also the to look at these positions will will I found some that were back to two thousand and eight two thousand and nine many of them in twenty twelve and twenty thirteen and you know we just. We we just we can't justify the and holding that money on it particularly on the budgeted ones holding that money kept the simply to be able to pay the the the of four hundred fifty or five hundred dollars a month and it and it does not work because we had to come back and supplement thirty million dollars into the benefit program of this year now we're sitting down there over there with the request for twenty billion from the department of ed so what what this is telling me we're goal one of the the same position you found yourself in several years ago relative to the teachers of benefits and what the contribution of was for the state and then have the B. UPD and then many of the teachers their insurance bill we don't need that to happen we need to be for for a we need to be transparent we need to look at the actual cost of employee benefits you know me it's very simple action warily you have a look at it you can for K. S. he or project how much is going to cost you. And when that number is determined you divide that by your total number of employees. Thirty thousand thirty two thousand somewhere that you come up with a number the cost per employee and then you put that in the budget line in each agency's budget based on how many employees they have so we've got to deal with that but let me say. May explain this bill real quickly opium of them of us all positions of state agencies that have been vacant for two years or more and provides the reports of those positions two A. L. C. or J. B. C.. The other info positions will be frozen and may not be filled during the interim period this will be done on June the fifteenth of each year over the hill to a else Louis. The agency's mail telephone certain frozen positions and bring them before the for sale so the request that they be unfrozen and approved to be Phil earned him or. I have a question come from secretary Sullivan. Of relative to his security force down there if he has some in the process of hiring and then it got frozen that's covered in here thank you an S. and we will A. L. C. same thing was concerning the State Police within one of the bill of sale we don't want bill penalizing the agency. Positions are attentive but opium this vacant for two years or more are not approved to be used during the emerald will automatically be shoulders positions to be eliminated during the next budget hearing cycle. Agencies may identify other positions during the internal that are no longer required by the agency and request the positions be frozen for the remainder of the fiscal year and shown as positions not requested at the next budget hearing our system. As a result of our efforts in the in the urine don't joint budget this year we have already saved over four million dollars. About seventy positions have voluntarily then surrendered about three agency. So that's four million dollars they can either be reallocated re used in those agencies or say this jokingly or they don't need them but we can at least we've got four million the Committee use well we've got over a thousand of positions twelve hundred or so that are unfilled that over two years of would you just multiply that by forty five thousand dollars and celery and then fifty four hundred dollars a year for health benefits you to you talk about a big amount of money you're talking about relative to the the tax cut if if we were to make war is it it is time that we address both the positions and insurance the only changing you approve the amendment last week the only judge we may we have a task force or ask for a test for the in its wisdom this state agencies Committee led by a representative Wardlaw made the recommendation that we let the personnel committee of a LCD or Joint Budget handle it and I have I have no problem with that so they adopted the bill with the amendment with that I'll be happy to answer any questions. Representatives for purpose you're recognized representative wouldn't just a I have spoolie on board of what you're trying to do and you and I both of chaired personnel at various times so up can you say that if we were to go about eliminating a lot of these positions would that have any sort of negative effect on the employee benefits that we're paying now me with those because state employees to have to pay more for their insurance well that would and that's this reason I said that understand consultants been hired to review the be the and yes it will. But you know what. What what are we saying we were holding on to positions and some of budgeted in order to pay the insurance so the answer your question yes it would but that's also these two I feel that it needs to be looked at and representative Wardlaw and others have been studying in that and there is a concealed follow up. so this out task force or group that's going to be taking a big picture look at at these vacant positions and again I'm on board with the these bacon position there's a lot of them out there but when is that Sturch are you gonna be a part of that process okay they they will make the opium will make a report to the A. L. C. by the fifteenth of June each year well how many of those positions This is to that it will be of the personnel committee of the ALC and nala task force we change that we amended down now so the reason that I didn't do it with the personnel when I first of role to build. And this was a an effort between the of the office of personnel management personnel and BLR the result in the region recommended didn't know about the bird during the load them up with a person that so that's the reason they're doing it. Any other questions. Saying that I appreciate a good vote thank you very much for your patience. Represent wouldn't explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent wouldn't is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill seventeen seventy nine prepared machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty six yeas three nays and when president Bill emergency clause or pass Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen oh five house bill fourteen oh five a representative brown to create Quincy's law and to provide for consideration of a different differential diagnosis an investigation involving abuse under the child maltreatment act. Person brown you're recognized explained the bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues suffering today House Bill Fortino five Quincy's law and I want to think of the department of children and family services in Arkansas children's hospital for providing this amended language I had a much more complex bill when this started out. This bill simply. Allows for and I believe doctor cloud confirms anybody can get a second opinion but the reason we need to specify a second opinion is because there are many there are a number of connective tissue disorders that mimic child abuse. And the the reason I titled this bill Quincy's Law is it Quincy is parents brought their concerns to me over a year ago maybe two years ago I've lost track of time I've done so much reading investigating he had been diagnosed by a local physician has abused other doctors who of the parents presented Quincy to either. In person or his medical records only a Diagnosed or I don't know a thing actually diagnose somebody if you don't see him but indicated that they believe that Quincy actually was born with rickets. He had eighteen broken bones at the age of three months. And he had a hematoma. Our children with connective tissue disorders can suffer broken bones before birth. In the birthing process and with normal handling. In the parents ongoing search to figure out what's wrong with Quincy because he's had they've had numerous concerns they recently learned that Quincy does have stickler syndrome which the physician told them at that time is a close cousin of Ehlers Danlos. And Quincy's mother was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos earlier this year and his father has some rather. RBS indicators that he too may have a connective tissue disorder that still in the process of being determined. Are these connective tissue disorders are genetic so that means they can be inherited And transferred. And all of what I'm learning about the failure to diagnose connective tissue disorders until adulthood or maybe even never cast and and then what Quincy's recent diagnosis and his mother's diagnosis this all cast doubt in my mind and hopefully yours I whether Quincy was actually abused. The proper diagnosis of connective tissue disorders means that children will receive the care they need. As soon as they are identified but anyway this bill simply allows for a a second opinion it does not to provide for a second opinion if it's been sexual abuse don't want to put children through that trauma again. But with that I would ask for a good vote and I will try to answer your questions if you have any. and like I said children's hospital in Department of children family services provided this language. Representative brown has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill representative brown are you close for your bill representative brown is closed for her bill. The question before the House is the passage of H. B. fourteen all five pair there she'd Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted cast up the ballot Mister Clark with ninety three days zero nine zero present the bill has passed. Mr Clark please read sixteen ninety six. House Bill sixteen ninety six by representative Crawford concerning the taking of fingerprints a DNA sample a photograph or a person arrested for a class A. misdemeanor. Representative Crawford you're recognized for senate bill. Thank you madam Speaker hello friends today I bring before you house bill sixteen ninety six it was brought to me by the chief of police in Fort Smith and what this would do is allow for booking photos fingerprints to be taken somewhere other than the receiving to detention facility it would be helpful for law enforcement as well as a person charged to be able to be cited and fingerprinted for such things as class A. misdemeanors which would be like shoplifting or possession of marijuana without making a change in the law I'll answer any questions if you have any. The nine thanks for a good vote. Representative Crawford has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Anyone like to speak for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of H. B. six sixteen ninety six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mister Clark with eighty nine days zero nine eight and zero present the bill has passed. Read H. B. fifteen ninety Mr Clark. House of fifteen ninety by representative Gazaway concerning insurance proceeds of life health accident and disability policies and to declare an emergency. Represent guess what you're recognized for senate bill. Thank you madam Speaker colleagues simple bill simply says that if a person is convicted of a felony in state or federal court and there's a judgment that exist against them because of personal injury certain insurance benefits are currently off limits if they're receiving benefits under policy such as disability accident sicker life if you're receiving this type of the of benefits you're getting income that can be garnished if for some reason they stop getting income of the receiving these other benefits it would make that subject to say a garnishment I give an example let's say this is the example is using committee let's say that someone commits a felony they shoot you in the back it doesn't kill you but it seriously injures you for the rest of your life you get a judgment against them in court and now you're looking at a way to collect that they don't have a job but they do get these particular types of benefits you would be able to collect on those benefits simply what it does happy to answer any questions. Sing out appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Gazaway has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. The question before the House is a passenger fifteen ninety. Where the machine Mr Clerk. You're voting on the bill and the emergency clause has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mister Clark with ninety one yeah zero night and everyone present the bill has passed. He's read H. B. eighteen seventy eight Mister Clark house bill eighteen seventy eight by representative Gazaway concerning a the controlled substances affect non here when. Represent Gazaway you're recognized presenter bill. Thank you madam Speaker colleagues I think that this is a very important bill I'll try to keep this presentation short but it is what I think a very substantial bill important for what we're seeing in our communities across the state this bill addresses the criminal offenses of involving two particular drugs heroin and fentanyl these are two of the most addictive and dangerous drugs that we're seeing in our communities and so the way the bill works we currently have separate statutes on the books that address methamphetamine and cocaine so it's already illegal to possess fentanyl and heroin heroine as a schedule one controlled substance which is already illegal but but the reason that it is K. heroin is a schedule one controlled substances because it is highly addictive and it's it's very dangerous fennel is a schedule two controlled substance are again already illegal but what we're seeing is with respect to heroin we've seen a resurgence in the State of Arkansas with heroin overdoses and just the use of heroin in the state director Kirk lane Drug Director came to committee and testified about that and then we're also seeing here Fenton all to come in it's mostly coming from China is coming into Mexico it's coming across the border into tell you just how potent fentanyl is it was really unbelievable Drug Director land use to an example in committee report out of sweet low packet. And a sweet and low packet of pure fentanyl is enough to kill five hundred people and just a couple years ago to give you another example there was a bust in the state of Nebraska by the Nebraska state police where they seized a hundred and twenty pounds of PETN on I want to think about that a hundred and twenty pounds of fentanyl. That was enough to kill twenty six million people that's every man woman and child in the state of Arkansas and pretty much the entire southeastern United States that's how deadly it is and so what's happening is is coming from China it's coming to Mexico it's come across the border drug director lane testified to this and it's being laced with other drugs and so the crime lab and the medical examiner's office said when they see this when they do the toxicology on people who have overdosed they often find it mixed with other drugs and what you're seeing is people that are not intending to overdose but because fentanyl is so potent and it takes just such a minuscule amount to cause someone's