House Convenes

I'm by the member staff pressing guests in the gallery sustained be led in prayer by Dr rex Warren retired pastor of Emmanuel Baptist church and remained standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Let's pray. They are father in heaven we thank you for this week and for the celebration for many of us the recognition of this Holy Week lord we thank you for our state and our country where we do have religious liberty recognizing the right of everyone to believe or even not to believe. For those of us as believers we thank you for the one who came and he came up to be served but to serve. Who emptied himself and took on the form of a man and humbled himself even to death on the cross. Who says the loss of the words ring true in this chamber in our lives. By this shall all men know that you're my disciples if. You have love one for the other. What increase our love our understanding I respect. We thank you for the sacrifice we remember today and we pray in Jesus name amen. All. Members please indicate to presents by pushing the yellow present button prepare the machine Mr Clerk. That's about Mr Clark. Ninety nine president Terry season one is there are are there any requests for leave. Represents speaks. Leave. Late for Mr Farrant representative fireman is leave granted for representative Furman. They use granted. Representative Fredrick Love moved we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal no objections so ordered are they Reports from select committees. Other reports from standing committees read the reports Mr Clark. Mr Speaker we are committee on city county local to whom was referred house bill twelve any beg leave to report that we have seven consideration here they're trying to say with the recognition that you pass the respective facility by chance. Speaking we're Committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill seventeen fifty three beg leave to report that we have the same consideration have turned the same recommendation that a do pass strictly submitted Lane Jean co chair. Mr Speaker we are committee on education to whom was referred house bill six eleven Senate bill one sixty for the bill be ninety four Senate bill four ninety one syllable of forcible by twenty four beg leave to report that we have the same in a consideration in here with trying to say with the same recommendation that do pass as amended Bruce Cozart chair Mister Speaker we are committee on education to was referred Senate bill one twenty Senate bill forty one beg leave to report that we have sent a consideration and have to turn the same with the recognition that do pass respectfully submitted Brian Evans vice chair. Mr Speaker we are committee on education to was referred Senate bill two ninety one beg leave to report that we have the same consideration here to trying to say with a recommendation that do pass as amended number one Senate Bruce Cozart champ. Is there any unfinished business. Are there any Executive communications. Representa Ballinger moved that we place Senate bill three oh nine back on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read Amendment number one Mr Clark Amendment one Senate bill three oh nine. Representa Ballinger recognize explained Amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker this amendment just allow of this bill to being an an inconsistent with the guidelines of the council so that the Preciado good vote. The president balance explained Amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment representative balance close for the moment the question before the House is the adoption of amendment number one the Senate bill three oh nine all in favor say aye. Opposed nay minutes adopted. Representative Collins moved that we place Senate bill four seven nine back on second reading for the purpose of amendment that objection read Amendment number one Mr Clark number one this is a bill for seventy nine represent Collins you're recognized explained the amendment thank you Mr Speaker this came over the Senate decides means mother to sponsors should a good vote. President Collins has explained the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment represent Collins is closed for the amendment question before the House is the adoption of the amendment number one the Senate bill four seven nine all in favor say aye. Opposed nay amendments adopted. We're going to pass over H. R. ten twenty three at this time Mr Clark reed House resolution ten eighteen. House resolution to eighteen be representative right to protect the welfare of children by keeping the promised Arkansans children. Represented by you're recognized explain the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker. This resolution which contains no mandates encourages our state to protect the welfare of our greatest resource today's culture along with our technology consistently and can constantly bombards our children with adult content and subject matter. Being a kid is difficult being a kid in the twenty first century is even more difficult. So I was raised in the twentieth century all we had to worry about is whether Joe camel cool and turns out he was not. So what is urge our publicly funded agencies to keep watch and guard over our children's hearts and minds thank you. Representative Brian as explained resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. President of Hudson you're recognized to speak against the resolution. Colleagues I spent a lot of time in the past twenty four hours thinking about this resolution. I talked to my pastor this morning I talked to my father in law who's also a pastor last night. And. Because I have to wonder on Maundy Thursday. Why we're talking about another resolution that singles out children who may be different than most who may be struggling with issues of identity. Who may be gay. Or non binary or trans or confused and we don't know we don't know and we're telling them again in a resolution this time that we don't know what their issue is but we know that we don't like them that their difference that they are not as deserving of our compassion as other children. I asked yesterday and committee is Mr **** who was with representative Bryant to present this bill thought this was a good idea because last week Dr Hutchison from children's hospital testified in one of the public health committees that since the last two trans bills that we pass there has been an increase in suicides among attempted suicides among children who identify as trans and I called the Arkansas association of pediatrics today to confirm that. And in the past two weeks there have been three children who tried to kill themselves as a direct result of the bills and legislation that we're passing out of this house no I do not believe that you all are trying to hurt kids I don't I really don't and it's important that you understand that but we have to be aware of the consequences of the things that we do and right now the consequences of these types of bills whether they are meant in a good spirit or not those claiming our kids still putting them. Cells. If this resolution that simply said we want to make sure that our kids are not exposed to bad content on TV and then in the news calling. But we don't need to keep saying in these resolutions that we don't want to talk about. Kids who might be different. Because we don't think you're okay. We don't think that you are worthy. I thought a lot over the past twenty four hours about Matthew. And how Jesus told us to bring all the children to him and to not hinder them. And I'm fully week of all weeks I would ask that we all think about this this is a resolution it doesn't have the force of law. But it is impacting children in a negative way and as I said this comes straight from my heart and my concern for kids but I would just ask you to consider that when you're considering voting for this resolution. President of Hudson is spoke against the bill would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Represent property you're recognized to speak for the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker and colleagues. I was gonna ask a question. So let me just state this we are not against kids we love kids I've spent my whole life. Detecting children and women. But when we and I've read the resolution it's been twenty four hours that. I don't recall anything bad in the resolution. We love people. But at the same time if you're gonna talk about scripture do you really want me to bring some up. That contradicts yes we love yes we love. I love what. But at the same time if we don't stand against items in I'm not against you Tippi I think you're wonderful. I thank the people that you represent are wonderful. I have my kids Their friends. I guess. Hello. But at the same time we are at a place in our society represent Crawford I would ask that the comments be directed to the body as a whole thank you. Okay I apologize. I apologize I didn't mean any harm by that it's just been brought out from here On that so I apologize. There comes a time in life where we have to stand because we watch what's going on in our world. We as Christians have been quiet for way too long. We've let me take it out of school. We've allowed abortion to take over America was sixty three million that. We've allow. For something the Bible says not to do that as may and many man and woman married woman not against it not against it. I'm just going to stand I'm not a when I say I'm not against it I don't hate those people is what I'm saying. But there comes a time when those of us who. I believe in in the Christian morals kind of stand. I don't know how else to say other than this is not against people. We love people. I got to say I would ask for a good vote. President property spoken for the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution represent McCullough you're recognized begets resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker not I honestly wasn't gonna get up and and speak today but. But I feel compelled to I was one of those kids that grew up in Arkansas that was was different. But you know I grew up in a state that I felt loved me I had family and I had friends that Love Me and you know I know sometimes the good old days weren't necessarily the good old days but sometimes I yearn for time when people were just politely Justin I'm not the one that has been talking about this I'm not the ones been bringing up these issues I'm not bringing these bills. This this this resolution is lots of times we say just a resolution. But this is a laundry list of the bills that have come through here. That are harmful the full they're taking medical care. Away from kids. Away from possibly may and I'm I would present nearly thirty thousand people I called you guys do everybody is not a member of the LGBTQ community so all these issues we talk about every day or super important to me and my constituents obviously I'm a Simba representation here for the group of people that they represent Crawford referred to that I represent. But. Love. This is this is a weird way to me to show that you love. Because this once again this is very harmful. And I'm I'm also I try to stay away from this this topic too because I believe that everybody has their own. Private religious views I'm a Christian also. I don't feel like I have to come down here and say that every time I speak I hope that the way I live my life is enough and example of that. But I want to tell you what. When I look at the Bible and I look at Jesus he was a great healer who never turned the sole away that ask for his help. That is not the example that I have seen her on the floor that is not the words that I hear here on the floor and I am going to continue to get up here if I need to continue to speak out against these things I'm telling you. I'm not Love. And that are harmful not to just these kids not to just this community but to this state and help people view us and I know a lot of people don't care how other people view us but if you want to get started talking about the economy and those kinds of things it's important how people look at Arkansas. And with that I would just ask not to support this resolution thank you semicolon spoken against the resolution when he would like to speak for the resolution. Would anyone represent Wooten you're recognized speak for the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker. Well we're here again. To talk about a wider role. This resolution is simply intended to stay in a position relative to protect the caring for loving and having an outreach to children. Now Jesus has been brought up. And I'm a born again believers in Jesus Christ hello my understanding here until that let me share this with the Jesus that I don't know the vote and into my heart over forty years ago and it made all the difference in the world let me tell you the Jesus I don't know told the woman at the well. Gold. This and no more. Call C. N. whatever you won't call but I'm telling you like representative Crawford said folks we don't stand up we're going to continue to get run over. Enforced in slammed in our face I love all people of everyone. This is not a civil rights issue. It is not a civil rights issue black red bar L.. Hello. Hispanic Latino those are civil rights issues not what you choose to do in your own sexual life. That's a choice made by the individual and don't stand up here and make me guilty because of the fact that three other people committed suicide you're going to have only is because legislation until news because we go deeper situation than problem and I hate to have to be up here sure and that this is gonna lead to an example that I could the then I don't care I do care. I'm paying for. But don't make me feel guilty because you made another choice in your life to walk another path. I'm heterosexual brother for all of it and I'm eighty years old. This is a time to stand up and particularly if you're born again Christian. What the world this nation was based on those principles for. Our founding fathers. We should have to apologize to worry about. I'm telling you we will protect our children. We we know we level even those that there will be different. To me that's a choice as decision name may we don't put a guilt trip on me about that thank you thank you Mr president represent McCollum for purpose. I have a question. Represent Payton for what purpose. To your motion immediate consideration. That's a proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it. Question before the House is the subject. House resolution ten eighteen all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it. Mr Clark please read House resolution. Ten twenty three. Process solution to to the representative wing to recognize North Little Rock boys basketball team is the the class six A. state champions. President when you're recognized to explain your resolution thank you Mr Speaker with your permission may I bring the rest of the North Little Rock delegation down representative Scott representive Lowery representative brown representative ray. Please. All right well first of all I want to thank everybody who is wearing either blue or gold today in honor of our north little rock charging Wildcats for winning a state basketball championship last week and we have the members of the team that are here with us today please stand up turn the Wildcats. Up in the west gallery we have our North Little Rock superintendent Greg bluesky are assistant superintendent Keith McGee are athletic director Gary Davis head coach Johnny rice and the assistant coaches as well as all of our players and with that I want to make a special commendation representative Jamie Scott for an absolutely fabulous mass today. Mr Clark would you mind please reading the resolution. Read the resolutions Clerk. Well I have invested Little Rock Central High to take the six eight boys state basketball title with a score of sixty five to fifty five at bank of the catering at the hot springs Arkansas on Thursday March eighteenth twenty twenty one and whereas the women and North Little Rock the eleventh state championship the boys have taken in the team's history in the fifteen each of the last nine years under coach Johnny rice and west authorized finished the season with the twenty one and to record now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas the house of representatives congratulate the record in recognized not there are boys basketball team is this class six A. state champions. I do I do want to make mention represent Mayberry that's also blue and gold right there so that's that's fabulous. Years ago years ago there was a movement to possibly rename the city of North Little Rock and they came through the different names that ended up failing but if it ever does come back up again we recommend title town. President wing is explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution represent **** is closed for the resolution the question before the House is the passage of house resolution ten twenty three all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The resolution is adopted. And I believe in the gallery I believe we have former state representative former state senator Traci Steele who I believe is also in the north right school board. Members the doctor the day is Dr Kyla Shelton of little rock in the nurse's miss Brenda Hewitt. President Bryant for what purpose. Let's hear your motion. Mister Speaker I move we expunge the vote by which house bill seventeen forty eight failed to pass. That's a proper motion is debatable represent right you're recognized explain your motion. Thank you Mr Speaker calling yesterday when a representative would occur explain this bill I I thought he did a great job explained that it wasn't an alcohol bill I do not believe it is but I had I had a few concerns over the call to the language I went over and looked over the statute and in further and realize that the people still have a right to vote on this within this community so I would like the opportunity to rebuild on this matter so I appreciate a good vote on the expungement of this bill. President Brian S. X. plane the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. Would anyone like to speak for the motion represent Whitaker you're recognized to speak for the motion. Thank you Mr Speaker nine one thank representative Brian for his a generous offer to help out on this register today all we're asking for is the expungement I want to have time over the weekend or some possible language to amend it to make it a little. Easier to read and understand and I'll I'll tell you this is my second on. I believe the bring back an amendment or I will not bring the bill back at all if you see a map for you god and everyone. And that's my promise to appreciate a good vote. Thank you for a second chance. President Whitaker spoken for the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. Would anyone like to speak for the motion. President Bryant is close for the motion the question before the House is the expansion of the vote by which house bill seventeen forty eight failed to pass all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it. Morning hour is ended. Members were gonna pass over house bill fifteen sixty three Mister Clark please read house bill seventeen fifty five. Seventeen fifty five a representative Jean terminal okay governing the tax treatment of producing the minerals into the funds that the tax treatment of oil wells and production equipment represent gene you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Calling this is a Bill if you're the gaffer country has nothing to do with you and they have to do general revenue this is what this bill does is defined the Quitman. That is taxed on the county level. And right now there's about six or eight counties in South Arkansas that have that or in what they call the whole field and it has very from county to county. How things are assessed there's no consistency you could be a company that has a well in Washtenaw county and it is assess different than it is in Columbia or Union County what this does was it defines. And a standard way how a commitment. also the assessment of the barrels per day that are produced on an annual basis instead of a three year basis because all prices