death it's causing again lots of overdoses so what the bill does this we are treating hero one just as we treat methamphetamine and cocaine currently so here one is going into the statues with methamphetamine and cocaine which are some increase penalties for here one and then we address of fentanyl separately and we say that if you possess any quantifiable amount of fentanyl that's a C. felony if you possess it with the purpose to deliver that that's enhanced penalties and then we say if you're trafficking in fentanyl that's a Class Y. felony. In trafficking is over a certain amount and we're talking about ten to forty years or life in the penitentiary so we attach the most serious penalty to that because this is causing deaths and in communities all across Arkansas and so with that I'm happy to answer any questions. Seeing nine I would appreciate a good vote thank you. President Gazaway has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent very you're recognized speak for the bill. Colleagues five hundred people. With this mount federal. Two years ago captain Chris Gooden with Arkansas state police stopped a vehicle on interstate forty in Polk County. Twenty nine pounds thank you enough fentanyl to kill everybody in the state of Arkansas. Now not only. Of the fence no there's a lot more the than drug addiction that comes along with heroin and fentanyl but intravenous drug use also brings other challenges for community HIV hepatitis destruction of families this is a great bill and I applaud representative Gazaway for bringing that thank you appreciate a good vote. Person very spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent what you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker Collings we've heard a lot today about domestic violence and other social issues facing this. And I promise you the most of you will know this very well. The probably seventy five to eighty percent maybe more. Of the problems confronting prosecuting attorneys and law enforcement today in this state and around the nation can be directly attributed to the use of drugs. Not only that the finale itself is representative Gazaway so of the port is now it can cause death the field very pointed out it could calls this instantaneously. Why all of our most of our most of our EMTs and police departments at the equipped with the happy pins in order to save lives Lassell number the that care members and some research that showed how many lives have been such a of that. So this is this is a the big problem. The state for the offenses. we can make this the penalties the Bill Ralph will be as a society. And then nothing but a good political bill is just a fact there's no telling how many thousand. Of pills and pass out of her womb and fit and all have come across the Mexican border in the past three months. Hundred and seventy two thousand people. How many of those do you finally overhead drugs because I heard today in another report of research the cartels control the border. One in the taxes all the way over to the California bar. We need to put a stop to it as best we can and hopefully this will help out thank you Mr chairman thank you colleagues. Reserve wouldn't spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President very is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen seventy eight prepared machines to. That was represent Gazaway that was close for the bill. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Fathers ninety three eight zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen thirty one House Bill eighteen thirty one by representative mark Perry to create the star spangled banner Act. Representative very you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues and Jimmy I'll take credit for that is a good bill. Ladies and gentlemen there's a serious decline levels of patriotism among our youth. Today's youth simply don't have the same patriotic sentiments as their parents and their grandparents I honestly think that our children take freedom for granted I think they take their education for granted. Your bill they just be able to go to class football practice band or the cafeteria for lunch is being taken for granted. Colleagues the playing of our national anthem and reciting the pledge of allegiance in our schools is one way that our students can learn to express our patriotism. Patriotism is important celebrating our national anthem and pledge allegiance to our flag is something that everyone should do just as we do here in this body every day when we recite the pledge of allegiance before we conduct our state's business. I think many just don't seem to think it is important as it really is even we as adults as Americans do not think about our heritage our freedom or national anthem and our flag. Or the price the committee paid for the same. Children today do not even understand what allegiance is much less what their pledge when the reciter pledge. Many children don't know the words to our national anthem. Many children do not understand or they being taught the principles that made our country free. They've never heard the words life liberty or the pursuit of happiness. They have not been taught the basic principles behind our national anthem or flag. That certain human aspirations are worth giving lives in pursuit of their defense. Throughout history outward symbols were needed to respect the human aspirations are to represent these human aspirations and these outward symbols are worthy of the same respect do those ideals for which they stand. We show that respects by honoring our country with our national anthem and pledge allegiance to this great country. A committee I shared two stories. Today I will only share one. The gut wrenching story involving for our Kansans. Of the thirty ninth infantry brigade combat team that were killed in action on the twenty fourth of April two thousand four. I will share their names just out of respect for them and what they stood for. Captain both Felder of Little Rock. Chief warrant officer Patrick chords March also Little Rock. Staff sergeant Stacey Brandon of Hazen the staff sergeant B. J. Orton of Carlaw. Our Kansans you should never forget. But I want to take you for a moment to a time in the Korean War as an illustration of what patriotism in our flag means to the millions who have fought suffered and died. And why is it important that our children be educated. The honor this country. Colonel Paul bunker. We had our American flag lowered and burned at Corregidor before the Japanese could reaching capturing. But before having it destroyed the kind of very small piece from that flag. Any carefully tucked into sure. Colonel Barker was in another prisoner of war camps for many years we thought this pager doesn't put to the test when he felt his principles challenged. You take out this little piece of flagon in that little ragged piece of cloth. You'd see all the ideals in which you believe. He had an outward symbol of patriotism to supporting. Walker died in the Philippine prisoner of war camp. Yet he remained inspired until the very end by his very small piece of flag. During my four combat deployments in a year just south of the demilitarized zone South Korea also carried a symbol of my faith. In a country that I chose to support and defend and put my trust in for more than forty five years. The small warm soil flags were kept in my uniform. Or attached to my shoulder every single day. And just as colonel Paul Barker when I felt my patriotism put to the test when I felt my principles challenged I had an outward symbol of my faith in this country the country that I pledge my allegiance to. So where does this education began. Where is the understanding begins I submit to you ladies and gentleman that it begins in the formative years of our children in school. And I believe it is our responsibility as leaders as lawmakers to ensure this patriotic expression is mandated in our schools. Ladies and gentlemen is never forget those thousands the millions who have paid the ultimate sacrifice during many conflicts those who cannot be with us however we can honor them by teaching our children the price that many paid by mandating that the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance is honored in our public schools. Single questions I'd appreciate a good vote percent got free for what represented very is left well percent berries explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill represent god for you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues and representative very I appreciate your patriotism in your service so much we talked about this a little bit in committee my only concern with this bill is that it's mandating to the playing of the national anthem once a week and I know that many teachers are concerned about instructional minutes especially any year went there such significant learning loss and so my question that I was going to ask this going to be around why not integrate and education around the national anthem and and company that with its importance into the music standards or into the Arkansas history standards I'm so that it could be more meaningful and and therefore to you and the the goal that I know that representative very once in this bill and my concern is that you know that the weekly playing of national anthem without that accompanying them education is not achieving the purpose and also it's kind of cutting into that instructional time that teachers CSO valuable as as a great thank you. President Godfrey spoken against the bill we would like to speak. Absent would for what purpose well she stepped out of the well they'll. Person Godfrey spoken against building would like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent what for what purpose for the bill you're recognized speak for the bill. This Is Your dated the may. I cannot believe. This someone could give the parents speak against playing the star spangled banner of this country. That is one of the most heart is a coach for twenty five years. And I have the. Deffenbaugh and Stu Smith and coach Health up that they testified to this that. That's one of the most heartwarming moments of any athletic event is when that saw is when the star spangled banners play. We've disregard is enough in this nation in the NFL without let something come up down here in Arkansas we'll worry about some of the national press and that type thing what do you think the four left of the rules will do with this. I just can't believe L. of a hundred people one would get up and speak represent for the kids to represent please keep comments to the bill. Represent Wooten has. Spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent a call you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I don't know that I'm up here to speak against the bill but I thought that representative Godfrey's question was respectful and I think it was pertinent I agree that coach wooden I agree we've I've said million times for the national anthem I agree that it's important and it's And every time I hear it you know I have those feelings I guess all I'm saying is that yes I've heard the national anthem lots of times and I don't believe we can force patriotism on anyone I believe that our children are being taught to patriotism from elementary and from a young age on up and I'm not necessarily speak against against representative berry but I I did want to say that I thought the question was pertinent in that I believe I don't think there's anybody in here that our national anthem is not important to in and just wanted to make that point thank you. Represent because spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against. Represent Crawford for what purpose. Four you're recognized speak. Thank you Mr Speaker I have colleagues friends thank you for your service. I salute you and I salute everyone in our country who has fought died still alive works today thank you please vote for this bill. President Crawford spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Person very you're recognized close for the. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues and I appreciate the representative Godfrey saw of. Presentation to you and that was brought up in the in committee and these bills are to mandate that the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem be in our schools and the rules as I said in committee will be promulgated by the higher education and but will tell you one thing ladies and gentleman and I appreciate representive Crawford's a respect for my service but it's not about my service can you tell you services about I'm not I wasn't in a sure this story but all share a portion of the story. It's a portion of a story about a man by the name of captain Anthony Smith. Camp the lamp any Smith was one of the one of the gentleman that was sitting near where that **** seven millimeter mortar round landed. On April fourth in two thousand four. Was a resenting the body bags closing going around. King dog tags off of the dead. One of the nurses in the long Oak unit. Just happen noticed blood coming out of the corner of Anthony Smith's mouth. He was alive he came home. Representative Hodges knows I'm talking about it he came back. With his arm amputated below his elbow. Was tremendous dividends have over thirty surgeries lost and I. Tremendous American he survives today. But let me tell you what lays German. That man listen to the national anthem every day as I did for forty five years and he pledged his allegiance to this country and he deserves respect. In that are you. Show the same respect for people just like him in the millions who died before them I appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent very is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen thirty one prepared machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of eighty nine Yeas one nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen thirty two House Bill eighteen thirty two by representative mark berry to require that public schools observe a moment of silence following the day re citation of the pledge of allegiance and to require the public schools recite the pledge of allegiance at school assemblies and sporting events represent very you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I think I've said enough and I appreciate a good vote seen no questions. President berries explain the bill. Anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent various close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen thirty two prepared machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of a ninety eight zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen twenty eight house bill eighty twenty eight by representative Ladyman to clarity that the Department of Human Services is required to promulgate rules to establish eligibility for long term care nursing nursing facility placement represent Ladyman you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is simply a clean up bill what the bill does is it seeks to give DHS the ability to make rule changes regarding eligibility criteria for a long term care nursing facility placement without necessitating a statutory change so that so really all the bill does there's no opposition committee I appreciate a good vote. President Ladyman has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Ladyman is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen twenty eight repaired machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three eight zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill seventeen sixty house bill seventeen sixty a representative Johnson to establish psychological intersectional compact in Arkansas Ferguson Johnson you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker calling this bill is the reciprocity bill to allow prostate licensure is for psychologist in the state of Arkansas it's a bill shared by number of states that allows that reciprocity I know it's a week the bill when you read it is the language other states use it so we're just adopting the same compact languages other states have we've got in one little addendum to reassure that this compact doesn't preempt any state law regarding telehealth and yeah this is a bill we started working on back in October is that about a lot of people and has no known opposition happy to try to answer any questions. C. nine appreciate about thank you. President Johnson's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Johnson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill seventeen sixty prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety three you A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen sixty two. House Bill eighteen sixty two by representative Johnson to prohibit requiring certain referral from a primary care provider in order to four of a beneficiary in Arkansas Medicaid program to receive mental health counseling represent Johnson you're recognized explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues because of this bill does is right now we're currently referred to required you're only you're only allowed three mental health visits under traditional fee for Medicaid service before you required of a PCP referral this is expanding that from three to ten referrals or release review some barriers to behavioral health services that are much needed in that population be happy to answer any questions. Cussing not appreciate your vote thank you. President Johnson's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Johnson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen sixty two prepared machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen ten. Also eighteen ten by representative Beatty to require certain reimbursement rates in the Arkansas Medicaid program for vagus nerve stimulation therapy system devices. The baby recognized explain the bill. Thank you thank you Mr Speaker Member's house bill eighteen ten is required reimbursement rates by the Arkansas Medicaid program for vagus nerve stimulation therapy system devices this is the vice utilized for epileptic patients is a device of last resort after medications and other treatments have failed with that I would entertain any questions. I appreciate a good vote. President babies explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Beatty is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen ten prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen seventy five House Bill eighteen seventy five a representative Brian to create the earn and learn acting to allow individuals to work and earn a paycheck while also fulfilling licensing requirements and give me the skills to fill the needs of an expanding workforce represent bright you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I appreciate programs have been around our country since the thirties. several of our current trades professions implement the principle of grams to meet the needs of our community and to get us into the license fields with this bill would do is encourage our license authorities to continue that trend and implements licensing requirements that work around the partnership program this bill excludes four year programs professional degrees it also is clues trades that do not require licenses no confusion that and then it also excludes cosmetology and barber is because the DHS requirements with any questions. C. nine appreciate a good vote. President Brian is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Brian is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eighteen seventy five per machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eleven six. House bill eleven sixty a representative Payton to increase the sales and use tax exemption for a use motor vehicle. President Payton you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Collins I know you've heard a lot about this bill over the past four years or more and hope you'll for me just a little bit of time here. To tell you where we're at. House bill eleven sixty is to try to bring some tax relief to the most basic transportation the hardworking our Kansans need to get back and forth to their job to school to the grocery store wherever they're trying to travel Arkansas is a rule state that's no secret to anybody very few of our people live within walking distance of their job. So in order to have a dependable job or in order to have a dependable employee. Dependable transportation is important. We currently have an exemption in Arkansas law that says if a vehicle is under four thousand dollars we won't taxes for the fourth or fifth time let it go tax free I'm proposing and house bill eleven sixty to raise that exemption to seventy five hundred. Seven thousand five hundred dollars probably would not have paid for many of our vehicles that we drive back and forth in here but it is enough to get dependable automobile specially if you're not trying to get a truck or an SUV it gets back and forth to work we have a lot of our Kansans are in a position where getting financed is a challenge. Getting their monthly payments low enough to afford as a challenge. But they have to weigh that with the confidence of will this vehicle give me back and forth to work I grew up in the car business I mean I was not I was fourteen or fifteen years old that across the desk from adults trying to help them figure every dime in their cash flow for the next sixty days. To make a down payment to buy full coverage insurance to make sure that they make the first payment to get the car registered pay the sales tax it is a challenge and I know many of you have been there and you have family and friends and neighbors that are there today. And. Arkansas taxes used cars but by the time of vehicle gets down to this price range it's already been taxed four or five times. At some point we ought to be able to afford a little bit of compassion for those people that need dependable transportation what will this mean let me try to explain. The amount of down payment is a huge factor in what type of financing you can get a automobile so if you have twenty percent down on a vehicle that's not too old not too many miles you can get conventional financing it five or six percent interest. If you don't have twenty percent down and you're forced into the subprime market you're probably looking at sixteen to eighteen percent interest but worse than that the subprime lenders also charging the dealer a substantial fee to buy that note. So instead of buying a car for seventy five hundred dollars you're very likely going to be paying ten or eleven thousand dollars for it just because you didn't have the ability to have twenty percent down and seek conventional financing. That's just one example of many. But the difference every day our Kansans. In that four hundred eighty seven dollars and fifty cents which is what I'm talking about on seventy five hundred dollars. It it's a big difference in their cash flow over the next thirty to sixty days as they struggle to get the car registered which I've heard many people complain that they don't registrants in another. As they struggle to make their utilities and to rent their first car payment. There's been talk about how this may provide a means for a dealer to make more money or to gallons of price and I can promise you from a dealer's perspective if we are anywhere near the threshold of being duty for your being taxed we're going to cut our margin to try to get there. But anyway. As every day our cans and struggle why should the state try to gallons that deal for four hundred eighty seven dollars and fifty cents. I'll be happy to take any questions that you have. And in my closing I'll try to address the prospects that this bill has on the other end of the building. Seeing no questions asked of a site. President Payton is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill representive Hodges you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you speak colleagues I appreciate a written paid for bringing this bill I kind of jokingly when session started passing hall when if you need to eat the proposed a bill to raise the amount of a of a felony to raise the amount. Of how much a person would have to pay on a sales tax on the vehicle he said the method of working on the bill that's a good you know the banker you not see the struggle that customers have to pay the sales tax when they purchase the car now I know this won't won't hurt Gazaway and his mother radi or or or Richardson in his Bentley but but this will help a lot our Kansans. When they go to a nine if the car they do struggle to pay those those sales tax with the insurance and all those things so I think this is a really good deal for cans and I appreciate you bring the bill to us and I appreciate a good vote on. President Hodges spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill represent brown you're recognized speak for the bill. Yeah I just need to tell you a little personal story why I think this is such a great bill back about twenty years ago I was. In a two thirds schedule at all telling customer service terrible job customer service but I needed the job I had a teenager at home. And I had considered my prospects as a single woman of what I was going to retire on and that didn't look good so I decided I'd better go back to college so I was working a split shift at Alltel and going to college full time and I had this little. Pardon me Ford I had this little Ford escort and it was just limping along and I thought well I'm going to make this card last until I graduate and get that big paying job. Well somebody busted into my car on icy road and totaled my little escort. I got three thousand dollars for that totaled car and I'm going to tell you something right now nobody S. buyers to buy a three thousand dollar car or a six thousand dollar car so I but board money for my mom and dad and I bought a six thousand dollar car before so I had to pay the sales taxes and everything and I was struggling and I can tell you people by six thousand dollar Carter seventy five hundred dollar cars probably are not in a good economic position and I would certainly appreciate a good vote on this bill we could save them just a little bit of money and aggravation thank you. Representive brown has spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent right you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker come before you today and this is I thank a good bill Arkansas has some the lowest wages in the United States and you thank what can you buy for seventy five hundred dollars or you can buy a car that gets you to work and back and I hope we get a good vote of this because we sure do need help folks specially the lower income folks that are working in thank you. Percent rise spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Payton you're recognized close for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues. I've worked really hard but I know I had a lot of support from you especially the members of the Revenue and Tax Committee here in the House and representative Jett Jean they've helped they've helped me a lot because the Senate is sending the signal or certain members of the Senate if they're not in favor of this bill someone needs your help I need your votes number one I'd love to see a hundred up there but I know represented Fuhrman I think it's farming is not here today so I need ninety nine up there to send the signal that the House wants this you know we passed it out of here with one dissenting vote two years ago and I failed to get it through the Senate Committee I worked really hard I think we have a great possibility to get it through the Senate committee but I need you to put your vote up there become a co sponsored by voting for it if we amended in the Senate I'll be happy to add co sponsors and come by my desk I got to make a note of it because my memory is terrible. But there is a second step we talked about seventy five hundred dollars. Two years out this bill does go to ten thousand. The reason I left that to the closing is because I may have to negotiate that out in the Senate I did offer an amendment in the House Committee that would have taken the second step out in the House Committee without hesitation one of the bill out in its present form. And. rejected the amendment. So we have some other proposals out there I'm aware of I intend. In the Senate and to try to amended if necessary but each and every one of you can help me by contacting your senators and asking vote for this bill thank you thank you Mr Speaker. President Payton is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven sixty prepared machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mister Clerk. By a vote of ninety seven U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. pass over house bill eighteen hundred. President Beatty for what purpose Mr Speaker a motion let's hear your motion Mr Speaker having voted on the prevailing side and consideration of house bill seventeen twelve I moved for reconsideration. Represent baby how did you vote nay. That's a proper motion is debatable represent baby you're recognized to explain The motion. Mister Speaker colleagues house bill seventeen twelve by representative Lynch I have a couple concerns on that bill the address those concerns and I would like the house to reconsider that that bill thank you. The baby is spoken for the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. Would anyone like to speak for the motion. Representative Beatty is close for the motion. The unfortunate already stated the represent Beatty was close for the motion. Question before the House is the reconsideration of house bill seventeen twelve all in favor say aye. Those opposed. The ayes have it. The question before the House is the passage of house bill seventeen twelve prepared machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of fifty two yeas thirty seven days and three present the bill is passed. Mr Clark actually we're gonna pass over Senate bill three eighty one Mr Clark please read Senate bill two ninety two. Senate bill two nine two by