are very fluctuating and this helps jobs in the company that provide job merry. once again. I'll take any questions that once again this is not affect general revenue it is only for the revenue of the local eleven Arkansas counties. Any questions. What. What what purpose. Question nice. James Ennis a responsibility of the arts of the court the sense but coordination I don't seem to be doing their job over there well they have a method of doing it and and with the three year average it's just not fair because you know two years ago and and had been two years ago decide all have been a hundred dollars a barrel in and now it's fifty and to do a three year average is not fair to these producers this will do it on an annual basis and this is kind of defining how these wells will be assessed and That's all I will say about the assessment one more question yeah is is is this is about the same situation we ran into recently with the check and How's that being an equally says throughout the state and I meant it on a county by county if there's there's no uniformity in it And as representative fault is the bill that issue but is very similar support your bill all right thank you thank you any other questions. Appreciate a good vote. President Jean is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative gene is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill seventeen fifty five prepared machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety two U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. When passed over house bill seventeen thirty six Mr Clark please read house bill eighteen oh nine. Also eighty nine number represented Womack concerning the transfer of a family in need of services que of case. Womack you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is a pretty simple bill that allows for the transfer of family in need of services case to transfer across state line I mean across county lines to go with the with the family. You have an answer any questions. See and I would appreciate a good vote. Womack is explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Absent Womack is closed for the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill eighteen oh nine prepared machine. Everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four Yeas zero nine zero president bills passed Mr Clark please read house bill seventeen forty five. Forty five a representative of a group concerning reimbursement for the for law enforcement officer training for certified law enforcement officers employed by a private community. Immigrate you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker knowledge this is a a bill but I think a past a bill similar to this earlier that reimburse communities when law enforcement was trained in one community and then hired to another one this bill simply just adds a private community five thousand and above osprey villages in my district so it would include that district who has certified police officers to. The simple bill number appreciate a good vote thank you. President agrees explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative groups close for the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill seventeen forty five per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Leveled ninety three A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill seventeen seventy. House bill seventeen seventy by representative McCollum to require that certain information be included on student identification cards or identification badges person because you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this is the a simple bill that will include three things on a student ID card and that would be the national domestic violence hotline the sexual assault hotline and national suicide prevention hotline in committee we discussed and we had to members concerned that the words without limitation were on there so it would be easy for a school to add other numbers and we agreed in there that I would get rid of the without limitation so we would limit it because that that's not the intent intent has beats is to have these three numbers only. So I'm gonna and Mendis on the Senate in to do that take out without limitation and to make clear that it's just these three numbers and also it talks about it may in state and number two on line thirty two. It says that you may include a a text based state or national organization I'm going to strike that whole part because it doesn't specify which national organization so that will be gone and then on on page two same thing will remove without limitation regarding two and four year colleges and will also strike the part where it says it may include a text based national organization to get rid of that so just to be clear the only things that will be on there will be the three numbers that are listed and that will be amended on the Senate and I'll take any questions if anybody has one. Semicolon for what purpose question you're recognized who is the Senate sponsor that will be responsible for making I guess those amendments on the Senate side that we can assure those that sure Senator Missy Irvin. Seeing no questions I appreciate a good vote. Represent because explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Semicolons close for the bill the question before the House is the past house bill seventeen seventy prepared machine. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety two U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve forty. Also for the representative Lowery to modify the Arkansas credit for reinsurance act in the claimant the. President Lowery recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this is a insurance department bill they brought to the to the Committee it deals with in a in in a I see a National Association of insurance commissioners. Model language it was passed in two thousand nineteen of. We insurance if you're not familiar with that is when an insurance company buys they buy additional insurance to cover their liabilities what the two thousand nineteen language did is it brought reciprocity between US companies in E. U. companies so that there's a. Not a an unfair advantage to the E. U. companies in terms of their selling of reinsurance if we did not pass this legislation to be in uniformity the federal government government with didn't come in and basically tell us the way it's going to be by twenty twenty two so we're just getting ahead of that is just simple language from the insurance department and I'm available for any questions I think I might handle them I don't know it's kind of complex but it's a simple bill. It's complex for me it's probably simple for you I appreciate your support for the bill. Representive Lowery has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. The question before the House is the passage of H. B. twelve forty. Prepared machine Mr Clerk. You voting on the bill and the emergency clause has everyone voted. Cast the ballot that Mr Clark. And with that a vote of ninety one days zero nine zero present the bill has passed. And the emergency clause passed. Mr Clark please read H. B. eighteen oh four. Former president of eleven to amend the Arkansas pharmacy on a bill of rights and to amend the Arkansas pharmacy benefits manager licensure act. Representive eleven you're recognized presenter bill. Thank you madam Speaker member's house bill eighteen four is an effort in collaboration between your local pharmacist in the Arkansas Insurance Department to synchronize the definition of health plans as defined in ACT nine hundred of two thousand fifteen I think it's important to note that this less legislation that was passed back then was recently challenged by the PBMs and was unanimously upheld within eight to zero vote in the U. S. Supreme Court in December of two thousand and twenty our state is doing it the right way the bill also defines that what the Arkansas community pharmacy network adequacy program is this bill has been reviewed and revised using information from legislative audit the Arkansas Insurance Department. all we're doing this bill just codifying some federal industry standards to ensure statewide efficiency to lower costs and be less burdensome for your constituents it's set to establish network adequacy improve transparency in prescription drug pricing for all of your constituents back home I believe this bill is good for local businesses and especially for our constituents depend on regular pharmacy filled medications finally the bill will move the enforcement of the pharmacy audit bill of rights to the Arkansas insurance department who currently holds the licenses of the PBMs and moved that away from the board of pharmacy be happy to answer any questions. The number create a good vote. Representive eleven has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. You would like to speak for the bill representative gray you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you madam Speaker and I just I know that I have carried a lot of PBM legislation throughout my tenure here and I wanted to thank representative eleven for running this bill and and also just wanted to kind of let everyone know that like the network adequacy piece and we did include that in the regulatory language that we had in special session a couple years ago we just didn't define it and so that's what he's doing is essentially defining it to the federal standards so I just want to say that let everyone know that I'm in full support of this bill thank you. Representative gray has spoken in favor of the bill is anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representive eleven are you close for the bill representive eleven is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of H. B. eighteen oh four. The machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With the ballot with a vote of ninety eight zero may and one present the bill has passed. We're going to skip over H. B. eighteen oh six. Mr Clark please read H. B. seven seventy seven. Also seventeen seventy seven the representative council to protect domestic violence victims voter registration information to amend the duties of the secretary of state and to amend the Arkansas election procedure. The representative council you're recognized presenter bill. Thank you madam Speaker. Calling this bill as the need for this bill came to my attention over the summer when I had a constituent who came to me who wanted to register to vote but knew that doing so would make her address publicly available she was still trying to keep our location secret from her acts who is continuing to stock and harassing her into felt like she was forced to decide whether he can exercise the right to vote or keep herself and her family safe at this bill provides for a victim of domestic violence to request secure voter status a victim of domestic violence would have to prove with the court document and that they were in fact a victim of domestic violence a court would have to find that first and the secure voter status would mean that their address which kept private no other information about the voter would be private I just the address that they provide when they register I just wouldn't impact what information they have to provide to the Clerk when they either register or at anything that they have to provide when they show up to vote doesn't impact voter identification at all and it has the support of the Secretary of State the association of Arkansas counties and the coalition against domestic violence what would committee members when I read it a few weeks ago through state agencies and after we had settled on some amendment that passed through unanimously yesterday and to be happy to take any questions but seeing nine I would appreciate a good vote. The lady. Thank you madam Speaker a representative County as you said in the committee I had a question about this I mean I like the bill but about this applying to address is only so if you requested a list of voters in your district you could still get that person on there. But not the address and you committed to an amendment on the Senate side to add addresses is that correct correct so as we went through and we tried to include everywhere so that we we made clear that this only applies to the address there was one spot where we didn't have that exact language we will amended on the Senate side for anybody curious it's the line one on page two we will add the words the address of before registered voters to make that clear thank you thank you. Representative council has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative council would you like to close for a bill. Represent Clowney of clothes for her bill. The question before the House is the passage of H. B. seven seventy seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With a ninety six days they're all nays and zero present the bill has passed. Mr Clark please read H. B. seventeen fifteen. House bill seventy fifteen by representative Lowery to amend Arkansas law concerning absentee ballots to amend the election law to amend the law concerning voting by absentee ballot it to amend the law concerning spoiled ballots. Representive allow you're recognized present your bill. Thank you ma'am Speaker. Colleagues this is the one of number of bills as part of an election integrity packet that will be coming through the legislature some of the bills of started in the Senate several started here in the House yeah we took a very giant step forward I think when we amended the voter ID bill the voter ID Act to clarify that you actually had to present a voter ID rather than a signed sworn statement that was a major step forward but there's still a lot of the process that we have to clean up in one of these areas is specific to absentee ballot applications and also absentee ballots no number of your sponsors on this our pride don't have to give a whole lot of explanation but I think it's only fair to to go through this and let me Couple of the provisions that are in the bill related to the possession of absentee ballots currently current law allows for the possession of ten ballots to create a rebuttable presumption of intent to defraud if you have ten and then this rebuttable presumption we've changed that ten to four mainly to limit the idea of ballot harvesting so that there are people out there with blank out of the absentee ballots we also saw it specially in Pulaski County where there was a significant number almost almost ten thousand absentee ballot applications that were approved without verifying the signatures cross checking them against voter registration signatures of the the county clerk's office said well you know a lot of these we couldn't find signatures but state law requires that you're supposed to verify those signatures will this verifies that in clarifies it even further the voter statement right now we do not have a uniform voter statement from county to county so this is stab wishes now that there would be a uniform voter statement absentee ballot cancer requires the county Clerk to provide County Board of election commissioners with a daily count of absentee applications of ballots again This is very problematic in plaster county where I know of several legislators and Carlton wing was one of them in it it also affected me where the number kept changing day to day but we the election commissioners really were not being kept apprised of these changing numbers and this was after election day that the numbers of ballots never never seemed to settle into a numbers always fluctuating the other issues are related to the canceling of spoiled ballots it will require a stamp marked the. Said canceled on the face of the ballot and then also just the access to open and count absentee ballots we had a considerable problem and this was not just limited to Pulaski County there were also issues in other counties as well but in plastic County you had a good organization supposedly bipartisan yet they carried out or took out a number of Facebook ads where they only attacked Republican candidates I don't know how bipartisan that is our nonpartisan but they set up a tent outside the county clerk's office we are today members of their organization receiving absentee ballots. Where is the law says that the county Clerk or their designees is supposed to be receiving those and we we had the some workers within the Republican Party actually asking if there was anyone from the clerk's office in that tent and the answer was no that it was members of this particular organization so these are necessary reforms to make sure that we have fair and equitable and it. Elections that also meet with integrity it is not the voter suppression I know that's a favorite mantra of those who want to oppose this that we're trying to suppress the vote would know we're trying to make sure that the vote meets the guidelines the integrity that we would want our elections to have and so I I know that there will be at least to a question or two that I'll try to help with so. Shooed away. Representative flowers for what purpose. Question you're recognized for a question. Thank you madam Speaker. Call about the bill last night with the concerned. Regarding a couple things one was about the. License copy of the license requirement in the absentee ballot and I'm sorry I don't I don't I was looking for the email to give exact language because this is someone who called me with the concerned but And maybe let me ask this question can you tell us about the aspect regarding licenses copies of licenses being required and someone not being able to come back later if if if necessary I think I have that right okay. Representa flowers I appreciate your question that is not part of this bill it is part of the voter ID change that we made earlier in the session that's already been approved and signed by the governor okay thank you. Represent the spring of what purpose. Question you're recognized for a question thank you madam chairman of representative Lori I call your attention to your bill Page two. Lines two through five it reads applications for absentee ballots must be signed by the applicant and verified by the county Clerk by checking the voter's name address date of birth and signature from the voter registration application unless the application is sent by in electronic means of as I've stated before before this house I believe that I'm a problem experts on absentee ballots I had to go through five elections and have a number of absentee ballots before I was elected to this position my question to you when I go to my aunt's house I have an absentee ballot for her and she completes the ballot in an op takes it and I take it back in for her and they ticket. And she's ninety five years old and she's been voting since he's age eighteen how do you determine. A ninety five year old this the signature which he started voting eighteen how is that Clark going to be able to determine whether or not that original application that she signed is actually the same person there. One of the things that assist with that is our inclusion from based you know frankly on representative flowers questions about the inclusion of a photocopy of your your photo ID your voter ID of a driver's license for instance has a signature on there that can be used for verification but this requirement is that you would also be checking it against their original voter registration file and so I understand the argument is that over time your signature changes but there has to lease to be an attempt to verify what we understand specifically in plaster county was that there really was not an attempt to verify signatures that the voter apathy Absentee voter applications were just approved without any type of verification all up Medicare you're recognized for follow up. Well we're talking about the application that's being taken and not necessarily yes not necessarily the bad out this handsome I'm just trying to figure out. The Bill actual bout the absentee ballot is what we have here with yes the application also has to have you have to have a verification of their signature you don't want just someone saying that they that they are George Springer also calling an application so the only way to verify that would be to check against any