representative what's establishing the public safety equipment grant program and to declare an emergency. Purpose of Watson you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker house of Senate bill two ninety two I was asked to Bring an amendment to explain the. Payments a little bit better from this public safety grant program there is created with the department of public safety the public safety equipment grant program to the administered by the secretary of the department of public safety the secretary may hire personnel necessary to carry out the duties of minister of the program the secretary shall establish a grant review committee to evaluate applications it to advise on the warning of grants under the program the great you review committee shall consist of law enforcement officers and other interested persons as determined by the secretary in consultation with the grant review committee The secretary shall award grants under the program to law enforcement agencies. Detention centers and correction agencies for equipment that aids in improving trust and relationships between law enforcement agencies detention centers and correction agencies in the communities that they yes Sir. If there are no questions represent love for what purpose. Question recognized for a question. Thank you Mr Speaker representative Watson I issue this in committee. And I ask you this on the floor. Can this grant be used to purchase a license plate reader equipment. Appreciate the questions of M. not going forward on that visit with the Secretary we're not gonna go for with that if the LPARs license plate readers. Okay but still could this could this not at this time you're you're not moving for with a license plate reader bill but in the future could this current program P. used to purchase license plate readers the only way I know to ensure that a representative if someone should run the legislation for this to be done and it's not gonna be may I'm not I have not heard any plans absolutely at all for the LPARs. If you okay. No further questions appreciate a good vote. Watson's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent love what you like to speak against the represent loves recognized speak against the. Thank you Mr Speaker and colleagues I poem and I have because the only piece of this bill and it's it's not defined within the bill and I'm for the spirit of I'm actually providing equipment. But this deal could in future administrations be used to purchase license plate readers. In it was stated that that was stated in the committee and I'm I'm letting you all know that I'm against a license plate reader bill I know that the legislation hasn't been ran however this. Program opens up the use of that the use of these funds for that that purpose and so I would ask for you to vote against this bill thank you. Purpose of love is spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill represents life you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker calling this is a part of the back blue legislation is critical piece license plate reader that is one thing representive love and I will agree on I do not log in the A. failed miserably but we cannot stop the other pertinent pieces of equipment that law enforcement needs such as body cameras and other things that'll make public and law enforcement better and safer so I ask you for a good vote please. President Slape is spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative. Watson are you close for the bill. Represent Watson you're recognized close for the bill. Yes I may add the law LPARs we're not even used when I was a law enforcement so I had to some fast reading I can't I got selected to see if I would run this the more I looked at it I wasn't crazy about it either the L. P. R. will not be part of this program appreciate a good vote thank you president Watson is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor Senate bill two ninety two per machine Mr Clerk. Voting on the bill in the emergency clause. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety two yeas one day and one present the bill emergency clause or pass Mr Clark please read senate bill four oh two. The bill for O. two by representative Johnson to establish the Arkansas cultural institutions trust fund act represent Johnson you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this bill creates are some cultural trust fund for a check the moneys to allow grants for large capital improvement projects and non profits that are set up to preserve the cultural arts get examples be the sole ten museum in Merion the Cold War Museum comply will the marshals in Fort Smith there's a fine arts museum here in Little Rock it doesn't have any funding right now it's just making that a council funding became available this be the mechanism to establish those large capital permit grants. Senate questions appreciate a good vote thank you represent Johnson's explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Johnson is closed for the bill the question before the House the passage of Senate bill four oh two per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine one present the bill is passed represent Wooten for what purpose. Arsenal. You're recognized. I'd like to publicly has. Representative god forgive forgive me for my comments she has ever run the world to come down here it is in. In her defense about speaking his bills into the asked the question of the the presenter had stepped out of the whale but I want to publicly ask your forgiveness and forgiveness representative called for misspoke Just I did that and I apologize person or thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues. Thank you representative will your point's well taken. Sturch Mr Clark please read Senate bill three oh seven. Senate bill three oh seven by representative slate concerning the penalties for the offence of filling a vehicle or conveyance. President Slape you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this is a bill was brought to us by the Arkansas state police they've had a definite increase in pursuits and with population Arkansas as actually gained has become more increasingly unsafe for the drivers of Arkansas it's out there what is going to move it from the study is because say misdemeanor moved from one day in jail to that they have to serve thirty days in jail on first and second offense gets bumped to a felony after long the work through in the Senate in a vote public defenders and the them have kind of finally got to an agreement or were they both sides could work this anyhow I ask you for a good vote. Represent Gonzales for what purpose. You're recognized. For my kids turn sixteen years old and he he's incapable of making a good decision most sixteen year olds are and he he runs from the local law enforcement officers it is this going to cause them to serve thirty days in jail. We'll US I see the genetic C. come from representatives also I don't doubt it. The. The. It will cause them of a law to the thirty days on something like this court sets up to June because she prosecutor where they'll go from there and defensive driving this is also to officer discretion usually when you get behind in this state police back here usually takes three minutes for someone recognized one time a state eighty two minutes behind a lady to do and ten miles an hour before she finally got home and I got to talk to them but it takes a while and it'll be up to officer discretion was this an intentional act toward officer or or what was going on. Thank you us for a good vote represents life is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Slape is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passive Senate bill three oh seven prepared machine Mr Clerk. That's everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of eighty yeas to nays and to present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill five sixty eight Senate bill five sixty by representative Boyd to expand the root the review of license applications for a long term care facilities to eliminate annual renew for long term care facility licenses and to require notification of changes in long term care management person board you're recognized explained bill. Mr Speaker Senate bill five sixty eight this bill exchanges a more in depth additional licensing review and review for changes in management and operation of for nursing homes in order to get rid of an annual licensing requirements of it exchanges the two this bill is in response to some recent challenges with nursing home operators this bill expands the number of items DHS can consider before licensing that said I take any questions. Two nine I'd appreciate a good vote president board is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent Boyd is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill five sixty eight prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of eighty ninety eight zero nine five present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read senate bill four sixty three. The bill for sixty three by representative Fuhrman to amend the laws regarding abortion reporting inspections of abortion facilities and to require certain documentation to be resented before performing an abortion in the pregnancy is the result of a rape or incest. We're pass over. Senate bill four sixty three Mister Clark please read Senate bill five eighty. Senate bill five eighteen by representative Bentley to authorize virtual instruction for barber schools in cosmetology school schools represent Bentley recognized to explain the bill. Collins is a simple but very good bill that senator Chesterfield brought forward to help the cosmetologist schools get a she says in the twenty first century is simply allows for the teaching of the theory part of cosmetology school to be taught online that's that's it and that shall take any questions of anybody hasn't. With that appreciate a good vote thank you represent Bentley's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Bentley is closed for the bill. Members were aware there may be a technical issue we're gonna go ahead and try and take the vote on it the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill five eighty prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted cast about Mr Clark by a vote of eighty nine yeas to nays and five present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill five twenty seven. The Bill five twenty seven by representative Bentley to amend the law concerning abortion facilities represent Bentley recognized to explain the bill. Collins is another senate bill that will provide some continuity of care this bill does three simple things it adds the abortion facilities to a list of places that the national human trafficking hotline posters will be displayed at also as a large core to core that just that has different numbers for domestic violence and those things those items we also handed to the women that are in the wishing facilities and allows for a written transfer agreement from the ambulance and the hospital with the woman will be transferred a case of emergency very simple bill I appreciate a good vote. Some Bentley is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent Bentley is close for the bill the question before the House the passage of Senate bill five twenty seven per machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy four Yeas fifteen days and to present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill one fifty three. Senate bill one fifty three by representative ray to create the work force expansion after twenty twenty one percent rate you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I'm excited to bring you Senate bill one fifty three today this bill is aimed at helping low income our Kansans climb the economic ladder it does that by waiving the initial fee for low income our Kansans to obtain an occupational license or start a business. This bill incentivize work encourage entrepreneurship and remove barriers to opportunity. The people who are eligible for this initial licensing fee waiver so would be a one time waiver or those who are currently receiving public assistance through Medicaid snap wick Tanith lifeline assistance program as well as individuals who have been recently unemployed who have an income that is less than two hundred percent of federal poverty guidelines. I'd like to thank the Department of Human Services the department of health and the department of labor and licensing for working with me on the language to get that crafted correctly so that the bill can be effectively implemented. Senator Gilmore and I drafted this bill during the middle of the COVID nineteen pandemic as we were witnessing an unprecedented number of our Kansans be laid off and lose their jobs through no fault of their own. And undoubtedly many of those are Kansans after being laid off we're considering a job change. But unfortunately licensing fees which can sometimes cost several hundred dollars can be cost prohibitive and a serious barrier to someone who's just struggling to make ends meet. Recently for business CNBC have reported that somewhere between sixty three percent and seventy seven percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. And instead of giving someone a hand out. Waving an initial licensing fee may just be the hand up this summer Kansans need to break the cycle of government dependency. When we were drafting this bill I couldn't help but think that somewhere in our state there's a single mom who was waiting tables during the pandemic and she was laid off because the restaurant was forced to close. And maybe maybe for the first time in a decade she was contemplating what she was going to do for her career how she was going to put food on the table for her family. I would like to think that this bill might help that single mom. I can't think of a better time than now to incentivize work to encourage entrepreneurship and to remove barriers to opportunity so that every our cans and who wants to work can do so. With that be happy to take any questions. President Cozart for purpose you're recognized the race so if somebody wanted to become something else due to the different occupation but there's testing involved in that with the testing fee be waived over they still have to pay for that test. So the exclusions to the fee waiver. Are contained on page three. The exclusions would be the fee waiver with the fee would still apply for a criminal background check and examination or test or medical or drug tests of yes those fees would still apply because they're basically just paying for a service that's being provided so those fees would not be waived. Seeing no further questions we appreciate a good vote. Represent. Ray is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent raise close for the bill the question before the House is passage of Senate bill one fifty three prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety eight A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Sir Clark read Senate bill six twenty two. Senate bill six twenty two by representative Shepherd delaying release from prison for certain offenders until the offender has served at least eighty percent of his or her sins creating penalties for false reporting to law enforcement and creating a registry. Represent Shepherd you're recognized it. During the administrative proceeding this morning a point of order was raised to the report from the House Committee on Judiciary recommending passage of Senate bill six twenty two the point of order was that Senate bill six twenty two was improperly reported out of committee the presiding officer ruled the point not well taken the member announces appeal from the ruling of the chair and the presiding officer said the appeal would be presented to the full House. Mr Speaker you're recognized explain the ruling. Thank you Mr chairman of members as I understand the objection that was made this morning it related to the adjournment of the house Judiciary Committee immediately following the the vote on house bill six twenty two as I did on Thursday afternoon I conferred again with the parliamentarian as I would on any objection to determine what is proper under house rules and what the parliamentarian's advice would be in short in not accepting the objection or ruling it was not well taken the my understanding based on information from the parliamentarian was the meeting had been adjourned. Thank you. Representative Smith you're recognized explain your appeal of the ruling. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleen's. There is a cloud over. House Judiciary at this time. Many of you received a. Probably text messages media alerts and all kinds of information on what happened last Thursday and house Judiciary. It doesn't. it doesn't have as much to do with whether or not the vote was yea or nay but by the way the Committee was adjourned with hands raised in the air asking for a roll call vote. Since I've been a member of the house of representatives and this is my fourth term. Every committee meeting that I've ever sat through and some of those are ruling as you know. When those hands go up. The chair. Call the roll. And we here are names called and then we state whether were yea or nay on a specific bill. This is just one of the most recent. Abuses and house Judiciary. And I'm asking the Speaker to do the right thing. And re refer Senate bill six twenty two back to judiciary for a roll call vote. If we can't get that done. We're gonna be answering a lot of questions. To our constituents. I'll go as far to say that I've met with several democratic members of house Judiciary. They're unhappy with the way the committee adjourned for other reasons. Other than me. Some say the bill six twenty two doesn't go far enough others have said to me. They just simply don't like the bill. But never since I've been here in this place where we. Talk about the integrity of the institution we talk about. How we need to be transparent. Have I seen. Such an agreed just. And disrespectful adjournment to a committee that I happen to vice chair. And so I would like to ask the Speaker if he would do the right thing. Re referred the bill Senate bill six twenty two and let's do it right regardless of the outcome we've all lost bills on a roll call vote I lost one just recently but I lived with it because that was the rule that was the procedure. And now. We're not allowed to have our votes counted. And I just think it's the wrong message to send the people of the State of Arkansas. And I'll I don't know if I'm allowed to take questions or not. I'll take questions if you have any. We're all looking like deer in the headlights right now but Seeing none. I would ask that you not vote in favor of Senate bill six twenty. Is anyone wish to speak in favor of the ruling. Oppose the ruling. Represent Kenzie you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker I just wanna say I agree that was the wrong thing to do that was the wrong way to handle it we we owe our constituents better than that and if that is what the rules actually call for then we need to change those rules because it's not right and we didn't do right by the people. Represent McKenzie spoke against the ruling would anyone like to speak in favor of the ruling. Against the ruling. Representative Gazaway you're recognized to speak against the ruling. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I guess I just like to be begin my remarks of course I'm a member of that committee I was there. when the bill was heard but I just like to begin my remarks by saying this is not a criticism in any way or form of German Dalby and the way that she handled the meeting is not a criticism anyway the Speaker I have the utmost respect for chairman Dalby I have the utmost respect for Speaker Shepherd I think everyone in this room who knows me knows that I have the utmost respect for those two members what I will say is I think that it was likely not obvious at the time that we were in the committee meeting that members were requesting a roll call. But unlike in the past we now have the benefit of video. And we've heard from members that I think there were several members who made a request for a roll call and so I think it's instructive at this point to refer to the rules and I refer you to one of the rule about roll calls which says that a roll call vote will be required it's not discretionary it will be required. If requested by any two committee members was this requested by any two committee members yes. I think the question is did the meeting adjourned before before the request was made many of us have seen the video there were members present in the committee some raise their hand and I think ultimately it's a matter of fairness and you know one of the one accomplished comments I'd like to make if you look at our Mason's manual of legislative. Procedure when it talks about the purpose of the rules it states the great purpose of all the rules and forms by which the business of a legislative assembly is conducted whether constitutional legal or parliament a parliamentary in their origin is to sub serve the will of the assembly. Not to restrain it. So what was the will of the members of that committee and I think it was very clear from the people who were there and from the video that exist that it was for a roll call vote. The rules say that if any two members request a roll call the roll call vote will be required I think in fairness to the members which is the underpinning of all of these rules the whole reason that we have rules is out of fairness and out of fairness to the members I think the appropriate thing to do would be to send it back to committee so they can get the roll call vote which they attempted to request that's those are my remarks again please no one should ever take this is a criticism of German Dalby your Speaker Shepherd it is not I have the absolute and utmost respect for them but also have respect for a fellow members and I think that this would be the fair thing to do in this circumstance thank you. Represent Gazaway spoke. Against the ruling would anyone like to speak in favor of the ruling representative Cavenaugh you're recognized to speak in favor of the ruling. Thank you Mr Speaker. Just so everyone knows that I do sit on the Judiciary Committee and I'm in support of a holding the ruling of the Speaker. At the time of the hearing of the committee. When it was gaveled out. It was gaveled out there's nothing wrong there was no real broken and I understand that people wish they had gotten quicker to roll call and I understand that but in any committee that happens all the time. It happened in this committed before on S. B. twenty four. Nobody complained because they like the outcome of it. In other committees we have chairs that gavel out to take a recess before a vote to be counted. Because they don't have the votes. Nobody complains about that. So from someone who sits on the committee who was there. And if we want transparency just voted on the floor and you're going to know how everybody voted so with that I'm going to ask that you vote to affirm the ruling of the Speaker thank you. Represent Gazaway spoke in favor the ruling would anyone like to speak against the ruling. In favor of the ruling. Represent Miller you're recognized speak against the ruling. Thank you Mr Speaker. I'm not on the committee. And I consider Speaker Shepherd a good friend of mine. Been proud of supporting. And that's not changing. I will talk to you for just a second we know that there are certain issues that we deal with. Where there is an agenda. Get it done. Follows leadership. On both ends of this building and second floor. I feel like this is one of those issues. I think it's pretty obvious. When people watch the video. What happened. And I don't. Think any of us want to be guilty. I've given in to the agenda I'm not following the proper process. If you don't know what I'm talking about I'll be happy to answer your questions. Seeing the. Absolutely vote this down. And do the right thing. Bars are procedures thank you. Representative Miller spoke against the ruling would anyone like to speak in favor of the ruling representative Lanny Fite you're recognized to speak in favor of the ruling. Thank you Mr. This is my fourth term here. I've seen meetings gaveled out quickly before this is nothing uncommon. Always a chairman is it is a difficult job at times I watch the video also I see no problem with it and I would ask you to support this thank you. President fight is spoken favor of the ruling would anyone like to speak against the ruling. Representive Underwood you're recognized to speak against the ruling. Members as one say that I have no pleasure being down here today talking about this issue I do not want to come to well talk about this but I can tell you that I had real conviction over this over the weekend legitimately woke up several times on Friday night just convicted over what happens now this is my first term here I don't know how those things are done but I will say that I felt like it is a transparency issue it's an integrity issue and I feel like if members want something real called then there should be time to do that I did not feel like there was adequate time I felt like it was pretty quickly it's a roll call was asked for that there wasn't a lot of time for that to hacker I will say at I miss the the comment best want to say one of the things on especially for the first time that that went to committee. I don't have a problem with that because nobody it from my recollection try to roll call it so I didn't think that was an issue I think this is a different circumstance so I appreciate your time. Representive Underwood is spoke against the ruling would anyone like to speak in favor of the ruling. Representative flowers you're recognized to speak for the ruling. Colleagues. I serve on Judiciary. And I was. A no vote on this. Bill and I'm still in over. I raise my hand to be heard. And it wasn't recognized and I know you're wondering why are you standing up here supporting the ruling. I'm standing up here supporting the ruling is because we have leadership. Or this house we have leadership over committees. We seem bills come back from the bed from the date time and time again some of us like that some of us didn't. I've stood up many times to be recognized. And for whatever reason legitimately. Was not seen and we want to admit immediate consideration I would like that. I don't like what happened the other day. But people are appointed to serve in roles in leadership and at what point do we draw the line. I'm prepared to vote against six twenty two today. All of you will have an opportunity to vote for or against this bill. I don't know what will happen if this bill is sent back my concern and I'll tell you. When I learned this week and that this will come back up I was prepared. To stand up and speak against this ruling. If it were to happen today the way it does happen. What changed my mind was a long conversation with a colleague of mine I respect greatly. And the reason I'm standing up here today is because what I don't want to see is in the future. When someone doesn't like the outcome of a bill. It is appealed and we go through this process and we have the reservoir and people make attempts to resurrect a bill or change your vote. Outside of the boundaries of the committee. And for that I will ask you to support the rolling and then vote your conscience on six twenty two thank you. Represent flowers has spoken favor the ruling would anyone like to speak against the ruling. Represent Payton you're recognized to speak against the ruling. Thank you Mr Speaker. I go from hero to zero in record time. This is our house rule book. I don't know what it means to you but it means to me that there's some framework by which we follow. I understand that we have leadership in that we have chairs and vice chairs. But we are all of elected by equal numbers of our Kansans and we all serve equal districts of our Kansans. And even though we come down here we elect leadership and we appoint chairs. That doesn't make him overlords they get to determine what bills. Gain an advantage in what bills don't. I watched the video I'm not in that. Committee. But the rule book says it to members can demand the roll call. The only way they could have done it before that committee was adjourned would have been to not vote no. And instead of voting no raise your hand and holler roll call before they even knew. The ruling on whether it passed or not. If you watch the video it quite literally went from the ayes have it we're adjourned. And the hammer fell. Now I don't know when in that time frame you're supposed to holler roll call and get your hands in the air. If that's how we're going to conduct our committees. I for one appreciate leadership I appreciate the leadership of Speaker Shepherd in and I consider him an. Representive Dalby a friend. And I hate for any of this to reflect poorly on them. But the bottom line is. We have a job to do and that is to represent our little segment of Arkansas and just because somebody's elected leadership doesn't give them. Should give them the ability to pick winners and losers when it comes to bills. So I'd ask you the. Vote no on a holding the ruling of the chair thank you. Representative Payton has spoke against the ruling would anyone like to speak in favor of the ruling representative Cozart you're recognized to speak in favor the ruling. Colleagues I am not on Judiciary thank the good lord I'm on Education as could be just about as bad bill but anyway I've been here for five sessions one was a partial solution and this is my fourth of one after that so I am a chair for four sessions. And I am proud to be a chair and sometimes we don't make perfect decisions we don't do everything perfect I've been challenged represent Lowery challenge me one time thank you probably remember that on a calling that I made in the committee the Committee actually up appeal that and voted for me on that but Speaker knew about it and the