other signature that's on record. One last question madam. One more you're recognized. So I'm I'm I'm still trying to figure out my ninety five year old aunt and I taken her application for the ballot so you're saying that if I take a so you're saying that that I have to take her driver's license with me in order to get that ballot no I'm sorry I stated that incorrectly the driver's license or a photo copy of the driver driver's license would be included when they actually submit the absentee ballot I'm not with not with the application the application you you signed the voter statement you verify the signature checking it against what is in the voter registration record. Thank. What purpose representative flowers. You're recognized for a question thank you I'm I'm clear now on. On my question So as it relates to the change in signature and requiring this form of signature verification. Doesn't don't county clerk's offices currently use the poll books so when we go in and you you vote you have to sign and that was and and so that's what the person called me about because that's what is currently use and I was told in Pulaski County that's that is how they. verified the the all those absentee ballots and that those signatures since they are more content thank you every time you vote you have to find our more valid to verify that a voter registration form so I'm wondering why would we use something that is not as accessible and not as content rather than the the actual books that we finally going to vote which is what is used now mainly so that you have a more uniform standard if you went by whatever your latest signature was in the poll book will what what if you did have not voted in ten years or maybe you'd never voted there would not be a signature in the poll book so this is the most uniform way to be able to have one signature that can be care compared against another signature because everyone does have to sign their voter registration form I understand what you're saying about a more contemporary signature but you would have to put in all types of revisions or or exceptions for those who may not have voted in recent years and would not be in the poll book. Follow up you're recognized for follow up. So earlier you acknowledged that over time people signatures can change. If there is an existing standard and it's not just that people signatures are not being compared but that the poll which is which is a standard which is consistent and and obviously if someone hasn't voted then the the voter registration form could be used but why limit it to something. That can be old and inaccessible give depending on the county. Mainly because it is the more a more uniform standard that everyone is going to have that but they may not necessarily have a pole book signature. What purpose representative Smith motion. What is your motion FOR immediate consideration. He still on the well I can take a motion at the moment. But that's fine members I'd appreciate a good vote on the bill. What purpose representative Smith motion what is your motion FOR immediate consideration. That's a proper motion it's not that non debatable. All in favor say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. The question before the House is the passage of H. B. seventeen fifteen. Where the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With a seventy four yeah he's twenty two nays and zero present the bill has passed. Clark please read H. B. eighteen oh three. The representative Lowery to establish our talk about balloting integrity after twenty twenty one representive Lowery you're recognized present the bill. Thank you madam Speaker. H. B. eighteen oh three. Bills with expanding the ability of really the agency that is most responsible for making sure that our rights are elections are held with integrity and that would be the state board of election commissioners what it does is it clarifies of all the types of complaints they can be referred to the state board of election commissioners and sometimes that complaint is done by the County Board of election commissioners they send it on to the state board the state board has subpoena power but they also are given in this law they're given enforcement power for that subpoena where they can actually even call in the Arkansas state police to conduct the investigations these complaints could be generated by an individual voter submitting their complaint to the County Board of election commissioners or could be something that the County Board itself is actually identified in the buildings it expands the number of violations are ex the the violations of fall under the complaints that the state board may investigate that could be voter registration request for and delivery of absentee ballots the casting of ballots and tabulation The certification of election results the administration of an alleged election the actual election processes or the conduct of an election or elections associated with the complaint. What this does is it just really puts more teeth in our in our ability to make sure that the elections are done in a fair and transparent way it gives more power I wouldn't really use the word to the list but I know of that's been mentioned that the state board is toothless they're not they just really needed more mechanisms to be able to investigate complaints and make sure that our elections are fair it's a very simple bill in terms that everyone really should embrace because we do want to make sure that if there are violations that those are investigated I appreciate a good vote represented Tosh for what purpose. Mission. Lowery has left the well represented Tosh. Representive allowing has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representive love you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you madam chair. Colleagues. As I said. And I watch what's going on with what we are considering. Election reform. In the sweeping changes. Now we're making. The last time sweeping changes like this one may. Sometime around the eighteen nineties. At that time. African Americans were free and they are able to vote. And to stop the vote. No more sweeping changes made. Election laws at that time. Now we can call it voter integrity. We can call in. Whatever we want to call. But the end result is a disenfranchises people. In so. I'm not here to tell you that you know you can't do this and you can't pass because. I know that the Republicans have the numbers. But I will tell you this. History will judge this time in the legislature. Anyone will show. These laws all they do is disenfranchised people. That's all they do. This has nothing to do with voter integrity. It has to do more with voter suppression. And so while we can pass the sweeping changes. I will tell you. That history will look back at this point in time and see the Arkansas has done a disservice to a group of individuals. I would encourage you to vote against this thank you. Senator Rapert what purpose question you're recognized for a question representative love which which part of the bill would disenfranchise someone well. I'm glad that you're asking that and that's why I stood in the well. So. We heard these bills yesterday committee. It was called the roll call pieces of the puzzle that we're putting together. Per voter integrity. Pieces of a puzzle. This is part of what is going to be a sweeping change. And so that's why I say it's voter suppression. Because this bill goes along with other bills in order to make these sweeping changes represent right that's why I said that in the postal is quite clear because the same. Arguments. Thank you today. Or use back in eighteen ninety. When we enacted. The poll tax. We we enacted literacy law. These are the same sweeping changes that they will make. And guess what the legislature they passed overwhelmingly. But it was proven to disenfranchise people so long. You can name it whatever we won't. What it is is a package of legislation. From the old jim crow Hamburg. Yes all of this thank you. Representive love has spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill represent Ladyman you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you madam Speaker. I feel compelled to come down here and talk about this bill because. My friend representative love makes good points but the point that he makes or not relative to this bill. Okay we're not in the eighteen hundreds anymore. The world has changed. And I'll be brief but. When I go around the state and talk to people they don't believe our election system is secure. They don't leave our system has integrity. And there are there is evidence of that. I hear some people say well there is no fraud there are no mistakes everything is fine. But folks if you look at the facts I was trying to look for facts the facts or their. There has been fraud there has been the stakes there are problems. With our election system this bill plus others you'll see I'm not one and I'll run. Tries to fix our election system. And make it work every single person. In Arkansas has the right to cast their vote and believe that it is counted and that no one else cast the vote in their name. That's the purpose of this bill and other bills that will come before you in each one of these bills addresses one issue. With our election system. So this is a good bill and I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Ladyman has spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represented by you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you madam Speaker. Colleagues this this is the the print out of all the bills I got filed. I think a chance to speak on the last bill actually voted against the last bill because we moved the question to pass I get a chance to get online issues addressed I think some of them were just not required to some thought I'd like to I'd like to give on these bills is you know this I don't want this to be a partisan issue myself I mean the laws that we have in place obviously got Republicans into power in this legislature now I'm not saying problems don't exist in certain counties think problems exist and they exist but a minority of counties that affect the majority counties really needs to be weighed when we look at these bills. So what concerning this bill eighteen oh three. or county. It's a law the town it would say unanimously they have no problems with the laws of the exist could they be adjusted today between could they be improved sure but not just the Russian and do it all at once but on this bill it says it would seem that this bill if adopted could cure all the ills that the other bills are trying to address into much specificity. So in their opinion it was passed this one bill give it to the state to figure it out don't worry about all these know some of these bills they said yeah that looks great it's not gonna hurt us others are gonna say they're a little too over reaching. so my last thought on this is. You know it election bills are if you ever seen if you want your county clerk's office I would encourage you to go to your county clerk's office visit with those people visit with that staff understand their issues. Those books are to two big books and they are four or five inches thick and they contradict each other and they they just rolled over time just like a lot of our statues are. So my my final thought that roll down this is I enjoy it so much as what we need to eat election laws like an elephant. One bite at a time. Not like a third offense while the whole. So with that please be consistent be cautious to consider as you're looking at these bills and let's make good decisions for the state because this is the reactionary House I mean the house is designed every two years to be reactionary this is a reaction and I understand that the Senate should be the that the chamber that is slow methodical but we wash our Senate behaves so it gives me concern so I would appreciate I'm gonna vote for this bill and I would appreciate a good vote on this bill but please please look through these bills and spend that time thank you. Tim Brina spoken for the bill would. Represent Wardlaw for purpose let's hear your motion media consideration. That's a proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it. Question before the House is passed house bill eighteen oh three prepared machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy eight yeas eighteen A. zero present the bill is passed members were to go back to House Bill eighteen oh six Mister Clark please read the bill. Six representative Cavenaugh to amend the law concerning special preparations and to allow an agency to submit a request for a special appropriation professional items represent Cavenaugh you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this bill is simply putting in statute special language that we've been running for some time we have going to special language we asked the agencies if they had ongoing special language that could actually be statute to actually propose on this is one dealing with promotional items it's what we've been doing for a long time it deals only with the executive branch agencies it does not preclude the use of federal funds and the DFA office a county will draft a uniform definition of finance and financial management guide for promotional items. And with that I'd take any questions. D. N. nine would appreciate a good vote. Kavanagh's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Cavenaugh is closed for the bill the question before the House is the pastor of House Bill eighteen oh six prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. I voted ninety eight zero nine one present. The bill is passed. Read the letter from the Senate. First twenty twenty one games tax the Senate respectfully requests the return Senate to the Senate house bill ten six P. respect with a choral secretary of state. Is leave granted to return house bill ten sixty three to the Senate. In the bill back to the Senate. Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen twenty six. Sixteen twenty six representative Brooks to amend the processing the process governing the disclosure of a public employee's gross salary amount under the freedom of information act. President Brooks you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is relatively simple bill comes to us from the Municipal League as we know all of our salaries if you're publicly employee are publicly available currently the process states that the custodian of those records must request permission from the employee to release those with employer request this is removing a step in the process of weigh Task Force has approved it now just simply allows of the custodian does not to have to advise the public employee the release and salary as it already part of the public record with that appreciate a good vote. Absent Brooks explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. M. Brooks is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen twenty six per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of eighty nine yeas five nays and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill seventeen ninety seven. Seventy nine center wasn't around to repeal provisions of law concerning the authority of the child welfare agency if you for to promulgate or enforce certain rules represent brown you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker of this bill strikes one line of code but I will tell you what it does House bill seventeen ninety seven removes language that allows corporal punishment for children in residential facilities licensed by the division of child care and early childhood education of the Department of Human Services many of the children in these facilities have already endured physical abuse research related to trauma adverse childhood experiences concludes that corporal punishment should be prohibited in these facilities settings this proposed change would mirror the ban on corporal punishment already in place for child care centers licensed by DHS nothing in this bill affects the ability of parents for public schools to use public corporal punishment. And with that I'd. Entertain questions sponsor not too difficult. Representive Deffenbaugh for purpose. You're recognized thank you Mr Representive I thought you can correct me here for sure I thought that Foster children couldn't be punished couldn't couldn't take it corporal punishment that's correct but some children. Due to I suppose the amount of trauma they have been doing really suitable or are not placed in foster homes they are in facility settings and this law pertains to the ones in the facility settings. You are correct that in in foster homes they cannot receive corporal punishment I appreciate thank you will. With that I'd ask for a good vote. Represent Brown is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Brown is closed for the bill the question before the House is passed house bill seventeen ninety seven prepared machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety eight zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen sixty three. Fourteen sixty three will represents a party to clarify the law concerning municipal regulation of residential building design president fox you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues this is a simple clean up bill from a bill that was run last session it a little too much and it barred our cities from the regulating in certain districts if they wanted to do that to encourage development this bill been filed about beginning the sessions and amendments were done to clean up the language still everybody's on board with it and appreciate a good vote. President fox's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President fox is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen sixty three prepared machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety eight four Nays zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill five eleven. Senate bill eleven by represented the Maddox to the law concerning a broker of a savings and loan association into a mental law concerning foreign savings and loan associations. Represent Maddox you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you were Speaker colleagues all this bill does is strike outdated language regarding to savings and loan associations I don't know that's all it does is directly which so gonna take any questions. Thank you appreciate a good vote. President Maddox is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Max's clothes for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill five eleven prepared machines Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read senate bill four ninety six. Senate bill four ninety six represent the parks and to amend Arkansas election law to the law concerning special elections and establish uniform date for holding special elections president fox you're recognized explain the bill. All right thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues I'm back was in a bill that actually does little more the last bill. Voci. Senate bill four ninety six is a bill that an agency bill from the state board of election commissioners been worked on for three years and it's terrain in the special elections that we've tried to rein in this house before. What this bill does is it provides for special election day two year. Ninety years of a presidential primary will be March may August and November and the three following years will be February may August and November. It ensures special elections cannot be held with primary general run off elections which is currently a serious legal problem under current law. It makes procedures for calling a special election uniform. Requires a seventy day notice to call an election it includes schools and statute governing the calling of special elections in alliance schools elections in odd years with a special elections. Current law said school elections one week before or after the special election day which become problematic for accounts. School elections in even numbered years will still be held with the primary general election which is current law in and changed by the bill. Okay this is a good bill to rein in special elections flew through the Senate and it's arrived here let's get it done