Speaker of held me on that so I I know we make decisions and we have to make those in a second sometimes and I mean like I said I'm not on the committee I I can't speak for what happened there but I know we have to uphold our leadership in our leadership or cheers and our vice chairs in our Speaker or speakers it ultimately to ship and his decision of what we have stand by and I stand with the Speaker today so vote for this. Represent Cozart has potent spoke in favor of the ruling would anyone like to speak against the ruling. Represent Lowery you're recognized to speak against the ruling. Thank you Mr Speaker. This is. This is my fifth term and I've been privileged to be chair of a committee. Of several those terms and I and I acknowledge that is a tough call I've had representative Murdock could challenge me a couple times on some of my voice vote calls but I usually did that because I knew that there was a roll call coming. And that's part of our process. In my first term I really didn't see eye to eye a lot of times with Speaker David Carter wrote one thing that I really did respect was a Davy Carter when it Speaker Carter when it was brought to his attention that a chair of a certain committee did not allow roll call. He directed that chairman. Two one DO voice vote calls accurately. And to allow roll calls or he was going to lose his chairmanship. Yeah that's that's the bonus. Of leadership. That is that is what is on our shoulders if we're granted the privilege of being a leader of a committee of a body. Of the caucus is to make sure that we accurately and transparently. For the people of Arkansas to see that we're doing our business above board. That's why we've we're really proud that our names are going to be up there showing whether we vote yes or no. And I know there are some that have been making a call for a number of terms that every vote in committee should be roll call I don't know if I would go that far. But I know our constituents to and our constituents believe it is important that we put our name on the line of how we see how we feel so for these reasons I do support the appeal of the decision of the chair and I ask that you would vote no on the on the Decision of the chair and that we would be able to then maybe just take up a separate motion of sending this bill back to committee. President Springer for what purpose Rep. Represent Lowery spoke against a ruling representatives would anyone like to speak in favor of the ruling represents Springer you're recognized to speak in favor of the ruling. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I've said here and I've listened closely to everyone who has spoken and when I heard from the rules and we have a law you hear that brought up the rules as says we'll. There's a difference between we'll we'll means to stress it does not say shall so I think the Speaker has made the proper decision I've I've support his decision thank you. Respite Springer is spoke in favor of the ruling would anyone like to speak against the ruling. In favor the ruling. Representation Shepherd Speaker Shepherd is close for the ruling the question before the House is shall the ruling of the Speaker stand this judgement of the House and just to clarify that a yea votes this sustains the ruling of the Speaker a nay vote would overturn it where the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Cast a ballot Mr Clark sixty one Yeas thirty four Nays and one present the ruling of the speakers been upheld. Mr Clerk read Senate bill six twenty two. Senate bill six twenty two by representative Shepherd delaying release from prison for offenders until the offender has served at least eighty percent of his or her sentence creating penalties for false reporting to law enforcement in creating a registry. Speaker Shepherd you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr chairman members Senate bill six twenty two is titled an act delaying. Released from prison for certain offenders until the offender has served at least eighty percent of his or her sentence creating penalties for false reporting to law enforcement creating a registry. Now this bill certainly is one that has been. Talked about really the issues at hand of been discussed for the better part of probably two years but certainly have come to the forefront in recent months and let me just say that this is a bill that A year ago two years ago the start of my Legislative Services is certainly not the bill that I would envision that I would be presenting today I would say even several months ago this is not a bill that I would envision a presenting today but the bottom line for me is that this issue is an issue that has been addressed across the country it's an issue that has been placed in our lap here in Arkansas I don't have to recount the fact that with regard and I know that there's going to be debate and I know that on the left and the right and all across the board there are different views on what this bill is and isn't but just with regard to the issue at hand the issue of the fences where individuals are targeted by as part of a group or class we know that forty seven states have addressed that issue. There are three states that have not and if obviously Arkansas is one of those. The fact of the matter is that when you look at the states across the country forty seven states have addressed this issue in some form or fashion some address it many years ago some more recently. The way heck states of hamlet is deferred from one state to the other. But the fact is that it is my feeling that we can have the issue forced upon us and have legislation that may not be something that we feel good from the standpoint of developing a consensus. Or we can proactively work to try and resolve the issues ourselves. There's plenty of other issues that I probably would rather spend time working on but ultimately I feel like this is an issue that the Speaker of the house and understanding the attention that has been brought to this issue that for me in leadership this is an issue that I had to address and trying to work to find a consensus I understand that on the left there may be many that oppose it on the right there may be many that oppose this bill it's not a perfect bill but I haven't seen a perfect bill yet. But what I can tell you is that this is the bill that is a serious bill. I know that some people have dismissed it as being the lot of different words have been used but but I hope that you know that I would never bring you a bill that I didn't believe in and that I didn't believe with serious in nature. So what does this bill do. Well Senate bill six twenty two is you look at this bill it focuses it let me make this clear at the outset it does not create a new criminal offense. This is not a new criminal offense. But what we focus on our certain serious criminal offenses murder in the first degree murder in the second degree battery in the first degree aggravated assault terroristic threatening terroristic act arson unlawful discharge of a firearm and then attempt to solicitation or conspiracy to commit one of those offenses if it's a felony. So it focuses on offense is that already exist under Arkansas law so that needs to be made very clear this is not a new criminal offense. But quite simply this bill says if an individual is convicted of one of those offenses which I think we can all agree those are very serious offenses. If they are convicted of that then the prosecutor at the outset would have had the option. Of stating that the individual purposely selected their victim. And that based on an aggravating circumstance which that means that the the victim was purposely selected because the victim was a member of or was associated with the recognizable an identifiable group or class who share mental physical biological cultural political or religious beliefs are characteristics. And so that's what would have to be proven again guilt on the underlying offense would already be established. If the if they're convicted then you would move to the second phase which is this question of whether the defendant was purposely selected of being part of a group or class if the defendant is acquitted of the underlying crime then that's the end of it. So what happens if an individual does target a group an individual based on a group or class and they are convicted of one of the serious offenses and then the jury determines yes you did purposely selected victim what what we say in this bill. Is that in that circumstance it's not that the Senate would change the sentence is all the same the judge has the same range of sentencing options from one defend it to the other regardless of whether you purposely selected the victim based on being a part of a group or class but what happens in those circumstances is in this bill we state you're going to serve eighty percent of your sentence before you will ever be parole eligible. I think law enforcement prosecutors attorneys the deal in this area will tell you that is a very significant and stiff sentence. That is very significant in some ways it's more significant and more substantive more substantial rather than some other options that have been proposed. But the good thing about this bill and I think that what this bill is really born out of is trying to develop consensus. We know on this issue they're very differing views on how to address this issue if to address the issue at all. This bill there are things about this bill that probably I would change I'm sure there are things about this bill that you would change but ultimately we tried to work together to come up with legislation that we can be supportive of that we can develop the necessary consensus to move this forward to send a positive message for the state of Arkansas and to put this comprehensive and substantial. Legislation on the books. To protect all our Kansans. Of course one of the things that has become a much debated issue is whether you identify specific classes. Specific groups. I mean that's a challenge if you look at the other states there's any number of different groups that are specifically identified. So then the question is where do you draw the line. What I believe is that this bill this bill covers all of those groups I think I sent committee that I believe you can go to virtually any. Legislation in other states you could see a specific group or class identified if you applied it under Arkansas law they would be covered or protected under this law. And so we've done so it's it's an effort to be comprehensive in our coverage. Prosecutors as always will have discretion on these issues. But with this bill I believe that we have a bill that can develop and garner the necessary consensus. That can send a strong message. That can be comprehensive in its coverage and can be substantial and it's punishment. A few things that I would mention. With regard to some of the other features of the bill. Is that if individuals course this is already that's essentially a crime but if if an individual brings a false report of one of these. If they essentially purpose let if they Lynch a false report. And they knowingly do so if they knowingly bring those types of reports or encourages that type of prosecution that's a criminal offense. An individual who makes a false report knowing that it's not false that's a criminal offense and so we want to send the message these are serious offenses and they shouldn't be thrown around. By individuals or law enforcement or prosecutors as things to put pressure on criminal defendants to negotiate a plea. This should be applied only in those instances. Where the where this law has application where we see these horrendous acts of targeting individuals based upon them being a part of a certain group or class. Finally the bill provides for registry to be collected of those offenses so that we can maintain information and understand. How many of these offenses are occurring. With that I'd be glad to take any questions. Represent Miller for what purpose. Question you're recognized for a question thank you Mr Speaker of. Speaker Shepherd. I'm look at this and the the. The list of offenses thank you. Called out in the bill such as you know assault and. Burning somebody and shooting somebody and stabbing somebody all this kind of stuff Do we have a lot of folks in the state in your opinion who do that to people they live. Well I think that's that's a question what do you mean by like I mean the fact of the matter is I see plenty of instances where individuals family members and others are the the victims of violent crimes now The a clearly these laws are already on the books and so I think that that point is well taken that that the laws are always on the books at you know we can't I mean there's any number of reasons why crimes are committed and I've certainly it couldn't even begin to. Cover all of those amend their crimes committed for reasons that we completely could never understand but I do agree that probably in most instances individuals are not intentionally committing crimes against individuals that they they lie but I would also say that there are also plenty instances where domestic situations where you have family members loved ones friends who are the victims of violent crimes in where you have individuals commit crimes against people that they probably you know it's some point in our life never would have imagined they would have done that shall follow up you're recognized thank you Sir. So. L.. Think this through. Let's say that you Mr Speaker and representative Payton here. Develop a of a problem and you all go at it and and you wind up because your vision span you wind up Stephanie. And Payton scars on top of this beautiful had. Is it because the fact that both of yall or white men. Would you then be potentially up for having to serve eighty percent of your sentence. No it would be it would depend on why he was targeted. I mean if if a crime is committed as the bill says it depends on if I purposely selected him based upon him being a member of a certain group or class and so that would be the analysis that a prosecutor would have to determine is why was he why was he targeted for this particular crime. As You to lacking. Well not liking somebody doesn't have anything to do with the group or class if if he were targeted because he was White male any number of reasons than that would be something that would be potentially subject to protection but just because you don't like somebody that the bill has no application in those circumstances thank you. Recker represent Bentley for what purpose question you're recognized for a question Speaker I visit with you about other states where hate crime laws that has a very. Unintended consequences on having law enforcement officers are doing their job accurately and also people of faith being targeted at when I look at a page three this section of the to put in there about somebody firstly filing this these accusations do you know of any other states that have the same type of what to do they have that boarding in there as well as you placed here I'm honestly not sure most most states I would assume have general just as Arkansas has generally outlawed. malicious or for a prosecution or frivolous. Improper prosecutions or false reporting but we we took it a step further and actually some of that is language from other proposed pieces of legislation where we only relied on just the general statutes that are already in place but we took it a step further because we thought it was important to send that message that these are serious offenses and that these allegations should be thrown around lightly particularly in circumstances when the individuals know that the the law really should have no application. Thank you. Represent Payton for purpose question you're recognized for a question thank you Mr Speaker and Mister Speaker I really have not decided whether I'm voting for this or not I'm I generally support. Having people serve their sentences I thank jury should know that when they passed sentence on somebody that they're going to serve their sentence I really like that part of it can you kind of explain to me on purposely selected the victim you're talking about a minute ago a. What. Right here is going to be necessary to prove that how how is the jury am I going to. Arrive at at a decision that the that it met that threshold. So the jury would be instructed on the issue and the question I would have to answer is that the individual. Was selected because the victim was a member of one of the of a Class or group and we've stated in the bill that. Purposely selected the victim does not mean the defendant's mere abstract believe for expression was hostile or contrary to the victim being a member of or was associate with recognizable and identifiable group of classes share mental physical biological cultural political religious beliefs or characteristics and so what that is pointing to is that you can have hostile feelings towards a group or class but what the prosecutor would have to prove is that you actually selected the victim based upon. That used purposely selected them and targeted them because of that group or class and so it's it's not just to say that somebody had a general. Hatred towards a group or a general feeling towards a group the prosecutor actually has to present evidence to focus on the crime committed to show that there was actually a purposeful selection as to the victim for that particular crime. Thank you have a follow up recognize some you're gonna need specific evidence that I'm I'm made known my intentions to target politicians or the target you know whatever class you may be talking about. Not not just that. I have a dislike but that I mean correct any can you can I mean you're an attorney and I I'll I'm not I would appreciate I'm trying to get to yes on this bill with you believe me or not. I want to know how high that threshold is. Of of proving somebody was premeditated and they're targeting of an individual based on the class the so threshold the burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt. And so. You could say that you have paid to trying throughout examples but if if it were an instance of targeting targeting. Politicians if an individual has in the past I don't like politicians. And there's probably a number of people have said that right. They have just a general feeling towards politicians they don't care form don't trust them whatever the case may be that's not enough to to prove this to and to require this delayed release they would have to actually show that. If you committed an act against a politician or against somebody based on their political views because other states protect classes based on political views so this is nothing really really new in this area but but you would have to prosecutors have to prove that actually that individuals purposely selected not because you had a general belief for idea but that you actually went a step further and selected the victim. Based on that and and that that's why they were the intended victim of that particular crime so it's I think it's a very high threshold and you know the one of the things about the bill is because since we target mark pilot crimes that are already criminal offenses again I can't say this enough we're not creating new criminal offenses and you know sometimes people say well we're concerned about the misapplication of the law as far as creating new offenses we don't create a new offense if you have criminal liability for one of those offenses after the bill is passed you already had criminal liability before the bill. And so we put I think what we have in here is something that is very specific it has a high standard and it is something that focuses I believe on the issue that we were that we're trying to address and to send the right message and to and to say that when these horrible crimes are committed because these types of crimes were individuals were selected it sends a chilling effect throughout the community in a number of ways I mean there there are so many kind of the ripple effect of those types of crimes for individuals are targeted and so it's important I think that we send that message and we provides again comprehensive and substantive legislation to address that issue thank you. Figure Shepherd is explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent Miller you're recognized to speak against the bill. Anymore I don't fit for their. Hypothetically speaking. My body is a lethal weapon. Not until we passed open carried. In our sleeveless tee shirts. Don't laugh at the joke anyway. Let's say that I go back in the back row were my good friend. Representa Murdock is sitting. And I'm mad at. Because he just voted against the bill I ran. And with all the fury that I have. I'm Lisa my cell phone. Representa Murdock. And he winds up in really bad shape. If I do that because I'm not having. It's a crime. A crime is a crime. If I do it because he has a different color scanned and I do. It's a crime. It's horrible it doesn't need to happen. Let's flip it around. If he comes at me. Because I'm disabled and sent in a wheelchair and he don't like handicapped people. That's a crime. If he comes at me. Because I've done something that setting and that's the only reason it's still a crime. I love the part of this bill it says eighty percent of your sentences. But I think what we're doing here is we're just satisfying some national need for correct. It's going to be very hard to prove that anybody. Came at me. Simply because I was disabled if you come at me because you're mad at. Okay well you don't have to serve all your sentence. You come at me because I'm disabled. You have survey eighty percent percent. I like that I don't think that does anything. I think if we stop crime. Less. Let's make a law where it's you Sir ready for senator service. That's a deterrent. From the start stopping. But. If if we just do this I don't know how how the world though please let somebody just put it on Facebook. I don't like handicapped people and Josh Miller as my next target. I don't I'm I can't support this bill I'll be automated thank. Miller spoke against the bill would anyone like to speak in favor of the bill. Representative Boyd you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr chair I was conflicted over this bill over the weekend and as I was in charge are reflected in that when I got home I went to the patriot bobble and what I came up with was that after these things that cannot long continued any peaceable condition but were hunted and persecuted on every side so as their former afflictions were but flee bindings in comparison to those which now came up on them for somewhere taken and clapped up in prison and others had their house is beset and watch that night and day and hardly escape their hand in the most were famously and leave their houses and habitations in the means of the widely livelihood that was a quote by from William Bradford America has a long history of welcoming those individuals escaping tyranny on our soil in protecting Americans from tyrannical government and individuals this bill will simply this bill simply says our Kansans will not tolerate tolerate violent crimes especially those motivated by group characteristics I appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Boyd is spoke for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent McCollum you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I'm if you'll indulge me I I'm I'm gonna say the same remarks I said in committee because I still feel the same way about about what I saw. I have a great deal of respect for Speaker Shepherd and for sure Dalby. I know have spent an incredible amount of time working on this bill and I do not take their leadership lightly. We've talked enough for them to know why I cannot support this particular bill. I want to be clear my opposition to the bill is specifically about the bill not about the sponsors and I know we say that often but I'm sincere in that. This bill does not protect everyone. I'm sorry this bill does protect everyone and by doing that doesn't define the people most hated. It's a pro eligibility bill that applies to everyone from my perspective. If you are not a minority maybe it's difficult to understand what that feels like looks like. This bill in my opinion does not hit meet the hate crimes criteria historically all people have not been victims of hate crimes certain minority groups have. Certain groups of folks have been targeted over and over. If you don't believe that and now I'm ad libbing. We have a certain group of folks that have been targeted this legislative session in here and while that's not. Defined as a hate crime. It still is happen. So there's certain groups that have been targeted over and over that's the need for list that simply says in our state we do not condone this discriminatory behavior. I worry about the vagueness and the actual application of the bill I worried that the many small crimes that strike large terror in communities are not covered. In my opinion this bill does not check the box that I so desperately wish it could. I'm speaking up for those who are getting lost and remain invisible in the bill. And twenty one years in Arkansas since the hate crimes bill was first introduced we still cannot admit or say that there are certain folks that are targeted. As an English teacher. Words have always mattered to me. The words matter. And our laws the words matter we fight over words are here all the time and I'll finish with this in central Arkansas the hate crimes that I'm aware of that have been committed in the last few years have been ones targeting and killing black transgender women and I'm speaking the group's name today because it and others are not spoken in this bill and for this these reasons I will not be voting for this bill thank you. Represent McAuliffe spoke against the bill would anyone like to speak. For the bill. Representative brown you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you colleagues I did not intend to speak on this bill but If it is I think if we look back in history we will know that just about everybody the ancestors. Everybody in this room. Where once a targeted group. I know my ancestors were on both sides of my family that's why they came to America. So the Hague if we wanted. Call it hate crime or whatever the targeted groups can change from season to season I like the vagueness or the the lack of specificity of naming who the groups are because the groups can change and have and I. I would appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Brown spoke for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill represent flowers you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. I'll just touch on a couple things that I shared in committee. in committee we had one person who spoke for the bill and he talked about talent in the importance attracting talent. We've heard people talk about you know we're one of three states and by the way now we're one of two states. I don't have any lipstick and that's why I'm not taking this master thank you. I'm being elected to take my mask off that's why I remember me okay so this this bill is not about checking a box. And it's not about talent this is about addressing a problem the best analogy that I can give that I gave in committee is that you know I think it was maybe two sessions ago where we passed legislation to address. Suicide. Among our veterans. It's very very specific. Now suicide is an issue across the spectrum of people in this country. But we know that the rate of suicide. Have escalated greatly and that we needed to do what we could. To help and protect our veterans. And so we didn't pass a bill to say Hey we want to throw money at suicide and we want to help everybody. We just like we kinda have laws. That address some of the violent crimes. That afflicts people who are targeted. But if we really want to address hate. It based on race be a based on gender based on sexual orientation. Did based on religion which is what our federal law does is a model which is what the South Carolina law that just passed us as a model. Why wouldn't we utilize the tool of an enhanced penalty like we have done with several other bills or several other laws. Where we have changed the severity. But I want someone voted against. That are now misdemeanors we changed into felonies. Because. We believe that the tolerance matters. If you believe in deterrence matters and we believe. That people are targeted in this country based on very specific dynamics. Then why wouldn't we address that why would we be afraid. To address the fact that there are people out there who are racist. There are people out there who are misogynist. There are people out there who hate people because of their religion. We've watched the marks. And talk about not being replaced we've heard people call for civil war in this country. Several of us maybe not everybody but several of us. We're ready to come to the capital when the session started. You may not have been afraid and felt like you were a target but I will. Several people call me. And begged me not to come to work because they were afraid that something would happen to me. That I could sneak in the capital. The way maybe others in this capital could. And so. I appreciate. The hard work. My chairwoman of my Speaker in an effort to craft something that everybody can agree on. But we are not set up here all the time to solve hard problems by crafting something that everybody can agree on. The last time we did that especially around issues like this. We spent the next two decades fighting about a holiday. About separating a holiday because. A compromise was reached. Many years ago. And I just think our people deserve better than that I think all of you deserve better than that we shouldn't be divided over figuring out how we can check a box let's solve the problems that exist in this state and if we can't come to an agreement now based on what's really really right. Then let's wait and and pass something that's better that's stronger