today. Represent would for what purpose. Question you're recognized. Is it holds is this similar to a bill that we defeated was given another chance to have a tie vote no. Is this a bill that takes away the ability of local governments to govern and to call a special election or a school district whenever they want to. So what this bill does not appreciate the question is it he gives other options to them there are more dates in this bill there are opportunities to have emergency elections while the language is narrow they can still make it happen. So this just puts it in a more transparent matter where folks know when these dates will be and when the elections we help these of a state wide so that if our secretary state wishes to he can allow and the messaging to be out there and let folks know today is the day that you need to go to the ballot. So what that would how will this impact bond issue. Local the that would be considered an emergency if you have school buildings damaged tornado or something like that that would be an emergency with bond issues would they be provided to call bond issues with of the world to. Well Sir what this does is that would be a special election and the good thing about this bill is is that they would have one opportunity every quarter to do that that's fairly That's fairly big opportunity. Thank you Mr Speaker. Say no more questions. President fox's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President fox is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate bill four ninety six prepared machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy four Yeas nine days and for president the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill one ninety six. Senate bill one ninety six representative million to amend the freedom of information act of nineteen sixty seven Intamin the warning of attorney's fees under the freedom of information act of nineteen sixty seven. President million you're recognized explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker I hear the bombs drop. Senate bill one ninety six what this does if you go and ask for information the request you do not receive the information you have to acquire attorney to get the information after giving you then who have you asked for from has to pay your attorney's fees to real simple just one paragraph bill this. it and I would hope for any questions. I appreciate a good vote. Person Milligan has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent million is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one ninety six per machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety two U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill five fifty four. Senate bill five eighty four by representative Johnson to amend the law regarding alcoholic beverages and authorize beer wholesalers to distribute certain ready to drink products. President Johnson you're recognized explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this bill creates a pathway for beer wholesalers to be able to sell some new products of come the market research years ago ready ready to drink spiritus based low alcohol content beverages to be made now by Mitt beer manufacturers but there's no pathway for a bit wholesalers to sell these items it doesn't change you can sell them at retail doesn't create any new alcohol sales in that in that manner and it it just past the ABC with Christian rules for how they might distribute these products that we have to try to answer any questions. C. nine appreciate a good vote thank you represent Pilkington for purpose. Question represent Johnson's left well. Thanks man. Johnson is 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 the passage of Senate bill five fifty four prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy eight fifteen days and five present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill fourteen. Senate bill four eighteen the representative Johnson to mean the authority of the state parks recreation and travel commission related to the fees for services and authorize the State Parks Division to utilize dynamic pricing for eleven services and overnight accommodations president Johnson you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker so colleagues currently in our state parks the the prices are set annually and they can adjust the process but only about twenty percent upper down and this gives them the ability to be more flexible in how they process items in the park currently that flexibility is only provided for the cabins in the lodging is allowed for the marine is in some of the other things the campsites and so this gives them the ability to do flash sales of theirs and low demand they can drop the price as much as fifty percent at but it it keeps the process which they can go up at the same it is now which is twenty percent so it gives us a nice flexibility to compete in the market place and try to stay viable and I'd be happy to answer questions represent Cavenaugh for purpose question you're recognized thank you Mr Speaker a representative Johnson so is this going to allow them to raise the prices on cabins on the rain does in the peak seasons so that our cans and have to pay more during peak season it will allow them to raise it to the current prostate can raise it to now so they have the flexibility now to go up to twenty percent we've kept that flexibility the same it does give them that ability to compete in that market place when demand time uh but it doesn't it we we anticipate back an amended to make it the twenty percent which is how I understand it to be now the only change would be now that it could apply also to the campsites in marine is as you currently only applies for the cabins in the lodging follows Mr Speaker recognized so we're going to do a rate increase for campers. It gives in that camp the capacity that I already have that capacity except for camper so yes that would be true that if we give them that ability to do that in this scenario so if it is a holiday season they have that ability. President Bryant for purpose question you're recognized is there a an annual cap to that twenty percent because my familiarity with dynamic pricing is if it goes up labor Memorial Day and stays high Labor Day is another season could go again more than twenty percent annual as I understand it there's an annual cap the set by the commission and this would be twenty percent for that anyway after that so the written the pricing set annually by the commission and this is the flexibility within that range that they set. The no more questions I appreciate a good vote thank you represent Johnson explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Johnson's close for the bill the question before the House is the past Senate bill four eighteen prepared machines part. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of fifty seven Yeas twenty four Nays and seven present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill five thirty one. Senate bill five thirty one by representative warned to create the Arkansas Legislative art the Technion technology boot camp purpose of one you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker first of all let me apologize for co sponsor names appeared on this bill that should not have the names that should have been on the air that are not. We lost a sign up sheet right before we had to turn in the list and try to remember all the names if your name is not on the list or if your name is on the list and you don't want the please see me and I'll get you off the list. If you're not on here and you want to be added let me know we'll get you back on the caucus list so. The list was made up of all code the co sponsored this was made up of all the people who signed up for the arts caucus. This bill is the culmination of three years of work. Arkansas is blessed with a lot of great people who are incredibly talented. There's never been an effort to promote all the arts and related technology in Arkansas. We have divided the state into eight arts districts each district has one Republican and one Democrat as representatives for the district. There's also one senator and one representative for each district. The house has had eight people working on this we want to let people know of all the arts in our state when they come to visit if they come to crystal bridges we want them to know what else is out there in our state and encourage them to stay in Arkansas longer. From the crystal bridges and huge outdoor venue in northwest part of the state to the Murphy arts district that has been built in the extreme southern part of our state. From the documentary Film Festival and music festivals in hot springs along with the committee art galleries to the king biscuit blues festival in Helena from the folk music center capital of the world in Mountain View to the Robinson fine arts center here in Little Rock we have so much to brag about. Add to those venues the current use of technology and putting so much of it together. I left out the thorncrown chapel in Eureka Springs and carbon wooden gardens in hot springs with the Anthony chapel the sights of so many weddings those are architectural pieces of art. Agriculture sites play into this as well we are a leading producer of rice. Visit the museum we are also one of the leaders in production and supply of blackberries in the country are you aware the sisters and do miss Arkansas who produce pottery that a ship all over this country and beyond. We have too many museums of discovery the list goes on but there is no list to guide people we want to put a list together to guide people. These meetings will be instrumental in getting the word out about our state and feature the great assets in our state as well as meet. Have meetings around the state the pride be like three or four meetings each year around the state featuring what special in that part of the state. There would be per diem for members to attend however I see many showing up from the communities we go to so not as big expense I think this is one costs though when you total up the per diem. That's a small price to pay for promoting our state. I'd be glad to entertain some questions. Yes Sir Pilkington for purpose question you're recognized. Explained to me this we're creating a new task force upon it appear camper spending state funds to help promote the arts to hopefully increase tourism but no we have a department tourism that we have in Education Committee that can do all these things I mean I feel like we're just creating more government here for the sake of creating more government could you kind of address my concerns. Be glad to. Right now when you go to crystal bridges. There's nothing to entice you to stay in the state and go see what's in hot springs or go to the Murphy arts district in south Arkansas or to go to the king biscuit blues festival we need to be doing a better job that is not getting done. We have had people working together trying to get people to realize all the potential that Arkansas has the hot springs documentary Film Festival is bringing people to our state from all over this country films are being people are looking and saying we want to do films in Arkansas you've got a great state such a neat place that we could fail so what we're trying to do is aid in the production of bringing people to Arkansas and. Right now we're missing out on some opportunities the only cost that we've got here. His per diem of people who make the effort to go to some of the meetings that we have across the state to learn about what's happening in those parts of the state. Lowery for purpose question you're recognized representative warrant it typically when when there are task forces that travel out into this state you said four times a year included in that would not just people per diem but also would be mileage to you an anticipate that that would also be the case in and if so what pool of monies would be used to support the per diem and mileage for those who attend. There would be some cost right now and and I I would have to double check that I know that we did have a fund that was going to be the source for that I have to get back to you on that but we did have a source that would be used for that for the mileage but. Follow. Okay other questions would be and and it's really kind of the pivots off of the the previous question for representative Pilkington. Parks and tourism spends a lot of money I mean tens of millions of dollars most most of which is with one ad agency by the way of promoting everyone of these venues around the state why is it that yeah I mean if they're so effective that they keep getting renewed year after year after year for these tens of millions of dollars why is that the do you think that the legislature needs to supplement those efforts that are well funded. I think the main purpose of having the legislature involved is that we represent these communities we know best what's in our communities sometimes state agencies. Get attracted to the big a big. Attractions. We have other smaller communities and other venues in the state that need attention to so I would just ask you for a fable favorable vote for this I think we have a lot of work that we can accomplish with this and I would appreciate your vote thank you. President warns explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. President Pilkington you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker The last of my comments you know we're just adding on to more government we've already got Department towards in that does this we're just creating a task force and spending more taxpayer money so we can have field trips around the state four times a year do you think about it is a hundred members of us that means probably you might get a a visiting your district from this bill trip Committee once every twenty five years so I just think is we got a party towards them they've got a job to do if they're not doing their job we need to hold accountable would only be creating more task force you know I love the arts I was a there's been when I was in high school I was in the state board as means I I love the arts but to me a month so guardian of taxpayers money with that I think about it there's been I hear ya. All right thank. The president Pilkington has spoken against the bill we would like to speak for the bill represent right you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker over the last thirty years. I've seen rule committee communities dropping almost that. But we have a project and it's going to be within the last that by the last to speak about it but dies calling. We have about three thousand people that show up for that. Concert and to a three day period and they also do some educational courses brother of represented less. And I think that this. It's going to help rule areas and I know we needed and and I appreciate your vote with him on the. President have spoken for the bill we would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill representive Christiansen you're recognized speak for the bill. Collins I'll be brief and to the point. What representative rice that is correct representative Pilkington has the right questions are we getting into an involvement that we shouldn't and I say we are when we do this the Senate is known as the upper house for a reason because they're farther away from the people and we are and I recommend this to vote for this and get in the field and learn what our communities are doing as representatives are constituents will be better served as patrons of the arts our communities will be better served in what we do and I hardly urge you to support involvement in this it is not in growing government it is involving our communities in interaction with our legislators so we can better promote our state it's a small amount of money and it's very well spent I ask you for a good vote. President Christiansen's spoken for the bill we would like to speak against the bill represent makes you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you. I don't know whether I'm speaking against the bill or not but I do have some questions and I'm hoping that you'll cover forcing your closing so the one quote one of the questions that I would like to have answered is what lawmakers will be on this task force's gonna be open all members of the General Assembly that would be paying per diem for or is it just gonna be a select few and if it's just a select few who decides to those select few are the next question I have is there's been discussion about we're just creating a task force which is going on field trips and so is this this. Boot camp gonna do anything productive other than have meetings or just gonna go have meetings or are we going to use such something about making brochure so we're gonna be making brochures or on what we gonna be doing after we've had these these business so if you would address those in your closing remarks thank you Sir. It makes a spoken against the bill we would like to speak for the bill. When a represent Cozart you're recognized speak for the. Calling this is a big deal for Arkansas it could be even better will we make as we work on this hard but I know in hot springs arts is a great thing offspring I notice all across our state if you know if you were to by the task force's causes of let's just do what will the medical task force that they have they have so many of those so you don't have that right the Bill Clinton would do away one we'll put this one in so I mean that's just what you know that's what it is we could we could let one go will put another one in but Calais license plate make a one off the one on but anyway this is a great deal for everybody across state because everybody has arts and entertainment all across so I appreciate a good vote president Cozart spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent worn you're recognized close for the. Okay representative makes with respect to years their eight house members states broken down into eight districts the Speaker gets to a point those eight people and. We're trying to make sure that we get representation all over the state. Those are good for two years at a time so we get to have some turnover. The Trying to remember. Okay what we're gonna do when we go to the different communities is we're going to be highlighting what is in those communities we're going to try to learn about those communities feature what's special about those community so that we know when we go to those communities what we can do in those communities other things that we can help about that part of the state so we get educated we interact with those people and we learn more about a part of the state that we're not from. So this would bring money into the state when you go to crystal bridges a lot of people go and then they leave we want to keep them in our state spend more money in our state go to a different part stay for longer and help bring more money to the economy of Arkansas I would appreciate a good vote. Warren has closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill five thirty one prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of sixty nine yeas eighteen days and for president the bill is passed. President makes for what purpose motion place through your motion after the announcmenet trading or the bills transferring the bill's place in the calendars on that house 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 on Monday afternoon. That's proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The motion carried are there any announcements. Represent Fortner what purpose announcmenet let's hear it revenue tax will be meeting at three o'clock one fifty one. President Ladyman for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized public health will be meeting at three o'clock in maxi. Absent. Lowery what purpose announcmenet you're recognized House insurance and commerce will be meeting Monday morning at nine thirty in conference room C.. President Dalby for what purpose announcmenet recognized judiciary will meet at three o'clock big mac it. Any other announcements. The desk remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion The Addams named in the joint resolution the house to be adjourned until one PM Monday.