and that's not devices. The constitutionality was raised by a former Supreme Court justice who talked about the vagueness. On two fronts. And finally what I would say this I don't think that your vote. She casts a reflection. Upon who people might think you are. There are a lot of things that we have to go home and explain that people generally don't know the nuances about. I suspect that there will be people who read headlines and ask why did you will vote against the hate crimes bill I'll have to tell them some of the things I'm telling you. But that's my job. That's our job so I just would ask that you vote no on this bill because it doesn't target the people who who need to be targeted and protected. Because it is not constitutionally sound based upon what we heard from Supreme Court justice. Do the right thing please vote no thank you. Represent flowers is spoke against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Representative pop you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker when I first became elected and went to our retreats we were talking about important topics we wanted to work on this session and one of the things we talked about was trying to make a statement of who we are and what we stand for and I so wanted to make a statement for myself and members of my own family that are members of different diverse groups in this country and and and other countries that my family represents I wanted to make the statement that I am against hate. And I am for equal protection of all persons on the Supreme Court building in Washington DC carved in marble it says equal justice under the law. And I think this bill makes a statement that we are in Arkansas against hate we are against hate of all members of all diverse community groups and we are for protection for all under the law. And I believe this law can be defended was written from a legal standpoint from professionals in our legal community and I think I'm really ex wanted to be able to say I was a part of making a statement that we as our Kansans are against hate we stand together for that we stand for equal protection for everyone under the law every person every class and representative McCall I really appreciate your same this bill protects everyone which I believe that it does and I don't want to leave out anyone I wanted to make sure everyone is covered and I believe this bill does that and I believe it can be defended and I'm proud to serve vote ends up for it today thank you. Represent Haak has spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent projects you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker and calling the feud indulge me for just a minute you know what that was on the fence on this particular piece of legislation and I've a written Hans I to like you as I was going around speaking to civic groups in my district and late last year they're asking you know some things we may be addressing this legislative session I say you know I'm excited we're going to will finally get to address a hate crime hate crime bill that is much needed in this state and I thought we had a pretty decent one in place and and then we kinda diluted a little bit were for some reason we have afraid to say certain words to identify certain people I've seen more transgender more L. G. Q. a legislation this session that I've ever seen in my five terms You know what I prayed. And I pass some Pentecostal five pass there but in the end of the Bible tells us that something the only come to pass in praise you not pass and I prayed before session because I knew that. I'd be confronted with all the social bills and I have a little frayed what. The religious community would say about me when I got back home if I did it if I vote a certain way granted the abortion bill soon as I got back home somebody. Call me a sinner I'm going to help. And I'll and I made it clear that I'm a believer. A born again believer who loves god. So their judgments about me didn't didn't didn't phase because I know who I am I know who they. And so I was I was I was I was worried about What people think about. You know and and and my wife reminded me. Prior to coming to session. my beautiful wife of twenty seven years told me she the monthly you've kept it safe. You wrote the middle of the line. You want to make everyone happy. And I'm a little pissed off at her. You know the renowned pissed off at her is because she told me the truth. To selling the truth. And yeah you know what I want to keep you safe I don't I don't want to I don't want any controversy that's just my nature my mall you know I'm just real laid back. But sometimes you have to be about something you know I can go home and I can look at my twelve year old I could tell him look. They may not like me. They may have a rand somebody against me I may have not won my election but I stood up for my conviction. And I can go to sleep every night about the seizure that may. And you know guidance in the here he did for me I don't drive three hours one way. Two. We call the great black hope. Four to Appease the Democratic Party. Or to gain brownie points from the LGBTQ community. To be Dame legislator of the year that's not my objective. My concern. Magicjack this. It's too. Serve people. All people. People they look like the the people don't look like me. People to vote for me people didn't vote for me Republican Democrat L. G. B. T. Q. who may have the the person may be I'm here to represent them. I just don't feel that this bill. identifies though they need to be protected the moles. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January one eighteen sixty three. S. the nations the at the nation approach if third bloody civil war. The proclamation declared that all persons held as slaves. Within the rebel you state are and henceforward shall be free. The Civil Rights Act of nineteen sixty four what the nation's premier civil rights legislation. The act outlawed discrimination on the equal access to public places and employment and enforce desegregation of schools and the right to vote it did not give discrimination but it did open the door. Will progress. Human Rights define. They are moral principles or norms for certain standards of human behavior. And are regularly protected in municipal and international law. They are commonly understood as inalienable fundamental right to whom a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being and which aren't our intent in all human beings regardless of the age ethnic ethnic origin location language religion ethnicity or any other status they are apple everywhere and every time in the sense of being universal. We passed a bill that increased punishment for crimes committed against law enforcement officers. We recognize the and that they are sometimes targeted attacks against groups of people. That's reality. We see going on over and over again. True hate crime legislation protects all our cans just because you are not the likely victim of a hate crime to the me this law will protect you if you because one. Hate crime laws in the United States have two elements. A specification of what groups to which applied. In sentencing consequences for example the federal hate crime statutes outline specific Senate enhancements to crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived gender sexual orientation gender identity disability actual perceived race color religion national origin or ethnicity ethnicity to fifty of any person despite the relative to be simple language in this statute hate crime laws vary by state. Dr king once said darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate only love can do that love for all mankind because of how our views are. Against that individual only love can drive out hate some asking that you vote no on this particular piece of legislation thank you god bless. Representative Hodges a spoke against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Speaker Shepherd you're recognized to close for the bill. Thank you Mr chairman and and let me just say I certainly appreciate all the comments for and against and the truth of the matter is that that I could make arguments for and against I can make an argument against the against the legislation on its whole but the fact of the matter is that what we have before us is a bill that I do believe we can have meet with consensus it's a bill that that as I said before it's comprehensive it's substantive. There's some reference to how national groups may view it whether it checks the boxes are many groups that say it doesn't check the box. They're groups on the left that says this is not a hate crimes bill there groups on the right that says this is a hate crimes bill. They're groups on the left that oppose it for other reasons there's groups on the right to oppose it for other reasons but what that. I think seems to indicate to me is what I present to you today is a bill that I believe is right for Arkansas. There is mention of the fact that could it is it too vague might be held unconstitutional. That certainly is a possibility. But that's the fact of the matter with virtually any piece of legislation that we pass. Should be ruled unconstitutional than a future legislature could decide what if anything they wanted to do. Or maybe the court which would specify the deficiency but certainly I don't present a piece of legislation that I believe to be unconstitutional we work with the bureau there's actually language in here that the bureau suggested the attorneys there who we all rely on to draft our bill suggested to try and. Make sure that it met sufficient due process thresholds. And so what I have before you today is a bill that I believe is right for Arkansas. You know one of the things I could mention is you look across the country there are many states that so called check the box that have many groups. That are not protected many of the groups that some insist must be part of a hate crimes bill there many states with those groups are not even protected but the fact of the matter is in Arkansas they will be protected. Someone asked. Well I was sitting to the side there about the protections for religious groups or religious religious speech we particularly added. In the bill it's over on page three that this section does not interfere with the exercise of rights protected by the United States constitution or the Arkansas constitution including without limitation the right of clergy. To express religious beliefs during a religious service or ceremony. And and so some of ask about that but I must remind you we're are we're not creating a new criminal offense. If they relate if a an individual has liability criminally that liabilities already there under Arkansas law we're not changing that we're not creating a new crime. We're not even sentencing people differently but what we are saying is that if you commit one of these offenses and you target somebody based on a group or class you're gonna do more of your time. I had the division of corrections run the numbers and depending on the offense with murder one it was likely a ten percent increase over what. Those perpetrators of those who are convicted of that offense are likely serving right now but for virtually every other classifications offense it's between a forty to sixty percent increase in the time that they served. And so again in closing I think that this is a bill that we can send the right message there will be those that say it's terrible there will be those that say we haven't checked the box there will be those that say we haven't passed passed a hate crimes bill. There will be those on the other side say it's terrible there will be those that say we passed a hate crimes bill. But you know what I don't care about the title you put on it I don't legislate based on the title of the bill. There's lobbyist that will tell you that that they come to see me about a piece of legislation I said we need to pass something on you name the expression the bill we all get hit up for these different issues and my response sometimes is what you care what's in the bill. Or do you just want the title. And fill in the blank and pass that it's not the title that matters. What matters is the substance of the bill. And the bill in front of you today it's comprehensive it's substantial and I believe it's the right bill for the state of Arkansas but at the end of the day. Each of you will have to make your own decision. Each of you will have to decide. And so with that I would appreciate a good vote. Baker Shepherd is close for the bill question before the House is the passage of Senate bill six twenty to prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Sixty five Yeas twenty six nays and five presents the bill is passed. Representative makes for what purpose motion place you're recognized for motion after the announcmenet trading with the bills transferring the bill's place in the calendars on the desk members amending their own bills with their own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalizing resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move that we adjourn until one o'clock tomorrow afternoon as proper motion non debatable all in favor say aye. Opposed nay motion is passed. Are there any announcements representative Jane your for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized for announcmenet joint budget will meet at eight thirty in the morning and big mac a represent Cozart for what purpose House but you're recognized for an announcmenet education meets tomorrow morning nine thirty one fifty one representative fight Lanny Fite for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized city county local will meet in fifteen minutes a big maxi representative Smith what purpose announcmenet you're recognized capital commission will be over at the Capitol Hill apartments tonight beginning at five thirty or slightly thereafter for a study in proverbs and Jason Palermo has been bringing good physique the food representative Charlene Fite for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized aging children youth military will meet ten minutes after we adjourn and it will be a very brief meeting today representative Holcomb for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized public transportation will meet in the morning at nine thirty AM maxi. Representative Vaught for what purpose Smith you're recognized ACAN forestry economic development will meet in ten minutes upon adjournment. Representative makes for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized the technology committee will meet tomorrow at eleven thirty AM and big mac B.. Are there any other announcements. Members the Speaker is asked me to remind you that the we're getting towards the end of the session and if you have any bills you need to you need to be running them you need to be getting with the chairman and getting those schedule. The desk over main open is needed for the reading of the bills upon completion of the items named in the adjourn resolution the house would be adjourned until one PM tomorrow.